NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


LAND    BIRDS. 


VOL.  I. 


A 


HISTORY 


OF 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS 


BY 


S.  F.  BAIRD,  T.  M.  BREWER,  and  R.  RIDGWAY 


LAND    BIRDS 


TLUmTRATED   BY  CA  PLATER  AND  59.3  WnnDCUTfi 


VOLUME   I. 


,4r'i; 


B  O  S  T  O  r.r 

LITTLE,    BROWN,    AND    COMPANY 

1874 


REFERENCE 


REFERENCE 


l-'"t.Mv,l  aroonlii.g  t„  Act  of  Vow^ix'ss,  i„  |ho  y™,  is;.,, 

'iV     I.ITTI.K,     BUOWN,    AND    COMPANY, 

i"  the  Otlice  <,f  th.  Li,,,arian  of  Congress,  at  Waslungton. 


I^PvPlFACE, 


Till-:  present  Mork  is  designed  to  meet  tlie  want,  wliicl.  Ims  lo:.o-  heen  felt 
nia  descii].tive  aeeuiuit  ot  tl,e  IJirds  .,rX„rt]i  America,  with  notices  oi'tlieir 
ovo-rapliical  distrihution,  l.ul.ils,  nu-tlHuis  of  nesliiin-  character  of  e.-s  their 
popidar  nomenclature,  and  oilier  points  C(.nnected  with  their  life  histi.ry 

I'or  many  years  past  the  only  systematic  treatises  heaiin-  upon  this'  suh- 
ject  have  been  "  Tiie  American  ()rnithoh)uy  -  of  Alexan.ler  AVilson  finished 
hy  that  author  in  ISU,  and  la'onnht  (h.wn  to  the  date  of  I8i'7  1,y  (leor^e 
Ord;  the  "Ornithological  l',i..graphy -  of  Auduhon,  bearin- date  of  LS.'iS  wiUi 
a  second  edition,"  liirds  ul'  America,"  embracing  a  little  more  of  detail  and 
completed  m  1S44;  and  "A  Manual  of  the  Ornithology  of  the  Tnit...!  States 
and  eanada,"  by  Xuttall,  of  which  a  first  edition  was  laiblish.Ml  in  18:!->  and 
a  second  m  184U.  Since  then  no  work  relating  to  American  Ornitholony  of 
a  biographical  nature,  has  been  presented  to  the  public,  with  the  exception 
ot  s(Mne  of  limited  extent,  such  as  those  of  fiirand,  on  the  "J'.irds  of  Lnu" 
Island,"  in  1.S44;  De  Kay's  "  I'.irds  of  Xew  York,"  1,S44;  Samuels's  "Orni" 
thology  and  Oblogy  of  Xew  England,-  I. SOS,  ,nid  a  few  others  ;  together  with 
(piite  a  nunil)er  of  minor  i)apers  on  the  l,irds  of  particular  localities,  of 
greater  or  less  moment,  chiefly  laiblished  in  periodicals  and  the  Proceedings 
of  Societies.  The  reports  of  many  of  the  government  exploring  j.arties  also 
contain  valuable  data,  especially  those  of  Dr.  Xewberry,  Dr.  Jleermaim, 
I>r.  J.  ().  (Vioper,  Dr.  Suckley.  Dr.  Kennerly,  and  others. 

Mow  recenHy  (in  1 STO)  Professor  ^A'hitney,  Chief  of  the  ( ieological  Survey 
nf  California,  has  published  a  very  im])ortant  volume  on  the  oriiitholoay  of 
th(!  entire  west  coast  of  Xorth  America,  written  by  Dr.  .7.  (1.  Cooper,  and 
containing  much  original  detail  in  reference  to  the  habits  of  the  western' si)e- 
oies.  This  is  by  far  the  most  valuable  contribution  to  the  biograjihy  of 
American  birds  that  has  appeared  since  the  time  of  Audubon,  and,  with  its 
t,vpogra])hical  beauty  and  numerous  and  excclhuit  illustrations,  all  on  wood 
and  many  of  them  colored,  constitutes  one  of  the  most  noteworthy  j.ublica- 
tions  in  American  /oiilogv. 

V]>  to  the  time  of  tlie  appearance  of  the  M'ork  of  .\udubon,  uenrlv  all  that 
was  known  of  th.-  -reat  ivgion  of  the  Cnited  States  west  of  the 'Missouri 
b'lver  was  the  result  of  the  journey  of  Lewis  aii.l  Clark  up  the  Mi.ssouri  and 


vi  PREFACE. 

iici'oss  to  till'  I'lifilie  Cdiist,  iuiil  tliiil  ol'  Jiiliii  Iv.  Towii.send  and  Mr.  Nxittall, 
lidtli  (if  wlumi  iiiiiil(!  sdiuf  collcclidiis  and  lirou^iit  hack  iiulicfs  ol  tlio  (•(Uiu- 
Irv,  \\liii;li,  liuwevur,  tlicv  wvw  iiiialik'  to  cxjdini!  to  any  ,L,M'(!at  extent.  The 
riiliiv  ic^ioii  ut'  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Coloiiidn,  Aii/.uua,  Nevada,  and  (.'ali- 
Inrnia  was  uiivisited,  as  also  a  ^n'cat  poi'tidn  ul'  lemtovy  north  of  tlie  United 
States  hoiuidarv,  inehidin,t;'  IJritisli  ('olund)ia  and  Alaska. 

.V  work  liy  Sir.lolin  ilieliardson,  l'ornnu,n  a  vulunie  in  his  .serie.s  of  "  Fauna 
r>oreali-Ainericaiia,"  in  refeienee  to  the  oruitlioloy;y  of  tlie  region  covered  by 
tlie  lludsiin  r>ay  Company's  operations,  was  puMished  in  1831,  and  has 
lieen  nnuh  nsed  liy  Mr.  Audubon,  luit  endmices  little  or  nothing  of  the  great 
breeding-grounds  of  the  water  birds  in  tlie  neighliorliood  of  the  Great  Slave 
and  liear  1-ake.s,  the  Upper  Vukon,  and  the  .sliores  of  the  Arctic  coast. 

Tt  will  thu.s  be  seen  that  a  third  of  a  century  has  elap.sed  since  any  at- 
tempt has  been  made  to  present  a  systematic  history  of  the  birds  of  North 
America. 

The  oliject  of  the  ])resent  work  is  to  give,  in  as  concise  a  form  as  jjossible, 
an  accoiuit  of  what  is  known  of  tlie  birds,  not  only  of  the  United  States,  but 
of  the  whole  region  of  Xorth  America  north  of  the  l)Oundary-line  of  Mexico, 
including  (ireenland,  on  the  one  sitle,  and  Alaska  M'ith  its  islands  on  the 
otiier.  The  puldished  materials  for  such  a  history  are  so  copious  that  it  is  a 
matter  of  surjn'ise  that  they  have  not  been  sooner  utilized,  consisting,  as  they 
do,  of  numerous  scattered  l)iograi)hies  and  reports  of  many  government  expe- 
ditions and  ])rivat(^  exjiloralions.  l>ut  the  most  ])ro(hictive  source  has  been 
tlie  great  amount  of  manuscript  contaiiunl  in  the  archives  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  in  the  foiin  of  correspondence,  elaborate  reports,  and  the  field- 
notes  of  collectors  and  tiavelleis,  the  use  of  which,  for  the  present  work,  has 
be(!n  liberally  allowed  by  i'mlcssor  Henry.  JJy  far  the  most  important  of 
these  consist  of  notes  made  by  the  late  IJol>ert  Kennicott  in  Hriti-sh  America, 
and  received  from  him  and  other  gentlemen  in  the  Hudson  I'ay  Territory, 
who  were  brought  into  intimate  relationship  with  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion throngli  ]\Ir.  Kennicott's  efforts.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  more 
es]iecially  Mr.  \l.  .MacFarlane,  Mr.  V,.  II.  b'oss,  :\Ir.  James  Lockhart,  ]\Ir. 
i/iwivnce  (lark,  Mr.  Strachan  -lones,  and  others,  whose  names  will  appear 
in  the  coiu'se  of  tiie  work.  The  especial  value  of  the  (iommunications  re- 
ceived from  tliese  geiitlenu'n  lies  in  the  fact  that  they  resided  for  a  long 
time  in  a  region  to  which  a  Lirge  proportion  <if  the  raiiacious  and  water  birds 
of  North  America  resort  during  the  sunnner  for  iiu'ubation,  and  which  until 
recently  has  been  sealed  to  explorers. 

K(pially  servicenble  has  been  the  information  received  from  the  region  of 
the  Yukon  iJiver  and  Alaska  generally,  including  the  Aleutian  Islands,  as 
supplied  liy  Messrs.  ifobert  Kennicott,  William  II.  Dall,  Henry  M.  Bannister, 
Henry  W.  Elliott,  and  others. 

It  should  be  understood  that  tlie  remarks  as  to  tlu;  absence  of  general  works 
on  American  Ornithology,  since  the  time  of  Audubon,  apply  oidy  to  the  life 


IMiKKACK.  vii 


ork 


lii.stoiv  <il'  till!  Hpt'cios,  lis,  ill  18r>S,  (nic  ol'  tin-  iiutlidi's  dl'  tlu'  inusciit  w 
jiiililislieil  ii  sysli'iiiiitic  uceuiiiit  "i'  llii  .linls  nf  Xiiitli  Aiiicrica,  t'linstilutiiiL;' 
\nl.  IX,  of  the  si-rics  (if  I'acilic  llailruiid  lu'iKirls;  wliilc  IVoin  tln'  iicn  nf 
Dr.  Klliiilt  ( 'diii's,  a  well-know n  ami  omiiu'iit  Diniliiuld^i^ist,  ai)i)t'areil  in  iS7- 
ii  L'oiiiiirilifiisivc  voliiiiic,  I'Ulilk'il  "  A  Key  t(i  NOitti  Aiuciicaii  Ilinls,'' coii- 
taiiiiiig  tlcseriptiini!?  "l'  llie  wjieciL's  ami  lii.^luT  ^roiips. 

Tiif  tLH'liiiical,  or  tlcseiiplivi',  iiialtiT  ol'  tlui  picsL'iit  work  has  liocii  ])ifiiarcil 
liy  Messrs.  Bainl  and  lliduway,  that  relating  U\  the  J,'((jil(,r(s  entirely  liy  Mr. 
Jlidgway  ;  and  all  the  acediints  ut'  the  habits  ol'  the  sjiceics  are  Iroin  the  pen 
of  Dr.  ISrewer.  Jn  adilitiou  to  the  matter  supplied  hy  these  gentlemen,  I'm- 
i'essor  'i'heodure  X.  (iill  lias  I'liniislied  that  portion  of  tlie  introduction  de- 
fining tlic  class  ol'  birds  as  eomiiared  with  the  otlua' vertebrates ;  wiiik'  to  J)i', 
Cones  is  to  be  given  the  entire  credit  for  the  jiages  oiiil)racing  the  tallies  of 
the  Orders  and  Families,  as  well  as  for  the  (llossary  beginning  on  page  ,"):!") 
of  Vol.  111. 

Nearly  all  the  drawings  of  the  fnll-length  figures  of  birds  <'ontained  in  the 
work  were  made  diri'ctly  on  the  wood,  by  Mr.  Edwin  L.  Sheppard,  of  IMiila- 
deljihia,  from  original  sketches  taken  from  nature;  while  the  heads  were  exe- 
cuted foi'  the  most  jiart  by  Mr.  Henry  W.  Klliott  and  Mr.  i{i<lg\vay.  liolli 
series  have  been  engraved  iiy  Mr.  Hobart  II.  Xichols  of  Washington.  The 
•reiierie  outlines  weri;  drawn  bv  iVnton  !-.  Schimborn,  and  eiiiiiaved  by  the 
jieculiar  process  of  -lewelt,  Chandler,  &  Co.,  of  lUillalo.  All  of  the.se,  it  is 
believed,  speak  for  themselves,  and  re(|uire  no  other  commendation. 

A  consideialije  jiortion  of  the  illustrations  were  jireparod,  by  the  ])ersons 
nienlioned  aimve,  for  tiie  IJeports  of  tiie  (ieological  Survey  of  California,  and 
published  in  the  volume  on  Ornithology.  To  Professor  Whitney,  Chief 
of  the  Survey,  ackiiowledgiiients  are  due  for  the  privilege  of  including  many 
of  them  in  the  jircsent  History  of  Xorth  American  J'irds,  and  also  for  the 
Ivxplanalion  of  Terms,  ]page  't'H')  of  Vol,  III. 

A  few  cuts,  drawn  by  Wolf  and  engraved  by  Whymper,  first  juililished 
in  "  ISritisli  llirds  in  their  Haunts,"  and  credited  in  their  proper  places, 
were  kindly  furnished  liy  the  London  Society  for  the  Dillusion  of  Chris- 
tian Knowledge;  and  some  others  iirepareil  I'or  an  unpublished  volume  by 
J)r.  Pilasius,  on  tiie  ISirds  of  (ierniany,  were  ol)tained  i'roni  Messi.s.  N'ieweg 
and  Son,  of  r>raunsehweig. 

The  volume  on  the  Water  Pirds  is  in  an  advanced  .state  of  ]iieparation, 
and  will  be  publislied  with  the  least  p(jssible  delay. 


SPENCER  F.  UAIitU. 


SMrni.siiNM.w  iN.'^Trrrriox,  Washington', 
.ruimaiy  8,  1874. 


CONTENTS 


ri;r.rAri-, 

Im  iidiirniuN 

Kaiiiily  Tii;i.|ii.i:.      Thr  Thiiisln's 
SiiMiiiiiily  'l'ri;iii,\.i: 

SlllirMlllily    Ml  MINK 

r.niiily  I'lNri.ii,.,:.      Tlif  |lip|nTs 
Kaiiiily  SAMr.n.in.i:.     Tlir  Saxirciliis 
Kiiliiily  Svi. villi. K.      Till'  Sylvi;is 

SuliliiMiily  Svi.\  IIN.K    . 

Siilir.uiiily  lii.cil.lN.i; 

Slllir.lliiily   rdl.KHTIIIN.K       . 

Family  I  mam.i:  ui.i:.      TIk  (Irniiiiil-'l'its 

I'amily  I'a .1..     Th,.  Tifiiiicc      . 

Siiliriiiiiily  rAiMN.K 

Suliraiiiily  SiiriN.i: 

Family  <'i;uTlilA|i.i:.     Tlii' Civi'Ikts  . 

Family  'rKiii^LciiiVTIlM;.      Tin-  Wrens     . 

Family  MdrAiii.i.in.K.     Tlu'  Wa-tails 

Suhlamily  MniA(  ll.l.is.i; 

Siililainily  Aniiiin.k 

Family  Syi.vh,, I. iii.K.     Tlic  Waililns     . 

SiiMamily  Svi.vimi.iN.K 

Siilil'amily  (iKoriil.vi'iN.K     . 

Siililamily  liri:i;iAN.i:     . 

Sulilamily  Si.idpiiAiiiN.K      . 

Family  IIllir\iiiNl|i.K.     The  Swallnws 

Family  VlUKdNin.i;.     Tlic  Viives  . 

ramily  Ampkmh.k.     Tlic  Clialtcivis 

Suliliiiuily  Ami'i-.i.in.k 

Subi'iimily  I'ril.DciiSATiN.i-; 
vol,.   I.  I, 


I'Acii; 

V 

.\i 
1 
:i 

:!I 

(ill 
till 
7:; 


Sii 
M! 

VH 
VM\ 
KU 
1(15 
IC'.i 

irr 
im 

.'iiiii 

Mil 
:!■.>(! 

:i:.7 
n'.(.-i 

404 


COXTK.XTS. 


l''aiiiily  I.AMiii.i:.     Tlu'  Slirikcs 
Kaiiiily  l'.Ki;i:iiii).K.      The  (.nils 
Kiiiiiily  Tanai;i:iii.k.     TIh'  'riiiiMgci-s 
l'';ii]iilv  l-'l:iMWi,l.iii.i:.     The  Fiiiclii's 
Suliriiiiiily  I  'iM  ((iiiii;ai'.--iin.i-: 
.Siiblaiiiily  I'yi;!:!  iin.k      . 
iSuMiiMiily  Si'i/.i:i.i.iN.v: 

Imii:.\   111   Tin;  I'i.atk.s. 

ri.ATKs  1-20. 


■112 
■125 
■l:il 

.  4tl! 
410 

.  524 
528 


INTRODUCTION. 


TlFK  class  of  Hinls  (.Ivrs),  as  rojirosoiitod  in  tlio  jnxwiit  n,ne  of  tho  wdil,!, 
is  composed  of  very  many  siH'cies,  closely  rclalcd  i\num<^  themselves   ami 
(listin,t,'iiislu;(l  by  numerous  cliaraclers  common  to  all.     For  the  puriioscs  df 
the  present  work  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  attempt  the  iletinitioii  of  wiiat 
constitutes  a  liird,  the  veriest  tym  l)ein<^-  ahle  to  decide  as  to  the  fact  in 
regard  to  any  \(n'th  American  animal.     Xevertjielcss,  for  the  .-^aice  of  ljiv;'' -r 
completeness,  we   may   say   that,  comjiared    with   other  classes,'    I'.ji'ds   m 
iihranchiate  vertelirates,  with  a  hrain  lillin.u'  the  cranial  c'vity,  tiie  cerehral 
portion  ol'  which  is  moderately  well  developt'd,  the  corpora  striata  connected 
liy  a  small  anterior  commisNure   (no  corpus   callosum   develoiiedi,  proseii- 
cephalic    hemispheres   lurye,  tiie  optic   hii.es   lateral,  the  eerel)elluiu  trans- 
versely multitissured;   the  lun-s  and  heart  not  separated  i.y  a  diaphraum 
from  the  ahdominal  viscera;  aortic  arch  sini-le  (the  ri.^lit  only  liein-' d.^vel- 
oped);  Idooil,  with  imcleated  red  corjaiscles,  uiider-'oin--  a  complete  Ciivnla- 
tion,  beiny  received  and  transmitted  by  the  ri-ht  half  ,p|'  the  (luadrilocular 
heart  to  the  lun-s  for  aeration  (and  thus  warmed),  and  afterwards  returned 
by  Ihe  other  half  throu.-h   tla;  system  (there  being  no  communication   be- 
tween the  arterial  and  venous  portion.s) ;  skull  with  a  sin-le  me.lian  convex 
condyle,  chielly  on  the  basi-occipital  (with  the  sutiu'es  for  the  most  jiart  early 
oiiliterated) ;  the  lower  jaw  with  its  rami  ossifyin-'  from  several  points,  coin 
nected  with  the  skull  by  the  intervention  of  a  (piadrate  bone  (homolo-cais 
with  tlu;  malleus) ;  i.elvis  with  ilia  i.rolon-ed  in  front  of  the  acetabulum,  isehi^, 
and  pulses  nearly  parallel  with  each  otlu'r,  and  the  ischia  usuallv  .separat.'d: 
anterior  and  ]..,sterior  memb.'is  much  dillerentiated  :  the  former  modilied  for 
Ih-ht,  with  the  humerus  nearly  paiallel  with  the  axis  of  the  bodv  and  c.m- 
eeah'd  m  the  muscles,  the  ra.liusand  ulna  distinct,  with  two  persistent  carpal 
bones,  and  two  to  four  dioits ;  the  h-s  with  the  bones  peculiarlv  combined 
(\)  the  proxmial  tarsal   bones  cah's.'iuM'  with   the  a.ljoinin-  ti'bia,  an.l  ^'l) 
the  distal    tarsal    coalescing  with    three    (sec.aid,  thii'd,  and    f.airt'h)  n.eta- 
linsals   (the    first    metatarsal  beiii^'   free),   and  forudn-   Ihe   s,,-ealled   tarso- 
iiietatarsus  ;  dermal  appenda-es  .levelope.l  as  feath.irs  ;  oviparcais,  the  e--s 
bemn-  iertili/ed  within  the  bo.Iy,  excluded  with  an  oval,  calcareous  shell,  i'md 

MV..  ,uv  iiM.l.tnl  t„  lV„l,.,ss„i'  Tli.MHl,,,-,.  N.  (iill  lor  tl„.  p.vs,.„|  ar,.,«u,l  .,r  tl„.  ,l,Mn.,l,iiMi,'s 
"I  till'  cl;iss  ol   limls  ;ls  .l|slill;riii.sllC(l  flolll  otlllM'  ViTtclllalcs,   ]l,ijfcs  XI -XV. 


xii  NORTH  AMERICAN  lURDS. 

liiitclii'd  at  ii  tciiqiui'iilure  Dl'iilimil  Jd-t"  F.  (goncnilly  liy  the  iiiculiiitiiui  iqioii 

UlCllI  111'  lllU  llinlllcl'J.l 

Such  an-  sdiiu'  ol'  the  •'■  .iliircs  cdiiiiiion  to  all  the  cxistiiiL;-  sjierii'is  iil'  liinls.- 
]\laii_v  (ilhers  uiii^hl  hi;  I'liuniriati'd,  hul  only  lliusc  are  'j,\\vn  which  contrast 
with  the  chai'aelei'istics  of  the  nianunals  on  the  one  haml  and  those  of  the 
reptiles  on  the  other.  'I'he  interior  vertehrates  are  di -liniiuished  liy  so 
many  salient  charactei's  and  are  so  widely  separated  from  the  hiiiher  that 
they  need  not  he  compared  with  the  ]iresent  class. 

Although  liirds  are  of  course  readily  reco,i;iiiza.iile  hy  the  oliserver.  and  ai'e 
detinahle  al  once,  cxistiiii;'  under  jiresent  conditions,  as  wai'Ui-hlooded  \'erle- 
lirates,  with  the  anterior  niendiers  prinulivcly  adai)teil  for  IliL^ht,  —  they  are 
sometimes  aliorlivc,  —  and  ((i\ered  with  feathers,  such  characteristics  do  not 
sutlice  to  enalile  us  to  appreciati'  the  relations  of  the  class.  The  character- 
istics have  heen  '/wvu  nioi-e  lully  in  order  to  jiernut  a  comparison  lietween 
the  mendiers  of  the  <-lass  and  those  of  the  mammals  and  rejitiles.  'i'he  class 
is  without  (!.\ce]ilion  the  most  homo,L;cneous  in  the  animal  kiuL^dom  ;  and 
amouu  the  lixim^'  foi'uis  less  diU'erences  are  oliservahle  than  lietween  the  re]ire- 
sentati\es  of  many  natural  ordei's  anions  other  classes,  iliit  still  ihi'  diffei'- 
ences  lietween  them  and  ihi'  other  existing  forms  are  sullicient,  ]ierlia]is,  to 
authorize  the  disiinction  of  the  yroup  as  a  class,  and  such  rank  has  always 
lieen  allowed  e.\ce]it iu,i;'  liv  one  recent  naturalist. 

i'lUt  if  we  furl  her  compare  the  characters  of  ihe  class,  it  heconies  evident 
that  those  shared  in  common  'vitli  the  reptiles  are  nuich  more  numerous 
than  those  shared  wiili  the  mamm.ds.  In  this  respect  the  \  iews  of  natui'al- 
ists  ha\e  chan'^cd  within  receui  years.  l'"ormerly  tlui  two  cliaracter- 
isli<'s  shared  with  the  mannuals  -  the  (piadrilocular  heart  and  warm  lilood 
—  Were  dcciueil  evidences  of  the  clos(>  aHiiMty  of  the  two  groups,  and 
they  wer(!  eonsei|Ucntly  coiuhined  as  a  section  of  the  vfrlelirates,  under 
the  name  of  Warm-Mooded  W'rt  el  nates.  Hut  recently  the  tendency  has 
liecii,  and  very  jusilv,  to  consider  the  lards  and  reptiles  as  mciuliers  of 
a  coiuiuon  ui'oup,  separated  on  the  one  hand  from  .he  nuinnnals  and 
on  the  other  fmni  the  liatrachians ;  and  to  this  coml'inalion  of  hii'ds  and 
reptiles  has  lieen   liiven  tin;  name  Snni'd/isii/ii. 

'  I)r.  t'niii^,  ill  liN  "  Kiv  111  Nmtli  .Vimii'Mii  Ilinls,"  f;iv(■^  mi  iil>f'  ;nMl  lAlriiili'.l  mtirlv  nn 
tlir  ,i;riii'i;il  .  liai:iili  li-lii^  lir  liieU,  .■iii'l  nil  lliiii  iiili'iii;il  iiml  rMn  mil  ;iiiatoiii\ ,  In  «  hi.  li  «!■ 
ivlir  (Mil-  iviiiliis.  .\  |ill|ii  rtiy  I'l■ll|■(■^^^^  !•'..  ,>>.  McHM'  ill  lllr  ".\llll;lls  cil'lllc  NrW  ViilK  l.yi'clllll  III' 
Xaliiial  lli>liiiy"  i.\,  IsillO,  "I'li  llii' ('iii|iiis  ai^il  '"..nsus  nl' liiids,"  i.s  nf  iiiiiili  sriciililir  viiliic, 

-  Ciiois  mill  (li'isl.in  K.r  iilaiiilliii.il  .l.r  /,iiii1.i,l.'i.  .  ISii'<,  tlMi  piv-.  nl  ih.-  I. .11. .win;;  .l.liiiili.iii 
111'  l.ii.ls  a-i  a  I'la-i  : 

Aves.  Skill  iiivii.'.l  vvli.illv  111  ill  part  uilli  IValluT-..  .Viil.ai.ir  |iair  nl'  liiii'.-,  .'.no  cili.l  iiiln 
wiiii.'^,  .i;iiii'iiilly  il>nl  ill  lli;;lil  ;  ■..niiiliiii.'s  rii.liiiii'iilaiy.  Oiii|iiil  with  :i  sin;;!.' iniiiiyli'.  .'aws 
i'ii."i>.i'il  ill  liMiiiy  slicaili^,  wliiili  r.iiiii  11  I. ill  ;  Inwcr  jaw  .if  sc>vir,il  rlfiiiriitMiiiil  iiili.'iilulr.l  lirliiml 
willi  a  .li-liii.l  ijiiiiiliali' liciiii' iilliii'lii'il  to  till' skull.  Kimi-I  « illi  ilmililc  iiiiri.l.' iiml  ilniil'l.' v.'ii- 
lli.  l.>.       .\il--|.a.i'S  .■iiiiiic.li'il  111  II  yrnltrr  iir  Irss  rxtclll  with  Ilir  llUlifs  ;   llli'  sk.'li'tnll  llHUv  nl'  li-s 

|iii.iiiiiatir.  |ii,iiiliia;.'iii  iiii-.iiii|ilrli'.  I'l'lvis  uniri'iilly  ii|ii'ii.  i;i]>r.i.lii.liiiii  l.y  chjxn,  r.Tlili/.'.l 
williili  111.'  1..h1\  ,  aii.l  lial.  Iii'.l  c.Mclliiilly,  ritlnr  liy  ili.illialinii  iir  li\  Milm-  liral  ;  tlii'  .sIicIIm  ral- 
laii'iiii''  ami  lianl. 


II 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

As  alroiulv  iiulicateil,  the  ranj^o  of  viiriatioii  witliiii  this  class  is  cxtroinely 
liiiiitc'il;  ami  if  our  views  ivsi>ectiiiji;  the  taxoiioiiiic  vahie  of  the  siili- 
ilivisioiis  are  iiiliueiiced  hy  this  condition  of  things,  we  are  olili,!;etl  to  deny 
to  tlie  nnui[is  of  living  liiids  the  vigliL  which  lias  generally  been  conceded 
of  ranking  as  orders. 

'J'he  ureatest  distinctions  existing  among  the  living  niemhers  of  the  class 
are  exliihitetl  on  tiie  one  liand  liv  the  Ostriches  and  Kiwis  and  the  related 
forms,  and  on  the  otlier  liy  all  tiie  remaining  l)irds. 

These  contrasted  gron])S  have  been  regarded  by  I'rofessor  Huxley  as  of 
rdiiial  vabie ;  but  tiie  (bfrerences  are  so  slight,  in  comparison  with  tiiose 
whicii  iiave  received  ordinal  distinction  in  other  classes,  tjiat  liie  expe- 
diency of  giving  them  tliat  value  is  extremely  doubtful ;  and  tliey  can 
lie  coniliined  into  one  ordei',  which  may  appropriately  l)ear  the  name  of 
h'lir/iljiii/nrii. 

An  objection  lias  lieeii  urged  to  this  depreciation  of  the  vahu;  of  the  sub- 
divisions of  the  class,  on  the  ground  that  the  jieculiar  adaptation  for  tliglit, 
wiiicli  is  tiie  prominent  cliaracteristie  of  birds,  is  incapable  of  being  e<uniiined 
witli  a  wider  range  of  form.  This  is,  at  most,  an  exidanatiou  of  the  cause 
of  tiie  sb'giit  range  of  variation,  and  sliould  not  therefore  afl'ect  the  I'xposi- 
tioii  of  tlie /'"■/  (tliereliy  admitted)  in  a  classifii'ation  iiased  on  morpiiologieal 
ciiaracteristics.  J>ut  it  must  also  lie  Ijorne  in  mind  tiiat  iligiit  is  liy  no 
means  incomjiatilile  with  extrenu;  modifications,  not  only  of  the  organs  of 
tligiit,  liut  of  otlier  parts,  as  is  well  exemplilied  in  the  case  of  bats  and  the 
extinct  ])terodactyls, 

\or  is  tiie  class  of  liirds  as  now  limited  confined  to  the  single  ordisr  of 
which  only  we  have  living  reju'esentatives.  In  fossil  forms  we  have,  if  the 
dillereiicrs  assumed  Ih;  coniirmed,  ty]ies  of  two  distinct^  orders,  one  being 
represeiiled  by  the  genus  .1  rc/niop/i  ri/>- und  another  by  the  genera  /cht/ii/iiriii.-i 
and  A/i>i/iiriiix  of  Maish.  The  first  has  been  named  fSaiiriirir  liy  Ibeckid  ; 
tlu'  second  /i/i//ii/iiriii/hi(/rs  by  ^larsh. 

CompcUeil  thus  to  (|Uestion  the  existencci  (jf  any  grou|is  <if  ordinal  value 
among  recent  liinls,  wi'  ]iroceed  now  to  examine  the  grounds  nimn  which  natu- 
ral sulidivisioiis  slicukl  be  liasiid.  The  pronunent  features  in  the  classilication 
of  the  class  until  recently  have  been  the  divisions  into  groups  distinguished 
liy  their  adaptation  for  ditfcrent  modes  of  life  ;  that  is,  whether  aerial  or  for 
]iiiigivssiiiii  on  land,  for  wading  or  for  swimming;  or,  again,  into  Land  and 
\\  atei  liirds.  Such  grou]is  hav(!  a  certain  value  as  simjily  artificial  combi- 
nations, but  wt!  nnist  not  be  considered  as  thereby  committing  ourselv<  s  to 
such  a  .system  as  a  natural  one. 

The  time  has  ,scai<'ely  arrived  to  justify  any  system  of  classification 
hithcrlo  ]iropo,scd,  and  we  can  only  liave  a  siu'c  foundation  after  an  exhaust- 
ive study  of  till'  osteology,  as  well  ns  tlie  neurology  aiul  splanchnology,  of  the 
various  members.  Kiioiigh,  however,  has  already  been  done  to  coinince  us 
that  the  subdivision  of  the  class  into  Land  and  Water  Jiirds  does  not  exjiress 


xiv  NORTH  AMEinCA.V  ]!IRDS. 

tlio  true  relations  of  tlie  members  embniceil  iiiuler  tliose  lieads.  Enough 
lias  also  lu'cn  adduced  to  enable  us  to  j^rouj)  many  t'ornis  into  families  and 
somewliat  more  conijireliensive  groups,  definable  by  osteologieal  and  otlier 
eliaracters.  Sueli  are  the  (.'haradriniorpiia',  ("econiorpha',  Aleetoroinorpliie, 
rteriH'lvimorjilia',  Peristeromorjiha',  ( 'oracDMior})!!;!',  ('yp.<eloniorplia',  Celeo- 
moijilia',  Ac'toniorpliii',  and  several  ullieis.  Hut  it  is  \ery  doubtfid  wlietlier 
the  true  clew  to  the  aitinities  of  the  gmups  thus  determined  lias  been  found 
in  tiie  relations  of  the  vomer  and  contiguous  bones.  The  families,  too,  have 
been  i>robably,  in  a  number  of  cases,  es])ecially  for  ihe  passerine  birds,  too 
nuudi  circumscribed.  Tlie  in'ogress  of  sy.stematic  ornithology,  however,  lias 
b'oen  so  ]a[>id  \\ithin  the  'ast  few  years,  that  we  may  be  allowed  to  hope  that 
in  a  second  edition  of  this  work  the  means  may  be  furnished  for  a  strictly 
scientific  classification  and  seipiencc  of  the  families.  (T.  \.  (J.) 

A  primary  divisiim  of  recent  oirds  may  be  made  by  sejiaration  of  the 
{«)  Batild,  or  struthious  birds  and  their  allies, —  in  which  the  sternum  has 
no  keel,  is  dmeloped  from  lateral  paired  centres  of  ossification,  and  in  Mliich 
there  are  numerous  other  structural  jicculiarities  of  high  ta.xonomic  import, — 
from  the  {h)  Carinatcv,  including  all  remaining  birds  cf  the  present  geidogic 
epoch.  Otlier  juiinary  divisions,  such  as  that  info  Allrici>i  and  I'rocorm 
of  r>ona])arte,  or  the  corresponding  yet  somewhat  modified  and  improved 
J'sl/ojiKiilis  and  J'tildjxicdcs  of  Sundevall,  are  o]ien  to  the  serious  objections 
that  they  ignore  the  ])rofound  distinctions  between  struthious  and  other 
birds,  lUpiire  too  numerous  exceptions,  cannot  be  ]irimarily  determined  by 
e.\aminaii:iu  of  adult  specimens,  and  are  liased  upcui  ]iliysiolo;,dcal  considera- 
tions not  necessarily  co-ordinate  with  actual  physical  .strucfure. 

In  the  following  .scheme,  without  attempting  to  indicate  jiositive  ta.xo- 
nomic  rank,  and  without  committing  myself  finally,  I  ]ii'esent  a  numlier 
of  higi.er  groups  into  which  Cariiiate  liirds  may  be  divided,  capalile  of  ap- 
jiroximately  exact  definition,  and  ajijiareiifly  of  a] (proximately  e(|uivalent 
taxonomic  value.  I'oints  of  the  arrangement  are  freely  drawn  from  the 
writings  of  various  authors,  as  will  lie  jierceived  bytlio.se  comjietent  to  judge 
without  special  references.  I  am  jiarticularly  indebted,  however,  to  the 
late  admirable  and  highly  important  work  of  I'rofessor  Sundevall,'  from 
which  \('i'y  many  characters  are  directly  borroweil.  The  arrangement,  in 
effect,  is  a  modification  of  that  adopted  by  me  in  flic  "  Key  to  North  Aiiieri- 
ciui  liiids,"  u])on  considerations  similai  to  those  herewith  implieil.  The 
main  points  of  '''iference  are  non-recognit'ion  ()f  three  leading  groujis  of 
nerinl,  terrestrir  ■  id  natatorial  birds, —  groujis  without  morphological  basis, 
resting  simjdy  u]ioii  tclcological  modification  ;  a  general  depreciation  of  the 
ta\oiioiiii(!  value  of  tlu!  several  gnaips,  conformaMy  with  the  considerations 
]ircseiitcil  in  the  jirecediiig  ])ages  of  this  work  ;  abolishing  of  the  group 
<iriilli(l(iri'^  ;  and  recognition  of  a  jirimary  group  SjiJirninri.^ 

1   Mil/iiii/i  iiiiliiriiUs  (iriiiiii  ilin/iiiiiriii/iiriiiii  /(■iiliiiiiiii.     .Slui'tsliolni,  IST'J     "•'!. 

-  Tlii.s  ^'rnM|i  is  iiisu.si'eptible  of  ilclitiitioii.     Tfu'  wmliiif;  hints,  as  usiiiiHy  alloiatcil,  ilo  not 


INTRODUCTION.  ^^, 

A.  PASSERES.'  Hallux  iuvai-iulily  lucscii.,  roiiiiili'lcl}-  inciiiiiln'iil.  sc'iia- 
ratuiy  liiDValilc  \<\  s|i.M'ializati()ii  ol'  tin'  jli-.n,,  /idllncis  /unf/ns.  with  <.Milai'jC(l 
hasi!  and  its  claw  laiycr  ihaii  that  of  tlic  ini'hlii'  ilif,nt.  Willicr  soroml  iKir 
loiii-th  !(ii'  vtTsalik':  joints  of  toes  always  ■_'.  ;!,  ■).  ,">,  fi-om  llrsl-  lo  foinih. 
Wiiii^'-fovurls  coiiipaialivcly  short  and  Irw  ;  wilh  the;  cxi-cpdoii  (jf  the  Irasi 
covcrls  npoii  \\n:  jiJ'n.  alari.t.  arranj^'cd  in  only  fwj  .«ei'ii!s,  the  gi'ouliT  ol' 
which  dors  not  irach  beyond  ihi'  middle  ol'  Ihe  sec^oudni-y  reMiii'es.'  Rec- 
ti-iees  twelve  (with  raie  anomalons  e\eeiitii)ns).  Mu.-ieal  appafatus  picsent 
in  iri-eater  or  less  development  and  i  oni|il(xily.  J'alale  a'<,dtli(n;iialhons. 
Sti'iinnn  of  one  parlicuhir  nionld,  sinyle-notched.  Carotid  sin^tde  (sinisli-a). 
Xatiuv  liiLihly  altrieial  and  psilopjedie. 

a.  Oscines.''  Sides  of  the  tarsus  ecnt-red  in  most  or  all  of  their  exIiMit 
with  twcj  nndivided  horny  j>lates  in(  'tinj,'  behind  in  a  sharp  ridfre  (ex- 
eept  in  Ahimlhla- :  one  of  the  plati-  Mnporfoetly  divided  in  a  few  otiier 
forms).  Mnsieal  ajiparatiis  highly  (i.jvolopod,  consisting  of  several  dis- 
tinct pairs  of  syringeal  mnseles.  i'riniaries  nine  only,  or  ton  with  tlic 
first  freipiently  .spnrion.s,  rarely  over  two  thirds  the  length  of  the 
longest,  never  e(|ualling  Ihe  longest. 

b.  Clamatores.'  Sides  of  the  tarsus  covered  with  divided  plates  or 
scales  variously  arranged,  its  hinder  edge  blinit.  M'lsieal  apparatus 
weak  and  iniporlect,  of  few  or  inconii>letely  distinguished  syringeal 
muscles  (as  far  as  known).  Primaries  ten  with  rare  exceptions,  the 
lirsi  usually  eipialling  or  exceeding  the  rest. 

B,  PICARI^.'  Hallux  ineonsidei-alile,  weak  or  wanting,  not  alwavs  in- 
eunilii'Ui.  iiol  Mparately  movable  by  distinction  of  a  special  nmsele,  its  claw- 
not  longer  than  that  ol'thi'  middle  toe  unless  of  exceptional  sha|ic  (e.  ir.  Ccn- 
tnj/iii.'i).  Second  or  foin-lh  toe  freipiently  vcrsatili';  third  and  fourth  I're- 
(inenlly  with  decreased  number  of  joints.  Wing-coverts  I'or  tue  most  jiart 
hirger  and  in  more  mnnerous  si'ries  than  in  J'lissen's,  the  greater  series 
reaching  beyond  the  miildle  of  the  secondary  cpiills  (except  in  many  J'ici 
and  .some  others).  Rectrices  conuiionly  ten  (eight  to  twelve).  JVimaries 
always  ten,  the  llrst  only  exwptionally  short  (as  in  Piri).  Musical  apjiara- 
tus  wanting,  or  consisting  of  a  nni.scular  mas.s,  or  of  not  more  than  three 
pairs  of  syringeal  nmsclcs.  Palate  desmognathous  or  legithognathous. 
Sternum  of  non-i)a,sserine  characler.  its  posterior  border  entire  o-  doubly 
notched  or  feneslrale.  Carotid  single  or  double.  Nature  completely  al- 
trieial, but  young  sometimes  hatched  with  down"  (e.  g.  Caprimuhjida). 

|K.ss,.ss  in  oonnnoM  „n,.  .single  elmracter  not  also  to  W  found  in  other  groups,  nor  is  the  collooa- 
tiiiii  ot  their  cliaiaiti'is  peeidiar. 

»  ('(.rrc.pondiMg  ,loscly  with  the  I.iunasu.  and  earlier  Sundevallian  aecei.tation  of  the  term. 
I'.ipnvaieiit  to  the  later  Osdm-.t  of  Siuidevall. 

-  As  reniurk,.,!  by  Smi.levall,  exceptions  to  the  diagnostic  pertineMi^e  of  these  two  .diaraeters 
"1  hmd  claw  and  wing-'overts  taken  together  are  scanvly  found.  For,  in  those  non-passerine 
h.rds,  as  li,,,,to,rs  and   son.e   //,..„//««, .s,   in  which   th..  elaw  is  enlarged,   the  >vi.,g-eoyerts  an- 

c.ti.erw-se  ,l,.p„sed  ;  and  similarly  ^^\w^^,  as  in  tnany  /'/,•/  and  cLsewhere.  th verts  arc  „f  a  pas- 

«'i'i liaraetcr,  the  fcM't  are  highly  diverse. 

"   Laiiiiiii/}/:iii/ii,rs  of  Sundevall  plus  Ahnidiilir. 

*  <SVu/(7//y(i/iA,,v^' of  Sundevall  nnniis  Jhnididir. 

»  Xcarly  npnvalent  t.)  the  l.inna.an  /'/,„■.      |.;,p„d  f,,  (1„.  ]„t,,  (isy^^  fV^mvv  of  Sundcvdl 
A  pnlynierphic  gro,,).,  perl'eetly  distingoislied  fn,M,  /V.«,m'  by  the  above  charael,.rs  in  whi.'h 
tor  the  most  part,  it  apprexin.ales  lo  n„e  or  another  „f  the  f.llowing  lower  groups,  fro.n  which] 
Hcverally,  it  is  .listinguished  by  th..  inapplicability  of  ih,'  characters  noted  beyond.    My  divisions 


xvi  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

II.  Cypseli.  I'lilalc  !i'f,'itli()j;ii;itliuiis.  Winj^s  li'ii.u'tlieiKMl  in  lliuir  tcr- 
iiiiiuil  poilioiis,  iililnvvialci!  luisiilly,  willi  llic  liisl  iniiniiry  not  ri'diii-cd. 
Tiiil  111'  Icii  rcctrifus.  Bill  lissiinslriil  or  U'iiiiin»lnil.  KciM  iicvur  /A\i;o- 
(liic'tylc  iioi-  syiiiliwlylo,  small,  \v<'ak,  scarcely  lillcil  I'ni'  locoiiiulioii ; 
hallux  oflcii  clcvalcil  or  lat(M-al  or  reversed;  front  Iocs  usiiidly  welilicd 
at  base,  or  with  aliiioriiial  ratio  ol'  jilialaiiucs  in  lenj:'lh  and  nnnilicr,  or 
liotli.  Stci'nnni  dec]i-kecli'd,  nsually  entire  oY  else  donlily  notelieil  or 
|verl'orate.  Syrinireal  mnscles  not,  more  than  one  pair. 
h.  Cuculi.  I'alale  desnioi;iiatlious.  Winjrs  not  pcciliar  in  lirevity  ol' 
liroxinial  or  Icniilh  ol' distal  |iori  ms,  and  with  lirst,  primary  not  rcilnccd. 
Tail  ol'  <'ij;ht  lo  twelve  rectrices.  Bill  of  indeterminate  form,  never 
cercd ;  tonj;iie  not  extensile.  l''cet  varionsly  modilied  l>y  versatility 
or  reversion  of  eithi'r  lirsl,  second,  or  I'onrlli  toes,  oi'  liy  cohesion  for  a 
j(reat  distance  of  third  and  fourlli,  oi'  liy  alisenec  or  rudimentary  condi- 
tion of  lirst  Ol'  second  ;  ofleu  liii.dily  seansorial,  rarely  ainhiiialorial. 
Syi'ini;'eal  muscles  luii  paii's  at  most. 

('.  Fici.  I'alale  "' exhiliilinjr  a  simpliliealion  and  tlciiradaliou  of  tlie 
il'gitlioL'ualhous  structure"  llluxlcyl:  wiuLis  hcaiiii;;- out  this  passi'i'iue 
allinity  in  the  couunou  i-eiluclion  of  the  liisl  pi-iuiary  anil  ihi  restriction 
of  the  1,'reati'r  coverts.  Tail  of  ten  perfe<'t  rectrices  and  usually  a  si\p- 
plenientary  pair.  iJostruTU  hard,  straii;hl,  narrow,  snliccpial  to  head, 
with  counuonly  extensile  and  vermiform  hut  not  furcate  tonj;uc.  Feet 
hij^hly  seansorial.  Fourth  toe  permaucutly  reversed  ;  liasal  |ilialaui;'e.s 
of  toes  alilircniatcd.  ."-^teruum  doulily  notched.  Salivary  i.dimds  highly 
developcil.     llyoidean  apparatus  pcculiai'. 

C.  PSITTACI.  IJill  enor}uously  thick-,  sIkuI.  hi-li.  nnich  ai-chcd  li-om  the 
l)asc,  tla;  upper  mandible  stroiiL'ly  hooked  at  the  end,  ecred  at  base,  and 
freely  movable  hy  couipleto  artii'idatiou  with  the  forehead,  the  under  nian- 
diblo  with  short,  broad,  truncate  symphysis.  Keet  peninniently  zyirodactylo 
by  reversion  f)f  the  fourth  toe,  which  articulates  by  a  doulile  lacet.  Tarsi 
reticulate.  Syrinx  peculiarly  constructed  of  three  jiairs  of  intrinsic  nuiscles. 
Tou.u'ue  sliort,  thick,  lleshy.  Sternum  entire  or  h'nestrate.  Clavicles  weak, 
defective,  or  wantiiifT.  Orliit  iuor(!  or  less  completed  l)y  apiiroach  or  union 
of  postoibital  proiess  and  lachrymal.      Allricial;  jisilopaMlie. 

D.  RAPTORES.  Bill  usually  i.ciwerful,  adapted  for  tcarin--  llcsh,  stronudy 
di'curvi'd  and  hooked  at  the  cud,  furnished  with  a  cere  in  which  the  nostrils 
open.  Feet  strongly  lle.xilile,  with  large,  sharp,  nutch  curved  claws  graihially 
narrowed  from  ba.se  to  til),  ^'oiivex  on  the  sides,  that  of  the  second  toi'  laiger 
than  that  of  the  foinili  toe,  an<l  the  hinder  not  .snndler  than  the  second  one. 
Feet  never  permanently  zygodactyle,  though  fourth  toe  often  vei-satih';  an- 
tt'rior  foes  lonunouly  with  one  basal  web;  hallux  eonsiderable  and  com- 
pletely incumbent  (cxceiit  Ciilliiirtiilo').  Legs  leatliere(l  lo  the  sull'rago  or 
beyond.  Ileetriees  twelve  (with  rare  exceptions);  ]ii'imaries  sinuate  or 
einarginate  (with  rare  exc(>i)tions).  Sternum  singly  or  doubly  notclie(l  or 
fenestrate.  Palate  ilcsmognathous.  Cai-otids  double.  Syi'inx  wanting  or 
developeil  with  only  one  pair  of  nnisc'les.  .\ltrieial;  the  young  being  weak 
and  helpless,  yet  ]itilopa'die,  being  downy  at  birth. 

E.  COLUMB.S!.  Bill  straight,  eompre.ssed,  horny  at  the  vaulted  liji,  which 
is  scparatccl  by  a  constriction  from  the  sol>  nieiubranous  basal  portion.    Xos- 

of  Pif/friir,  corrospoiid  rospco lively  to  the  ('iii»irloiii(ir/iliir,  i'litTiigntnnriihii;  and  Ci'li'omorjAcc  of 
Huxley,  from  whom  many  of  the  cliamctcifi  arc  liorrowcj. 


INTEODUCTION.  Xvii 

trils  beneath  a  soft,  tumid  valve.  Tomiiv  of  the  niiuuhljles  nuitually  apposuil. 
Frontal  feathers  swucpinj,'  in  stronjfly  convex  ontline  across  base  of  n])i)er 
niaii(li!)!e.  Lc.u:s  feathered  to  the  tarsus  oi' lievuml.  iraliiix  ineinnbent  (with 
i\'\v  exee[itions),  and  front  toes  rarely  \velil)ed  at  l)ase.  Tarsus  with  small 
sculella  in  front,  or  oltener  reticulate,  the  envelope  rather  niembn.iious 
than  eorneous.  Head  very  small.  Plumau'e  without  after-shafts.  One  pair 
of  syriiiii-cid  muscle.s,  .Sternum  doulily  notched,  or  notched  and  lenestrate 
on  each  side.  Carotids  double.  Palate  schi/.op;iiatlious.  ilono^ramous, 
and  liiLdily  altricial  and  psiloi)a'dic. 

F.  OALLIN,Xi.  Bill  {renerally  short,  stout,  convex,  witli  an  obtuse 
vaulted  lip,  corneous  except  in  the  nasal  fossa,  and  witliout  consii'iction  in 
its  continuity.  Nostrils  scaled  or  feathered.  Tonna  of  nppi'r  inaudible  ovi'r- 
lapping.  Frontal  feathers  Ibrmiiij,'-  rc-eiitiant  outline  at  the  liase  of  upper 
mandible.  Legs  usiiallj'  leatliercil  to  the  tarsus  or  beyond.  Uallux  ele- 
vated, with  few  exceptions  (e,  if,  ( 'racHn  and  .Uei/u/xidi'iJa:),  smaller  than  the 
anterior  toes,  occasionally  waiitinj.'-  (as  in  the  Ileinipods).  Tarsu.-;,  when  imt 
leathered,  generally  broadly  scutellale.  Front  toes  commonly  w(.'l)b((l  at 
base.  Claws  blunt,  little  curved.  WiiiLis  strong,  short,  and  eoncavo-cdiivcx. 
Ri'ctrii'cs  commonly  more  than  twelve.  Head  small.  Phimai;!-  usually 
after-shafted.  Carotids  doiilile  (except  Tnni iridic  and  Mtyajioiliilti  l  No 
iiilrinsi(;  syringcal  muscles.  Sternum  very  deeply.  ,L:'<'Uerally  doulily.  iiolc-hed. 
Falalr  srhizoL.'-uathous.     Chielly  |iolygainous.     Pra'coi'ial  and  iMilopa'dic. 

G.  I1IMICOL.S.  'fil)ia!  liare  of  feathers  for-a  variabli'  (someliiues  very 
slightj  distance  above  the  suffrago.  Legs  commonly  leiigtheneii.  some- 
times excessively  so,  ami  neck  usually  prodiKX'd  in  (.'orrespouiliug  ratio. 
Tarsi  soutellate  or  reticulate.  Toes  never  coherent  at  ba.se:  cleft,  or  united 
lor  a  short  distance  by  one  or  two  small  movable  liasal  wi'ljs  ([lalinate  only 
in  lirriircirdslra.  loliate  only  in  I'lniliiriiiiniliiln-).  Hallux  always  rc(hiced, 
obviously  elevated  and  free,  or  wanting;  giving  a  foot  of  cursorial  char- 
acter. Wings,  with  i't^w  excejitions,  lengthened,  pointed,  and  Hat;  the  inner 
primaries  and  owUn'  secondaries  veiy  short,  l<)rmiiig  a  strong  re-enlran<.'e  on 
the  |iosterior  border  of  the  wing.  Tail  shorter  than  the  wing,  of  simple 
form,  and  of  i\-\\  feathers,  except  in  certain  Snipes.  Head  gloijose.  slojiing 
rapidly  down  to  the  coiitr.  'ted  base-  of  the  bill,  eomi)letely  feathered  (except 
IViHoiiiKrliiis  ^).  (lape  of  bill  short  and  constricted;  tip  usually  obtuse; 
liiU  weak  and  llexible.  Uoslruiu  eonmionly  leiiglhcneil,  and  more  or  les.s 
terete  and  slen<lcr:  mi'inbranous  wholly  or  in  great  ])art,  without  hard  cut- 
ting edges.  Xostrils  narrow,  placed  low  down,  entirely  surrounded  with 
soft  skin;  nasal  Ibssa' extensive.  Palate  schizognathoiis.  Sternum  usually 
doubly,  sometimes  -ingly,  notcluMl.  Carotids  doulile,  I'tcrylosis  of  a  par- 
ticular iiattern.  Nature  pnecocial  and  ptilopa>die.  Comprising  the  '•  Plover- 
Snipe"  group;  species  of  medium  and  .small  .size,  with  never  extremely 
compressed  or  depressed  body;  more  or  less  aquatic,  living  on  jilains  and 
ill  open  places,  usually  near  water,  nesting  on  the  ground,  where  the  young 
run  freely  at  birth. 

H.  HZ3RODIONES.  Tibia;  naked  bcl,)w.  Legs  and  neck  much  length- 
ened in  corresponding  ratio.  Toes  long,  slender,  never  coherent  at  liase, 
where  cleft,  or  with  movable  basal  webl,iug.  Hallux  fas  coinpareil  with 
that  of  the  preceding  and  following  group)  lengthen. mI,  Ire.',  ,and  either 
perfectly  incumbent  or  but  little  I'levatcil,  with  a  large  claw,  giviie.'  a  foot  of 
insc,s.sorial  character,  Wings  commonly  olitiise,  bul  broad  and  ainpli'.  with- 
out marked  re-entrance  on  posterior  border,  the  iutcrmcdiate  rcuiiges  not 
'I..  1.  (• 


xviii  ?T0ETI1   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 

liciiij;'  iniicli  iilibroviiitiMl.  Tail  sIidiI  iind  l'i'w-H';vt!i(>r(.'(1.  Iloiid  luii'row,  co- 
iiicii-ol.>ngato(l,  <,'ra(liially  coiitrat'tiiij;  to  tliu  lai-go,  stout  l>asu  ol' lliu  Mil;  the 
loral  and  (.rbital  iL'<,'ioii,  nr  the  wliolo  lii'ad,  nuked.  Gape  of  tlio  bill  (looply 
fissured;  lip  usnaily  acute ;  toniia  hard  nnd  euttiiij,',  liiU  eonieo-elonijate, 
al\va_\f  longer  f'un  the  head,  stout  and  llmi.  Nosti'ils  small  pluei.Ml  hiuli 
up,  with  entirely  buny  and  horny,  ni-  only  slig!  ly  nieinbranons,  surround- 
ings. l'l<'rylosis  nearly  ])eeuliar  in  the  prcsenee,  almost  throui;honl  the 
group,  of  powder-down  tracts,  raicly  lound  elsewhere;  pterylic  very  narrow. 
I'alate  dcsmognathoirs  Carotids  double.  Altricial.  Comprising  the  Herons, 
Storks,  Ibi.ses,  etc.  (not  Cranes).  l>peeies  usually  of  large  stature,  with  com- 
pressed body  and  very  long  S-bent  neck;  perching  and  nesting  usually  in 
tri'es,  bushes,  or  other  high  places  near  water;  yoiuig  hatching'  weak,  .scarcely 
feathereil,  and  reared  in  the  nest. 

I.  ALECTORIDES  '  Tibiiu  naked  below.  Neck,  legs,  and  feet  iuuch  as 
ill  the  last  group,  l)ut  hallux  reduced  and  obviously  elevate  1,  with  small 
claw,  the  resulting  foot  cursorial  (natatorial  and  lobate  in  Fulled).  Wings 
and  tail  commonly  as  in  Ilerodloiien.  Head  lc>s  nairowed  and  conic  than  in 
the  liust,  fully  feathered  or  with  extensive  baldness  (not  with  definite  ludvcd- 
ne.ss  of  loral  and  orbital  regions).  JJill  of  various  shape,  usually  leiigllicned 
and  obtuse,  never  extensively  membranous.  Rictus  moderate.  Nostrils 
lower  than  in  //froilloiici.  Pterylosis  not  ])ccnliar.  Palate  schi/.ognathons. 
Carotids  do\ible.  Nature  ])riecocial  and  ptiloi)a'dic.  Comprising  the  Cranes 
and  Rails  and  their  allies;  the  former  agreeing  with  the  Ilemdhvies  sujier- 
licially  ill  stature,  etc.,  lint  lii.ghl}'  diver.se  in  the  schizognathous  palate, 
pia'corial  nature.  et(.'. 

J.  LAMELLIROSTRES.  Feet  palmate;  tiltia'  feathered  fexcept  Phir- 
iiicoji/erus).  I<cgs  near  centre  of  equilibrium  of  the  body,  its  axis  horizontal 
in  walking;  not  lengthened  except  in  J'l«riilc(ijitcriis.  Kuei'-Joint  rarely 
cxserted  beyond  general  skin  of  the  body.  Wings  moderate,  reaching  when 
folded  to,  but  not  bej'ond,  the  n.sually  .short  and  rounded  (exceptionally  long 
and  cuneate)  tail.  Feet  tetradactyle  (except  sometimes  in  Phauiicnptcrw) ; 
hallux  reduced,  elevated  and  free,  often  inilepeudently  lobate.  Hill  lamel- 
late, i.  e.,  furnished  along  each  comini.ssural  edge  with  a  regular  series  of 
nnitually  adapted  laniiuic  or  tooth-like  processes,  with  which  correspond 
certain  laciniate  processes  of  the  fleshy  tongue,  which  ends  in  a  horny  tip. 
Bill  large,  thick,  high  at  ba.se,  depressed  towanls  the  end.  membranous  to 
the  broad  obtuse  tip,  which  is  occupied  by  a  horny  '•nail"  of  various  shape. 
Nostrils  patent,  never  tubular;  nasal  fo.s.sie  slight.  No  gular  pouch.  Plu- 
mage dense,  to  resist  water.  Eyes  very  .small.  Head  high,  ecjin]iressed, 
with  lengthened,  sloping  frontal  region.  Palate  desmognathous.  Repro- 
duction priccocial ;  yomig  ptilopa^dic.  Eggs  numerous.  Carotids  double. 
Sternum  single-notched.  Comjirisiug  Flamingoes  and  all  the  Anserine  birds. 
K.  STEOANOPODES.  Feet  totipalmate;  hallux  lengthened,  nearly  in- 
cumbent, scmilatc'ral,  completely  united  with  the  sci'ond  foe  by  a  lull  weti. 
Til)iie  feathered  ;  position  of  legs  with  refereitce  to  axis  of  body  variable, 
but  generally  far  posterior  ;  knee-joint  not  (ree.  Wings  and  tail  variable. 
Bill  of  very  vai'ialile  shape,  never  lamellate,  wholly  corneous;  its  toniia 
often  s(>rrate;  ext<'rnal  nan^s  very  small  or  finally  abortive.  A  prominent 
nakeil  gular  poni.'h.     Tarsi  rctii'ulafe.     Sternum  entire  or  nearly  so;   i'urcu- 

1  (!ion)is  fl.,  TI.,  and  I.  arc  respectively  cipial  to  the  CAovd/n'oidory/Ad', /'(/((rr/wwojvj/irt',  and 
Ocrnnotiwrphcc  of  Huxley. 


XIX 


IXTRODrCTloX. 

lum  conllucnt  witli  it.-;  kcol.  ('arotiils  iloul)lo.  Piilate  liifrhly  dcsmorjna- 
thons.  Kcprodiiciioii  altricia! ;  yoiuifi-  [isilopiuilic  or  iitilopiiMlic.  l\L;\irs 
tKii/c  111-  !l'A\ci-. 

Li.  IiONGIPiiNNES.  (To  riosl  of  the  eliaractcrs  of  tlio  fjToiip  Iiltc  frivcli 
ttu'  li'cims  llaliidi-iniia  is  a  sii,Mi:il  "xci'iitiou,  tlioi'.ijh  uii(|iK,'Stioiialily  Iprloiig- 
iiiij;  liiTc.)  F('(.'l  ;)aliiiatL'.  Tiliia' fua'liiTiMl.  Loffs  at  or  near  <'fiitiv  of  iMiui- 
liliriuiii,  alliii-iliiii:  liorizoiital  posilioii  of  axis  <,f  l)oily  in  wall<iii,i,'.  Kir'c 
scarcely  IniricMl  in  coniiiioii  iiitcji-miic-  • ;  tiliia  sonictinus  with  a  ionj,' apo- 
physis. Hall. IX  ck'vaicil,  froc,  fuiu  ^Icss :  very  sinall.  rudiincntary,  oi' 
wantiiiir.  Piosti'iini  of  varialjlc  shape,  usually  compressed  and  strai<,dit  to 
the  hooUed  end,  sometimes  entirely  sti'aij;ht  and  acute,  i/onnnonly  lenj;lh- 
ened,  always  eoriieoiis,  without  serration  or  true  lanielhe.  .Nostiils  of  vaii- 
ous  forms,  tuliular  or  simply  lissiu'cd,  never  abortive.  No  gular  poueh. 
WiuLis  very  lonf?  and  pointed,  siirpa.'Jsing'  the  base  and  often  the  end  of  the 
laru'c,  well-formed,  few-feathered  tail.  Carotids  doulile.  Palate  sehizo"-- 
iiathous.  Repioduction  altrieial;  young  ptilopiudie.  Eggs  three  or  fewer. 
Habit  highly  volueral. 

M.  PYGOPODES.  I'Vet  palmate  or  lobate.  'J'ibiie  feathered,  ollen  with 
a  long  apo[)hysis,  always  buried  in  common  integument  nearly  to  the  heel- 
joint,  necessitating  a  more  or  less  erect  posture  of  the  body  on  land,  where 
progression  is  <liltieult.  Hallux  small,  ch'vated  or  wanting;  feet  lobate  or 
palmate.  liill  of  indet<'rminat(;  shape,  wholly  corneous,  never  lamellate  or 
serrate,  nor  with  gular  poueh.  N'ostrils  not  abortive.  Wings  very  short 
reaching  .scarcely  or  not  to  the  base,  never  to  the  tip,  of  the  .short,  some- 
times rudimentary,  tail.  Palate  .sehizognathotis.  Carotid  usually  double 
sometimes  single  (in  Poilicr/is  and  Mer(/ii/ii«).  Nature  altrieial  or  pnecocial  • 
young  ptilopa'die.     Highly  nalatoi'ial. 

IV.  SPHENISCI.  With  general  characters  of  the  last  group,  but  di.s- 
tiiiguislied  by  uni(|ue  ])tilosis  and  wing-structure,  etc.  Plumairc  without 
apteria,  of  singularly  modified  .scale-like  feathers  on  m.ost  ])arts :  no  devel- 
oped remiges.  Wings  unlit  llor  llight,  insusceptible  of  ])eriect  llcxion  or 
extension,  very  short,  with  peculiarly  llattencd  lioiies  and  stable  articulations. 
Skeleton  iion-pneuinatic.  Many  bones,  terete  in  ordinary  birds,  here  nattened. 
iMctalarsal  bone  flattened  transversely,  doubly  H'liestrate.  Hallux  elevated, 
lateral,  minute,  free.  No  free  pollex.  Two  a.iconal  sesamoids;  patella 
from  double  centres;  tibia  without  apophJ^sis;  a  free  tarsal  ossicle.  Ster- 
num with  long  lateral  apophyses.  Pelvic  connections  un.stable.  Caro- 
ti.ls  double.  Comprising  only  the  Penguins.  Conlined  to  the  Southern 
Hemisiihere. 

Ilaviiij^-  tlius  presented  and  defined  an  aminn;enient  of  the  hi,i,dier  groups 
into  which  recent  Carinate  birds  are  siisce])til)h!  of  division,  I  ne.xt  jiroceed 
to  tlie  consideration  of  tlie  North  American  Families  of  birds  wliich  tlie 
authors  of  tlie  present  work  have  provisionally  ado])ted  as  suitable  to 
the  end  they  had  in  view.  Professor  15aird  uro^s  the  caution  that  the 
scheme  is  intended  merely  for  the  cimvenient  deternn'iiation  of  tlie  Xortli 
American  s])ec::>s,  aware  that  in  many  instances  diaono,scs  or  antitheses  of 
entire  pertinence  in  such  application  woidd  fail  or  be  negatived  by  con- 
sideration of  the  e.xotic  forms.  The  arrang(>ment  of  the  fannlies  here 
adojited  is  essentially  that  presented  in  18.uS  in  Pi'ofessor  Baird's  "Birds  of 


XX  N()liTI[  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Nortli  America,"  modified  somewiiat  in"  acc.rda.ico  witli  more  recent  views 
ol  Professor  Sundevall  and  others.  lint  heio.e  proceeding  to  the  analysis 
of  tlie  families,  J  will  introduce  an  aititicial  .lew  to  the  preceding  hi-dier 
groups  as  ail.,pteil,  so  far  as  they  are  represented  by  North  A^merican 
species. 

AKTUMCIAI.   KKY    TO   TIIK    KoliKlJOIXO    IlKUfKH   (iliOrPS, 

B,  m-ans  ,f  vhlch  ,nn,  K.rtI,  A,„nean  ,.ir,l  „„.,  I.  r.;./,/,  r.fcn.d  to  ,ka,  gnn<j>  to  n-hich  it 

1.1  hfld  to  lit/iiiiij. 

I.     Toi's  3  ;   i;  ill  IVoiit,  1  Lcliiiid  .  . 

H.     Tot..s  ;i  ;  nil  in  Irout.     T,r..s  elrlt  ..r  seinipalmat.. .         .'.'.'.  .''      L,m,;''!|''J' 

Toes  ],„i,Mat,..     \.«tnls  tulmlar   .         .         .     '     .  Yun.u'^xnks' 

^''«tnls  not  tnl)uliir  rvior.n.F^ 

in.     T,.,.s  4  ;  2  in  IVont,  o  ,„.,.in,l.      liill  mv.laml  hnuknl      ....         .      1™^: 

,v      T        .     .,  ■     r  ,  I'-ill  Mcitli.T.viv.l  noihoukr.l.     [Ciri!/;  or  r/d)     Picvui.r 

IV.     Iocs  4  :  3  m  front,  1  lirliind. 

1.   Toes  .symlac'lvli'  .  .  ,,,,-,     t, 

^.   Toes  totiiuilinatc  (all  lour  ln]l-wcl,licil)  «.,.i.., ... 

3.  Toe.s  palniati'.      Hill  (iiivci    iiii  , 

,,.,,  '  r,i.Mii()i,.E. 

I'lllMof.nmMlnp;  Ian„.llatp  .         .  U.MiaunosruK.s. 

not  lamellate  ;  Imllux  loliatc         .      Pyodimdk.s. 

hallux  not  loliatc     l,(i.\(iii'KN.NF.>i 

4.  Toes  lobate.     Tail  nuliinontarv  i>,. 

Tail  [lerleet.     A  honi.v  frontal  .sl,iel,l  .       ALKcroitmi;,.. 

N'o  honi.v  frontal  sliiel.l  ....        Li.ViCdi,^. 

5.  Toes  .seinipalniate  ;  .joineil  l.y  evid.-nt  niovalilr-  lia.sal  well  (A). 

6.  Toe.s  cleft  to  the  base,  oi'  there  ininiovalilv  cohiTeiit  (B). 
A.    Hind  toe  elevated  aliove  the  level  of  the  ivsl. 

Tibia' nake;l  below.     Xostrils  iii'ifoiate  .  \,,. ,.•,.„„, 

Nostrils  imperforate.     Tarsi  reticulate.     Head  bald  .        llKiionio.sKS. 

Head  feathered       Li.Micoi.yE. 
Tarsi  scutellate  in  front      .         .         LiMlcoL.f:. 

Tibia  feathered  below.     No.strils  iierforate KvPToers 

Nostrils  imiierforate.     Gape  reachincr  below  eye.  (Oiipscli)    Picvuix! 
Oapc  not  reachinj;  behnv  eye       .     Gai.i,in,e. 
AA.    Hind  toe  inserted  on  the  level  of  the  rest. 

Tibia,  naked  below Hkkoihonks. 

Tibia;  feathered  below.      Hill  eered  and  hooked li.\iTOUFs 

Hill  not  cered.      Xa.sal  membrane  .soft  and  tumid       .         C'ui,r.MB.«. 
Xa.sal  .scale  hard  and  flat     .         .         .     Gali.ix.«. 
B.    Hind  toe  elevated  above  the  level  of  the  rest. 

Oape  n.a,d,inK  helow  eye (Cyi>scU)     Pic  ah,^;. 

(.ape  not  below  eye.     First  jMimary  emar<,'inate  or  about  e(|Ual  to  2d      .         .         Limichl.k 
'■'•■^t  I"'i'iiaiy  not  eniaiginate  and  much  shorter  than  2d,  Ai.ectoiudes. 
BB.    Hind  toe  inserted  on  the  level  of  the  re.st. 

Xostrils  oiieiiins  beneath  .soft  swollen  membrane Coi.r.MB^B. 

Xostiilsotlierwi.se.     Hill  eered  and  hooked ]{aitoi(E,'<. 

Bill  otherwise.     .Secondaries  only  six     .  .  (Ci/j>sdi)     PlcAlil^;. 

Secondaries  more  than  six  (")   .         .         .    Pas.seue.s. 

(</)    Primaries  10  ;  the  1st  more  than  '^  as  lonj;  as  thi.  longest.    {ri,matorcs)  Passehes. 

PriinaiieslO:  the  1st  not  Saslonpasthelongest.  I     ,„    .      , 

Primaries  0.  '  I    (^«''"'««)     •         •   Passekes. 


INTRODLX'TION. 

liOouiTinj,'  now  to  consideration  of  the  Xortli  Ariicrican  Fioni/ir.-i  of  tlic 
f(jrenoiii-  iii-Iici\ni(Hips,  1  take  \\]>  tlu;  latter  in  the  luitiiral  order  in  wiiich 
tiiey  have  lieen  |ire.seiitcd,  giving  uiuk'r  liead  of  eacii  sueh  yronp  an  iinah-.^jis 
of  tlie  Xortli  American  families  by  vhicli  it  is  rei)re.sented,  reiterating  tlie 
cantion  that  the  ciiaractors  are  drasvn  u])  only  with  reference  to  the  Xortli 
American  genera,  and  are,  con.seinieiitly,  not  necessarily  or  always  ajiplicalile 
uiion  wider  considerations.  These  analyses  are  made  as  nearly  natural  as 
the  state  of  the  case  permits,  bnt  1  seize  npon  aay  obvious  external  char- 
acters which  may  be  afforded,  without  regard  to  their  morphological  si<'- 
niticance  or  taxoiioniic  value. 

AsALvsL^J  OF  Tin;  F.\Mii.iKS  OF  PASSERES. 

A.  Oscines.  Miisicul  iippanitns  liiglily  developed.  liuck  of  liir.siis  iindividwl 
or  I'oniicd  ol'  a  lew  .sciitclla  distiiR-t  from  those  lapjiiiio-  ovlt  the  front.  First 
priiiiaiy  wantiiiir,  spurious,  or  at  most  not  over  two  thirds  the  leugtli  of  the 
lon^-i'st. 

H.    Each  side  of  tarsus  eovereil  with  .a  plate  iiiuiivided  in  most  or  all  of  its 
leiii,'th,  aii<l  meetiuf,'  its  I'eiiow  iu  a  sharp  rid^'e  heiuiid. 
b.    I'riMiaries  only  nine. 

c.  IJili  trian-uiar,  depre.-sed,  ah.iut  as  ivido  at  base  as  loii-r;  tliu 
gape  twice  as  lung  as  tiie  ,uhnen,  reaehing  t„  about  opposite  the 
eyes;  tomia  straijriit  or  -eiitly  curved.  X,,  ohvion.s  rietal  bristles 
Tar-si  not  longer  than  the  lateral  toe  and  elaw.  WiiiL's  Ion-  and 
pointed,  the  lirst  primary  eiiual  to  or  longer  than  the  .seeond." Cen- 
tral tail-i;.,.thers  not  half  as  long  as  the  wing  .  .  .  Ifirnndinidw 
cc.  ttill  variously  eouiuo-elongate  or  slender,  or.  if  depre.s.sod  with 
long  rietal  bristles:  gape  not  nearly  twice  as  Ion-  as  .Milmen  •  tomia 
straight  or  genily  curved.  Nostrils  not  obviouslv  nearer  eulincn 
than  tomia.     Tarsus  longer  than  lateral  toe  and  claw. 

Bill  very  slender,  acute  ;  cuhiien  rather  concave  at  base  Lon- 
gest secondary  acuminate,  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  priin-ries 
in  tlio  closed  wing.  Hind  claw  little  curvc.l.  about  twice  as  Ion- 
as  the  middle  claw.     Hind  toe  and  claw  longer  than  middle  toe 

and  claw ^r,      n-i 

am  variously  conieo-elongate  and  acute;  ciilmen  not  concave 
at  base.  Longest  secondary  not  acnininate.  falling  far  short  of 
primaries  in  the  closed  wing.  Hind  daw  well  curved,  not  nearly 
twice  as  long  as  middle  claw  ;  hind  toe  and  claw  not  lon-er  than 
niiddle  toe  aiul  claw.  Gape  ample;  tongue  slightly  bilid  or 
brushy,   if  at  all    ...  .  <.--;■,•; 

lii  I  leiigtliene.1.  very  acute,  even  dcurved.  Wings  and  (eel  as 
in  the  last.  Gape  con.strieted ;  toi.gno  generally  deeply  bilid 
or  brushy       ...  ^  ^,      , . , 

Till  ,  ••••...      Carcouhv. 

ccc.  Bill  more  or  le..s  truly  conic,  usually  short,  thick;  commissure 
iKsnal ly  more  or  less  evidently  abruptly  angulated  near  the  base  or 
with  l,jbe  or  tooth  further  forward.  Xostrils  obviouslv  nearer  cul- 
meu  than  tomia.     Tarsus  longer  than  lateral  toe  and  claw.' 

.u,„l,  11. ai  th.  ba,se  ;  the  convs|,nn,ln,g  portion  of  tl„.  upper  maiulibi,.  is  deep,  so  that  the 


^^l[  ,  NORTH  AMKKK'AN  BIRDS. 

Bill  stout,  ImiiicI,  cdiivcx  in  lu'aiiy  all  its  outliiics;  toiiiia  not 
iinj,'ulatL'il,  Init  willi  one  or  iiioro  lobes  or  iiii.'lis  in  advaiK^o  of 
till-  liasr.  Nostrils  [ilacc'il  vrry  hi^li.  <  )llic'i'  characti'l's  much 
as  in  iSi/lrifulida.  Colors  chiclly  rcil  and  yellow.   Uno  }j:unus  of   Tiinaf/rida;. 

Bill  truly  conic,  much  shoilcr  than  head,  usually  with  the  an- 
gulation fvidciit;  no  lolic  alonir  middle  of  tomia,  hut  usually  a 
notch  at  cud.     Nosti-ils  placed  very  hi^di.     Rictal  liristles  usually 

obvious Friii(jini(l(T. 

Bill  coinc,  but  leiii,'thenud,  little  if  any  .shorter  than  head;  tho 
anjrulatiou  of  tho  tomia  evident ;  no  notch  at  end.    Nostrils  hij,di. 

No  rictal  bristles Icteridcc. 

hb.   Prinuuies  ten. 

Otherwise  with  characti'rs  iimeh  as  in  Icterkhc        .         .         .     Sliirnidw. 
d.   Nostrils    concealed  with    antrorse    bristly  leathers  (except    in 
Psiloy/iiniis  ai.d  (I'l/nndikilUt)} 

Base  of  bdl  sheathed  with  antiorse  bristly  feather.'!,  having 
lateral  branches  to  their  very  ends  ;  its  tip  mostly  notched. 
Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  united  oidy  half-way  to  the  lateral. 
Sides,  of  tarsus  occupied  by  a  lateral  groove,  mostly  Idled  in 
with  small  plates.     First  ])rimary  more  than  half  as  long  .as 

second.     Large,  —  over  seven  inches Cnrvidce. 

Base  of  liill  with  two  tufts  of  bristly  feathers,  ending  in  sim- 
ple filameiils  without  lateral  branches,  its  tip  mostly  nn- 
notched.  Ba.sal  joint  of  middle  toe  united  nearly  all  its  length 
with  the  laterid.  Sides  of  tarsus  ungrooved.  First  primary 
lo.ss  tli.in  half  as  long  as  second.  Small,  —  under  .seven  incho.'!.  Paridce* 
dd.   Nostrils  exposed. 

r.  Tail  seansorial,  with  rigid  acute  leathers.  Whole  bill 
slender,  compres.sed,  acute,  deeurvcd.  unnotehed,  unbristleJ 

Outer  toe  nnieh  longv'r  than  inner Ccrthiidce. 

ce.  Tail  not  scansoiiat,  graduated.  First  primary  not  le.ss 
(gener.ally  more)  than  half  as  long  .is  the  second,  and  inner 
toe  uniteil  to  the  middle  by  at  least  one  half  (usually  more) 
of  the  length  of  its  basal  joint. 

Tarsus  with  few  obsciu'c  .scutella.  Ilictal  bristles  present. 
Bill  stout,  but  not  toothed  nor  hooked.  Wing  excessively 
round  d  (fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  priuun-ies  longest),  nnich 
shorter  thiui  the  long  graduated  tail.    Size  smaU.    I'lumage 

brown,  nnbaude.l Cliamceadw. 

Tarsus  distinctly  scntellate.      Nostrils  wholly  expo.sed, 

nostrils  aro  iip.iror  the  .ulnicn  than  the  tonna.  The  whole  bill  is  more  or  less  bent  in  its  axis  from 
the  axis  of  the  erauial  base,  so  that  the  palate  curves  down,  or  is  excavab'd  or,  as  it  were,  is  lirokcu 
into  two  plants  meeting  at  an  angle,  -  one  plane  the  anterior  hard  imperforate  roof  of  the  mouth, 
the  other  the  back  palate  where  the  internal  nares  are  situate  (.Sundevall).  The  singde  North 
.\nieriean  genus  of  T<nui<i,-i<hv  {Piiroii.j.i)  is  here  eonveutionally  ranged  on  aeeount  of  its  high 
nostrils  an.l  conic  bill,  although  it  does  not  show  angulati.in  of  the  toiuia.  The  TcUrhhv,  with 
obviously  angulated  tomia,  shade  into  th<'  Fi-imjiindn-  in  shortness  and  thickness  of  hill,  and  into 
other  fannlies  in  its  length  and  slenderness. 

1  These  two  genera,  PsUoMiitis  and  Oniiiiwl-M',  of  the  fannlv  Cornda;  have  naked  nostrils, 
as  under  (/'/,  but  otherwise  show  the  I'haraeters  of  ('iirn'ilii'. 

2  With  the  f'iiriJa-  the  authors  of  this  work  inehnh'  the  Nuthatches  as  a  subfamily  Sittina:, 
whicli  1  prefer  to  dissociate  and  phiee  as  a  group  of  eipial  grade  next  to  Cnihiidit. 


IXTRODUCTION. 

xxm 

scaled.     No  rictal  l.i'isllcs,  hut   l,)ial  Cralliri's  will,   l,n>i|y 

points.      JJill    slcllllcr,     lliil     IKit'jlu'd     II, ,1-    lin,,i.;,.,l.       Willys 

ami  tail  iiuMlcnitcly  nMin,!,.,]  :  immiIilt  very  iiiiirli  slmiur 
tliau  Iho  other.     8i/e  siimll.     Cohir  l,;-owii,' ete.,  the  wiiiirs 

au.l  tail  haired  or  uii.liilated 7h„//,„/,,/i,/a: 

Tarsus  distinetly.seiitellate.     -Vostrils  overhiin;,' diol  eon- 

coaled)    with    bristly    Ibather.^.       Ilietal    hrislk's    prosciil, 

stroll;;-.       Hill     powerl'iil,    eoiiipresseil,    slrouiily    ii,,ti-iu.il, 

toothed,  and  hook-e,l.     \Viii,t;s  ami  tail  iii,„l,.ra"te.     Lar^'e! 

Colors  hlaek,  whit,.,  and  n-ray  .         .         .         .         "     JMniklw. 

eee.    Tail  not  seansorial.    First  primary  less  than  half  as  l,)iig 

as  the  see,)n,l.'  ,ir  ahoin  halt'Ms  I, mi;;-,  in  whi.-li  ,.as,.  tin.  inner 

too  is  elel't  nearly  to  its  h,-ise  ( /'ami  /f). 

f.  liasaljoini  ol' middle  too  iiniioU  .some  ilistanee  with 
the  inner,  ami  iiir  half  or  more  of  its  leiiM-th  with  the 
outer  toe. 

Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  .shorter  than  that  of  inner 
toe,  and  wholly  ailherent  to  liotli  inner  and  outer  toe.s. 
Tar.su.s  loiiy-er  than  ini,l,lle  toe  and  claw,  (ionvs  more 
than  half  the  h'ngth  of  the  lower  Jaw.  liill  stoiit,  hiifli, 
comi)res.sed ;  noteli,Ml  and  ahriiptly  iiooked  at  tip  .  Vireonidce. 
Basal  Joint  of  miildle  toe  not  .shorter  than  that  of 
inner  toe;  united  to  tlu^  outer  for  ahout  two  third.s,  to 
the  inner  for  uhoiit,  one  half,  its  len^nh.  Tar.sus  not 
longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  claw.  Gonys  le.ss 
than  half  the  length  of  the  uinler  Jaw.  Bill  triangular, 
niueh   depres.se(l  at  ba.so,   moderately   notched,  and 

''""'^'•■''•■'t'il'' impelkhe. 

Basal  Jomt  of  niiildle  too  shorter  than  that  of  the 
inner  toe,  united  to  the  outer  for  ahoiit  two  thirds,  to 
the  inner  for  about  one  half,  its  length.    Tarsus  long,.,- 
tlian  middle  toe  and  elaw.    (ionys  more  than  half  Uio 
lengtli  of  the  under  Jaw.     Bill  very  weak  and  slen- 
der, little  decnrvi.d  or  notched  at  tip.     Very  small, 
—  under  six  inches  long.     (Tarsi  booted   in  Ile^/ulJ, 
distinctly  .sentellale  in  /Vw^)/i7,,.)   .         .         .    '     .    ' Sijlviidw 
//■   Ba.salJointof  middle  toe  rpiit,.  free  from  the  inner 
and  not  united  with  the  outer  more  than  half-way. 
Nostrils  linear,  low.     Xo  bristles  or  bristly  points 
whatever  about  the  mouth.     Wiii„s  short,  rounded 
concavo-conve.x-.     Tail  very  short,  nearlv  concealed 
by  Its  coverts.     Tarsi  booted  ....     Ciitclila; 

Xostrils  oval.  Bristles  or  bristly  points  about  tli,. 
mouth.  Wings  very  long  and  pointeil,  roaehino- 
When  folded,  beyond  the  middle  of  the  short,  square,' 
or  cmarginate  tail,  and  one  and  a  half  times  nr  more 


ilSI'Ilt, 


m"  \  H   r'"'''  ''.T\         '''  '"■    '"'"■"■''  "'  ''"'"'  — '"-tieii,   ,li,n.ri„g  iVen,   th,. 

soutli;:':^;':'  '^  *^""""'  "•  ^"''"^''""  -^  "'^  '^'-^^  ^"^'-  >  ^"  '^^"^'--^  ^-^  -tenor 


xxiv  Xt)RTir  AMERICAN  BIllDS. 

the  li'lii,'lli  of  llu'  laltcr;  tip  (brtiiod  by  sccciiul,  tliird, 
!iiiil  lourlli  iiuills;  outer  sccDiidiiry  i'i'iicliiii|;'  only 
aliout  two  liiirds  ■way  to  end  of  longest  ]ii-iin:ify  ; 
spurious  i|iiill  very  short.     Tiii'si  booted       .         .     SftMCuUda: 

Xo.itrils  ov.d.  Drislles  or  bristly  poinls  uliont  llio 
iiioiitli.  Wiiii;s  iiioder:ile.  not  reaehiii;/.  when  tbldi'il. 
beyond  tlic  middle  ol'  Ihe  tiiil,  mid  not  over  one  and 
H  third  times  as  Ions;;  us  tiie  latter;  tipl'ornied  by  third 
to  sixth  (|uill :  outiT  secondary  reaehin};:  in  closed 
winLi'  three  Iburlhs  or  more  the  lenulh  oC  the  lonirest 
prima.T.  Spurious  (piill  louuer.  someliines  one  halt' 
the  seeond.     Tarsi   senteUato   in  Minihin',  booted  in 

TiinliiHr  .  Turdidce. 

au.  Outside  of  tarsus  covered  wi''  two  series  of  sculella, — one  lapping;  en- 
tirely around  in  li'oul,  the  other  entirely  around  lieliind.  and  uieclinu-  at  a 
j;roovL'  on  the  inside;  hind  ed;^i'  blunt.  Kirsl  primary  spurious  or  apparently 
wanting.  Hind  elaw  nuieh  lenglhened.  scarcely  ciu'vcd.  Nostrils  with 
antrorse  liristly  feathers.     Bill  conico-elougate  .....     Ahiiidida:. 

B.  Clamatores.  Outside  of  tarsus  covered  with  ii  series  of  plates  variously 
airaiiged.  iapiiing  entiiely  around  in  front  and  behind,  to  moot  at  ii  groove  on 
the  inner  side. 

First  primai-y  lengthened,  often  longest,  at  least  over  two  thinls  as  long  as  the 
longest.  Kill  bi-oad  at  the  base,  luuch  depressed,  tapering  to  a  line  point,  which 
is  abrii[)lh' drcur\c<l;  culmen  rounded  or  llalteiied  ;  gonys  llattened;  commissure 
straight,  or  nearly  so,  to  the  tip.  Nostrils  small,  circular,  basal;  overhnng,  but 
not  concealed  by  bristles.  Mouth  caiiacions,  with  broad  and  deeply  lissured 
rictii.s,  bosel  with  numerous  long  strong  bristles.  Feet  small,  weak.  Tail  of 
twelve  feutliers Tijrannidce. 

Analysis  lU-  tin;  Fa.mii.iks  or  PICARIiB. 

."^econilarios  only  six. 

Bill  temiiroslral,  longer  than  head,  nearly  cylindrical,  (iape  oonslrictod. 
Ton.iruo  liliform,  oxtensile.  lii-Iiibular.  Wii'ys  long  in  terminal  jiortion,  ab- 
breviated proxiiually,  acute.      I'lumage  ■impact,  of  metallic  sheen.      Si/e 

smallest  of  all  liirds.     (Ilniiiniing-Hirds,) 'J'rochilida: 

Srcoiidarics  more  than  six. 

Feel  sviidaclvle  bv  comiation  of  outer  and  middle  toes. 

Ouler  toe  niuch  longer  than  the  inner,  uniled  for  half  its  li'iigth  with 
the  middli',  fonuing  a  broad  sole.  Tiliia'  nal<ed  below.  Bill  longer 
than  head,  straight,  acute,  with  hard  cutting  edges  and  ample  rictus. 
Tiuigne  rudiiucntiuy,  lixed.  Wings  pointed,  much  longer  than  the  short 
scpiare  tail.  Tail-H'ati.crs  twelve.  I'lumage  compact,  oily.  (King- 
fishers.)     Alredinkhv. 

Feet  zygodactylc'  by  reversion  of  outer  or  fourth  toe. 

Not  scan.sorial;  tail  of  eight  or  ten  long  soft  featlier.s.  Bill  with  de- 
curved  tip,  not  fitted  for  h.immeriug;  rictus  amph'.  Tongue  not  ex- 
tensile nor  vermiform  nor  liarbed.  Salivary  glands  and  hyoidean  appa- 
ratus not  peculiar,  .No  nasal  Mills  of  feathers,  .\rboreal  and  terrcstiial. 
(f'uckoos.) Ciiniliilo'. 

'   K\(V)iliiig  f'iniii/.s,  ill  whi.h  ilic  true  liiiid  tuf  (hidhiv)  is  wmitiiig;  the  outer  or  fourth  too 
hiiiig,  lunvi'vcr,  ivvcrscd  ,is  usual,  and  taking  the  place  of  the  hind  toe. 


INTRODICTroN.  XXV 

Ili'j-lilv  soiuisoriiil ;  tail  nf  iwi'Ivc  liiiiil  Mi'iiniiiiMli'  U'uiIum-s.  whcrcor  ilio 
(iiilcr  |i;iir  lire  slinri  iiml  >]iiiriniis,  I'nin-calcil  lirlwi'cn  liases  iil'  iirxl  two 
iiaiis.  liill  sldiit.  sli-aiuiit.  witli  tin-  tip  iruiicatf  or  uciitf,  not.  (Ii'cui-vimI, 
—  ail  clliciciit  rhisi'l  lor  liaiiiMici-iiiL;' and  lioriiiir  wood.  Toiiu'iK!  vcniii- 
liirin,  I'xiriislic,'  and  liarliiMl.  Salivary  ulaiids  lariir  ;  livoidrau  apparatus 
peculiar.  Nasal  tiil'ls  iisiiallv  presoiil.  Arlioreal.  (Woodperkers.)  .  Picidtv. 
h'e"i  in'illier  syiidaetyle  nor  /yjiiidaelyle. 

i''eet  seniipalinale.  ol'  iioriiial  ratio  of  plialaii,L,a's.  Anterior  toes  eoii- 
lieeted  at  liase  I'y  iiioxaM"  welii'iiiL;'.  Hind  toe  very  siuall.  elevateil, 
seiiiilaleral.  Middle  toe  prodiieed,  its  lai'L:'!'  elaw  peeliiiale.  iiil!  fis-i- 
r(.stral,  with  very  sniail,  irianj;nlar.  depressed  horny  -lart  and  ininieiisc 
rii'lus,  reaehinj,'  lielow  the  eyes,  runiislieil  with  hristles.  Katlier  larL;-e. 
I'liinueje  soli  and  lax.  iniieli  varieiiateil        .....      ('(lun'iniilijiilw. 

Veet  seareeiy  or  not  seniipalniate.  ol' I'reiiiiently  alinoniial  ratio  ol'  pha- 
laii'j-es  (middle  or  outer  loi',  or  liolh.  with  I'ewer  Joints  than  usual  aiiion;_' 
l.irds).  Hallux  very  small,  elevated.  I're.Mlenlly  lateral  or  ver-alile. 
Middle  toe  not  prodiiei'd  nor  its  elaw  peeiiiuite.  liill  niueli  as  in  tin' 
last,  liiil  rietus  niiliristled.  Small.  IMiiniaLrc  compact,  of  li'W  sim|ilo 
suhdued  colors C'l/jiscliihi: 

Family  oi   PSITTACI. 

To  eliaraelers  of  Pxillaci  adil:  Cere  reallui-cd,  concealiiuj-  the  no.-trils.  Feet 
f^ranular.  rii^:-ose.  Wiiius  poinieil.  Tail  ciineate.  I'lumanc  coarse  and  dry. 
IFeail  I'ealliercd.     Colors  },'reeii,  with  \  ellow  and  Mile  ....  /'sillitcidar 

AsAi.vsis  Ol-   Fwni.iKs  Ol    RAPTORES. 

Feet    highly    raptorial,    with    larue,    siroiii;',    sharp,    eurveil,    .oniraetile    claws, 
adapted  lor  tjraspiiij.'.    Hallux  perfectly  iiieiinilient,  leiiLStheiied  (more  than  half  as 
lonjj'  as  the  fourlli  toe),  with  laiye  elaw.     Front   toes  with  sliiaht   liasal  \,'eliliinj; 
hetweell  enter  or  middle  oiie<,  or  iio|ii>:    outer  loe  dflcil  leVcM'silile.      N'osirils  iiii- 
pi'rl'orate.     liill    >horl,    sioui,    noi    notalily    eoniracle(l    in    iis  eoniinniiv.    with 
str.iliL.'iy  hooked  lip;    lomia  ofieii  oin'c-lwice  loollied  or  lolied.      Head  I'ealliereil 
ulioliy  or  ill  c;i,.,iicst  part.      Lower  larynx  developed  with  one  pair  of  niiisele.-t. 
riiiiiiai;'e  with  or  willioiit  afli'i'-shal'ts.     ('(cea  present,  as  a  rule,  it'  iiiit  alwavs. 
l'hy-io;_'iioiiiy  peculiar  liy  reason  of  ercal  laleral  expansion  ami  leiejlliwise 
.sliorleiiiiii;- 111'  the  cranium.  cansiiiL;-  the  eyes  to  he  direciecj   forward.      l\ves 
siirroniideil  hy  a  ili-c  of  radiatiiij,'  hrislly  fealliers.  in  front   closely  appressed 
to  ami  hidin.L;-  llie  l.,ise  of  the  liill.  cUewhcre  lioiimled  hy  a  rim  of  dill'eri'lilly 
formeil  fealheis.    Toliiia  nexcr  loolhcd  or  lolii'd.    N'o-lrils  usiiallv  at  tliecdire 
of  the  ,-i're.    ( Inter  loe  completely  versatile,  shorter  than  the  inner  toe.    liasal 
phalanx  of  middle  toe  not  lonci'r  than  ihe  second,  and  iniieh  shoiler  (hail  llu" 
next.     Lees  eonmioiily  fcathcri'd   or   lui^lly   lo  or  on  ihi-  toes.     riiniiap> 
peculiarly  -oft  and  lax,  wiihout  alier— lial'ls :   lli;jlit  perll^clly  nni<eless.     Cra- 
nial   walls   widely    separated    hy    inlervcntioii  of  spoiiLiy    dipknv     .^ternuni 

comnioiily  doiiMy  iioli'hed.     Cliielly  iiocltirnal Sfn'ijiilii: 

i'hysioe-mimy  imi   pei'uliar  in  any  lateral  cspaiision  of  the  cranium;   i\u' 
eyes  lateral  in  dirci'iioii.     X,i  .■omplelc  faciiil  disc;  liase  of  liill  not  hidden  liy 

'  Kxi'cptiiic;  S/}/iiiriiii!i'i(K,  in  wliieli  (lie  tonfjiic  is  iml  iiioiv  piiidiisililc  lliau  in  nidiiiary  hirds, 
'•*  (liir  species  falls  ratlicr  in  a  ri'stii,ted  I'aniily  Ari<l,r,  as  distiiij,'iii>liiMl  tVoiii  Psilldcida'  proper. 

VOL.   I.  ,/ 


XXVI  NORTH  AilKRICAN  BIRDS. 

apprcssoil  liristlcs.  Nostrils  wholly  in  llio  core.  Outer  too  I'arrly  vcrsatilo, 
c'Xfopt  Pandiou,  ctf. ;  imt  slioitcf  iIkiii  tlic  iiiiiiT.  lias:il  iiliiiliUix  ol'  liiiiUUo 
toe  loii^nM'  than  tiio  socoiiil.  Iyui;s  coiiiinoiily  iiaUiMJ  and  si'iitellalc  or  ft'ti(,'U- 
late  ill  sonio  poitioii  of  liioii-  luni;th  ;  toes  always  hare  ami  scaly.  Pliimairo 
I'oiupai't,  tisiially  with  al'tor-shal'ts;  lliL;hl  aiiiiililo.  Cranial  walls  with  little 
(liplc)L'.     Slc'innni  coiiiinonly  siiijrlo-nolL'hud  ur  ffiic'sti-ale,  .soinotiincs  entifc. 

Diniiial Falconida. 

Feet  .scai'ccly  raptoi'ial.  with  Icntrlln'iu'il.  little  ein-veil  or  eontfaetile,  weak,  shoil 
claws.  Hallux  elevated,  shoi'leiieil,  not  mnic  than  hall'as  lonp;  as  the  fointh  toe, 
with  small  elaw.  Fionl  toes  all  welihed  al  lja.se :  middle  toe  lenf;thened  ;  outer 
not  I'evei'silile.  Jiasal  jihalanx  ol'niidille  toe  Idiiirer  than  either  of  the  sneeeedintr. 
No.^trils  [lerbrate.  Rill  lengthened  and  eonipiu'atively  weak,  little  hookeil.  con- 
tracted in  its  continuity ;  toinia  not  tiMithed  i>r  Kilied.  Head  naked  of  leathers 
in  frreatcst  part;  spar.sely  liristly.  No  lower  lariiyx  de\<'loped.  No  eo'ca. 
After-shafts  absent Calhartidce. 

Famii.v  01   COLUMB^. 

With  eharaeters  essentially  as  in  C'lilniiilxi'  lexelusive  of  those  peculiar  to  Di- 
dHKcndidw  and  hldidiv).  P'-'niajri' without  al'ter-shal'ls;  the  feathers  with  thick- 
ened, sjiouiiv  rhachis  loos  y  inserti'd  in  the  skin.  1  eail  small,  completely 
It'athercd.  exie|)tinji'  .sometiiues  a  I'ireuurorliital  space.  Tarsi  naked  or  oidy 
leathered  a  little  way  above.  Tail  oi'  twelve  ti'.ither^.  or  IfUuthciuMl,  euneate.  and 
of  fourteen.     (Hallux  not  perfectly  ineumbenl  in  .V/((,/,aj('/x.)      .         .         .      CnlumhidcE. 

An.\i.v.si.«  of  Famii.iis  ol    GALLINiE. 

Hind    loo    lenLrtheiied,   insistent.      Tail-tisithers    Iwclve.      Sides   of  head    and 

throat    ,vith  naked  spaces.     Color  .L;reeiii>h Crucidw. 

Hind  toe  shortened,  elevated.  Tail-fealhers  usually  lburtei;ii  or  more.  No 
li'reen. 

Larire.  Tarsi,  toes,  and  nasal  fo.s.sa-  naked.  Head  Imre  of  feathers,  spar.sely 
liristly,  with  wattles  and  caruncles.  A  jicctor.d  tufi  of  bristly  leathers. 
Tarsi  u.sually  spiirrc<l  in   the  mali'.     I'luiniii;'e  iridescent    .         .         .     Mcliin/ridida'. 

Medium.  Tarsi  wholly  or  in  L:real  part,  soineliincs  also  the  toes,  ami  always 
the  nasal  fossa',  lealheri'd.  Head  completely  fcatlicr(>(l.  excepting,'  a  deliiiite 
papillate  strip  over  the  ey(>.  Tail-feathers  sixteen  or  more.  Sides  of  neck 
usually  with  leiejllcued  feathers,  oi' a  nakc(l  distensilile  area,  or  both.     No 

spurs.     I'lumai.;!'  without  iridescence J'clnioiiidii. 

Small.  Tarsi,  toes,  and  nasal  fos<;e  uakod.  Head  com|)letely  feathi^red. 
No  peculiar  feathers  or  lym]iaiium  on  side-  of  neck.  No  spurs.  I'lunia;j<' 
'lot  iridescent Pvrdicida: 

Ax.vi.v.'!!?  <ii'  FA\ni,ii:s  or  LIMICOL.S. 

Toes  not  lobate.     Tarsi  not  notably  compresse(l. 

Lej;'s  extremely  lonir;  the  tarsus  ei[uallin),'  or  excccilinj;'  the  tail,  and  feet 
either  lonr-toeil  ami  |mlmale  (/I'rcKvriro^ilrii),  or  three-toed  and  .semipal- 
inate  i IfimaiilDjins);  with  Ihc  liill  much  loiiL'er  than  the  head,  very  slender, 

acute,  and  curved  upw.iid Iliciirriroftridoi. 

l,e;_'s  moderate,  stout.  Tai'Siis  shorter  than  lail.  liill  hanl,  more  or  less 
contracted  at  liasc,  with  short  nasal  lijssa,  },'()nydeal  an^dc,  ami  lusceiiding 


INTRODUCTION.  ^^^^,j; 

gonys,  the  tip  either  compressod   and   tiniiieate  or  ilenressoil  and   acute. 
Feet   tliree-toed  and  with   ba.-;al  webbin.^'  {Ikeumtopus).  or  Ibur-toed  and 

cleft  (,SV,t;k/A,.) I/cemalopodidce. 

Leg.<  moderate.  Tarsii,s  shorter  tlian  tail,  reticulate.  Hind  toe  wantin" 
(except  in  Sijualaro/a,  \\here  ve'-y  .«niall,  and  in  Ajilrraa).  Bill  short" 
strai.Ldit,  —  not  exeeedinfjf  the  head  (generally  shorter),  —  shaped  like  a 
liigeon's,  with  short,  broad,  soft  nasal  Ibssie  separated  by  a  constriction  li'oni 
the  enlarged,  obtnse,  horny  terminal  part.  Head  hn\'e,  globose,  contraetin" 
suddenly  to  the  bill.     Neck  short        ...'....     chlradriklce. 

Legs  moderate.     Tarsus  shorter   than   tail,  scutellaie.     Hind  toe  present. 
Bill  long,  —  ci|nalling,  or  oftener  exceeding,  freipiently  several  times  longer 
than,  the  head;  sofiish  and  membranous  to  the  very  tip,  without  constrie- 
tion  in  i(s  continuity  ;  straight  or  variously  curved       ....     Scolopacidce 
Toes  lobate.     Tarsi  notably  compressed. 

(ieneral  characters  of  ScoJopucida:.     liody  depressed;   the  under  pluma.^.- 
tluckened,  duck-hke.     Ilnbits  natatorial Pladuropodidw. 

AxAf.ysis  or  Famii.ii.s  of  HER01<I0NJBS. 

Hallux  lengthened,  perfectly  incumbent,  witli  lar-e  claw.    Tarsi  scutellate     .Mid 
'"''■  '■'"'^'  ■l'"-'"^'-     '^ill  perlectly  straight,  laperin-   acute.     Loral  re-ion  defi- 
nitely nak.'d,  continuous  with   covering  of  the   bill.     Head    narrow. 'elon-'ate 
tapering      ....  .  "  ^       '  . 

Hallux  somewhat  ivduced,  less  perfectly  incumbent.  Tarsi  eommonlv  reticulate 
^[idd  e  claw  not  pectinate.  Lores,  gular  space  an.l  usually  more  of  the  head 
naked.  Bill  vanon.sly  ,.,nved  or  with  expanded  lip.  (Genera  Tuntalns  Ihis 
MyckTiu,  and  P/nhdai.)  .  .  '  ™        ,  , 

'■••■■••     lantaUda. 

Ax.vr.Ysi.i  OF  F.vMii.rFs  of  ALECTORIDES, 

Of  great  statuiv,   will,  exlreinely  long  neck  and  legs,     I>,m(  or  all  of  the  head 
;are.      Iocs  much  .shorter  than  the  tarsi;  with  basal  webbing,  bnt  without  loba- 
'-n  :   hallux  very  short,  higldy  elevated.     Bill  cptalli:,.  or  exceeding  the  head 
compressed,  perlectly  straight,  coutracte.l  about  th,        ddle,  with  eiilar...ed  acute 
tmninal  portion  ;  nasal  fbssa-  wide  and  deep,  with  large  perlbrate  nostHls       ^  .      Gruidce 
Sue   moderate   and  small;    neck   and   legs  comparatively  .short.     Head   com-    ' 
e  ely  ,e,U,er...l,  excepting,  in  the  Coots  ami  Gallimiles,  a  broad  l,„rnv  Irontal 
1  .'t-l.      Ines  cMua  hng  or  ex.re.ling  the  tarsi,  simple  or  lobat,..     Bill  t'.ot  eon- 
siric  ed  m  the  noddle   rather  shorter  than  the  head,  straight  and  ,,,1,0  stout:  or 
-..•li  long-'r.  regularly  .slender  and  deeurved,  with  Ion,  mi.sal  (b.^sa..     Nostrils 
incompletely  or  not  perforate  -onus 

.     liaUidcc, 

AjfAi.v,«is  OF  FA.^fIr.IK9  of  LAMELLIROSTRES. 

ZaXTr  "'"'-"■":'■'"'""■">•  '""f^"'" I  -'■!<  -"'  i<rs.  Hill  of  „ni,p.e 

iKipe,  bent  abruptly  down   from   the  middle.     T.bi.e  n.ked  below.     Hind     oe 
minute  or  ulLsent.     Wings  rounded.     I!ed  the  chief  color  ,      •      ,     •, 

Of  moderate  si.e;  the  neck  short,  or.  when   leng,,,;,;.,  ,1 Vompan   ■         :'""""'^- 

;i;;;tL;;h:hr:^^^      '.■"■" -— v.-i.>-v..opedandnu,c. 

iiialiilw. 


xxviii  NORTH  American  birds. 

ANALYSiti  uF  Famii.iks  OF  STEGANOPODES. 

Bill  rather  loiii;er  than  head,  cli'l't  to  eves.  vui'V  stout  at  liasc,  tapuriiii,'  to  the 
ilei'urved,  but  not  hookeil,  tip.  Xo.slrils  aliorlivc.  (iiilar  ,-iac  luodci-alo,  naked. 
Win;/s  rather  lonjr,  pointed.  Tail  lunjr.  .still',  euneate,  twelve  to  Iburteen  leathered. 
Feet  nt'arh'  heneatii  eelilre  cit'eipiilibiiinn.     (ieneral  conli'.'ui'ation  i;-oo.se-like      .      SuUila:. 

Bill  several  times  lonf;er  than  head,  sleudei-  liul  sli-imir,  depressed,  [lerlectly 
strai,;,dit,  with  small  distinet  hooked  nail  at  end.  Nost|-ils  very  small,  (lular  sac 
enormous.  Mandibular  rami  nieetini;-  only  at  tip.  \Viiit;s  extremely  Uiw^.  with 
upward  of  I'orly  remiges.  Tail  short,  rdunded,  ol'  twenty  or  nicire  feathers. 
Leg's  beneath  eenti-e  of  eiiuilibrimn.  extrenjely  short  and  stunt  .         .     I'cticunidce. 

Bill  aljout  as  lontc  as  head,  stout,  sti-aiiiht,  .scarcely  taperiuL:'.  slr<iu,L;ly  hookeil. 
Nostrils  aboi'live.  Oular  sac  modei'alc.  l>ut  evident:  mostly  nakcil.  AVinus 
short.  Tail  large,  fan-shaped,  sransorial,  of  twelve  to  fourteen  broad  still' leath- 
ers, e.Nposcil  to  the  base.     Legs  inserteil  far  behind  centre'  of  e(|uilibrium       .      flraodida: 

Bill  rathei-  longer  than  head,  sleudei-,  ]icrfeelly  straight,  tapei'iug  to  an  acute 
tip.  Giilar  sac  small.  Nostrils  niinute.  Wings  .'uid  tail,  and  general  eonliguia- 
tion.  as  in  tin-  last Phlklu'. 

Bill  much  longer  ihan  li(^ad.  straight,  stout,  strongly  hooked.  Nostrils  vei-y  small. 
Gnlar  sac  w<'ll  dcvidojied.  Wings  exceedingly  long,  strong,  and  ])ointcd.  Tail 
exceeilingly  long,  deeply  forked.  Feet  exlraonlinaiily  .short  ;  tarsi  partly  fcath- 
ere(l     ..............      'ihrhi/iniiche. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  straight,  siout.  t  poring  to  an  acute  tip.  Nostrils 
small,  (iular  sai'  rudimentary,  feathered.  Wings  moderate,  jiointed.  T.-iil 
short,  but  with  two  central  feathers  extraordinarily  prolonged  and  lilamentous. 
Feet  small,  beneath  ceiitie  of  e(piilibrium PhcetlwiitUJa'. 

Ax.M.YPis  OF  Fa.mimks  OF  LONGIPENNES. 

Nostrils  not  tnbnlar.  lateral,  ]iei'forate.  Bill  with  continuous  covering,  or  only 
broken  by  a  sort  of  cere,  hooked  or  stiaight  1(3  the  end.  Hallux  small  and  ele- 
vated, but  always  present l.iirida'. 

Nostrils  tubular,  disjoined  and  lateral,  or  oHeliest  superior  and  united  in  oiu' 
(louble-barrelhvl  tube.  Cove'riug  of  bill  in  several  pieo's;  bill  always  hookeil. 
Hallux  minute,  rudimentarv.  or  absent Prui-flhirltdrr. 


An.m.vsis  of  Famii.u:s  oi    PYGOPODES. 

Feel  four-li  ed,  palmate.  Hallux  lobale,  eonneeted  at  liase  with  base  of  innei- 
toe.  Tail  perfect.  Head  elo.-ely  and  eomplelely  fealhered.  N'ostrils  with  a  de- 
pending lobe  or  llap.      I3ill  .Mraighl,  compressed,  acute  ....      Culi/mhiilif. 

Feet  four-toed,  l,:l„;le.  Hallux  lobale,  free.  Tail  rudimenlary.  Head  with  a 
naked  loral  strip  and  bristly  oi'  variously  leuglheued  feathers.  N'ostrils  simple. 
Bill  straight  or  deeurved  al  cud.  compressed,  acute /'tiiHri/n'dti: 

Feet  Ihree-toed,  paiinale.  Hallux  alisent.  Tail  perfect.  Head  closely  fcalhci'ed 
or  variously  crested.     Nostrils  simple.     Bill  of  indeterminate  slKqie    ,         .         .     Alckla: 


XORTH  AMEEICAN  BIRDS. 


l-AMir.v  TURDID^.  —  The  Thrushes. 

Till'   Tiirdichr,  witli  the  Sd.rmilido'  and  ChiclUlcr,  form  a  sroup  closely 

R'latuu,   by  conuiinn  cliaracters,  and  appreciaUy  diflbrent  from  tlie  utlnJr 

ikcincs  with  slender  ])ills  and  s]iocially  inseetivorou.s  habits,  having-,  like 

them,  ton  ja-imaries  (the  first  mnch  sliorter  than  the  second,  but   nearly 

always    ap])recialile),    and    tlie    nostrils    uncovered.      The   ffcuiit   family   of 

Kjllriniliila-,  with  similar  (:haracter.s  of  the  bill,  never  present  more  than 

nine  i)rimaries.      The   most  striking  of  these  common  characters   is  seen 

in  the  (lce])ly  cleft  toes,  of  which  the  outer  is  united  by  the  basal  joint 

alone  to  tlu;  middle  toe,  while  the  inner  is  se])arated  almost  to  the  very 

base  of  its  first  j'oint.i      Tiie  i'rontal  feathers  extend,  with  rare  excepti(jns, 

to  the  very  nostrils.     The  I)ill  is  elongated  and  suladate,  moderately  slender,' 

and  usually  notched  at  tip  ;  the  culmen  moderately  curved  i'rom  the  base, 

and  the  mouth  well  ])rovided  with  bristles,  cxcc].t  in  a  few  cases.     Usually 

the  .scutelhe  coxering  the  front  and  sides  of  the  tarsus  are  fused  into  one 

continuous  i.late,  or  else  scarcely  appreciable,  cKcejit  on   the  inner  edge 

only;  in  the  :\rockiiig  Thrushes  they  are,  however,  distinctly  marked.     The 

lateral  toes  are  nearly  e.[ual,  the  cniter  lather  the  longer.     With  these  as 

some  of  the  principal  characteristics,  they  may  be  distinguished  irom  each 

(jther  as  follows  :  — 

X.)TK.  -  In  11,0  piv^ciit  vv„rk  tlio  IcPL'th  <,f  tlic  tni!  i.  mon«nro,l  f,-.mi  flio  ooccvx,  i...i,l,.  of  tli,.  .kin 
.■in.l  i.Mt,  as  usu.illy  tl.o  nis,.,  frn,,.  the  ba>„  of  the  .juills  „t  tlioir  msortioii.  The  winjrs  are  nioasuiT,! 
Iroiii  the  carpal  joint,  with  dividers. 

'  bi  a  iKTl\rtly  fresli  si„rinien  „f  T„,;h,x  nnisfr/ini,.,.  tlie  basal  ha'r„f  the  first  ]^h>h^^x  of  the 
Miner  toe  IS  ,.o,i„eete,l  will,  tile  li.sl  joint  of  tile  ,„i,i,lh.  toe  by  a  membrane,  whiell  sOvtehes 
aeross  to  w,tl„„  two  llfths  of  the  end  of  the  latter;  tiiere  appears,  however,  to  b,.  no  li.^amentous 

" """•      ""'  ''■'-"'  •i"'"f  "<■  *'"'  ">'''•'■  to,,  is  eutiivly  mlh,.r.^i.t,  ami  a  m,.mbr,iii,.  ext.mls  frr.ni 

nearly  tli,.  basal  half  of  th,'  sir.m,!  joint  to  the  distal  en,l  of  the  first  joint  of  the  n,i,l,lle  to... 
W  lie.i  this  .•onne.;tiiiK  membrane  l,,.,;om..s  ,l,i..,l  lh,.  .livision  of  the  to..s  appears  lonsidi'iably 


k'reatel'. 


When  th,.  lo,.s  are  all  ,.xt,.n,h.,|  in  line  with  tl„.  tarsns,  th,'  himl  claw  stivtehi's  a  little  b,.yon.l 
llie  lati'ial  and  s.'aively  ivaidies  Ihi'  base  of  tl„.  miMdl,'  elaw. 


Th, 


rlnt,.s  at  th,.  ni,p,.r  surface  of  the  basal  j ts  of  the  toes  are  nninlranKiilar  ami  opposite 

eaih  otlii.r. 


2  NORTH  AMERIOAX  BIRDS. 

A.   Nostrils  oval.     Loral  ami  I'nnital  f(>allii'rs  with  bristly   poiiit.s,  or  iiitcrspcr.<LMl  with 

liristlcs  ;  rirtns  with  loiiijfcr  or  sliortcr  lirisllcs. 

Saxicolidee.  Wind's  very  loii^'  ami  iiuich  pointed,  rcaphiii^'  beyond  the  middle 
of  tlu^  sliort  si|nare  or  eniarginatcd  tail,  and  one  and  a  half  times  oi-  more  the 
lenpjth  of  the  latter.  The  spiu'lous  priniary  very  short,  tlie  second  {[uill  longer 
than  the  fonrtli.  In  the  closed  wini,'  the  outer  si'condary  reaches  only  abont  two 
thirds  the  leii{^'th  ol' lonijest  primary. 

Turdidee.     Winfrs   i lerate,    more    rounded,    not   reaching  lieyoud   middle   oi'  the 

ol'len  rounded  tail,  and  not  more  than  one  and  a  third  the  latter,  usually  \uinv 
nearly  eipial.  Spurious  |)rimary  sometimes  hall'  the  len^rlh  ol'  .secon<l  (piill ;  tin; 
.second  ((uill  .shorter  than  the  fourth.  In  the  closed  wing  the  outer  secondary 
reaches  thri'c  fouiihs  or  more  the  length  ol' longest  primary. 

B«   Nostrils  linear,   in  lower  eclge  of  iia.sal  inembrane.     Loial  and  frontal  feathor.s  soft 
and  downy,  and  no  bristles  or  bristly  jioints  whatever  about  the  mouth. 

Cinclidae.     Body  very  short  aiul  broad.     Wings  short,  rounded,  and  concave. 

Tlie  Aiiievicim  Si/lnida'  arc  in  soinc  ivs])octs  very  closiily  related  to  the 
f^ri.iic()/i(/(r,  bvit  iiiiiy  be  ili.stiiioiii.slied  Ijy  tlieir  nmcli  sumller  wi/c,  more 
slender  and  dejjre.ssed  l)ill,  more  .stronoly  bristled  rictus,  etc.  ;  on  wiiicli 
iiccoiint  they  are  more  strictly  "  lly -catchers,"  ttiking  tlieir  prey  in  great 
liart  on  the  wing. 

Of  th(!  three  t'ainilies,  the  Tnrdidn-  contain  a  great  variety  of  forms, 
and  exhibit  widely  dilVerent  characters,  rendering  it  exceedingly  diiliciilt 
to  arrange  them  in  any  systematic  or  regnltir  seiinence,  or  to  acciinitely 
define  tlu'ir  boundaries.  In  the  />/r(/.s  of  Xort/i  AiniTicd,  the  ^Mocking 
Tin'ti.slu's  were  ]ilaced  among  the  Wrens,  on  account  of  tiie  distinct  tarsal 
sciitellic,  and  otiier  clitiracters.  We  tire  now,  howtiver,  inclined  to  believe, 
with  Dr.  Sclater,  that  their  place  is  with  the  recognized  Tin-iUda' ;  and, 
among  otiier  reasons,  on  the  ground  of  tlieir  more  deejily  cleft  toes,  iind 
greater  extension  forward  of  fronttil  fetithers.  The  following  synojisis  of 
tlie  North  American  forms  will  serve  tlie  jiurpose  of  di^termiiiing  the  geneiii, 
even  if  these  are  not  arninged  or  combined  in  ti  strictly  natural  manner. 

Aa   Turdinae. —  Tarsus  covered  anierioily  with  a  continuous  plute  without 
scales. 

AVings  (h'cidedly   longer   than   the   tail,   which   is   nearly  oven.      Bill  con- 
siderably shorter  than  the  head. 

First  quill  usually  not  one  for.rth  the  second.     Wings  pointed.     Tarsus 
hardly  the  length  of  head,  but  yet  longer  than  middle  toe;  outstretched 
toes  falling  short  of  tip  of  tail     ........         Turdns. 

B«   Mimiiiae.  —  Tarsi  scutellat(>  anli>rinrly;  scales  seven. 

Wings  decidedlj'   longer   than   the   tail,   whi(.'h  is  nearly   even.     Tarsu.s  as 
long  as  the  head. 

Bill  decidedly  .shorter  than  the  head,  .scnreoly  iioteheil ;  wings  pointecl ; 
llrst  ([uill  less  than  half  the  second,  third  niid  l()urlh  longest.  Claws 
not  peculiar.  Ihistles  proiniuent.  Tarsus  considerubly  longer  than 
middle  toe  and  daw.         ........  Orrtiscujitix 


8INOIXG    BIRDS  — USCLNES.  g 

Wings  (Icciilcdiy  sliorlcr  than   the  tail,  wliicli  is  cunsidiTably  irrailiiati'il ; 
/irst  q'lill  liall'di-  nioi(,'  llian  lialftiie  second. 

liiil  nolclu'd  at  tip,  sliorlur  tiian  licad ;  sttaiuht. 

Sculcila;  very  dislinrt;  gonys  stniiglit,  or  even  declining  at  tip.  Mimiis. 

Scutcllic  more  or  less  obsolete;  gonys  convex,  a,-<cending  at  tip.  (idlnmnijiU-.i. 

Bill  not  notched  at  tip,  Icugliiened;  sonietinies  much  decm-ved.    JIurjKir/ii/uc/iiis. 

NuTK.  —  III  till'  l!rvi(nv  of  American  llinls,  I.,  ilay,  Ksdti,  400,  I  liavc^  advanced  the  suggestion 
tliat  tlie  X.  American  gcinis  Mi/icuMci,  usually  plai'cij  undci-  the  yhiijiiliihi;  ivally  lielougs  UMilei- 
Tiii-iltilii:  in  a  gioiip  Mijuidtstinic.  The  i-elatioli.sliip.s  are  certaiidy  very  close,  a.s  is  siiowu  by  tile 
characters  given  hi-low. 

Common  C'liAUAcrKiis.— Tarsi  without  regular  transver.se  scutelhe,  except  at  lower  end. 
Wings  acute,  jMii'ited,  as  long  as  or  longer  than  tail,  which  is  liut  slightly  graduated.  Kirst 
primary  rarely  half  second,  which  exceeds  the  .secondaries,  liase  of  (piills  hulfy  yellow,  as  are 
inner  edges.  Tail  spotted  or  varied  at  the  end.  Young  birds  with  many  light  spot.s.  Very 
nii'loilious  singers. 

Myiadestiuae.  Kill  short,  inueh  depressed  ;  mouth  ilecply  cleft  ;  width  at  ba.se  about  iMpnd 
to  the  (listanc-  I'rom  nostril  to  tip,  or  greater  ;  comnii.ssure  more  than  twice  distance  from  nostrils 
to  tip  of  Iiill,  and  nearly  two  and  a  half  times  length  of  gonys.  Legs  weak  ;  tarsi  rather  longer 
than  'iiiddlc  toe  and  (daw.  Tail  feathers  tajn'ring  slightly  from  ba.se  to  near  tip,  giving  a  slightly 
ciiiicate  appearance  to  the  tail. 

Turdiliae.  Mill  stouter,  more  lengthened  ;  narrow  at  ba.so  and  more  comi)res.sed  ;  width  at 
base  less  than  distance  from  nostril  to  tip  ;  coiiimi.ssure  not  more  than  twice  distame  from 
ncstrils  to  tip  of  bill,  and  about  twice  length  of  gonys.'  Tarsi  stouter,  longer  than  middle  toe 
and  claw.  Tail  feathers  widening  slightly  from  ba.se  to  near  ci|),  giving  a  [larallel-sided  or 
slightly  fan-shaped  appearance  to  the  tail. 

The  Mini,, III-  dilfcr,  as  already  mentioned,  in  the  scutellate  tarsi  :  more  rounded  win"s  etc  — 
S.  F.  IJ. 


Subfamily    TURDIN^. 

There  iire  several  Aiiierieiiii  oenei'ii  of  Tim/ina-  not  found  nortli  of 
Mexico  its  yel,  iilthough  it  is  not  impos.sible  that  one  of  these  (Cat/iKnis) 
may  Iiefeafter  be  detected  witiiiii  tlie  limits  of  the  United  States.  Tlio 
species  oi  Cathiirus  resend)Ie  the  Xorth  Americiin  wood-thiushes  {Hiilovlchlii) ; 
but  the  si)iirioas  or  tirst  primary  cpiill  is  lunger  (from  one  half  to  one  third  the' 
second  quill),  the  wings  are  rounded,  not  pointed,  the  tarsus  is  longer  than 
tlu!  head,  and  the  outstretched  toes  extend  beyond  the  tail.  The  species  to 
lie  looked  for  are  ('.  invlinnnnu:  and  ocriilcntaliti} 

The  Nortli  American  species  of  Tnnltiur,  while  ^W^ned  under  the  singh; 
genus  Turdus,  yet  constitute  several  distinct  groups,  which  we  may  c'^iU 
subgenera. 


Genus   TURDUS,    Linn.i; 


i;s. 


TiiTdils,  LlNN.F.i;s,  Syst.  Xat.,  ed.  1(1,  17;VH,  1(!S.     (Tvpe,  r,n;l„s  gis,-ivums  of  Furopc.)  — 
BAntn,  Uev.  Am.  IJirds. 

Gkn.  Ciiau.     Bill  (■oiiioal,  .subulate,  .shorter  than  the  head;  llie  tip  gentlv  .ieciirved  and 
notched  (e.vccpt  in  J/,-sj,erurir/i/a)  ;  the  rielus  with  modorale  bristles;  the  wiiig.s  rather 

'  See  Itaird,  Heview  American  liirds,  I,  18(14,  7,  8. 


4  XOUTir  AMElilCAX  BIRDS. 

long  ,111(1  pnintod,  with  sniiill  first  |>iiinaiy  (less  tluui  one  fourtli  tlio  si-coml) ;  wings  pon- 
siik'nilily  Iohuht  tliau  tlic  tail,  wliirli  is  lirni,  iicaily  cvni,  witii  broad  H'allicrs.  Tarsi 
variablr,  si'liloni  as  long  as  tiic  si<iill,  tlii'  sfiilclla'  liiscd  into  a  foiiliiuions  pliitc,  onl)-  in 
raro  individual  instances  showing  indii'atiuiis  ol'lliu  lines  of  separation. 

The  gc'ims  Turdiis  is  vcay  cosniopolitiui,  (iccunii'g  neurly  tliroiigliont  tlio 
glolie,  exL'Cjitiiig  in  Auxtndin,  iiiul  eiul)riici.'s  .specie.s  oi'  liighest  piiiieetimi 
as  singers.  In  the  Itirgo  nil  tuber  of  species  known  there  arc  nitiny  vtiriiv- 
tious  in  e.xteriial  Ibrni,  but  the  tninsition  I'roin  one  to  llie  othei'  is  so  griuUial 
iis  to  render  it  very  diilietilt  to  separtite  theiii  into  ciilerent  genera.  Tlie 
sections  of  the  group  we  .ulopt  are  the  following :  — 

tSdcs  shitihir. 

Hylocichla.  .'iiiiancst  spcoios.  Bill  short,  broad  at  base  ;  iinii'h  di'pii'sscd.  Tarsi  long  and 
sli'iidrr,  loiigiT  than  niidillc  toi'  mid  daw,  by  the  adilitional  Icnglli  of  tlic  daw  ;  oiitslri'tchcd 
li'gs  rcailiing  nearly  to  tip  of  tail.  iJody  .slender.  Color:  above  olivaceous  or  reddi.sli,  beneath 
whitisli  ;  In-east  s]iotted  ;  throat  vithout  sjiots. 

Turdus.  lull  stouter  and  higher.  Tarsi  stout  and  short,  .seaixely  longer  than  iniihlle  toe  and 
(law.      I'lody  stout,  generally  whitish  beneath  and  spotted.     {.Second  ipiill  longer  than  lil'lh  ?) 

Planesticus.  Sinular  to  preceding.  (.Sec(ni(l  ([uill  shorter  than  lil'lli  ')  liencath  mostly 
nni-eolored  ;  unstreaked  except  the  throat,  which  is  whitish  with  dark  streaks. 

.SV.res'  disslni lliir. 

Merula.  Similar  to  1'((ri!iis.  Male  usually  more  or  less  black,  esp(eially  on  the  head  ; 
rcniales  lirowninh,  often  with  streaked  throats.      ISill  distinctly  notched. 

Hesperocicllla.  Siniilur  to  Tanhis.  Hale  reddish  beueiitii,  with  u  black  collar.  Hill 
without  notch. 


SunoKxus    H7LOCICHLA,    Haird. 

Ifjlliii'lrlihi,  lUlui)  (s.  g.>,  l!ev.  .Vm.  I.irds,  lS(i4,  !•_'.     (Type,   Tiiri!i(.i  mii.ifrliiiii.i.) 

Tlie   essentiiil  clitiractcrs  of  Jli/locicJila  luivc  already  been  given.     Tlie 

stibgenus  includes  the  small  North 
American  sjiecies,  with  Turdiin  iiiiia- 
tdiiuis,  CJm.,  at  the  head  as  tyi)e, 
which  are  closely  connected  on  the 
one  side  Avitli  Catliaruti,  by  their 
lengthened  tarsi,  and  with  Turdus 
liy  the  shape  of  the  wing.  The 
bills  are  .shorter,  more  de]iressed, 
and  liroader  at  base  than  in  typi- 
cal 7'iir(fiis,  so  much  so  that  the 
sjR'cies  have  fre(iiiently  been  de- 
scrilied  under  Musrinijid. 

It  is  not  at  all  inijirobable  that 

naturalists  may  ultimately  conclude  to  consider  the  grouj)  as  of  generic 

rank. 

In  this  grou])  there  appears  to  lie  five  well-marked  forms  or  ".sjiecies." 

They  are,   musiclinus,  Gm.,  pallasi,  Caban.,  J'u.sccttccns,   Steiih.,  sicainsoni. 


Titrilits  mllstdinus. 


TUUDID.K  —  THE  THRUSHES. 


5 


Caliaii.,   and   alirirv,    liiiinl.     The   first-naiiuMl    is   totally   unlike   the   rest, 
wliicli  arc  moie  elosely  related  ill  a]'i)eaiaiiee. 

In  studyinj;'  carel'ully  u  very  larj^e  series  ul'  specimens  of  all  the  species, 
the  i()U()\vin;4-  facts  become  evident :  — 

1.  In  autnmu  and  winter  the  "olive"  cohir  of  the  ])lnmajj:e  assumes  a 
browner  cast  than  at  other  seasons  ;  this  variation,  however,  is  the  same 
in  all  the  species  (and  varieties),  so  liiat  in  antnnui  and  winter  the  several 
species  diller  from  each  other  as  nuich  as  they  do  in  spring  and  summer. 

Of  these  live  species,  two  only  (iKil/nsi 
and  siruiiisuni)  inhaliit  the  whole  breadth 
of  the  continent;  and  tliey,  in  the  three 
Faunal  Trovinces  over  which  they  e.\- 
tend,  are  niodilied  into  "  races  "  or  "  va- 
rieties"  characteristic  of  each  region. 
The  first  of  these  species,  as  the  pKlhml 
WAY.  piillasi,  extends  westward  to  the 
liocky  Mountains,  and  migrates  in  winter 
into  the  South;  specimens  are  very  nuicli 
browner  in  the  winter  than  in  spring  ; 
but  in  the  Hocky  Mountain  region  is  a 
larger,  grayer  race,  the  var.  ainlnJiuiti. 
This,  in  its  migrations,  extends  along  the 
central  niouutaiu  region  through  Mexico 
to  (luatemala;  si»ecimens  from  the  northern  and  southern  extremes  of  this 
range  are  identical  in  all  tlie  sjiecilie  characters;  but  the  southern  sjiecimens, 
being  in  the  fall  and  winter  dress,  are  Imjwner  in  color  than  northern  ones 
(siting  birds);  an  autumnal  example  from  Cantonment  IJurgwyn,  \.  ~S\.,  is 
as  lirowu  as  any  Central  American  specimen.  Along  the  raciiic  Province, 
from  Kodiak  to  Western  Mexico,  and  occasionally  straggling  eastward  toward 
the  Kocky  Mountain  system,  there  is  the  \ar.  iKnina,  a  race  niixillrr  tiian 
the  var.  imUdni,  and  with  much  the  .same  colors  as  var.  niiiluhoiii,  though  the 
ndbus  of  the  tail  is  deeper  than  in  either  of  the  other  forms.  In  this  race, 
as  in  the  others,  there  is  no  dillerence  in  size  between  s])ecimens  from 
north  and  south  extremes  of  its  distribution,  becausi;  the  breeding-] ilace 
is  ill  the  Xortli,  all  Southern  sjnicimeiis  being  winter  s(jjourners  from  their 
Xorthern  birthplace. 

The  T.  Hwa'uisoni  is  found  in  abundance  westward  to  the  western  limit 
of  the  Ifocky  ^Mountain  system;  in  the  latter  region  s[v('ciiiiens  at  all 
seasons  have  the  olive  of  a  clearer,  more  greenisli  sliade  than  in  any  Kaslern 
examples;  this  clearer  tint  is  analogous  with  that  of  tiie  IJucky  Mountain 
fnrm  oi  poUntii  {<(ii(liih(ini).  In  precisely  the  same  region  inhabiteil  by  the 
pallasi  var.  ndiius  the  siridnsdiii  also  has  a  representative  form,  —  the  \ai'. 
iis/ii/otiin.  This  re.semliles  in  pattern  the  var.  niniiiixoni.  Imt  the  olive  abov(> 
is  decidedly  more  rufesceiit,  —  nuicii  as  in  Ilocky  Mountain  sperimeiis  of 


TtirilKs  ustulatus. 


6  NORTH  A.MEKICAN  liUlDS. 

T.  fiisrcsiriiti ;  tin-  spots  on  jii_y;uluiii  mid  l)iviist  arc,  also  muTowor,  a.s  well 
as  luinlly  darker  in  lolur  than  tlio  l)ack  ;  and  the  lad  is  l()nj,'fr  llian  in 
llocky  Mountain  siriu'iisajii,  in  which  latter  it  is  longer  than  in  Eastern 
examples.  The  remaining  sjiceics — niHstc/iiins,  J'li.srrsrciin,  and  idiriir- — 
extend  no  I'ailher  west  than  the  IJocky  Mountains ;  the  iirst  and  last 
only  toward  their  eastern  base,  while  tlio  second  breeds  abundantly  as  I'ar 
tis  tiie  eastern  limit  of  the  (Ireat  Hasin. 

The  T.  fuficraccna,  from  the  I'oeky  M\)nntains,  is  considcralily  darker  in 
color  aliove,  wliile  the  specks  on  the  throat  and  Jugular  are  s[)arser  or  more 
obsolete  than  in  Eastern  birds. 

In  T.  >uiistr/i)iiis,  the  only  two  Western  specimens  in  the  collection 
(Mount  Carroll,  Ills.,  and  Fort  Pierre)  have  the  rumj)  of  a  clearer  grayish 
than  specimens  from  the  Atlantic  Coast ;  in  all  other  respects,  however, 
they  ajjpear  to  be  identical.  Some  Mexican  specimens,  being  in  winter 
plumage,  have  the  breast  more  buify  than  Northern  (sjn'ing  or  summer) 
exaniiiles,  and  the  rufous  of  the  head,  etc.  is  somewhat  brighter. 

In  alicia;  no  difference  is  observed  between  i'-astern  and  Western  birds; 
the  reason  is,  ]M()bal)ly,  that  the  breeding-ground  of  all  is  in  one  province, 
though  their  migrations  may  extend  over  two.  Thei'e  is,  however,  a  marked 
dilference  between  the  spring  and  autunni  plumage;  the  dear  grayish  of 
the  former  being  replaced,  in  the  latter,  by  a  snuHy  brown,  or  sej)ia  tint, 
—  this  especially  noticealile  on  wings  and  tail. 

The  following  synopsis  is  intended  to  show  the  characters  of  the  different 
s])ecies  and  varieties. 

1.   Spotn  heiHofli  rnnndeO,  corcriiii/  hrciist  and  sides. 
A<   Uiillius  brown  iibove,  bucumiiiLr  niucli  briglitur  toward  t'lK^  liill,  and  more 
olivai'L'ous  on  the  tail.     Beneath  white;  whole  breast  with  rounded  .>;i)ot.s.     Ne.'^t 
on  tree;  egfjs  jiale  blue. 

1.  T.  mustelinuB.  ]5eueatli  nearly  pure  white,  with  rounded  blaek- 
i.sh  spots  over  the  whole  breast,  sides,  and  upper  |iart  of  abdomen ; 
win<r,  4.25;  tail,  :l.0'>]  eulnuMi,  .SO;  tarsus,  1.2(1.  Ilah.  Eastern  Prov- 
ince United  States,  south  to  tiuatemala  and  ]Iondura.s.  Cuba  and 
Bermuda  ol'  West  Indie.s. 

2.  SjiotK  heiieuth  Irianf/idar,  on  breast  oidi/. 
B«  Entirely  uniform  in  eolor  above,  —  olivaeeou.s  varyinir  to  reddish  or 
greeni.sh  with  the  sjieeies.  Beneath  whitish,  with  a  wa.sli  of  brownish  a(.'i'o.-is 
the  breast  and  alonij'  sides.  Spots  triaui;iilar,  and  eonlineil  to  the  breast.  Nest 
on  trees  or  bushes;  ei,'i:;s  blu(!  spotted  with  Iirownish;  exeept  in  T.  fuscescviis, 
which  nest.s  on  the  <i;roinMl,  and  lays  plain  lihu,'  ey;t,^s. 
a.  Ao  rouspic'ioiis  !i(/lit  orhilal  rii>(/. 

2.  T.  fuscesceua.  Yellowi-sh-rufous  or  olive-fulvous  .ibove ;  a  stronp; 
wash  of  pale  I'ulvous  aeross  the  throat  and  jnj;nluin,  where  are  very 
indistinct  cuneate  spots  of  same  shade  as  the  back.  Wing,  4.10;  tail, 
3.00;  culmen,  .70;  tarsus,  1.15.  /M>.  Eastern  Province  of  North 
.\inerica.  North  to  Nova  Seotia  and  Fort  Garry.  West  to  Great  Salt 
Lake.     South  (in  winter)  to  r.iuuuia  and  Brazil,     ("ubu. 


TrunrD.K  — TiiH  THRrsiri'X  tj 

.'i.  T.  aliciae.  Oiiiyi-ili  ilovi'-liiowii  iiliovc;  brciist  aliiuisl  while,  with 
brciid,  hliickish  spots;  wIidIc  siik;  of  hi'iid  iiiiitiii-tii  friiivish.  \Viinr 
4. 'JO;  tail,  ;i.2(» ;  ciiIimi'ii,  .77;  tarsus,  1.15.  Jfuh.  Kasteiii  Pinvinn' 
Noi'tli  Aiiicrica  Iroiii  slioio  of  Aret.ii;  Ocean,  Fort  Yukon,  and  Kodiak 
to  Costa  Riea.  West  to  Missouri  River.  Ciiha. 
b.  A  riitiKjiiciiiiiis  iirhitiil  liiKj  (if  huff. 
A.  T.  swainsoni. 

Grcciiisli-olivc  above,  l)roa.st  and  .sides  of  head  .stroiifily  tiiiired  with 
liiiir.  Spots  on  lireast  broad,  (hsliiirt,  nearly  black.  Leii^'th, 
7.l>0;  winjr,  :i.!l();  tail,  L'.ild ;  eiilnieii,  .(J'j  ;  tarsus,  1.10.  //-//». 
Kastern  and  Middle  I'roviiiees  of  North  America.  North  to 
Slave    Lake,    .sonlh    to   Eenador,   west  to  East   I[iiniholdt  Monn- 

•''iii'^ van   sii'ainsuni. 

Brownisli-olive  aliove,  .somewhat  more  rnlesecMit.  on  wiiij,';  breast 
and  head  stronu:ly  washed  with  dilute  nil'ons.  Spots  on  breast 
narrow,  scarcely  daiker  than  back.  Wiiiir,  3.85;  tail,  IJ.OO;  cnl- 
nien,  .70;  tarsus,   1.1(1.     J/ah.   VncWu:  I'rovinco  of  United  States. 

Gnatenmla var.  ii x  f  alat  lis. 

C  Above  olivaceous,  lieeomiiisj  al)riiptly  more  reddish  on  upper  tail-eoverts 
and  tail.  Spots  as  in  xiriiiiisiiiii.  but  larj^'cr  and  l<'ss  transverse,  —  more  sharply 
defined.  An  orbital  rinj;  of  i)ale  bull'.  Nest  on  ground  ;  eggs  blue,  probably 
unspotted. 

5.  T.  pallasi. 

Olivaceous  of  ujiper  parts  like  usfiihitii.i.  Reddish  of  ni)])er  tail- 
eovert.s  invading  lower  part  of  rump;  no  marked  dilference  in 
tint  between  the  tail  and  its  upper  covi'ris.  Flanks  and  tibiie 
yellowish  olive-lirown  ;  a  liiint  tinge  of  bull'  aero.ss  the  breast. 
Kggs  plain.  Wing.  .'{.SO:  tail,  ;i.OO;  culnien,  .70;  tar.sus,  1.20. 
J/'(l>.  Kastern  Province  (.fl'nited  States  (oidy?)  .  .  yiw.pallasi. 
Olivaceous  of  upper  parts  like  siraiii.iinii.  Reddish  of  tail  not  in- 
vading the  rump,  and  the  tail  deeiilely  more  eastaneons  than  the 
upper  covert.s.  Beneath  almost  jiuro  white;  scarcely  any  biilf 
tinge  on  breast;  Hanks  and  tiliia-  grayish  or  plumbeous  olive. 
Size  smaller  than  .■iiriiiiiKoiii ;  bill  depressed.  'Wing,  3.50;  tail, 
2.(10;  cnhneii,  .(iO:  tarsus,  1.1.5.  J/„h.  Western  Proviiice  of  Xortli 
America,  I'rom  Kodiak  to  Cape  St.  Lueas.     East  to  East  Humboldt 

Mountains  .  

var.  nanus. 

Olivaceous  above,  like  preceding  ;  the  upper  tail-coverts  scarcely 
dill'erent  from  the  back.  Tail  yellowish-rufbus.  Beneath  like 
voinis.  Size  laiger  than  sinii,is<wi.  Wing,  4.20;  tail,  3.35;  eul- 
men,  .80;  tarsu.s,  1.30.  fl,,!,.  Rocky  Jfountain.s.  From '  Fort 
Bridger,  south  (in  winter)  to  Southern  Mexico      .         .     var.  a  u duho n  i. 


Turdus  mustelinus,  (Jmelin. 

THE  WOOD  THRUSH. 

Turdus  vuMinvs,  r,m:us,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1788,  817. -^  ArntmoN,  On..  Riog.  I,  1832,  372, 
I-l.  /3  ^--In.  Mirds  An,.  Ill,  1811,  21.  pi.  HI.  -  ])•.),;■,.  l,a  Sagra.s  Cuba  Ois.  1810, 
4it.-lU.ui.,  IJudsN.  Am.  18.58,  212. -In.  IW.  Am.  Bird.s,  18(il,  13. -Sci  atki: 
P.  Z.  S.   1S5(J,  294,  and  18.-;9,   325. -Jones,   Nat.   in  UormuJu,   2(5.  -  Gunulacii' 


J5  NORTH  AMEinCAX  BIRDS. 

l!i'|icitorio,  lSfl5,  2-2S.  —  .Maynaki).  —  Samit.ls,  14i1.     Timliis  milmhix,  Wiis.  Am. 
Orii.  1,  IMIS,  'i'l,  jil.  ii.      Tunhis  (Icnsnx,   linNAl'.  ('i>iiii)te.s  liiiulus,  XXVUl,  1853,  2. 
--  111.  Notes  Dclaltiv,  1854,  2(i  (Taliasci)). 
Aclclilioiial  (ifjiiivs  ;  VlKil.l.oT,  OLs.  Am.  Srjit.  II,  pi.  I.\ii.  — AVii.soN,  Am.  Oni.  I,  pi.  ii. 

Si'.  CiiAii.  Aliovc  clciir  ciiiimmon-hrown.  on  tlio  tdp  ol'  the  licail  bcfoniing  more 
nil'oiis,  on  tlic  nuiii)  iiiul  tail  olivaeoons.  The  uiiilcr  jiarls  aio  clear  wliiti-,  .'^oinct lines 
tiiij,'eit  willi  Imir  oil  tho  breast  ov  aiiteiiorly,  and  thickly  iiiarke(l  Ijeni'ntli,  except  on  tlie 
chill  anil  tliroat  ami  aliout  the  vent  and  lail-covcrls,  with  suli-triantjiilar.  .'ilmrply  dcliiieil 
spni.s  ol'  lilacki.-ih.  The  .-^ide.-;  of  the  head  are  dark  lirowii,  .■Jlrcakcd  with  white,  and  there 
is  also  a  maxillary  series  ol'sireaks  on  each  side  ol'liie  throat,  the  central  portion  ol' which 
sonietiines  has  iiidicalioiis  of  small  s])ots.  I,enj.'th,  8.10  inches;  wini.'.  4.'J")  ;  tail,  3.()."i ; 
tarsus,  1.2().  Voniiii'  liird  .-iiiiilar  to  adult,  but  with  rusty  yellow  ti-iangular  spots  in  the 
ends  of  the  Aviiif;  coverts. 

IIaii.  U.  S.  east  of  Missouri  plains,  sonlh  to  Gnateinnla.  Bermuda  (not  rare).  Cuba, 
LaSaoha;  Gt  xni.Acil.     llondura.s,  ^[ooui;.     Cordova,  Scl.     Orizaba  (winter),  Si'miciih. 

Haiuts.  Till!  W(i(i(l  Tlinisli,  witlimit  beiiio-  miywlicio  u  very  iilniiKlniit 
sjit'cies,  is  coiiuiion  tlinm^'lidiit  iicnrly  t'vcry  jiuition  of  the  United  Stati!,s 
between  tlic  ]\Iississi])pi  liivor  iiiid  the  Allaiilic.  It  breeds  in  every 
])ortion  of  tlie  siiiiie  extended  area,  at  least  as  tar  as  Oeoi'cjia  (in  tlie  .sdutli 
and  ^lassaelnisetts  on  the  north.  Iieyond  the  last-named  Slate,  it  rarely, 
if  ever,  lireeds  on  the  coast.  In  the  interior  it  lias  a  liigiier  range,  iiestino' 
around  irainilton,  C.  W.  So  far  iis  I  am  iiware  it  is  unknown,  or  very  rare, 
in  the  States  (jf  Vermont,  Xew  Hampshire,  and  ]\Iainc. 

It  makes  its  ajtpearance  early  in  Ajn-il  in  the  Aliddle  States,  but  in  Xew 
England  not  until  four  or  five  weeks  later,  ajipearing  about  the  Idtli  of  May. 
Their  migrations  in  fall  are  more  irregular,  being  tipparently  determined  l»y 
the  abundance  of  their  food.  At  times  they  ilepart  as  early  as  tiie  iirst 
of  September,  but  sometimes  not  until  the  last  of  October.  It  winters 
in  Central  America,  where  it  is  (juitt!  abundant  at  tliat  season. 

Tlie  favorite  localities  of  the  Wood  Thrush  are  the  borders  of  dense 
tliicket.s,  or  low  damp  hollows  shaded  by  large  trees.  Yet  its  liabits  arc 
by  no  means  so  retiring,  or  its  nature  so  timid,  as  these  jilaces  of  resort 
would  lead  us  to  infer.  A  small  grove  in  IJoxlmry,  now  a  iiart  of  I'xiston, 
in  close  iiro.ximity  to  a  dwelling-house,  was  for  mtiny  years  the  favorite 
resort  of  these  birds,  where  several  pairs  nested  and  reareil  their  young, 
rarely  even  leaving  their  nests,  which  were  mostly  in  low  bushes,  wholly 
unmindful  of  the  curious  children  who  were  their  fretjuent  visitors.  The 
same  fearless  familiarity  was  obser\ed  at  Blount  .Vuburn,  then  Iirst  used 
as  a  pulilic  cemetery.  IJut  in  the  latter  instance  the  nest  was  always 
placed  high  up  on  a  branch  of  some  spreading  tree,  often  in  cons]iicuous 
lilaces,  but  tnit  of  reach.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  refers  to  several  similar  instiinces 
where  the  Wood  Thrush  did  not  show  itself  to  be  such  a  reclu.se  as  many 
describe  it.  In  one  ca.se  a  pair  built  tiieir  ne.st  witliin  the  limits  of  a 
thickly  peopled  village,  where  there  were  but  lew  trees,  and  a  scanty 
umlergrowtli.  In  anotlkir  a  Wood  Thrush  lived  for  several  successive 
suiumers  among  the  elms  and   majiles   of  Court   St^uare  iii   the  city  of 


0 


TUHDID.K  — TIIK  TIIRrSTIKS.  ,j 

Sjiriujfficld,  Mass.,  uiidisLnrlMMl  liy  tlio  ])assi'i's  liy  (ir  tin;  wiilktTs  liciiciitli, 
or  tlic  iiniso  and  rattle  of  the  veliiclus  cm  tlic  coiilij^uous  sti'(;cts. 

The  sdiij,'  (if  this  thnisli  is  oik!  nf  its  most  vciiiarkaliU'  ami  plcasin!;- 
{'liaractcristics.  Xo  lover  dC  sweet  sfpiiiids  eaii  have  failed  td  notice  it, 
and,  liaviii;;-  onee  known  its  source,  no  one  can  fail  to  recoj^nize  it  when 
heard  a,L,'ain.  The  melody  is  one  of  j,'reat  sweetness  and  ]iower,  and  consists 
of  several  ])arts,  the  last  note  of  which  resembles  the  tinklin,<;' of  a  small  hell, 
and  seems  to  leave  the  conclusion  suspended.  Kueh  jiart  of  its  souji,' seems 
sweter  and  richer  than  the  jirecedinj^'. 

I'he  nest  is  usually  built  on  the  liorizontal  bnincli  of  a  small  forest-tret;, 
six  or  eij,dit  feet  from  the  ground,  and,  less  frefpiently,  in  the  fork  of  a  bush. 
The  dianu'ter  is  about  o  inches,  and  the  deiith  .'!;,',  with  a  cavity  averayin^f 
:')  inches  across  by  2|  in  de]ith.  They  arc  iirm,  compact  structures,  chiefly 
comi)osed  of  decayed  deciduous  leaves,  closely  imjiacted  to<rether,  and  ap- 
])arently  thus  combined  when  in  a  moistened  condition,  and  afterward 
dried  into  a  firmness  and  .stren,ii:tli  like  that  of  pareliment.  These  are 
intermin.nled  with,  and  stren.uthened  l)y,  a  few  dry  twiys,  and  the  wlude 
is  lined  with  fine  roots  and  a  i'iiw  fine  dry  ,i>ras.ses.  Occasionally,  instead 
of  tiie  solid  fniin(!  of  impacted  leaves,  we  find  one  of  solidified  mud. 

The  e,u-,i,'s  of  the  Wood  Thrush,  usually  four  in  nundier,  sometimes  five, 
are  of  a  \niiforni  dcep-ldue  tint,  with  liut  a  .sli-ht  admi.xture  of  yellow, 
which  imparts  a  greenish  tinge.  Their  average  measurements  are  l.UU  by 
.73  inch. 


Turdus  fuscescens,  Sieimikns. 

TAWKY  THRUSH ;  WILSON'S  THBUSH. 

Ti,n/i/.^  »;»s./,7/„„.v,  Wii.«„x,  Aiii.t.  Omitliolofjy,  V,  1812,  OS,  pi.  4:i  (not  of  f!  vf.i.in) 
ri(r:/i(.sfi(.sa:,r,is,  SiKiMiKN-s,  Shaw's  ( icn.  Zooi.  Bir.l.s,  X,  ,,  1S17,  182.  Cvn  .loi,,-  1S5.5 
470  (Cuba).  -  lUiHi..  liinls  X.  .\n>.  18.58,  214.  -  In.  Krv.  Am.  H.  18(i4,  17.  -(irNi'.'r ' 
lirportorio,  18(i,5,  228  (C,,!,,,,  ,K,t  nir..).  1',,,.zkls,  0,„.  lin.s.  ii,  1868,  92.  (Sail 
\iociitc,  liia/il,  Dcn'iiilH.i-.^— S.vjiri-.i.s,  l.-iO.  —  Sci.ATKii,  1>.  Z.  S.  1850,  32t)  —  In 
Catal.  Am.  liiids,  IBlil,  2,  Xo.  10.  T ,ml us  ..ilex,  Viiiu,!,.  Kii.'vdop.  MVtli."ll"  182:5 
f!4/  (liasnl  on  T.  musHinus,  Wii.s.).  Tiinhis  „-ils,mi,\  Hnv.  Oils.  Wils.  1825  No' 
7;i.      Tanltis  minor,  D'Oiin.  I,ii  Sagni'.s  ('uha,  Oi.s.  1840,  47,  pi.  v  (Ciil.a). 

Sr.  Cn.Mi.  Almv,.,  at„l  „„  si,lcs  nC  l,„wl  an,l  Ui'vk,  i„,ulv  uiiilonu  lidit  iv.l,lisl,-l,rown 
wuhaiaiiit  t,.n,l,.,u-y  t,.  orau,i;v  „„  Iho  cn>w„  a,„l  (ail.  I{,,,oatl,.  white;  tlie  fore  part 
..!  tlu.  iMvast  aiKl  tlin.at  (pal.T  on  the  chin)  tinnv.l  witl,  pale  hrownisli-vcliow,  in  deciVvl 
contrast  to  tht-  wl.ito  of  th.  hcily.  The  si,i..s  of  the  th,-„at  a,,,!  the  fore  part  of  tlio  l,roa.t 
a.s  colored,  are  n.arke.l  with  small  trian-alar  spots  of  lijrht  brownish,  nearly  like  the  back 
but  not  well  <ler,ne.l.  There  are  a  lew  obsolete  blotches  on  the  si.'es  ,.f  the  brea.st  (in  thJ 
white)  of  pale  olivaeeoMs;   th..  ,<i,les  of  the  bo.ly   tinned   n-hh  the  .same,      Tibi.e  white. 

Ihe  lower  n.amhble  is  brownisl y  at    th..  tip.     The  lores  are  a,sh-eolore,l,  the  orbital 

refrion  grayish.     Lenjrth,  7.50  ;   win-  4.2.") ;   tail.  ;i.20;   tarsii.s,  1.20. 

ILvn      Eastern    Xorth    Ain..ri,.a,   Halifax    to   Fort  Bridirer,'   and'  north   to  Fort  Garrv 
tuba,  1  anunia,  and  Brazil  (winterj.     Orizaba  (.winter;,  Sc.micuhast 
2 


XO  XORTTI  AMERIUAN  BIRDS. 

Habttr.  Tliis  s]K'('i('s  is  one  of  tlio  common  liirds  of  New  England,  and  is 
|ir()l)al)ly  aljundaiit  in  reitain  localities  throughout  all  tlie  country  east  of  the 
liocky  Mountains,  as  far  to  tlie  north  as  the  oOtli  i)arallol,  and  possibly 
as  far  as  the  wooded  country  extends.  JNIr.  Maynard  did  not  meet  witli 
it  in  Xortliern  Xew  Jlam])shire.  Mr.  Wm.  G.  Winton  obtained  its  nest 
and  eggs  at  lialifa.x,  N.  S. ;  Mr.  Boardman  found  them  also  on  the  (Julf 
of  St.  Lawrence,  and  at  St.  Stejilien's,  N.  15. ;  Mr.  Couper  at  (^^uebcc  ;  Mr. 
Kriegliolf  at  Three  Itivers,  Canada;  Donald  (!unu  <it  Selkiriv  and  lied 
liiver ;  and  ^Ir.  Kundien  and  Dr.  Hoy  in  Wisconsin.  Mr.  Mcllwraith 
also  gives  it  as  common  at  Hamilton,  West  Canada.  It  breeds  as  far  south 
as  rennsylviinia,  and  as  far  to  the  west  as  Utah,  and  occurs,  in  tlie  breeding 
season,  throughout  Maine,  Xew  IJrunswick,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Canada. 

Mr.  liidgway  found  this  tlirusli  very  abundant  among  tlie  thicActs  in  the 
valleys  of  the  Provo,  Weber,  and  Bear  rivei-s,  in  Utah,  and  very  character- 
istic of  th'\30  portions  of  the  country. 

It  arrives  in  Massachusetts  early  in  ^May,  usually  with  tlie  first  bhi.ssoms 
of  the  pear,  ranging  from  the  Htli  to  the  2()th.  It  is  strictly  of  woodbind 
habits,  found  almost  entirely  among  cluini)s  of  trees,  and  obtaining  its  food 
from  among  their  branclu!s,  or  on  the  ground  among  the  fallen  leaves.  It 
moves  south  from  the  lOtii  to  the  2r)th  of  September,  rarely  remaining  till 
the  first  week  in  October. 

It  is  timid,  distrustful,  and  retiring  ;  delighting  in  shady  ravines,  the  edges 
of  thick  close  woods,  and  occasionally  the  more  retired  parts  of  gardens; 
M'hcre,  if  unmolested,  it  will  i'rc(|ucnt  the  same  locality  year  after  year. 

The  .song  of  this  tliriish  is  i|Uiiiiit,  but  not  unmusical ;  variable  in  its 
character,  changing  from  a  jirolouged  and  monotonous  wiiistle  to  (piick 
and  almost  slirill  notes  at  the  chise.  Their  nadody  is  not  uufreiiuently 
prolonged  until  (piite  late  in  the  evening,  and,  in  consei|iience,  in  some 
portions  of  Mas.sacliu.setts  these  birds  are  distinguished  with  the  name  of 
Xightingale,  —  a  distinction  due  rather  to  the  .season  than  to  the  high  ipiality 
of  their  song.  Yet  Mr.  Ii'iilgwuy  regards  it,  as  heard  by  himself  in  I'tali, 
as  superior  in  some  res|)ects  to  that  of  all  others  of  the  genus,  though  far 
surpassed  in  mellow  richness  of  voice  and  dejith  of  metallic  tone  by  that  of 
the  Wood  Thi'iish  (7'.  iiiiisfch'nus).  To  his  mir  there  was  a  sohMun  harmony 
and  a  beiiiitifid  expression  which  combined  to  make  the  .song  of  tiiis  siirjiass 
tliat  of  all  the  other  American  Wood  Tlinishe.s.  The  lieautv  of  their  notes 
a]»peared  in  his  i-ars  "really  inspiring;  their  .song  consisting  of  an  ine.x- 
]iressibly  delicate  metallic  utterance  of  the  syllables  fn-inrl'  ah,  tx-inrl'  ii/i, 
tiril'  ah,  liril'  ah,  accom|)anieil  by  a  fine  trill  which  renders  it  truly  .se- 
ductive." The  last  two  notes  an;  said  to  Ik*  uttered  in  a  soft  and  subdued 
undertone,  prodiuung  thereby,  in  ed'ect,  an  echo  of  the  others. 

Til!'  nest  is  nlwiiys  jiliiced  neiir  tin'  ground,  generally  niiscd  from  it  by 
II  {\w\\  bed  of  dry  leaves  uv  sticks;  .sometimes  among  bushes,  but  never  in 
the  fork  of  a  bush  or  ti-eo,  or  if  so,  in  very  niru  and  exceptional  ca.ses. 


TURDID.E  — TlIK  TIIiU'SIlES.  U 

■\Vlnii  incubation  has  ('(ininu-iiccHl,  tlie  female  is  reliictiint  lo  leave  her  uust. 
II' driven  oil' she  utters  no  eoni[ilaint,  hut  remains  close  at  hand  anil  returns 
at  tlie  iirst  t)pportunity. 

They  construct  their  nost  early  in  INFay,  and  the  younj,'  are  hatclied  in  the 
latter  part  of  that  niontli,  or  tiie  Iirst  of  June.  Tliey  raise  two  broods  in  the 
season.  The  nest,  even  more  h)osely  put  together  tliau  tliat  of  the  (Iround 
Swami)  liobin  (/'.  pal/uni),  is  often  with  ditliculty  ke])t  complete.  It  is 
al>out  o  inciies  in  height,  4A  in  diameter,  with  a  cavity  U  inches  deep  and 
.'!  in  width,  and  cf)mi)osed  of  dry  bark,  dead  leaviss,  stems,  and  woody  hbres, 
intermingled  with  gra.sses,  caricas,  sedges,  etc.,  and  linetl  with  soft  skeleton 
leaves.  A  nest  from  Wisconsin  was  composed  entirely  of  a  coarse  species  of 
Sjian/aiifum;  the  dead  stalks  and  leaves  of  which  were  interwoven  with  a 
very  striking  effect. 

The  eggs,  usually  four,  sometimes  live  in  number,  are  of  a  uniform  green 
color,  with  a  sliglit  tinge  of  blue,  and  average  M  by  .('.(i  of  an  indi  in 
diameter. 


Turdus  aliciae,  B.vinn. 

ORAT-CHEEKED  THBUSH;  ALICE'S  THSXTSH, 

Tiinliis  ii/iri(i;  IS.vn;!",  Hints  N.  .\iii.  l.s.'iS,  :\7,  pliite  81,  f.  2.  —  In.  iirvii'w  .\iii.  Uinls,  I, 
l»tl4,  L'l.  ColKs,  I'l'.  Ac.  N.  Sc.  Auk.  l**"!.  '.217  (Lalmuloi).  -In.  Catal.  IlinU  of 
Wu.sliiii},'t(iii.  — (irNipi,.\cii,  Ki'iM'itorii),  iMl.'i,  ii'.t  (Ciilia).  -  Lawk.  Ann.  N.  Y.  I,yc. 
I.\,  '.n  (Costa  Hica).  —  D.M.i,  ami  Uanmsi  il;,  liii.ls  Alaska.  -    lillxnvAV,  lic'iimt. 

Si'.  CiiAK.  Aliovc  nearly  puri!  (lark  oliv '-{,'rt't'U  :  .«i(los  of  tlu'  lie  •'  a.sli-i.'ray ;  tiio  chin, 
liiroat,  and  luiilcr  pait.s  wiiilo;  iiiiicst  bt'l'  ml.  Sitlcs  of  throat  ai  .i  oss  the  bri-a.st  with 
aii'ow-.sliai)('il  spot.s  of  dark  plmnbi'oii.s-lii  iwii.  Siilcs  of  boily  i  i  axillaries  dull  (frayisli- 
olivaci'oiis.  Tiliiiu  [iliniilii'ou.s;  Ic^'s  lirowii,  boiigtli,  iieai-jy  8  Inclics;  wiiij,',  4.'J(t:  tail, 
:!.1!0:  tai'siis.  1.1."), 

IIaii.  Kastcni  North  .Viiici'iia  to  slioics  of  .Vrclic  Orcaii.  ami  aloiitr  iiortlicrn  coast  from 
lialirador  to  ICoiliak,  hrcciliii;.;  in  iiiiMiciisc  luiiiilicis  hclwccii  tho  mouths  of  .Ma<'lvcii/.ic  ami 
Coppciiiihrc.  West  to  l-'ort  Yukon  auil  Missouii  Ivivcr  Stalui;.  Wiiitcr.s  .south  to  Costii 
Uica.     Cliiiii[ui.  Sai.vix  ;  Cuba,  (Uxdi.ach. 

As  originiiUy  described,  this  specie.^  differs  from  ><ii'(iin!<()ii>  in  larger 
size,  longer  bill,  feel,  and  wings  es])ecially,  straigliter  and  narrower  bill. 
Tlie  back  is  of  a  greener  (dive.  Tlie  bretist  and  sides  of  the  head  are 
entirely  destitute  of  the  bull'  tinge,  or  tit  best  tiiis  is  very  fsiintly  indictited 
on  tiio  upper  ])iirt  of  the  breast.  The  most  chamcteristic  features  sire  seen 
on  tlie  side  of  t!ie  head.  Here  Ihere  is  no  indication  whatever  of  thti  light 
line  fr(>ni  nostril  to  eye,  and  scarcely  any  of  a  light  ring  rmmd  the  eye, — 
tlie  v.h(de  region  iteing  grayisli-tdive,  relieved  slightly  by  whiti.sh  shaft- 
streaks  on  llu!  ear  coverls.  Tlio  sides  of  liody,  a.villars,  and  tibia'  are 
olivai'cons-gray,  witluait  any  of  the  fiilvons  tinge  seen  in  siniliisinii. 
The  bill  measures  .•40  from  tip  to  nostril,  sometimes   more;  tarsi,   l.'Jl  ; 


12  XOJITII  AilERR'AM  BIRDS. 

wing,  4.20;  tail,  .'J.ld,  —  tutal,  iiliout  7.50.  Some  sijeciinen.s  sliglitly  exceed 
tliese  diiiiensiuiis ;  lew,  if  any,  liill  short  of  them. 

In  iiutumn  the  ui)pei'  surface  is  somewhat  diflerent  from  that  in  s|)riny, 
being  loss  grayish,  and  with  a  tinge  of  rich  sepia  or  snulf-browu,  this 
becoming  graiUially  more  ai)[)reciable  on  the  tail. 

A  specimen  from  Costa  Ifica  is  iiudistinguishable  from  typical  examples 
from  the  Kastorn  I'nited  States. 

Hahits.  This  species,  tirst  described  in  the  ninth  volume  of  the  Pacific 
liailroad  Surveys,  liears  so  sti'ong  a  resend)lance  to  the  Olive-backed  Thrush 
{T.  mvaiiisoni),  that  its  value  as  a  species  has  often  been  disi)uted.  It  was 
first  met  with  in  Illinois.  Since  then  numerous  specimens  have  been  ob- 
tained from  the  District  of  ("ohimbia,  from  Labra(h)r,  and  the  lower 
Mackenzie  Kiver.  In  the  latter  regions  it  was  ibund  breeding  abundantly. 
It  was  also  found  in  large  numbers  on  the  Anderson  liiver,  but  was  rare 
on  the  Yukon,  as  well  as  at  (rreat  Slave  Lake,  occurring  there  only  as  a 
bird  of  jiassage  tj  or  from  more  northern  breeding-grounds. 

In  regard  to  its  general  lial)its  but  little  is  known.  Dr.  Coues,  who 
found  it  in  Lal)rador,  breeding  !>l.imdantly,  speaks  of  meeting  with  a  family 
of  these  l)irds  in  a  deep  anil  thickly  wooded  ravine.  The  young  were  just 
about  to  ily.  The  ])arents  evinced  the  greatest  an.xiety  for  the  safety  of 
their  brood,  endeavoring  to  lead  him  from  their  vicinity  by  thittering  from 
bush  to  bush,  constantly  uttering  a  nudancholy  phci'ijk,  in  low  whistling 
tone.  He  mentions  that  all  he  saw  uttered  ])recisely  the  same  note,  and 
wt  re  very  timid,  darting  hito  the  most  impenetrable  thickets. 

This  thrush  is  a  regular  visitant  to  ^lassachusetts,  both  in  its  spring  and 
in  its  fall  migration.  It  arrives  from  about  the  first  to  the  middle  of  May, 
and  aiijiarently  remains  about  a  week.  It  passes  south  about  the  first  of 
October.  Occasionally  it  a2)liears  and  is  present  in  Massachusetts  at  the 
same  time  witli  the  Turdioi  ,siniinsoni.  From  this  species  I  hold  it  to  be 
unipiestionably  distinct,  and  in  this  o]iinion  I  am  confirmed  by  the  observa- 
tions of  two  very  careful  and  reliable  ornithologists,  ^Ir.  William  Brewster 
(jf  Cambridge,  one  of  our  most  ])romising  young  naturalists,  and  ]\Ir.  George 
O.  Welch  of  Lymi,  whose  experience  and  observations  in  the  field  are 
unsuri)assed.  Tiiey  inform  me  tliat  there  are  obse-vable  between  these 
two  forms  certain  well-marktid  and  constant  differences,  that  never  fai". 
to  indicate  their  distinctness  with  even  gn-ater  precision  than  the  constant 
though  less  marked  dill'erenees  in  their  ]iluniag(!. 

Tlie  Tiirihix  dliriir  comes  a  few  days  tlie  earlier,  and  is  often  in  full  song 
when  Ww,  T.  siniinsdiil  is  silent.  The  song  of  the  former  is  not  only 
totally  different  from  that  of  the  latter,  but  also  from  that  of  all  our 
otlier  Wood  Thrushes.  It  most  resembles  the  song  of  'J'.  imUani,  but 
dilfers  in  lieing  its  exact  invei-se,  for  whereas  the  latter  begins  with  its 
lowest  notes  and  ]iroceeds  on  an  ascending  scale,  the  former  l)egins  with 
its  highest,  and  concludes  with  its  lowest  note.     The  song  of  the  T.  nwaiii- 


TL'KDID.K  — TUE  THRUSHES.  13 

soni,  on  tlio  other  hand,  exliibits  much  less  variation  iu  the  scale,  all  the 
notes  being  of  nearly  the  same  altitude.  * 

I  am  also  informed  that  while  the  T.  .vrdinsoiii  is  far  from  being  a  timid 
speeies,  liut  may  be  easily  approaelied,  and  while  it  seems  almost  invarial>ly 
to  prel'er  the  edges  of  the  jiine  woods,  and  is  rarely  observed  in  open  groiuida 
or  among  the  bare  deciduous  trees,  the  habits  of  the  T.  uliciw  are  the  exact 
reverse  in  these  respects.  It  is  not  to  be  ibuni'c  in  similar  situations,  but 
almost  always  frequents  copses  of  hard  wood,  searcliing  for  its  food  among 
their  fallen  leaves.  It  is  extremely  timid  and  ditticult  to  approach.  As 
it  stands  or  as  it  moves  upon  the  ground,  it  has  a  peculiar  erecitness  of 
liearing  which  at  once  indicates  its  true  specific  character  so  unmistakably 
tiiat  any  one  once  familiar  with  its  appearance  can  never  mistake  it  for 
7'.  )iirain.si)ni,  nor  for  any  other  bird. 

The  nests  measure  about  4  inclies  in  diameter  and  2^  in  lieiglit.  Tlie 
cavity  is  2  inches  deep,  and  its  diameter  2|  inches.  They  are  iiinisually 
compact  for  the  nest  of  a  thrusli,  and  are  composed  chiefly  of  an  elaborate 
interweaving  of  fine  sedges,  leaves,  stems  of  tiie  more  delicate  Eqiiifnturca', 
dry  grasses,  strips  of  fine  bark,  and  decayed  leaves,  the  whole  intermingled 
witli  the  paniculated  inHorescence  of  gra.sses'.  Tiiere  is  little  or  no  lining 
other  than  tliese  materials.  Tiiese  nests  were  all  found,  with  but  few 
exc(!ptions,  on  tiie  branches  of  low  trees,  from  two  to  .seven  feet  from 
tlie  ground.  In  a  few  exceptional  cases  the  nests  were  built  on  the 
groiuid. 

Occasionally  ne.sts  of  this  species  are  found  constructed  with  tlio  liase 
and  sides  of  solid  muil,  as  with  the  connnon  Iiol)in  {Tiinhis  vn'(/rnt(iriHs). 
In  tiiese,  as  also  in  some  otiier  cases,  their  nests  are  usually  founil  on  or 
near  tlie  ground.  So  far  as  I  am  aware  neitlier  its  occasional  ]tositioii 
on  the  ground,  nor  its  mud  frames,  are  peculiarities  ever  noticealde  in 
ne.sts  of  T.  sirtdnsoni. 

Tlie  o'i[',<-  'Vine  usually  four  in  number.  Their  color  is  eitlicr  a  deep 
green  tint,  or  green  slightly  tinged  with  blue  ;  and  they  are  marked  with 
spots  of  ru.sset  and  yellowish-brown,  varying  both  in  size  and  fre(iuency. 
Thoir  mean  length  is  .92  of  an  inch,  and  their  mean  breadth  .04.  The 
maximum  length  is  .!)4  and  the  minimum  M  of  an  inch.  There  is 
apparently  a  "on  .^ant  variation  from  the  eggs  of  the  T.  siruiii.suiii ;  those 
of  the  uliria:  i,  ving  a  more  distinctly  blue  groinuli  color.  The  nests  are 
also  quite  diHeiefit  in  their  a])|)earance  and  style  of  structure.  The  Hm»iitiii 
mosses,  so  marked  a  feature  in  the  nests  of  T.  swuinsoiii,  as  also  in  those  of 
T.  i(t<(it/(tt)i.'<,  are  wholly  wanting  in  those  of  7'.  n/in'n: 

This  bird  and  the  robin  are  the  only  species  of  our  thrushes  that  cross 
the  Arctic  Circle  to  any  distance,  or  reach  the  shore  of  the  Arctic  Ocean. 
It  occui's  from  Labrador,  all  round  the  American  coast,  to  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  everywhere  bearing  its  siH'cilic  character  as  indicated  above.  It  is 
extremely  ubuuduut  on  and  near  the  Arctic  coast,  between  the  mouth  of 


14  XOIITII  AMElilC.^  BIRDS. 

the  Mackenzio  TJiver  iind  the  ("oppevininc,  more  than  200  specimens 
(mostly  with  tlieir  uygs)  having  been  sent  tiience  to  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  hy  Mr.  JMacKarlane.  In  all  tliis  number  tliere  was  not  a 
single  Ijird  thai;  had  any  appnjach  to  the  characters  of  'T.  HWdinmni,  as 
just  given.  From  tiie  Slave  Lake  region,  on  the  other  hand,  T.  sirainmni 
was  received  in  nearly  the  same  abundance,  and  unmixed  during  the 
breeiling  season  with   7'.  ulicia: 


Turdus  swainsoni,  (  aisams. 

OLIVE-BACKED  THBTTSH;  SWAINSON'S  THSUSH. 

Turdus  swainsoui,  V\\\.  Tsohudi,  Fiuiiiii  Poniaiia,  1814 -4ii,  188.  —  f.Sci.ATKU  &  S.VI.VIN, 
Ibis,  1S.",9,  t;  (Oimtc'iiialii).  —  Sci..vn:i!,  1'.  Z.  S.  18.-.8,  451  (Kcmulort  ;  18511,  32(). — 
111.  Ciital.  1801,  •>,  110.  11.  —  r.Alui),  Itirds  X.  Am.  1858,  -ilii  ;  li.'v.  Am.  15,,  18t)4,  1!». 
—  (lrNi>i..Mii,  Call.  .Iimr.  18til,  ;)24  (Cuba).  —In.  IJi'iicit.  18()5,  2-2'.».  —  I'ki.zki.n,  Oru. 
IJia/.il,  II.  1808,  its  (Maraiiibitaiias,  I'Vb.  iiml  Alaivli).  —  Lawk.  N.  Y.  I.yc.  IX,  itl 
(Costa  Hica).  —  KiDGWAV.  —  Mayxakj). — Samuki.s,  152. — Cooi-KU,  liirds  Cal.  ti. — 
Dai.l  &  Bas.sistki!.  Turdus  minor,  (J.melin,  Syst.  Xat.  I,  1788,  809  (in  \m{). 
Turdus  oU cactus,  GniAUli,  liirds  \,.  Kslaiid,  1843-44,  i»2  (not  of  Ll.sx.).  (/)  Turdus 
7uhiimus,  Lakiiksnayk,  licv.  Zoiil.  1848,  5.  — Sci.atku,  1'.  /.  S.  1854,  111.  —  Hiivani', 
Pr.  Ho.st.  Soc.  VII,  18i>(),  220  (Bogota).  —  J.,A\vui;.Nt.K,  Auu.  N.  V.  Lye.  1803.  (liirds 
Panama,  IV,  no.  384.) 

Sp.  Ciiah.  l'p|H'r  jiai-t.s  uniform  olivacpoii.'s,  with  a  docidod  sliado  of  }rroen.  The  fore 
l)art  of  bri'ast.  the  throat  and  ehiu,  |iale  brownish-yellow;  re.st  of  lower  parts  white; 
the  sides  wa.><hed  with  brownish-olive.  Sides  of  the  throat  and  fore  part  of  the  breast 
with  snb-iiiund<'d  spots  of  well-delined  brown,  darker  than  the  baek  ;  the  rest  of  liio 
breast  (>'.\ce|)t  nieilially)  with  I'alher  less  distinct  spots  that  are  more  olivaeeons.  TibiiU 
yellowi.sh-brown.  liroad  ring  round  the  eye,  loral  refj:ion,  and  a  general  tinge  on  the 
side  of  the  head,  clear  reddish  bull'.     Length,  7.00  ;  wing.  4.1.">;   tail,  IS. 10;   tarsn.-;,  1.10. 

Hah.  Eastern  North  .Vmeriea  ;  westward  to  Humboldt  Mountain  anil  I'pper  Cohnnbia; 
pcihaps  occasionally  straggling  as  far  as  (.'alifornia;  north  to  Slave  Lake  and  I'ort  Yukon; 
south  to  Ecuador  and  lirazil.     Cuba,  Gc.NDi.Acn ;  Costa  Itii'a,  Lawk. 

Sjiecimens  examined  from  the  nortiiern  regions  ((Jreat  Slave  Liike,  ]\fiic- 
kcnzie  Itiver,  iind  Vukon)  to  (Juateiuitla;  from  Athintic  Sttites  to  Kast 
Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada,  and  from  intervening  loctilities.  Tiie  ex- 
tremes of  variation  are  the  brown  isli-oliya  of  eastern  and  the  cletir  (/(irk 
greenish-olive  of  remote  western  sjx'cimens.  There  is  no  observable  ilif- 
ference  l)etween  a  (iuiitemalan  skin  and  one  from  l-'ort  Ihidger,  I'tidi. 

Hakits.  The  (.)live-l)acked  Thrush,  or  "  Swamp  I'oliin,"  has  very  nearly 
the  same  habitat  during  the  breeding  season  as  that  of  tlic  kindred  s])ecie3 
with  wliicli  it  was  so  long  eoid'ounded.  Althotigli  Wilson  seems  to  have 
found  the  ne.st  and  eggs  among  tlie  liigli  lands  of  Northern  tleorgia,  it  is  yet 
a  somewhat  more  northern  species.  Tt  does  not  breed  so  fiir  south  as 
Ahissachusetts,  or  if  so,  cases  nuist  lie  e.xceptional  and  very  nire,  lujr 

even  in  Western  Maine,  wiiere  the  "(inumd  Swamp  Ilobin"  (T.  pallaai)  is 
cpiite  abundant.     It  only  becomes  conunon  in  the  iieighborht»od  of  (Jahiis. 


TUKDIDyE  — TJIE  TimUSIIES.  15 

ft  is  howovor,  most  widely  distrilnitod  over  iioavly  tlic  rutins  coiitiiiont, 
lireediujj;  \'r<>m  latitude  44"  ti)  lii;j:h  Airti(!  rci,d(iiis.  It  winters  in  IJiiiito- 
niala  and  soutliward  as  far  as  Eeuadov  and  JJni/il. 

In  its  lud)its  tliis  tlmisli  is  noticeably  different  from  the  7'.  pa/lnaj,  l)einjj; 
much  more  arboreal,  frwiuontin.t,'  tiiick  woods;  rarely  seen,  exeejjt  durinj,'  its 
mi"rations,  in  open  ground,  and  seeking  its  food  more  among  the  brauehes 

of  the  trees. 

i\[r.  llidgway  found  this  species  very  al)undant  among  the  "Wahsatch 
Moniitaius,  Avhere  't  was  one  of  the  most  characteristic  summer  birds  of 
that  region.  It  was  breeding  plentifully  in  the  canons,  where  its  song 
could  be  heard  almost  continually.  It  inhabited  an  intermediate  position 
between  7'.  aiiiJuhnni  and  T.  fi'srcsrcns,  delighting  nujst  in  the  shrubbery 
along  tlie  streams  of  the  canons  and  passes,  leaving  to  tiie  T.  aiuhdiuni  the 
secludeil  ravines  of  the  pine  regions  higher  up,  and  to  the  T.  fnsrcHccns  the 
willow  thickets  of  the  river  valh^ys.  He  did  not  meet  with  it  farther  west 
than  the  East  lluinboldt  ]\Iountains.  The  song,  iu  his  opinion,  resembles 
tliat  of  the  AVood  Thrush  (7'.  iiiusfclinHx)  in  modulations;  but  the  notes 
want  the  power,  while  they  possess  a  finer  and  more  silvery  tone. 

The  .song  of  tiiis  species  has  a  certain  resenddance  to  that  of  7'.  jndlad, 
being  yet  (pnte  distinct,  and  the  dilferences  readily  recognized  by  a  fandliar 
ear.  It  is  more  ])rolonge(l ;  the  notes  are  more  e(|ual  and  rise  with  more 
regidarity  and  more  gradually,  are  licher,  and  each  note  is  more  coni])lete  in 
it.self.  Its  song  of  lamentation  when  roblied  of  its  young  is  full  of  iiule- 
scriliable  pathos  and  beauty,  haunting  one  who  has  once  heard  it  long  after. 

When  (lri\en  from  the  nest,  tlie  female  always  flies  to  a  short  distance 
and  conceals  herself;  making  no  complaints,  and  ofl'ering  no  resistance. 

These  ImhIs,  in  a  single  instance,  have  been  known  to  reach  Eastern 
Alassachu.setts  early  in  April,  in  an  unusually  early  season,  but  they 
generally  pass  nortli  a  few  weeks  later.  They  make  no  jirolonged  stay, 
and  are  witli  us  rarely  more  than  three  or  fimr  days.  Their  return  in 
the  fall  appeals  to  be,  at  times,  by  a  more  inland  route.  They  are  then 
not  so  numerous  near  tiie  coast,  but  occasionally  are  abundant. 

Tiieir  nests  in  Nova  Scotia,  wherever  ob,served,  were  among  the  thick 
woods,  (in  horizontal  branches  of  a  forest-tree,  usually  about  five  feet  from 
tlie  ground.  Those  observed  in  the  Arctic  regions  by  Mr.  Kennicott  were 
freipiently  not  more  than  two  feet  from  tiie  ground. 

The  nest?  average  about  four  inches  in  diameter  and  two  in  height,  the 
cavity  benig  three  inches  wide  by  about  one  and  a  half  deep.  Tlusy  are 
more  elaliorately  and  neatly  cinistructed  than  those  of  any  other  of  our 
thrushes,  cxcejit  jierhaps  of  T.  iistii/utiia.  ('on'piciuius  among  the  materials 
are  the  ITjipniim-  mosses,  which  by  their  dark  filirous  masses  give  41  very 
distinctive  diaractcr  to  these  nests,  and  distinguish  them  from  all  except 
those  of  tlie  T.  iisfii/dtiis,  which  they  resemble.  lU'sides  these  materials  are 
founil  fine  sedges,  lea\es,  stems  of  e<iuisetaceou8  iilants,  red  glossy  vegetable 


16  NOKTII  aMKIITCAN  BIKDS. 

fibres,  the  flowering  steins  of  the  Cladonio  mosses,  lichens,  fine  strips  of 
bark,  etc. 

The  egg>=,  wliich  are  foiir  or  fi\-e  in  number,  exhibit  noticeable  variations 
in  size,  shajie,  and  shades  oi'  coloring,  bearing  some  resemblance  to  tliose 
of  T.  uHtnhtnii  and  to  the  eggs  asserted  to  be  those  of  T.  nanus,  l)ut  are 
suificiontly  distinct,  and  are  still  more  so  from  those  of  T.  alicia:  They 
range  in  lengtli  from  .83  to  .!)4,  with  a  mean  of  .88,  tlieir  mean  breadtli 
is  .G6,  the  maximum  .69,  and  the  minimum  .03.  Tiieir  ground  color  is 
usually  bluisli-green,  sometimes  liglit  blue  with  hardly  a  tinge  of  green, 
and  the  sjiots  are  of  a  yellowish-brown,  or  russet -brown,  or  a  mixture  of 
both  coloi-s,  more  or  less  confluent,  with  marked  variations  in  tiiis  respect. 


Turdus  swainsoni,  ^ar.  ustulatus,  Nittall. 

OBEGOK  THBUSH. 

Turdus  n.i/iilnfun,  XiTrAl.L,  Man.  I,  184fi,  HXi  (t'oluiiil)ia  Itivcr).  —  Raihd,  lairds  N.  Am. 
IS.IS,  21,5,  pi.  Ixx.xi,  (if,'.  1.  -In.  H.-v.  Am.  I!.  IStU,  18.  —  t'luppKR  &  .SiiKi.r.v, 
r.  I{.  IJc)).  XII,  II,  1800,  171.— I.'mowAY,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  Pliilad.  1869,  127.— 
Dai, I,  k  Haxxistkii,  Tr.  t'liic.  Acad.  —  tViopKii,   Birds  Vol.,  5. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Gt'iiera!  appearance  of /'/.vf wtk.s,  Imt  with  pattern  of  xirdinsotn  ;  the  bull' 
orbital  rin;^  n.s  conspicuous  as  in  latter.  The  olive  above  is  more  brown  than  in  this,  and 
less  3'ellowi.sh  than  in  /uscesreDs,  becoming  decidedly  more  rufesecnt  on  winjjs  ami  less 
observably  so  on  tail.  Pectoral  aspect  dillerent  from  funcesrcnii,  the  spots  narrower  and 
cuneate,  .sharply  defined,  and  arranged  in  loiigitiidinal  series ;  in  color  they  are  a  little 
darker  than  the  crown.     Length,  7.oO;  wing,  .I.",");  tail,  3.00;  tarsus*,  1.12. 

Had.  Pacific  Province  of  United  States.  Tres  ilarias  Isl,  Guatemala  (winter), 
Itus.  S.  I. 

This  well-marked  race  is  to  l)e  compared  with  siniinsoni,  not  with 
fiisrcscens,  as  has  generally  been  done ;  the  latter,  except  in  shade  of 
colors,  it  scarcely  resembles  at  all  ;  still  greater  evidence  that  such  is  its 
attinity  is  that  the  T.  vstiiJatus  builds  its  nest  on  a  tree,  and  lays  a  spotted 
egg,  like  swainsoni,  while  fKst'csrrus  nests  on  or  near  the  ground,  jierhaps 
never  in  a  tree,  and  lays  a  plain  blue  egg.  The  song  of  tlie  present  bird  is 
also  scarcely  distinguishable  from  that  of  swninsnni.  U])on  the  wliole,  we 
see  no  reason  why  this  should  not  be  considered  as  a  Pacific  Province  form 
of  tlie  Turdus  swainsoni;  at  least  it  becomes  necessary  to  do  so,  after 
referring  to  T.  jxiUnsi,  as  geographical  races,  the  T.  uuduhoni  and  T.  nanus. 

Hahits.  So  far  as  we  are  aware,  this  thrush  has  a  very  limited  distribu- 
tion, being  mainly  restricted  to  the  Pacific  coast  region  from  California  to 
Alaska  in  the  breeding  season,  though  migrating  southward  in  winter  to 
(ruat.imala.  Dr.  Keimerly  found  it  in  great  abundance  breeding  at  Chilo- 
weyuck  Dejiot,  July  3,  18")'.!.  Dr.  (Jooper  also  found  it  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  the  sununer  residents  in  Washington  Territory,  arriving  there 


Tl'RDID.K  — TIFE  THRrSHES.  I7 

in  Miiy  and  roniaininj^  until  tlio  licj^inninu'  of  Soptombcr.  Tliree  sjiocimons 
ol'  tliis  tin'iish  wero  obtained  at  Sitka,  by  Mr.  IJischoll'.  Mr.  Kidj^fway  una 
with  only  a  .single  specinieu  east  of  tlie  Siena  Nevada,  thuii^ii  on  that  mnge 
he  f(mnd  it  an  abundant  sunmu'r  bird. 

In  it.s  general  ajipearanee  it  hns  a  marked  resemblance  to  Wilson's  Thrush 
(T.  fiim'ficnis),  l)ut  its  habits  and  notes,  as  well  us  its  nest  and  eggs,  clearly 
]ioinl  its  nearer  alliuity  to  Swainson's  Thrush  ('/'.  tiinn'ii.soiii),  its  song  being 
scarcely  dillcrent  from  tiiat  of  the  latter  species.  Like  this  species,  it  fre- 
(pients  the  thickets  or  brushwood  along  the  mountain  streams,  and,  except 
just  after  its  arrival,  it  is  not  at  all  shy.  In  crossing  the  Sierra  Nevada  in 
July,  1H(37,  Mr.  IJidgway  first  met  with  this  species,  lie  describes  it  as  an 
exipiisite  songster.  At  one  of  the  camps,  at  an  altitude  of  about  n,(IO()  feet, 
they  were  found  unusually  ])lentiful.  lie  speaks  of  their  .song  as  consisting 
of  "ethereal  warblings,  —  outbursts  of  wild  melody."  "  Altliough  its  carols 
were  lieard  everywhere  in  the  depth  of  the  ravine,  scarcely  one  of  the  little 
nnisicians  could  be  seen."  'Tiie  song  of  this  thnush,"  he  adds,  "though 
]K).sse.ssing  all  the  wild,  solenni  melody  of  that  of  the  Wood  Thrush  (?'. 
nuiatciuiii-'i)  is  wi-aker,  but  of  a  much  liner  or  more  silvery  tone,  and  more 
methodical  delivi-ry.  It  is  much  like  tiiat  of  the  7'.  siritiuMtii,  but  in  the 
(pialities  nuMitione<l  is  even  superior." 

Dr  Cooper  found  its  u(!sts  with  eggs  ab(uit  the  middle  of  June.  These 
were  most  usuully  built  on  u  small  Inu'izontal  branch,  and  were  very  strongly 
constructed  of  twigs,  grasses,  roots,  and  leaves,  usually  covercil  on  the  outside 
entirely  with  the  bright  green  I/i//iiiinii  mosses  i)eculia,r  to  tiiat  region,  which 
in  the  damp  climate  near  the  coast  continue  to  grow  in  that  ptjsition,  and 
form  large  masses.     Tiie  numlier  of  eggs  is  usually  five. 

Dr.  CoojH'r  .states  that  tlie.si'  tiirushcs  sin-  most  in  the  early  morning  and 
in  the  evening,  when  numbers  may  be  heard  answering  one  another  on  all 
sides.  They  do  not  affect  the  darkt'st  tiiickets  so  nnich  as  the  Hermit 
Thrush,  but  are  often  seen  feeding  in  the  gardens  in  the  open  snnsliine. 

Dr.  Sucklcy,  who  found  them  (juite  abundant  in  tlu>  neighborhood  of  Fort 
Sleilacoom,  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  and  in  swamjiy  land,  de.scril)es  the  song 
as  a  low,  soft,  sad,  and  lively  whistle,  confined  to  one  note,  and  repeated  at 
regular  intervals.  Mr.  Nuttall,  the  first  to  de.scrilie  this  form,  speaks  of 
it  as  shy  and  retiring,  and  as  in  the  haiiit  of  gatiiering  insects  from  the 
ground.  His  ear,  .so  (|uick  to  apjjreciate  the  ciiaracteristics  of  the  .songs  of 
birds,  which  showed  a  close  i'esend)lauce  between  the  notes  of  this  bird  and 
that  of  Wilson's  Thrush  (T.  fitsrcsirm),  enabled  him  to  detect  very  distinct 
and  easily  recognizable  differences.  It  is  nuwh  more  interrujited  and  is  not 
so  jirolonged.  The  warble  of  this  bird  he  describes  as  resend)ling  iril-icil 
t'vi/liii,  and  irit-irit,  t'rl//l<i-f'ri/li(i.     His  (;all  when  surprised  was  irif-wit. 

All  the  nests  of  this  s])ecies  that  have  fallen  under  my  observation  are 
large,  comjiact,  str(uigly  const ruct(id,  and  neat.  'I'hey  measure  al)out  o 
inches  in  their  external  tliameter,  witii  a  deptii  externally  of  3;  the  cavity 


18  NOIITII  AMERICAN  lUHDS. 

is  comparatively  sliallnw,  liciiij;  larcl}-  2  inches  in  depth.  The  external 
portions  are  constructed  almost  entirely  of  J/i/iniinn  mosses,  matted  to- 
gether and  sparingly  interwoven  with  dry  leaves  and  fine  fibrous  roots, 
and  are  lined  witli  finer  materials  of  the  same  kind.  Tiiese  nests  most 
nearly  resemble  in  their  material  anil  in  their  position  thos'  of  Swainson's 
Thru.sh. 

Mr.  Hepburn  found  these  birds  very  abundant  about  Victoria.  It  does 
not  usually  breed  there  before  tiie  last  of  May,  tliough  in  one  exceptional 
instance  he  found  a  nest  with  young  birds  on  the  24th  of  that  month. 

The  eggs  vary  in  size  and  shape,  ranging  from  .77  to  .!)4  in  length,  and 
from  .().")  to  .()!)  in  breadth.  They  also  vary  in  their  ground  color  and  in  the 
tints  of  the  sjwts  and  markings.  The  ground  color  is  ligbt  green  or  light 
blue,  and  the  markings  are  variously  yellowish-brown  and  lilac,  or  dark 
brown  and  slate. 

Mr.  Grayson  found  this  thrush  very  abundant  in  the  month  of  January, 
in  the  thickest  of  the  woods,  in  the  islands  of  the  Three  Marias,  on  the 
Pacific  coast  of  Mexico.  They  were  very  timid  and  shy,  more  so  than  any 
bird  that  he  saw  on  tho.se  islands.  It  freipiently  uttered  a  low  plaintive 
whistle,  and  seemed  solitary  in  its  habits. 


Turdus  pallasi,  Cabams. 

BUFOUS-TAILEO  THBUSH;  HEBMIT  THBTTSH. 

Tun/iis  pnlldsii,  ('.\iianis,   ■Wicftmimii's  Afcliiv,   1847  {i),  205.  —  lUinn,    Binls  N.   Am. 

1858,  212.  —  In.  l!cv.  Am.  H.  ]8()4,  1 1.  —  Si'latkii,  1'.  Z.  S.  18.')!),  325  ??.  —  In.  Catiil. 

18(n,    2,    No.    7.  —  KiiMJWAV.  —  Mav.naud.  — Samtkls,    148.     I'ltnliiti  .loli/iin'ni, 

Wilson,  Amcv.  Oin.  V,  1.S12,  !».">  uiot  of  IwsN.Er.s).  — Sci.ATKn,  P.  Z.  S.  ]8r)7,  212. 

Tnrdua  minor,  15on.  OUs.  Wilson,  182.),  No.  72.     I'uiiIks  ijii/lchui,  Cahanls,  'IVliudi, 

Fainiii  Peruana,  1844,  187  (not  Miiscietipa  tjiUUita  ol'  Paixas). 
Ailililiouiil  liguivs  :  All).  Hinls  Am.  Ill,  ])1.  c.\lvi.  —  In.  Oiii.  liiog.  I,  jil.  Iviii. 

Si'.  CitAU.  Tiiil  .wlifjiitl}'  LMiiiirjiiiKitc.  Abdvc  liglit  olivo-brown,  with  a  .^can'cly  \m'v- 
(•(•pliblo  .«lia(le  of  riMlilish,  ]>as.-;iiiu:,  liowcvcr,  into  dociilod  ruloii.s  on  the  rnnip,  ui)pi'i'  tail- 
covi-rts,  anil  tail,  and  to  a  Ics.s  dcfrrpc  on  tlio  onter  snrl'ado  of  llio  wing.-*.  Ui'ncalii  wliilo, 
witli  a  .<('ai'coly  approoiable  sliado  of  palu  Imfl'  aero,-*.-*  the  I'oru  part  of  tlio  liroa.st,  and 
sonictiMU's  on  tlio  throat;  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  tlio  lore  part  of  tho  hroast  with 
ratliiT  .shaiply  dcliiUMl  snlitrinn<rnlar  spots  of  dark  olivo-lnowu  ;  tho  sides  of  tho  hii'ast 
Willi  paler  and  less  distinrt  spots  of  the  same.  Sides  of  the  body  under  the  winys  of  a 
paler  shade  than  the  back.  A  whitisii  ring  round  tlii^  eye;  ear-coverts  very  obsenrely 
streaked  witli  paler.      Length,  7. ^iO  iiiehes ;  wing,  ;!.SI;  tail,  .'J.'J');  tarsus,  1.10;  No.  2,n!rj. 

Hah.     Eastern  North  .\iiieiiea.     Me.\i(;o?     Not  lound  in  Cuba,  //(/c  Gl'xnLAcii. 

In  Spring  the  olive  aliove  is  very  much  thtit  of  eastern  .specimens  of 
.siraut,so)ii ;  in  winter  s])ecimens  it  is  much  browner,  tiiid  almost  as  much 
so  as  in  fiisccinriis.  Young  birds  have  the  feathers  of  the  hisad,  back,  and 
wing  coverts  strciiked  centrally  with  drop-slniped  s])ots  of  rusty  yellowish 

]lAliir.s.     I'ntil  ipiite  recently  the  "Ciround  Swamp  liobin,"  or  Hermit 


TfUIJID.E  — TIIH  TIIKUSHES.  IQ 

Tlinisli,  lias  not  liccii  (lisliiii^uislu'il  from  tlic  flosL'ly  allied  sjiocics  T.  ■•ii'-ain- 
ao/ii,  aiul  all  accounts  of  writers  lia\i'  liU'iiiU'd  liotli  in  singular  coiil'usion. 
jVfv  I'oUeajim',  rrolessor  iiaird,  in  tliu  siiuinu'r  of  1S44,  was  the  lirsl  to  siig- 
gest  the  distinctness  uf  the  two  s]iecies.  IJy  the  common  jxiople  of  Maine 
anil  tile  Iiritish  I'rnvinces  this  diilerenci!  has  lon.t,'  been-  generally  reeo_nni/ed, 
this  species  hein.^  known  as  the  "(Jround  Swamp  liohin,"  iiiid  the  other  as 
the  "  Swam])  K'ohin." 

The  present  species  is  roiinil  throughout  Kastern  X'li'th  America  to  the 
^Iississi])pi,  and  breeds  from  Massachusetts  to  high  arctir  regions.  It  is 
only  occasionally  found  breeiling  so  far  sotith  as  .Arassachusctts  ;  through 
which  State  it  pusses  in  its  s])ring  migrations,  sometimes  as  early  as  the  Idth 
of  April ;  usually  reaching  Calais,  Maine,  by  the  I'lth  of  the  same  month. 

It  is  a  very  al)r.ndant  l)ird  throughout  Maine,  where  it  begins  to  breed 
during  the  last  week  of  May,  and  where  it  also  probably  has  two  broods 
in  a  season. 

The  greater  number  ap])ear  to  pass  the  winter  in  th"  Southern  States;  it 
lieing  common  in  I-'lorida,  ami  even  occasionally  seen  during  that  season  as 
far  north  as  latitude  38°  in  Southern  Illinois,  according  to  Mr.  Hidgway. 

It  rarely,  if  ever,  sings  during  its  migration's  ;  ai>pears  in  small  straggling 
comiiauies,  frequents  both  thickets  and  open  fields,  and  is  unsuspicious  and 
easily  aiiproached. 

The  son,tf  of  this  species  is  very  fine,  having  many  of  the  clianicteristios 
of  that  of  the  Wood  Thrush  (7'.  luiistr/uiiis).  It  is  as  sweet,  has  the  .same 
tinkling  sounds,  as  of  a  bell,  but  is  neither  so  ])owerf'ul  nor  so  prolonged, 
and  rises  more  rapidly  in  its  intonations.  It  l)egins  wiili  low,  sweet  notes, 
and  ends  abruptly  with  its  highest,  sharp  ringing  notes. 

Taken  from  the  nest  they  are  easily  tamed,  and  are  quite  lively  and 
])layful;  but  their  want  of  cleanliness  renders  them  very  undesirable  ])ets. 
When  their  nest  is  visited  they  make  no  complaints,  but  retire  to  a  distance. 
Not  so,  howt^ver,  when  their  natural  enemy,  the  hawk,  appears ;  tlie.se  they 
at  once  assail  and  seek  to  drive  away,  uttering  loud  and  clear  chirps,  and 
jieculiar  twittering  soun<ls. 

The  nest  of  this  thrush  is  always  built  on  the  ground,  most  generally 
either  under  low  buslu's  or  in  the  open  ground,  rarely,  if  ever,  among 
thick  trees,  and  for  the  most  jiart  in  low  swampy  piaces.  IJoth  nest  and 
eggs  closely  resend)le  tho.se  of  Wilson's  Thrush  ('/'.  /iifursirns).  In  I'ars- 
boro,  Nova  Scotia,  I  found  one  of  the  nests  built  in  the  very  midst  of  the 
village,  close  to  a  dwelling,  though  mi  a  .sjiot  ,so  marshy  as  to  be  almost 
iinaiiproachable.  The  nests  are  '.'>  inches  in  height  and  o  in  diameter,  with 
a  cavity  3|  inches  wide  by  1:|  deep.  They  are  comiiosed  of  decayed  decidu- 
ous leaves,  remnants  of  dried  i)huits,  sedges  and  gnisses,  intermingled  with 
twigs,  and  lined  with  finer  grasses,  sedges,  and  strips  of  Virk. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  uniform  bluish-green  color,  iiud  range  iu  length  from  .88 
to  .94,  with  uu  average  of  .Go  of  an  inch. 


2(1  XORTir  AMERICAN  UlllDS. 

Turdus  pallasi,  vm.  nanus,  Audi  itdx. 

DWARF  HUBHIT  THBU8H. 

Turdits  nnnim,  Avu.  Oni.  liio};.  V,  18;i!t,  '2()1,  pi.  .ri.  1!aii;1(,  liinls  N.  A.  IS.IS,  213; 
Ui'V.  Am.  B.  1804,  15.  —  Sci.ATKii,  1'.  Z.  S.  Ijsr.it.  -  In.  Catiil.  1801.  —  DAl.r,  &  lUx- 
.Nl.sri;ii.  -Cooi'Kii,  Birds  ('ill.,  p.  4.  '/'Krilun  /iiil/nni,  var.  iniiiii.s,  Hiikjway,  IJcp. 
Kiiij,'.s  ExiM'J.  V,  1872.  /  '/'iinliis  iiiiiiiilii.sc/ikw,  liMKI.is,  S.  N.  I,  1788,  808.  tf.Miis. 
cictipti  (jiilldlii,  I'ai.la.s,  Zooj,'.  liiKssii-Asial.  11,  1811,  4(1;'). 

Sp.  Char.  Above  wilh  tlii>  cltjiir  dink  dlivo  of  swiiinsoni,  Imt.  tlii.s  even  imivi'  mid 
mon-  pliiniljeon.s  Tpj)!'!'  tiiil-uovort.-*  (bill  not  lo\vt>r  ])iiil  ol  rump)  bccoiniiij;-  inoi-c  iiil'oiis, 
tlic  tail  abruptly  clarki-r.  richer,  and  more  piirpH.ih-vuUius.  apiiroaeiiinj;  to  eliestiiut.  The 
clear  olive  ol'  the  neck  pas.xe.s  into  bro\viiish-y//'/»iit'(;i(,s  aloiifr  .-jide.s;  pectoral  .•<pot,'<  more 
spar.-;e  and  less  jiiire  black  than  in  T.  juillnni.  The  white  beneath  i.<  of  an  almost  snowy 
purity,  appreciably  diU'ereiit  liom  the  cottony-white  of  T.  jxillnsi.  Winjr,  3..')0  ;  tail.  3.00; 
bill,  .3fi;  tar.-iis.  1.07. 

A  very  tanij;iblc  and  constant  character  po,<sessc(l  liy  this  bird  is  the  more  .slcniler  and 
de[ires.sed  bill,  as  coiii[iarcd  with  that  of  7!  /iiillasi.  Specinicns  vary  only  in  intensity  of 
colors;  thc-^e  variations  very  limited,  and  correspondinj;'  with  those  of  71  ji<i/l(i.ii.  In  all 
ca.'fes,  however,  their  precise  ]iattcrn  and  peculiar  ilistribiition  is  retained. 

IIaii.  Western  Provineo  of  North  America,  eastward  from  Kodiak  to  Cape  St.  Luca.s. 
Arizona,  Corns. 

Haiuts.  Tliis  small  race  of  the  Hennit  Tlini.sli  wtis  first  iioticeil  by  Dr. 
Pickeriiio,  uiul  duscrilietl  by  Mr.  AikIuIjoii  from  an  im|)erfect  skin.  It 
has  since  been  obtainetl  almndantly  on  the  I'aeitic  slope,  and  ]\Ir.  liidgway 
procured  a  specimen  its  far  east  tis  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  which 
he  considers  its  eastern  limit. 

Ill  its  habits  it  is  said  to  be,  like  T.  pallasi,  almost  exclusively  terrestrial. 
Dr.  Heermann  mentions  fmdin^f  it  abundant  in  California,  and  breeding 
among  tlie  stunted  oaks  covering  the  Siind-hills  of  .San  Francisco.  Dr. 
Cones  found  it  in  Arizona,  but  sjieaks  of  it  as  rare  tind  migratory,  occurring 
chietly  in  spring  and  autumn,  and  as  a  shy  and  retiring  species.  Dr.  Cooper, 
in  his  lie])ort  on  tlie  Ilirds  of  California,  descrilies  it  its  shy  and  timid,  pre- 
ferring dark  and  sliady  thickets,  feeding  chiefly  on  the  ground,  running 
rapidly,  and  searching  i'or  insects  among  the  leaves. 

Near  San  Diego  they  begiin  to  sing  about  the  2r)th  of  April.  The  song, 
consisting  of  a  lew  low  ringing  notes,  resembles  that  of  Wilson's  Thrush 
{T.fiisccticciis),  and  also  that  of  T.  in^lulahia,  but  is  not  so  loud.  Their  note 
of  alarm  is  a  loud  and  ringing  chirp,  repeated  and  answered  by  others  at  ti 
long  distance. 

At  Santa  Cruz,  on  the  first  of  June,  Dr.  Cooper  met  with  several  of  their 
nests,  which,  though  [irobably  erroneously,  he  suiiposed  to  belong  to  the 
Dwarf  Hermit  Thrush.  They  were  all  built  in  thickets  under  the  shade 
of  cottonwo(Kl-trees.  Each  nest  was  about  five  feet  from  the  ground,  and 
all  contained  eggs,  from  two  to  four  in  number,  in  differing  stages  of  incuba- 
tion.    The  nests  were  built  of  dry  leaves,  roots,  fibres,  grasses,  and  bark, 


TT-RniD-K-TIIh:  THRUSHES.  21 

without  any  imid,  iiiul  were  lined  witli  decayed  leaves.  Tlieir  licijilit  and  ex- 
ternal diameter  measured  4  inches.  The  diameter  of  the  cavity  was  2A  inches 
and  tlie  dei)th  2\.  Tiie  e,mi;s  measured  .!HI  by  .70  of  an  inch.  Tliey  are  of  a 
jiale  bluish-green,  speckled  with  cinnamon-lu'own,  cliieHy  at  tlie  larger  end. 

The  nest,  supposed  to  be  of  tliis  s])ecies,  supjjlied  l>y  Dr.  Cooper,  is  large 
for  tlie  bird;  constructed  of  a  base  loosely  made  up  of  mosses,  licliens,  and 
coarse  fibres  of  plants.  It  is  a  strong  and  compact  structure  of  matted 
leaves,  put  together  when  in  a  moist  and  decaying  comb'tion  ;  with  these 
there  are  interwoven  roots,  twigs,  and  strong  fibres,  surrounding  the  nest 
with  a  stout  band  and  strengthening  the  rim.  In  fact,  it  corresponds  so  well 
—  as  do  the  eggs  also — with  tiiose  of  7'.  iisfitlfifus,  that  it  is  extremely  pioba- 
ble  that  tliey  really  belong  to  that  species.  Tiie  only  observable  dill'erence 
is  the  absence  of  the  Ili/pnnm  mosses  characteristic  of  northern  natuhitioi. 

Dall  and  Uanni.ster  mention  in  their  list  of  Alaska  birds  that  the  sjtecies 
is  not  common  there.     It  was  also  taken  at  Sitka  and  Kodiak  by  Bischoif. 

The  fact  that  this  thrush  builds  its  nest  a])ove  the  ground,  and  lays 
spotted  eggs,  if  verified,  woulil  at  once  warrant  our  giving  it  independent 
rank  as  a  species,  instead  of  considering  it  as  a  local  race  of  2>idlasi. 


Turdus  pallasi,  var.  auduboni,  Baiud. 

BOCKY  MOUNTAIN  HEBHIT  THBUSH. 

Turdii.iiiii'hilmiii,  lUlHli,  1{('V.  Am.  IJirds,  ]Sfi4,  1(1.  ~  liiixiw.n',  P.  A.  X.  S.  1869,  129.— 
Kl.l.lni',  Illust.  (lif;.).  Mci-ithi  sileiis,  Sw.vin.mix,  I'liilos.  Miig.  1,  1827,  3()9  (not  Tiiri/ns 
sikiis  u\'  VlKU.un;  Kiu'ycl.  Mtitli.  II,  182;i,  (547,  Iwiscil  on  T.  iiiiiifcliniifi,  Wii.s.  =  T. 
/useciivim).  —  lit.  Fauna  Boi-.-Amer.  II,  1831,  186.  —  H.vnti),  liiiJ.s  N.  Aincr.  1858, 
213,  anil  922.  -  Scl.vtki!,  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  325  (La  Paiatla),  ami  1859,  325  (Oa.\ara).  — 
lu.  Catal.  Am.  Hirds,  1861,  2,  no.  9. 

Sp.  Char.  Colors  iiiiich  as  in  Tiinlns  nmins,  but  tlio  uppor  tiiil-covert.^  scarcely  diUbrent 
from  till-  liack.  Tail  jcllowi.sh-nil'ous.  Luiigtli  ol'wiiiij:,  4.18;  tail,  .'J. GO;  bill  IVoiii  iio.stril, 
.45  ;  tarsus.  l.'Jti. 

IIaii.   l{(i(4vy  Jlouiituins,  from  Fort  Brldger  south  into  Mexico.    Orizaba  (Alpine  rej^ions), 

Sl'.MRIlHAST. 

This  is  a  very  distinct  race  of  thrushes,  altliough  it  may  be  questioned 
wlietlier  it  be  truly  a  species.  It  is,  however,  sulHciently  distinct  from  the 
eastern  and  western  Hermit  Thrushes  to  warrant  our  iiivino;  it  a  place  of 

DO  1 

some  kind  in  the  systems. 

The  young  plumage  differs  from  that  of  paUaxi  as  do  the  adults  of  tiie 
two,  and  in  about  the  same  way.  The  olive  is  ver}-  much  purer,  with  a 
greenish  instead  ot  a  brownish  cast,  and  the  tail  is  very  much  lighter, 
inclining  to  dull  ochraceous  instead  of  rufous ;  this  yellowish  instead  of 
rufous  cast  is  apparent  on  the  wings  also.  The  yellowish  "drojis"  on  head, 
liack,  etc.,  are  very  much  narrower  than  in  paf/asi.,  while  the  greater  coverts, 
instead  of  being  distinctly  tipped  with  yellowish,  merely  just  perceptibly 
fade  in  color  at  tips. 


22 


XOKTIl  AMEHICAN   lilllDS. 


Hahits.  At  jM'oaciit  wu  liave  but  little  knowlcdjiu  of  the  liiiltits  of  tliis  form 
of  T.  j)ii//ifsi\  iuiil  no  iiiforiiiiition  wliatoviT  ro,L,Mr(liii^'  it.s  nestiii;,'  or  i'l;i;s. 

In  its  (listriliution  it  is  confinod  to  the  cuntnil  range  (jf  mountains  i'roni 
Fort  Hridgcr  to  Soutliern  ^kxieo.  Tiiis  species,  there  known  i>  " Sdlitario," 
is  common  in  tlic  Alpine  region  of  Vera  Cruz  (as  well  as  in  all  the  elevated 
regions  of  Ceni  1  Mexico),  fre(pienting  the  jiine  wtxids  in  the  district  of 
Orizaha.  Mr.  Suinichrast  obtained  it  at  all  seasons  of  tiie  year  at  Moyoapani, 
in  that  vicinity;  a  locality  the  height  of  which  approximates  2,r)(l{)  metres. 
It  is  also  found  at  a  height  of  l,li()()  metrbd,  near  the  city  of  Orizaba. 

Mr.  Jlidgway  calls  this  bird  the  "  llocky  Mountain  Hermit  Thrush." 
He  states  that  he  i'ound  it  common  in  the  Wahsatcli  Mountain.s,  but  tiiat, 
on  account  of  its  retiring  haliits,  it  was  seldom  seen.  It  there  lives 
chiefly  in  the  deep  ravines  in  the  pine  region,  exhibiting  an  attachment  to 
these  solitudes  ralhi-r  than  to  the  thickets  along  the  watercourses  lowi-r 
down;  the  latter  it  leaves  to  the  T.  airfdnsoni.  Owing  to  the  reservt;d 
manners  of  this  bird,  as  well  as  to  the  great  ditliculty  of  reaching  its  alxtde, 
there  were  few  opportunities  j)reseuted  for  learning  nmch  eoncevning  its 
habits,  nor  did  he  hear  its  .song.  In  its  lliglit  the  i)ale  ochraceous  'and  across 
the  bases  of  its  (juills  was  a  very  conspicuous  feature  in  the  ajipearance  of 
its  species,  leading  Mr.  Itidgway  to  mistake  it  at  first  for  the  Mi/indesfes 
tiiirnai'ndii,  —  also  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  localities,  —  so  much  did  it 
look  like  that  bird,  which  it  further  resembled  in  its  noiseless,  gliding  flight. 


SunoExus   TURD  US,   T,i\x. 

Of  2'iirilus,  ill  its  most  restricted  sense,  we  have  no  purely  American 

rei)resentatives,  althougli  it 
belongs  to  the  fauna  of  the 
New  AVorld  in  consc(iuence 
of  one  siiccies  occui'ving 
in  Greenland,  that  meet- 
ing-ground of  the  birds 
of  America  and  Europe ; 
which,  howev(ir,  we  include 
in  the  present  work,  as 
related  much  more  closely 
to  the  I'ormer. 

This  (Jreenland  species, 
Tvnhis  i/mciis,  is  closely 
related  to  7\  vi.-icirorus,  the 
type  of  the  genus,  and 
comes  much  closer  to  the 


Ttirdus  iliiicus. 


Ampri(;an  Tiobins  (l'/(iiifntiriis)  than  to  the  Wood  Tliru.shes  (ITi//ocirh/ii). 


TURDID.K  — TIIH  TlJJtU.SlIE.S.  ., 


Zi 


Turdus  iliacus,  r^iNx. 

EEDWINO  THETTSH. 

Tunlnxilhcx,   Linn.  Syst.   Nat.   Kill,  ,.,1.  ]7:.,S,   KiS,  nn,l  of  Kuropran  mitliors.  _  Rkiv- 
iiAiirn,  lliis,  lS(il,  (i((!i(..,.nlau(i).     I!aii;i),  l!rv.  Am.  li.  ],S(i4,  2;M(iiwiilaii,l). 

Sp.  Ciiaii.  Tlii.s  si)<'(,'i(.s  is  sinallor  timn  our  Rol.in  ( /:  mi</nit,>rii,s),  hnt  uf  ,i  siiniliir 
f;ia.vi«li-oliv(!  aliovo,  iiicliidiiig  tlie  licml.  Tlic  under  jiiirts  arc  wliilc;  the  U.alli.Ts  (.f  iIk; 
hwL'v  iliroat,  ami  breast  strwikod  with  l)rown.  Tlio  sides,  axillars,  and  inn.^r  wiii-r-c.vrt' 
ail!  reddish-cinnamon.  A  eonspicuous  white  streak  over  the  eye  and  exiendin"-  as  far 
hack  as  (lie  nap.-.  Hill  hiack,  yellow  at  hase  of  lower  jaw.  Lejrs  paie-eolonMl.  Se(Muid 
.|nill  loM-er  than  llflh.  Len-th,  ahout  ,S.2.-, ;  win-  i.lH  ;  tail,  :Ur> ;  bill,  from  -ape,  l.O"  ; 
troiii  nostril,  .41;  tarsus.  l.K!:  middle  toe  and  claw.  1.1.").  Specimen  de.scrihiHl  :  18,7isj 
g.  a  lirilisli  spc^imen  rec<.ived  liom  (lu'  Royal  Artillery  Institution,  Woolwich. 

II.VH.     (ircenland,  in  IIk;  New  World. 

Tlu!  ocoiirreiicc  of  tlii.s  voll-kiinwn  Eurnpoan  specio.s  in  Greenland  brinrrs 
it  witliiii  tli(!  limits  oC  tlu«  AiiUM'icnii  Fauna.  Two  (JiveiilaiKl  spociniens  are 
iVLM.i-ded  l.y  Dr.  Iteinhanlt:  om  of  them  sliot  at  Frederick.sluuil),  Octohur  ■'■' 
184r.. 

^  liAiirrs.  The  lledwin.ir  can  ]>rolmbly  only  claim  a  place  in  the  fauna  of 
Xorth  Amcfica  a.s  an  occa.sional  visitant.  Of  the  two  specimen.s  observed 
in  Greenland,  one  wa.s  shot  late  in  October.  It  is  not  known  to  breed  there. 
This  si)ecie,s,  during  its  breedino  season,  is  found  only  in  the  more  northern 
portions  of  Kurojie;  only  occasionally,  and  very  rarely,  breeding  so  far  south 
as  England.  It  makes  its  ajipearanoe  in  that  kingdom  oti  its  southern  niiora- 
tion,s,  coming  in  large  flocks  from  Nortlu'ru  and  Xortheastern  Europe  and 
arriving  usually  before  the  end  of  October.  During  tlieir  stay  in  England 
they  freipient  parks  and  pleasure-grounds  that  are  ornamented  with  clumps 
of  trees.  During  mild  and  open  weather  they  seek  their  subsistence  in 
pasture  lands  and  moist  ineadoM-s,  feeding  principally  on  worms  and  snails 
In  severe  winters,  when  tlie  ground  is  closed  by  frost  or  covered  by  snow 
th.i  Uedwings  are  among  the  first  birds  to  suffer,  and  often  perish  in  lar-re 
numbers.  " 

During  tlie  winter  they  exten.l  (heir  migrations  to  the  more  southern  i.or- 
li.M.s  of  Europe,  U>  Sicily,  Malta,  and  even  to  Smyrna.  In  early  spring  they 
return  to  the  more  central  portions  of  the  continent,  and  leave  in  May  for 
theii'  more  northern  places  of  resort. 

They  nest  in  trees  in  the  moist  woods  of  Norway  and  Sweden.  Their 
nests  resemble  those  of  the  common  Fieldfare,  T.  pilaris.  Tlie  outside  is 
tomposed  of  sticks,  w.>eds,  and  coarse  gmss,  gathered  wet,  and  matted  with  a 
.small  quantity  of  moist  clay.  Tlu>y  are  lined  witli  a  thick  bed  of  tine  -nuss 
_  The  IJedwing  is  said  to  po.s.sess  a  delightful  note,  and  is  called  the  Xjoht- 
ii.gale  o[  Norway.  Linnan.s,  speaking  of  this  bird,  claims  that  its  hiuh 
and  varied  notes  rival  even  those  of  that  far-famed  vocalist. 
During  the  summer  the  IJedwing  advances  to  the  extreme  north,  visitin- 


24 


NORTH  AMERICAN  HIRI)!^. 


the  Faroe  Jtilaiids,  Ici'laiid,  mid  Xortlicni  Itnssia.  Tlio  ^oiicnd  cliaradcr 
of  its  food,  its  inability  to  tct'd  cxtdnsivcly  on  bcrrios,  and  tlio  fact  tliat 
it  j'ln'islies  i'roni  starvation  in  .sovcro  winters,  would  soeni  to  prove  tliat  its 
occurrences  in  (Jreenland  so  late  as  October  nnist  have  been  ]iurely  acci- 
dental. It  is  not  ja'oliable  tiiat  its  presence  in  North  America  will  be  found 
to  be  a  common  event. 

The  eg<;,s  measure  l.(ir>  inches  in  len<j;th  by  .81  in  breadtli.  The  y;round 
color  is  a  liglit  .Lireen  with  a  bluish  tinge  thickly  covered  with  rassot  or 
reddish-brown  spot.s,  conlluent  at  the  larger  end. 


Snini-NTs  PLANESTICtJS,   RoNwr. 

J'/dlii-nficii.i,   liiiNAI'.  ('oIii|itr.s  liclidlls,  IS;')!.      (Tv|ic   Tiin/ii.i jiiiii'iiriiisii,  (Jmki.IN.) 

Tliis  .'section  of  the  Tlwuslu's  is  well  rejiresented  in  America,  es]iecially  in 
its  niiddli'  and  soutiiern  porlions,  and  its  members  liave  a  closi-  rt'st'udilanco 

to  the  typical  Kuroiiean 
sjiecies  in  the  fidl  form, 
sbait  legs,  etc.,  as  already 
slati'd.  Tiie  spots  on  the 
tlu'oat,  and  their  absence 
elsewhere  on  the  under 
part  of  l!ie  body,  are  suf- 
ficit'iit  todisiiiiguish  tiieni. 
Of  the  two  North  Amer- 
ican species  one  is  the 
well-known  Uobin,  tiie 
other  a  closi'ly  related 
fnrm  from  ('a]ie  St.  l-ucas, 
wliich  indeed  is  probably 
<iidy  a  local  ra<'e  or  variety,  altliough  nothing  exactly  like  it  lias  yet  been 
found  away  from  Ix)wer  California.  'I'lie  following  diagnosis  may  serve  to 
distinguish  the  two  birds  :  — 

("(iMMos  ('ii.\iiAc'TKH.>J.  Tlini.'it  wliitc  willi  (lurk  sti'onk.«.  Iirsl  nf  iitnli'i' |iai'ts, 
iiicliidiiiir  liniiiir  i>l' wiiiLi'.  i'(>(lili,sli  or  dHiriiccons ;  llio  luiul  re{,'ion  wliili.<li;  lower 
o\t'liil  while.      Ncsl  on  trees.      1\sj:i;s  |)liiill  Mile. 

.Vliove  sliilv-olive,  ;iii|)r(m<'lniiu'  to  lil.iek  on  the  lieiiil.  lieiieiilli  rul'on.i!- 
elieslniit.  Spot  in  lore  niiil  on  ii|i|ier  eyelid  of  wliile.  T:iil.  l.'J.'i.  l/nh. 
\Vliol<'  of  North  .\nieriea;  Mexico,  south  to  Oiixaeii  iiml  (^Milova;  Cnha 
(very  rai-e)  .'iiid  Tel  im;_'o,  o|' \Ve<l  Indies      ....         viir.   m  iijratori  v  n. 

Above  <lull  f:r.iyi.-li-;isli,  not  darker  on  the  head,  nenealii  ]iale  yellowi.sli- 
liillV;  tini,'ed  with  ashy  across  lireast  :  a  eonliniions  white  stripe  from  llie 
lore.«  over  and  a  (piarler  ol'  jni  ineh  lieliiiid  the  eye.  ''ore  white  on  helly 
and  (lank.s  tlmii  in  7!  initinitnn'ii.i.  Hill  stonier;  ti  only  •'!.7''>,  while  the 
win^r  is  till!  .same.      //'(/>.    Cape  Si.  I.neas,  Lower  i 'alili>rnia     .         .     vnr.  m  ii j!  ii  i s. 


Tin  litis  inii^riitoriiis. 


TUHDID.R  —  TIIR  TTTUrSITF.S. 


25 


Turdus  migratorius,  vm.  migratorius,   Linn. 

BOBIN ;  AHEBICAN  BEDBBEA8T. 

Timlii'i  i,ii;iriilnn'ii.i,    Mnn.   S.    X.   llitli  cd.    17iiii,   2'.i-2.       Sci.aiki;.    1*.    Z.    S.    IH.Ifi,   sni; 

18r.!»,  :i;n  ;  laa-l,  17:2.    -  in.  Cutiil.  Am.  lUnls,  l.S(!l,  4.  -  Sri.AiKi!  k  S.M.viN,  ll)is, 

1H()(I,   ;t!tti  (Cohan).-     liAiiiii,    liiids   N.   .\iii.   18r.,H,   '218  ;  licv.   .\iii.    li.   lS(i4,   -iS. 

CoopKii  &  SniKi.KY,   I'.    1!.   1!.   li.   XII,   II,  \»!)\\  17'2.   -  Duksski!,    Iliis,   isii,",,   47;,. 

(Trxii.s,   wiiilci).      ('Dries,   I'r.  A.  N.  S.   ]8(i(i,   (il   (Aiizinia).  —  Dam,  vt    liANSisiKu 

(Aliiskii'l.  —  ('(Mii'Ki!,  Minis  Tnl.  —  Samtki.s,  ].'')4. 
Kii,'iiifs  :  VrKii.i.or,  Ois.  Am.  .Si'|>t.  II,  jil.  Ix,  l.\i. — Wilson,  Am.  Oin.   I,  1808,  jil.  ii. — 

1)(H TV,  Ciib.   X.   II.   I,  1830,  1)1.  xii.  —  AfDriioN,   liinls  Am.   Ill,  pi.  .xlii  ;  Orii. 

liiog.  II,  111.  cxxxi. 

Si'.  CiiAU.  Tail  .slijrlitly  i'ouikIimI.  .\1iovo  dlivi'-cfray  ;  Id])  ami  sides  ol' the  head  lila<>k. 
Cliiii  anil  lliroat  wliilf,  strcaki'il  \vilh  lilii'k.  Kvclids,  tnid  .-i  spol  iiliovc  the  I'Vi'  anlcriorly, 
wliilc.  ruder  ]iarls  and  inside  of  the  \vin<rs.  ciiestniit-hidwii.  Tlie  under  fail-eoverts  and 
;inal  n'U'ion,  witli  liliiie.  white,  shiiwinf;'  the  plninlieons  inner  |iiii-ticins  of  the  leathers. 
Wiiifi's  dark  brown,  the  feathers  all  edyed  niore  or  le.ss  with  pale  ash.  Tail  still  darker, 
the  extreme  feathers  tipped  with  while.  Hill  yellow  dusky  alonj;  the  rid^e  and  at,  the 
tip.     Len).'th,  0.7."i ;   wiiifr,  ■">.4i! ;   tail,  4.75;  tarsn.s,  l."_'.i. 

IIaI!.  The  whole  of  N'orth  Aineriea  ;  ^^exieo,  Oaxaea,  and  Cordova  ;  (inatennda;  Tnlia, 
very  rare,  fiUxni.ACii ;  Toha^o,  I\iuk;  l^erimida,  Joxks;  Ori/.uha  (.Mpiiie  re;,'ions,  lireeding 
alinndantly),  SiMiciiiiAST. 

Yoiinj,'  liirds  liavc  triinsver.sc  lilarkisli  Imis  dii  tin;  back,  iiiul  Itlacki.sli 
spdt.s  lieiu'iitli.  Till!  .slial'ls  of  tlu'  Ics.si'i'  cuvei'ts  an;  .stit^iiked  with  Iirnwiii.sli- 
ycUow ;  tlio  back  fciitlicis  witb  wliito. 

Tliere  aru  somo  vaviiition.';,  both 
of  color  1111(1  in'oportious,  lictwccii 
ciistcrii  and  western  speciiiiciis  of 
tho  lloliui.  In  tlu'  Latter  tlieii^  i,s 
a  tendency  to  a  loiiffer  tail,  thonoh 
the  dift'eriMice  is  not  marked  ;  smd, 
as  a  rule,  they  .slightly  exceed  eti.st- 
ern  siieciniens  in  si/e.  The  broad 
white  tip  to  the  lateral  tiul-feather 
—  so  consincuous  a  mark  of  etist- 
ern  birds  —  is  scarcely  to  lie  found 
at  all  in  tiny  western  ones;  and  in 
the  latter  the  black  of  the  lietul 
is  very  sharply  delined  a<:ainst  the 

li.nhfer,  clearer  ash  of  ',  back,  there  hardly  t^ver  beiiio'  a  tendency  in  it 
to  continiu!  backward  in  the  form  of  central  spots  to  the  feathers,  as  is 
almost  c. 'istantly  seen  in  eastern  exani]iles  ;  of  western  spi-ciinetis,  tho 
rufou.s,  too,  is  a])])reciably  lioiiter  lliaii  in  eastern.  .\s  reoards  the  streaks 
on  the  throat,  the  black  or  the  white  may  either  lare;ely  predominate  in 
sjieeimens  lium  one  locality. 


Tltntii.t  tni^iltoriiti. 


26  XORTII  AMERICAX  IJIRDS. 

Ill  autunui  and  winter  each  nitons  I'oatlier  beneath  is  bordered  by  a  more 
or  less  eonspii'.nous  crescent  of  white  ;  in  addition  to  this,  most  of  the  lighter 
individnals  (9  ;'),  at  this  season,  iiave  an  ashy  sulVusion  over  the  breast  and 
Hanks  ;  and  tliis,  we  liave  observed,  is  more  gemu'al  and  more  noticeable  in 
western  than  in  eastern  specimens.  In  fall  and  winter  the  cohtr  of  the  bill, 
too,  chanj^es,  becoming  at  tliis  season  either  ])artially  or  wlioUy  dnsivy,  instead 
of  almost  entirely  yellow,  as  seen  in  siuiiij;  and  summer  examples. 

^le.xican  specimens,  found  breedinjr  in  tiie  Al|)ine  rej.;ions  as  far  soutli 
as  Orizaba  and  Mirador,  most  r(!semble  tiie  western  series ;  one,  however 
(Xo.  li(S,12(li;y ,  Orizaba),  but  in  the  autumnal  plumage,  and  therefore 
very  ])o.ssilily  a  migrant  from  tlu;  Xortii,  is  hardly  distinguishable  from 
Xo.  ;i2,j!()(),  (Jeorgia;  it  is  aliout  identical  in  pr<>i)ortions,  and  the  rntbus  is 
of  a  castaneous  shade,  like  the  deepest  cohu'ed  eastern  examides ;  the  white 
ti]i  to  the  outer  tail-feather  is  us  broad  ami  conspicuous  us  is  ever  seen  in 
the  latter. 

1I.\I!1TS.  Sciircely  any  American  bird  iias  a  wider  range  of  g(M)graphical 
distribution,  or  is  more  numerous  wherever  found,  than  this  thrusii.  From 
(ireenlaiid  on  the  extreme  nortlieast  to  the  plateau  of  Mexico,  and  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  I'acilic,  the  Itobin  is  everywhere  a  very  abundant  sjjccies. 
Single  specimens  have  been  obtained  as  far  .soutli  as  Cohan,  (Jiiatemala.  Its 
distribution  in  tlie  breeding  season  is  iiardly  less  restricted,  occurring  alike 
on  the  .shores  of  the  Arctic  Si-as  and  on  the  high  lands  of  Vera  ("ruz. 
In  tlie  winter  months  it  is  most  abundant  in  the  ''outhern  States,  while 
in  tlie  Middle  and  even  the  Xortliern  States,  in  favorable  localities,  it 
may  be  found  throughout  the  year;  its  migrations  being  influenced  more 
by  tiie  (inestion  of  food  than  of  climate.  In  the  valleys  among  tiie  White 
i\Ionntains,  where  snow  covers  the  ground  from  Octol)er  to  June,  and  where 
tiie  "old  reaches  the  freezing-point  of  mercury.  Hocks  of  the  IJobin  remain 
during  tlie  entire  winter,  attracted  liy  the  abundance  of  berries. 

On  the  I'acitic  Coast  the  llobin  is  only  a  winter  visitant  in  Caliibrnia;  a 
very  few  remaining  to  breed,  and  tliost^  only  among  the  hills.  They  reach 
A'ancouver  Lsland  early  in  ^larch,  and  are  very  aliundant. 

la  New  Kngland,  where  the  llobiiis  aic  held  in  great  esteem,  ami  where 
they  exist  under  very  favonible  circumstances,  their  numbers  have  very 
largely  increased,  especially  in  the  villages.  They  cause  not  a  little  annoy- 
ance to  fruit  cultivators  hy  their  depredations  ii])on  the  productions  of  tlie 
garden,  especially  cherries  and  strawberries.  They  arc^  a  vorai'ious  bird,  and 
no  doulit  destroy  a  large  (luantity  of  small  fruit,  but  there  is  abundant  evi- 
dence that  this  is  more  than  compensated  by  ihv'w  destruction  of  the  mo.st 
injurious  insects,  upon  wliicii  they  wage  an  incessant  war.  The  investiga- 
tions of  Mr.  .1.  W.  r.  .leiiks  and  I'rofessiir  Treadwell  liiitablish  conclusively 
their  great  .services  in  this  direction. 

The  exjieriments  of  the  latter  gentleman  show  that  the  nestlings  of  the 
Itobiii  rei|uire  a  vast  amount  of  animal  food,  forty  p(>r  cent  more  tliaii  their 


TURDIILK  — THE  TllUrsilKS.  27 

own  \vei;^lit  beiuj^'  consumed  by  the  youui,'  bird  witliin  twenty-lbur  hours, 
and,  whiit  is  more,  denionslnited  to  lie  neecssiiry  to  its  existence. 

In  Massachusetts  a  tew  Robins  remain  tlu'ou^diout  tiie  year,  but  tlie  .greater 
jirojiortion  leave  early  in  Xoveniber,  returning  late  in  February  or  early  in 
March. 

The  song  of  the  Hobin  is  deservedly  popular.  AVhile  many  of  our  birds 
possess  far  .superior  i)owers  of  melody,  and  exhibit  a  much  greater  variety  in 
their  .song,  there  are  none  that  exceed  it  in  its  duration  or  extent.  It  is  tlu! 
first  bird  in  s])ring  to  oix-n  and  one  of  the  last  to  close  the  great  concert  of 
Nature.  Their  .song  is  earnest,  sini])le,  and  thrilling,  and  is  .said  liy  Audubon 
to  reseml)le  that  of  the  Kurojiean  lllackhird.  Turd  us  mcvtiln. 

Tiie  liobin,  wlien  taken  young,  may  l)e  readily  tamed,  a.ul  soon  becomes 
contented  and  accustomed  to  conlinement.  They  are  devoted  to  their  young, 
watcld'ul,  attentive,  and  provident.  They  begin  to  constru>'t  their  nest  in 
early  spring  bi.'fore  the  trees  i)ut  forth  their  leaves,  and  often  in  very  exposed 
])osition.s.  The  size  of  the  nest,  in  fact,  makes  concealment  impossilde. 
Tiicse  nests  are  sometimes  jilaced  in  ([uite  remarkable  positions,  such  as 
the  beams  of  a  ship  jiarlly  tinislied,  and  where  the  carpenters  were  every 
day  at  work,  and  similar  situations  indicating  a  great  familiarity.  Their 
favorite  ]ilace  is  the  horizontal  branch  of  an  a]ii)le-tree,  about  ten  feet  from 
the  ground. 

The  nest  of  the  Robin  is  a  large  and  coarsely  constructed  combination  of 
rude  materials.  It  is  comjxised  of  a  bast^  of  sti'aw,  leaves,  mo.s.ses,  stems, 
and  dry  gra.sses,  upon  which  a  cui)-sliai)ed  fabric  of  clay  or  mud  is  liuilt. 
The  whole  is  lined  with  tiner  dry  grasses  and  vegetable  iilires.  They 
average  Ti  inciios  in  iieigiit  and  the  same  in  diameter.  Their  cavity  is 
'1\  inches  deep,  with  a  diameter  of  '11  inclies. 

The  eggs  of  the  Ivobin,  wliicli  are  usually  live  and  smnetimes  six  in  num- 
ber, are  of  a  uniform  bright  greenish-bhu!  color,  liable  to  fade  when  ex]ios(Ml 
to  light,  but  when  fresh  exiiibiting  a  very  distinct  and  bright  tint.  They 
vary  in  size  fnmi  l.lio  to  l.l'J  inches  in  length,  and  in  breadth  from  .88  to 
.To  of  an  inch.     Their  mean  measurement  is  1.18  by  .81. 


Turdus  migratorius,  var.  conflnis,  Daiuu. 

CAFE  ST.  LUCAS  BOBIK. 

Tiiriliis  rniiihiix,  IJaumi,  lirv.  Am.  it.  lS(il,  20.  —  lii,i.ior,  IJiitls  Ainerkii.  —  Cmiria!,  Itilds 
('ill.,  i). 

Sr.  CiiAii.  Xo.  "Jli,"!^!'.  Kiilii'c  ii|i]M'i' |iiii'ls  inul  .-liili's  dl' licail  iiml  neck  \iiiilonii  }.Tiiyi-;li- 
iisli,  willl  |ii'l-|ii\|is  n  rnint  liiifTi'  nl'  oliviiciMiiis,  li'ss  lliiui  ill  fjislciii  s|i('ciiiii'lis  ol'  7!  iiiii/iii- 
tiiriii.i.  Till'  ct'iilnil  (iDrliiiiis  ol'  the  rcullicis  nl'  llic  l()|i  iif  licail  uic  riillicr  cliirkiM'  tli:\ii  llu' 
i'iti;i',-<,  thoii(ih  iiliiiiist  iiiii|i|iici'iiilily  so,  iiinl  not  iiiipnrtiiif;  a  ^'i'ihtuI  (lii>ky  iip|icMriiiii'i'. 
Tile  (iliin  mitl  tlimal  an' wliiti',  stvcaki'il  with  asliy-lirowii.     Tlic  Jii^riiluiii  ami  Incasl  an- 


28 


NORTH  AMP]RICAN  BIRDS. 


paU'  yellow ish-bii  11';  the  iixillars,  iiincr  wiiifr-co verts,  ami  sides  of  the  breast  similarly,  but 
rather  more  deeidedly  coloicd.  The  belly  and  odijes  of  llu^  cris.sal  iealher.s  are  white,  the 
hinder  parts  of  the  Hanks  asiiy.  There  is  a  tlistiiK't  whitish  stripe  from  tiie  lores  over 
and  a  (piarter  of  an  inch  behind  the  eye  ;  the  lower  eyelid  is  also  whit<'.  The  tail-leathers 
are  worn,  bnt  there  is  an  indication  of  a  narrow  white  tip.  The  featli<Ms  of  the  jiifru- 
lum,  especially  of  tlie  sides,  are  tipped  with  ashy  like  the  back,  as  in  inunature  specimens 
of  T.  migraiorins.  The  tri'eater  winjr-eovfM'ts  nro  tipped  with  dnll  white.  The  bill  is  yd- 
lowi.sh ;  the  u])[)er  mandible  and  the  tij)  of  lower  tinged  with  dnsky.  The  feet  are  pale 
brown. 

The  le"  th  oannot  bo  given  acenrately,  as  the  skin  is  nincli  drawn  np.  TIk;  wing,  how- 
ever, measin-es  5.10  inches,  its  tip  reaching  1.40  lieyond  the  longest  .secondary  ;  (ail,  4.10  ; 
tarsns,  l.'iO;  middle  toe  and  claw,  1.07;  exposed  portion  of  cnlnien,  .'J2;  from  tip  to  open 
portion  of  nostrils,  .(!(). 

II.vii.    Todos  Santos,  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

The  speciiiion  with  a  ooiioi-al  rosonihlaiico  to  an  iiniiiattire  T.  niir/rotoriiis 
(especially  the  western  vaiietv)  in  the  white  stipeveiliaiy  streak  and  oeuoral 
markings,  is  inneli  lighter  beneath  than  in  any  of  the  many  skins  of  T.  ini- 
ijrutoriuH  e.xamined  ;  there  being  none  of  the  dark  eliestinit  or  cinnamon 
shiide,  but  rather  a  light  1)11(1';  tiie  l)elly  and  flanks  are  much  more  purely 
white.  The  sujierciliary  stripe  extends  farther  beiiind  Mie  eye;  indeed,  in 
most  specimens  of  iiiii/ratoriiis  the  wliite  i.s  nearly  confined  to  the  eyelids. 
The  bill  and  wings  are  rather  longer  than  usual  in  viii/ratoriiis ;  the  middle 
toe,  on  the  other  iiand,  appears  shorter.  Notliiug  i.s  on  record  in  regard  to 
the  habits  of  this  bird. 


SinoKNTs  HESPEROCICHLA,    lUiun. 

Jfcupn-ocitli/d,  l>.\ii!ii,  llcv.  Am.  liinls,  1,  l>sti4,  \2.     (Type  'I'linliix  ii'rvi(u<i,  V,m.) 

The  single  species  of  this  subgenus  ditl'ers  in  form  from  tho  Robins  (I'la- 

*_  »        ^   itis/icux),  ill   the   more  awl- 

shajied  bill,  the  curved  com- 
missure, and  the  alwence  of 
a  notch  at  the  end ;  the  long- 
er, slenderer,  and  straighter 
claws  ;  and  in  the  dissimi- 
larity in  color  of  the  sexes. 
In  the  latter  res]»ects  it 
agrees  with  Mcinilo  of  1mi- 
rojie  and  Midille  America; 
in  which,  however,  the  bill 
is  distinctly  iiotciied,  and 
less  attiiiiuated.  The  tail  is 
shorter  and  broader  than  lu 
PlaneAtku.s,  more  as  in  true  Tnrdnn  or  IfjiJoiiihlu. 


TrnDID.K  —  TUB  THUrSlIKS. 


21) 


Turdus  nsevius,  (!mki,. 

OBEOON  ROBIN;  VABIED  THBTJSH. 

Turdus  tiivf! us,  Cm.  S.  N.  I,  1788,  H17.  —  .Sclatkii,  1'.  Z.  S.  18r.7,  4;  ISr.it,  SSI. — 
M.viui),  liirds  N.  Am.  UiiS,  21!)  ;  Ucv.  Am.  B.  1SG4,  ;V2.  —  Ciiiu'kk  &  SrcKLKY,  1'.  K. 
H.  K.  XII,  II,  ISuit,  172.  —  Cori-.s,  IV  A.  X.  S.  18()t),  65.  ((Quotes  lUMniiicmc  on 
Cdloriido  Uivcr,  iilmve  Fort  Moliiivc,  as  txi-i'jitioiml.)  —  Maynauii  jMiis.siKlmsetU  1).  - 
TriiNni'T.i.  (N.  .Ici-sfy  !).  —  1)ai,i.  &  Hanni.sikk  (.Vluska). — Cimipkii,  Hinls  Cal.  10. 
()r/ilieiis  mi'niliiidiK,  IJicil.  F.  U.  A.  II,  18:51,  187,  pi.  .\.vxviii. 

OtliiT  li{,'ui('s  :  ViKii.i.iir,  Ois.  Am.  Scjit.  II,  18il7,  i)l.  l.wi.  —  Ai:i).  Uru.  liio-,'.  IV,  1838, 
]il.  oi^d.xix,  luiil  icccxxxiii.  —  lii.  Binls  .\m.  Ill,  jil.  cxliii. 

Sp.  ("ii.Mi.  Tail  nearly  even;  tlio  lateral  leather  .shorter.  Ahove,  rather  dark  lihiish 
.slate  ;  iintlor  part.s  jjeiierally,  a  patdi  on  the  npper  eyelids  eoiitiniimis  with  a  stripe  behinil 
it  alon^'  the  .side  of  the  luwul  and  neck,  iht!  lower  eyelid.s,  two  bands  aero.s-s  the  wiiif,' 
cdvert.s  and  the  edjjes  of  the  unills,  in  i)art,  rufons  oranire-l)r(>wn  :  middle  of  belly  white. 
Side.s  of  the  head  and  neck,  continnons  with  a  liroad  pectoral  tran.-:v<'r.sc  band,  black. 
Mo.st  of  tail  feathers  with  a  terminal  [latcli  of  l)r()wnish  white.  Hill  black.  Feet  yellow. 
Fi-male  more  olivaceous  above;  the  white  of  the  abdomen  more  extended;  the  brown 
beneath  paler;  the  pectoral  band  olisolete.  Lenfrtii,  !)."")  inches;  wiiijjr,  5.00;  tail,  3.!)0  ; 
tarsus,  1. 2."). 

Youug  (4r),8!)7,  Sitka.  Anfr.  IStU!;  F.  Biseholl')  E.\'artly  roscmldiiip;  the  adnlt  female, 
hnriiu/  no  sjxits  other  than  seen  in  the  adult,  plnmafje  ;  lint  the  ])eetoral  collar  is  composed 
only  of  badly  d<'fMie(l  blacki.sh  transverse?  crescents,  and  the  upper  parts  anterior  to  the 
rump  are  of  an  \nnbcr  brown  tint.  The  markiui,'s  about  the  head  and  on  the  wint;s  are 
precisely  as  in  the  adult. 

This  species  doe.s  not  appear  to  be  liable  to  any  noticeable  variation. 

Hah.  West  coast  of  North  America,  from  liehrinj;  Straits  to  California;  strafTirlin^''  to 
(treat  Bear  Lake.  .Vccidental  on  Lonjr  Island  (Cab.  (J.  X.  Lawrence).  Xew  .lersey  (Call. 
Dr.  Sanniel  Cabot),  ami  [[iswieh,  Ma.ss.  (Cab.  Boston  Society  Natural  History);  Iowa 
(Allkn). 

IIahits.  Tlu!  iU'cideutal  ocoiu'rence  of 
iniirkod  bird  in  tlii'  Kiistiini  Sttiros 
is  its  only  clniin  to  ti  pliiou  in  that 
tiitiiia,  it  beiii}^  strictly  a  wcstoni 
species,  Iteloiijfiiio;  to  tlie  Pacific 
Coast.  It  was  first  discovered  liy 
tlie  natuKilists  of  ('a])taiii  Cook's 
expedition,  who  met  with  it  as  far 
to  tlio  north  its  Nootka  Sound.  It 
is  only  very  recei  tly  tliat  we  liavo 
lieeoinc  possu.-i.-ied  of  reliiihle  infor- 
mation in  re^iird  to  its  lireedin.L; 
and  its  nest  and  ejij^s.  Sir  John 
liichard.son  was  informed  tliat  it 
nested  in  bushes  in  a  manner  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  common  rohin.  7>m/,«  mn ,»,.. 

Nnttall  and  Townsend  fotind  it  aluiiidant  annino  the  western  slopes  of  the 


few  specimens 
t 


of  this   well- 


30  NORTH  AMKRICAN  BIRDS. 

liocky  ^fountains,  near  tlie  ("olmiibia  liivcu',  in  Octobor.  In  the  winter  it 
became  still  more  numerous,  passing  the  season  in  that  region  as  well  as  in 
more  southern  localities,  associating  with  the  roljin.  From  this  bird  it  may 
be  readily  distinguished  by  the  diU'erence  of  its  notes,  which  are  louder, 
sharper,  and  delivered  with  greater  rapidity.  In  the  spring,  before  leaving 
for  their  breeding-i)lace3,  they  are  described  as  having  a  very  sweet  warble. 

On  the  Columbia  Itiver  they  were  not  resident,  arriving  there  in  October, 
continuing  throughout  the  winter,  and  leaving  crly  in  ^la}^  During  their 
stay  they  moved  through  the  forest  in  small  flocks,  freipienting  low  trees, 
and  I'or  the  most  part  keeping  perfect  silence.  They  were  timorous  and  didi- 
eult  of  approach. 

Its  habits  are  said  to  resemble  those  of  the  robin,  but  in  some  of  them 
the  descriptions  given  appear  to  correspond  more  with  those  of  the  Fieldfares 
and  liedwings  of  Europe.  Like  those  species  it  is  a  summer  resident  of 
high  northern  latitudes,  aifects  secluded  forests  and  thickets  bordering  u])on 
streams,  and  is  found  only  iu  unfreijuented  localities. 

Dr.  ('(toper  was  of  the  oitinion  that  a  few  of  these  thrushes  remained  in 
"Washington  Territory  throughout  the  summer,  as  he  freipiently  met  with 
them  in  the  dark  s])ruce  forests  of  that  region  as  late  as  June  and  July. 
He  describes  the  song  as  consisting  of  iive  or  si.\  notes  in  a  minor  key,  and 
in  a  scale  regularly  desceiuling.  It  was  heard  continually  throughout  the 
summer,  among  the  t<)])s  of  tlie  trees,  but  only  iu  the  densest  forests.  Dr. 
Suckley  states  that  after  a  fall  of  snow  they  would  be  found  ahtng  the  sandy 
beaches  near  the  salt  water,  where  they  were  both  abundant  and  tame.  We 
are  indebted  to  Mr.  W.  H.  Dall  for  our  lirst  authentic  knowledge  of  its 
nest  and  eggs.  The  former  measures  (i  inches  in  diameter  with  a  depth  of 
2^,  inches.  It  hiis  but  a  very  .slight  de])ression,  apparently  not  more  than 
hall'  an  inch  in  depth.  The  original  shape  of  the  nest  had,  however,  been 
somewhat  flatter^ed  in  tra^tsportation.  'The  materials'of  vydch  it  was  coni-< 
];osed  were  fine  dry  mo.sses  and  lichens  impacted  together,  intermingled  with 
I'mgments  of  dry  stems  of  grasses. 

A  nest  of  this  thrush  obtained  by  Dr.  Minor,  in  Alaska,  is  a  much  more 
finished  structure.  Its  base  and  ])erii)Iiery  are  composed  of  an  elaborate 
basket-work  of  slender  twigs.  Within  these  is  an  inner  nest  consisting  of 
an  interweaving  of  fine  dry  grasses  and  long  gray  lichens. 

The  eggs  in  size,  shape,  ground  cidor,  and  markings  are  not  distinguishable 
fiom  those  of  the  Tnrdus  musicus  of  Euro]»e.  They  measure  1.D5  inches  in 
length  by  .f^()  in  breiulth,  are  of  a  light  blue  with  a  greenish  shading,  almost 
exactly  similar  to  the  ground  color  of  the  T.  inii/rdtoriiis.  They  are  very 
distinctly  marked  and  spotted  with  a  dark  umber-brown  approaching  almost 
to  blackness. 

Mr.  Dall  informs  us  that  the  nest  found  by  him  was  built  in  a  willow 
bush,  about  two  feet  fntm  llie  gnuind,  and  on  the  top  of  a  large  mass  of 
rubbish  lodged  there  by  some  previous  inundation.     Other  nests  of  the 


TUKDIDJ-;  —  THE  THRUSHES. 


31 


same  sjiecios   wore  met  witli  in   several  places  between  Fort  Yukon  and 
Xiilato,  always  on  or  near  a  river-bank  and  in  l(nv  and  secliidt'd  localities. 

Tliey  arrive  at  Nulato  about  May  15,  and  prefer  the  vicinity  of  water, 
fr(ii|uentiny:  the  banks  of  small  streams  in  retired  places.  JNlr.  Dall  states 
tliat  lie  has  seen  the  male  Itird  on  a  jtrostrate  lo^'  near  the  nest,  sin<,dng  witii 
all  iiis  mijfht,  suddenly  cease  and  run  up  and  down  the  log  for  a  few  miinites, 
struttinj,'  in  a  siu;,'ular  manner,  tiien  stojyping  and  singing  again;  and  keeping 
up  this  curious  performance.  Specimens  were  received  from  Sitka,  Koiliak, 
Cook's  Inlet  and  Admiralty  Islands. 


SUBF.VMII.Y    MIMINiE. 

l)irds  of  tliis  section  liave  a  somewhat  thrush-like  appearance,  but  (except 
in  0)rosro2>f<s)  with  longer,  much  more  graduated,  and  broader  tail;  siiort 
concave  wings,  about  ecpial  to  or  sliorter  than  tlie  tail,  usually  lengthened, 
sometimes  decurved  bill  without  notch,  and  strongly  marked  scutelhe  on  the 
anterior  face  of  the  tarsus.  Tiie  loral  feathers  are  soft,  and  not  ending  in 
bristly  points.  The  colors  are  dull  shades  of  brown,  gray,  or  plumbeous. 
Most  of  the  species,  in  addition  t(j  a  melodious  native  song,  possess  tiie 
power  of  imittating  the  notes  of  other  birds ;  sometimes,  as  in  the  American 
Mocking  r>ird,  to  an  enunent  degree.  All  are  peculiar  to  the  New  World, 
and  the  sj)ecies  are  much  less  vagrant  tiian  those  of  tlie  Tiirdiua',  —  those 
of  tiie  United  States  scarcely  going  beyond  its  northern  bounilary  ;  others, 
again,  restricted  to  small  islands  in  the  West  ladies  or  in  the  Pacific  Ocean. 


Genus   OREOSCOPTES,   U.uud. 

Oro.vco;('c,v,  B.Miin,  HiidskN.  Am.  lK)f^,  346.     (\'\\>v  Orphtii^  'iimHkiiiii.%  Tiiwss.) 
Orcoxeojitis,  Haiud,  liov.  Am.  liinls,  42. 

Si'.  Char.  Bill  .■iliortor  tliaii  the  head,  without  ilistiiict  notch.  Bristles  pi'oniiiHMit,  their 
tips  reaeliiiii,'  l>e\(iii(l  the  nostrils.  \Vinj,'s  poiuleil,  equal  lo,  or  a  littlo  loUjj;ur  tliuu  the 
tail.  First  ((uill  not  hall'  the  se(;on(l,  ahout 
two  (ilUis  the  lon^^est ;  thirtl,  fourth,  and 
(irtli  <|uills  e(|ual  and  loiiffest ;  second  be- 
tween sixth  and  st^venth.  Tail  but  .slifrhtly 
gradiia(e(l  ;  the  fealhors  narrow.  Tarsu.s 
loajrer  than  ini(Ullo  toe  and  claw  by  an  ail- 
ditioual  elaw  ;  .seutelhe  distinct  anteriorly. 

Of  this  genus  only  one  species  is 
at  present  known.  Tiiis  belongs  to 
the  Middle  and  AVestern  ])rovinces 
of  the  rniti'd  States  and  extends 
from  the  Pacific  coast  eastward  to 
Fort  Laramie  and  tiie  I?lack  Hills 
(ill  winter  to  San  Antonio,  Texas) ;  south  to  Fort  Yuma  and  Cape  St.  Lucas. 


hl29 


Oreosrnptf.s  iniintiuilts. 


32 


NORTH  AMKRICAN  IHRDS. 


Oreoscoptes  montanus,  Wwuh. 

SAOE  THBASHER;  HOTTKTAIN  MOCKEB. 

Orphetis  moiilnnim,  TowNsr.xn,  Jour.  Aciul.  Nat.  Sci.  I'liilii.  VII,  ii,  1837,  102.  —  Am. 
Birds  Aiiifr.  II,  1841,  1!U,  \A.  ux.\xi.\.  Tin-ilns  mutilmnis,  Ari).  Oiii.  Hiof,'.  IV,  1838, 
437,  111.  iTclxix,  lij;.  1.  Miinus  mon/diiKs,  Uonat.  ('oiisp.  18r>(l,  2"t!.  (hmscdptf.s 
monlHitim,  Uaikd,  Hinl.s  N.  .\iii(T.  IS.'iS,  347;  U«'V.  Am.  Ii.  1804,  42.  —  Sui.atei!, 
r.  Z.  S.  KSiV.t,  340.  —III.  ratal.  LSUl,  8,  no.  3(1.  —  C'ooi-Ki!,  HiiiKs  Cal.  1,  12. 

Sp.  Char.  First  quill  rather  shorter  than  thu  sixth.  Tail  .slij;htly  {iradiiatiMl.  Above 
bro\viiish-a.>ih ;  each  feather  obsoletely  darker  in  the  centre.  Beneath  dull  white,  thickly 
marked  with  triiui^'iitar  spot.s,  excej)!  on  tiie  under  tail-eoverts  and  around  the  aims,  whieli 
rejrions  are  linj;ed  with  yellowi.sh-hrown.  Winur-eoverts  and  (|\iilis  edfjed  with  dull  white. 
Tail  feathers  lirown  ;  the  outer  edire<l,  and  all  (exee])t,  iierliap.s,  the  middle)  tipped  witli 
white.     I,enjrlh,  S  inches;  win^',  4.8.'i ;   tail. -I.OO  ;   tarsus,  1.21. 

y<iiiiii/.  Similar,  hut  .spots  lieneath  less  sharply  defmed,  and  the  upper  parts  quite 
eonspicuou.sl}'  streaked  with  <lusky. 

IIaii.    Rocky  Mountains  of  Uniteil  States,  west  to  raci(i<",  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

The  careful  ohservatiniis  of  IVfr.  Iioliert  I!idj,nvay  have  led  him  to  tlie  con- 
viction that  the  name  bestowed  upon  this  .'  uecios  of  "  ^loiintain  Mocking- 
liird  "  is  doubly  a  mi.snomer.     It  i.s  not  at  all  imitative  in  its  notes,  and  it  is 

almost  exclusively  a  resident  of  the  ar- 
temisia  i)lains.  It  seems  to  be  chiefly 
confined  to  the  great  central  plateau  of 
North  America,  from  jMexico  almost  to 
Washington  Territory.  Specimens  have 
been  procured  i'rom  Cape  St.  Lucas,  tiie 
Lower  Coh)rado,  Mexico,  and  Texas,  on 
tlie  south,  and  Xuttall  met  with  it  nearly 
its  far  iiortii  as  W^alla- Walla.  It  ])roba- 
bly  occupies  the  whole  extent  of  the 
Great  l?asin. 

Dr.  Kenncrly,  who  met  with  it  while 

crossing  the  ariil  mmifi  west  of  the  l{io 

(Jrande,  says  tliat  wliile  singing  it  was 

usually  ])erched  u])on  some  busli   or  low   tree.      It  was   fretpiently  seen 

s"eking  its  food  upon  the  ground,  and  when  approached,  instead  of  flying 

away,  it  ran  very  ra])idly,  and  disa})]»eared  among  the  low  bushes. 

')uring  tlie  winter  months  it  was  ob,served  near  San  Antonio,  Texas,  by 
j\[r.  Dresser;  and  was  also  found  by  him  to  lie  common  aliout  Eagle  I'a.ss. 
He  noticed  the  same  peculiarity  of  their  running  insteail  of  t.ieir  Hying 
away  when  disturbed.  Tiiey  ]treferred  tlie  Hat,  bush-covered  plains.  A  few 
remained  to  breed,  as  he  obtained  the  eggs  there,  although  he  did  not  him- 
self meet  with  one  of  the  birds  in  summer. 

It  is  geiu'i'idly  represented  as  keejjing  chiefly  on  the  grotnid,  and  obtaining 


Orioscnplfs  montanus. 


TLKDiD.K  — TiiK  Tiiursiri';s.  33 

its  food  ill  tlii'^  ]K)siti(tii.  (u'lienil  Couch  speaks  of  it  as  Sparrow-lilve  in  its 
habits. 

Mv.  Niittall  dt'scrihes  its  song  as  cliocrinji;,  and  the  notes  of  whieli  it  is 
composed  as  decidedly  resend)linj,'  those  of  tiie  Ih-own  Tinnisli  (Ifnrpo- 
rln/iiflins  rn/iis).  lie  claims  for  it  some  of  tlie  imitative  powers  of  the 
]\Iocldn<i-I>ird  (Mimn.i  jxi/i/i/loMux),  but  in  this  lie  is  not  supported  by  tho 
observations  of  others.  He  met  with  its  nest  in  a  wormwood  (Artemiiiiu) 
bush  on  the  border  of  a  ravine ;  it  contained  four  e,L,'},'s  of  emei'ald  green, 
si)otted  with  dark  olive,  the  spots  being  large,  roundish,  and  more  numerous 
at  the  lai'ger  end.  The  nest  was  composed  of  small  twigs  and  rough  stalks, 
and  lined  with  strijts  of  bark  and  l)ison-wool.  The  female  flew  off  to  a  short 
distance,  and  looked  at  her  unwelcome  visitors  without  uttering  any  com- 
])laint. 

The  nests  of  this  bird,  so  far  as  I  have  seen  them,  are  all  Hat,  shallow 
structures,  with  very  slight  depression,  and  loosely  and  rudely  constructed 
of  an  intermingling  of  strips  of  bark  with  rootlets  and  the  tiner  stems  of  her- 
l)aceous  jilants.  Tlieir  eggs,  usually  four  in  mnnber,  do  not  vary  essentially 
in  size,  shape,  or  marking.  Tluy  measure  1  inch  in  length,  and  from  .73  to 
.7")  in  breadth.  Their  ground  color  is  a  bright  green ish-))lue,  marked  with 
dee])  olive-brown  spots,  iutermingkid  with  lilotches  of  a  light  lilac.  There 
are  slight  variations  in  the  proportion  of  green  in  the  shade  of  the  ground 
color,  and  also  in  the  nund)er  and  size  of  tlK!  spots,  but  these  variations  are 
unimportant. 

The  following  are  IVfr.  Ifidgway's  ol)servations  upon  the  haliits  of  this 
species.     They  are  full,  valualile,  aiul  very  carefully  made  :  — 

The  Oiroaropfia  inontitiins  is  a  bird  ]»eculiar  to  the  artemisia  wastes  of  the 
Great  15asin,  licing  a  characteristic  species  of  the  region  between  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  the  llocky  Mountains.  It  is  exclusively  an  inhabitant  of  tlie 
"  sago  brush,"  and  is  partial  to  the  lower  portions  of  the  country,  though 
it  is  not  unfreiiuent  on  the  open  slojie  of  the  mountains.  A  more  uiiappro- 
priate  term  than  "Mountain  Mocking- 1 )ird  "  could  hardly  have  been  chosen 
for  this  species,  as  its  ])re(lilection  for  the  valleys,  and  the  fact  that  its  song 
is  I'utiirfi/  its  own,  will  show.  In  my  oi)inion,  tlie  term  "Sage  Thrasher" 
would  be  more  appro})riate. 

In  tiie  neighborhood  of  ("arson  City,  Xtivada,  the.se  birds  arrived  about  the 
24th  of  March,  antl  immediately  ujwn  tlieir  arrival  began  singing.  At  this 
time,  with  the  Stiirnclla  iieif/trfa.  and  Poonpixn  he/li,  they  made  sweet  nnisic 
in  the  afternoon  and  early  morning,  in  the  open  wastes  oi'  "sage  brush," 
around  the  city.  The  birds  when  singing  were  generally  seen  sitting  upon 
the  sununit  of  a  ".sage"  liusli,  faintly  warbling,  in  the  course  of  the  song 
turning  the  head  from  side  to  side  in  a  watchful  manner.  Upon  being 
approached,  they  would  darl  downward,  seemingly  diving  into  the  bush  upon 
which  they  had  ju'rched,  li\it  upon  a  close  search  the  Itird  could  not  Ih^ 
found,  until  it  was  heanl  again  singing  a  hundred  yards  or  more  in  tho 
6 


34  NOIlTir  AMERICAN'  niRDS. 

direction  from  wliicli  I  liiid  a]i])roa('liO(l.  Tliis  peculiar,  circuitous,  concciilcd 
lli^'Iit  is  ii  \ory  cliuractcristic  tniit  of  tiiis  bird,  and  one  sure  to  excite  atten- 
tion. 

As  tlie  season  advanced,  or  about  tlie  lOtii  of  April,  when  the  ])airing 
season  was  at  hand,  the  son;,'s  of  the  males  became  jj;reatly  improved,  increas- 
ing in  sweetness  and  vivacity,  and  full  of  rapturous  enu)tion  ;  their  nuuiners, 
also,  became  changed,  for  they  had  lost  all  their  wariness.  In  Jiaying  their 
attentions  to  tlieir  mates,  the  males  would  tly  from  bu.sh  to  bush,  Mith  a 
])eculiar,  tremulous  fluttering  of  the  wings,  which,  when  the  bird  alighted, 
were  raised  above  tiie  back  ap])arently  touching  each  other;  all  the  while 
vibrating  with  the  emotion  and  ecstasy  that  agitated  the  singer. 

The  sung  of  this  bird,  tJHaigh  very  deficient  in  ])ower, —  in  this  respect 
eciualling  no  other  species  of  j\fiiiii)ia'  with  which  1  am  acquainted,  —  is 
nevertheless  superior  to  most  of  them  in  sweetiu'ss,  vivacity,  and  variety. 
Tt  has  a  wonderful  rescmlilancc  to  the  l)eautifid  subtle  warbling  of  the 
Jt'ct/ii/iis  vitlniihi/ii,  having  in  fact  very  nuich  the  same  style,  with  much  of 
the  tone,  and  about  the  power  of  the  song  of  the  Pi/rfnif/c  rubra. 

When  the  liirds  are  engaged  in  incul)ation,  the  males  become  very  silent, 
and  one  not  familiar  with  tiieir  habits  earlier  in  the  sea.son  would  think  they 
never  had  a  voice;  in  fact,  they  make  no  protestations  even  when  the  nest  is 
disturbed,  for,  while  blowing  the  egg.s,  I  have  had  the  parent  liirds  running 
around  me,  in  the  manner  of  a  robin,  now  and  then  halting,  stretching  for- 
ward their  heads,  and  eying  me  in  the  most  an.xious  manner,  but  remaining 
licrfectly  silent.  When  the  young  are  hatclied  the  ]>arents  become  more 
.solicitous,  signifying  their  concern  by  a  low,  subdued  r/iiirk.  At  all  times 
when  the  nest  is  aii])roaclii;d,  the  l)ird  generally  leaves  it  slyly  before  one 
a])]iroaches  very  near  it. 

The  nest  is  very  bulky,  comi)ose<l  externally  of  rough  sticks,  yu'incipally 
the  thorny  twigs  of  the  various  "  .sage  bush  "  ])lants.  Xearer  the  centre  the 
])rinci])al  material  is  fine  strips  of  iinier  bark  of  the.se  ])lants;  and  tlie  liiung 
eimsists  of  finer  strij)S  of  bark,  mingled  with  fine  roots,  and  bits  of  rabbit 
fur.  The  situation  of  the  nest  varies  but  little,  luring  generally  jilaccd 
near  the  middle  of  a  bush,  that  is,  about  eighteen  inches  from  tiie  ground, 
it  is  generally  sujjported  against  the  main  trunk,  upon  a  horizontal  branch. 
Several  were  found  ujion  the  ground  Ijcneatli  the  bush,  one,  in  fact,  endiedded 
in  the  soil,  like  that  of  a  I'ipilo ;  or  as  sometimes  the  case  with  the  Hor- 
2wrJi>/nchitH  rufm,  others,  again,  were  found  in  brush-heaps.  In  all  ea-siis, 
th((  nest  was  very  artfully  conceah'd,  the  situation  l)eing  so  well  .selected. 

This  bird  is  almost  eijually  eonunon  in  all  parts  of  its  haliitat,  within  the 
lii.'its  indicated.  In  June,  we  found  it  abundant  on  the  large  islands  in  the 
Cheat  Salt  Lake,  where  many  nests  were  found. 

In  autumn,  it  feeds,  in  comi)any  with  many  other  birds,  upon  berries, 
"  service  berries  "  being  its  especial  favorite. 


ti;hi)io.k--tii1';  tiiimsiiks. 


35 


(!i;.\i,s  HARPORHYNCHUS,   ( 


AiiA.vrs. 


Tvxvuhmif,    WaiH.iW!,    Isis,    1S31,    oUS.      (Tyi.r    T.    ,;■/„/„,    Wm:i..,    ii.,|    'IVmnlam,,     livK 
IHlti.) 

llurixs,  (iAMliKl,,  I'r.  A.  N.  S.  I'liila.  11.   US4i,  'itil.     (Typr  ll,!,;,,:,  miivinis,  (I ami..,  i„.I 

ofddl.liKiss,  KSMil.) 
Il.,r/iar/ni,i,:/iiis,  ('AliANls,  Aivliiv  f.  \aturj,'.  IHIM,  i.  il,s.      (Vyyr  //„r/>r.i  ,y,/irin,s,  (JamiU 
.Mithnu,,ln-iiH,  liKirll.  Av.  Syst.   >fut.  KS.'.O,  i,l.  iv.      (TyiH'  sai'.l  l)y  (iiay  to  W  11.  ni/,is.) 

f!o.  C'llAU.  Hill  Ihiin  lorcliuaij  as  ionf;  as.  i)r  iniicli  loii-vr  lliaii  (he  licad  ;  liccoiiiiii;,' 
moil,'  and  iiioiv  ihnirvcil  in  liotli  Jaws  as  Icm-iIu'ikmI.  No  inaicaliDn  of  a  noU-li.  Kidns 
willi  tiic  bristles  cxtcnilinfr  licyond 
tin.'  nostrils.  Tarsns  louir  andslont, 
a|i|)rccial)ly  ('.xccciiini,'  I  lie  niiddio 
toe  and  claw,  slron;,dy  .>«Mili'llalu 
antcrioily.  Wings  considfralily 
shorter  lliau  tail,  nuieh  ronnd(Ml ; 
tliu  first  (|nill  more  than  half  the 
second  ;  fourth  or  lifth  lonprest. 
Tail  largo,  luuuh  gradnated  ;  the 
featheis  lirni. 

Tliu  species  uf  this  genus 
lire  nil  of  laro;e  siz(^  in  fact, 
eniln'iicing  the  largest  of  tiie 
American    sleniler-billed   os- 


Ihr/ioifii/Hr/iiis  rtifiis. 


cine  birds.     All  the   species  diller  in  structure,  varying  esjieeially  in  the 
length  of  the  hill,  as  above  stated. 

It  is  useless  to  attempt  a  division  of  this  genus,  for  there  is  .such  a  gradual 
chain  of  chunicters  between  the  two  extremes  of  form  {riifii>^  and  cr'imdis), 

that  they  even  seem  almost  one  si)ecies, 
when  the  numerous  intermediate  forms, 
shading  so  insensibly  into  each  other,  are 
considered.  However,  as  this  view  would 
be  rather  extreme,  in  view  of  the  really 
great  dilference  of  form  between  the  speines 
mentioned,  we  may  consider  the  following 
as  good  sjjeeies,  severai  of  them  with  one 
or  more  varieties:  rn/ns,  with  lonyiniuihi. 
and  /oiii/irosfn'x  as  varieties,  the  fornuu- 
scarcely  ap[)reeia.bly  dilferent,  the  latter 
ranking  as  a  permanent  race ;  orcUcttnx,  ri- 
nfiriia,  ciirviroHtris,  tht;  latter  witli  one  well- 
marked  variety,  pn/iiicn' ;  mlivini.-i,  with 
most  probably  Invntd  as  a  well-markeil 
variety,  and  rrinsn/l.'i. 
Tlie  seasonal  dif1eren<;es  in  the  i)himage  often  make  it  ditheult  to  deter- 
mine these  several  forms ;  but  if  the  following  iiicts  are  borne  in  mind,  the 


Hdrliiirhfinchus   nifiis. 


3G  NORTri   AMKRICAX  liinDS. 

troulilu  will  Ik!  gri'iitly  lessened.  In  every  s])0(;ie.s  tliere  is  a  more  or  less 
(lecitlud  ocliracuous  tinge  to  the  crissiil  rei,'ion  (sonietinuis  extemlin<,'  forward 
over  the  tlaidvs) ;  except  in  i  rlssn/iK,  in  which  the  hnver  tail-coverts  and  anal 
region  are  deep  cliest  mt.  In  autumn  and  winter  this  oehniceons  tint  lie- 
comes  very  much  deeper,  as  well  as  more  iirevalont,  than  in  spring  and 
summer;  the  whole  jdumage  becomes  softer,  the  colors  more  iironouuced, 
and  the  markings  more  distinct,  than  when  faded  and  worn  in  sunnner. 

Synopsis  of  Species  of  Harporhyncbus. 

A»   .S])i)ts  l)t'iioiitli  sli!ii'|ily  ilcliiiiMl  iiiiil  <oiis|iicii(>iis,  —  iimcli  (liiikiT  in  color  lliau 
the  uppor  parts. 

1.  H.  rufuB.     Till!  iiiarkiiij,'.'<  liiii'D-cuiicatf  ;  wiii^'  l)au(l.><  .sliarply  (li'lincd. 

Aljovo  rulbus;  iiiaikiiifr.s  lii'hiw  dark  bi'own  ;  fiiitcr  taii-fuatliL-rs  diliilt'd 
at  lip;  wing,  4.00;  tail,  5.20;  liill  lioin  nd.sti'il,  ."!•,  iii'aily  stiaiylit  ; 
tai.^iis,  l.;iU;  iiiidilic  (do,  .!)()  (1,;!77<J  Cariisk-,  I'ciiu.).  //ab.  Ka.><tciii 
I'ldvinuo  United  States      ........         vai-.   i-ii/'us. 

Wing,  4.-10;  tail,  5.70;  liill,  .711;  taisus,  l.;i5:  nnddlv  toe.  .!I0  (5,(m'_' ^ 
Itcpiiliiican  Uivt'i-).  J/i(h.  Plain.-i  liftwccn  .Mis.^onii  ijivcr  to  Itocky 
Mountains  ........  var.    lu  ii  ij  i cii  ii  il a  . 

Above  umber  lirown  ;  markings  beneath  blaek  ;  tail-leatliers  not  paler 
at  tip;  wing,  ;$.!)();  tail,  4.!»0 ;  liill,  .H5,  slightly  curved;  tar.su.s,  1.40; 
middle  tiie,  .04  (4,010  (J  Hrownsvilie,  Te.\.)  JIah.  Eastern  Mexico, 
north  to  Kio  Grande  ol  Texas var.    lony  i  rosi  r  in. 

2.  H.  ocellatUB.'     The  markings  circular;  wing  bands  conspicuous. 

Above  grayisli-liiown :  maikings  beneath  lilack;   tail-leatheis  broadly 
tipped  with  wiiite;  wing,  4.10;   tail,  5.(iO;  liill,  Ironi  rictus,  1.50,  mod- 
erately curved  ;  tarsus,  1.50.     J/ah.   Oaxaca,  Mex. 
.'?.  H.  cinereus.     The  markings  deltoid;  wing  bands  narrow,  but  siiarply 
defined. 

Above   brownisli-ciiici'eous;   markings   beneath  blackisli-lirown ;   tail- 
feathers  broadly  tijijied  with  w  liit<' ;    wing,  4.00;    tail,  4.(iO;  bill,  .88, 
much  curved;  tar.su.s,   I.IJO;  middle  toe,  .H5  (12,!)(!0  "? "  — ^  V   Capo 
St.  Lucas).     Ifiih.    ("ape  St.  Lucas,  Lowi'r  ("ahrornia. 
B.    Spots  beneath  ob.solote,  not  darker  than  the  plumage  above  ;   roundish  in 
Ibi'iii. 

4.  H.  curvirostris. 

.\liove  cinereous;  wing  bands  distinct;  spots  below  distinct,  upon  a 
white  grouiul;  femoral  region  and  cri.ssuin  very  pale  ochraceous;  tail-leath- 
ers broadly  and  .sharply  tijipeil  with  pure  white;  wing,  4.;!0;  tail,  4.50; 
bill,  1.00,  .st(mt,  moderately  curved;  tarsu.s,  1.40;  middle  t0(!,  1.12(7,200^ 
Kinggold  Jlariacks.  Texas),  //nh.  from  liio  (Jrande  valley  in  Texas  to 
Cordova,  Oii/.aba.  Oaxaca,  Coiinia,  and  Mazatlan    .         .     var.   c  ii  rv  irosi  r  i s. 

Wing  bands  olisolcte,  and  tail  spot.s  very  narrow  and  obsolete;  spots 
below  just  discernible  upon  a  grayish  ground;  femoral  region  and 
cri.ssum  dilute  ochiaceous-biown  ;  wing,  4..'!0 ;  tail,  5.20;  bill,  1.00, 
slender,  moderately  curved;  lar.sii.s,  l.:}();  middle  toe,  1.00  (8,12H^ 
'•New  Mexico"  —  probably  Eastern  Arizona).  /Jub.  Arizona  (Camp 
Grant) var.  pat  men'. 

1  Ilarpui/ii/ia/ius  ua:/l(iliix,  8ci..\rK.H,  V.  Z.  S.  \St}-2,  \i.  l>t,  \i\.  iii. 


TlUiDIIMC  — THE  TIIUU811KS  o- 

ol 

C.   Kiiliicly  iiiispottiMl  liciiciilli. 

:>.  H.  redivivuB.     Anal  vf>/um  and  lower  liiil-rovcrts  lij:l,t  ociifacooiis. 

Ahovc  soft  lirownish-cincivons,  tail  n.nsi(l,.mlily  darker;  win;^-  hands 
almost  oksolete,  ami  tail-feathers  meicly  diluted  at  tips.  iJeneaUi  paler 
than  al.,,ve,  — almost  white  on  throat  and  ahdonien  ;  anal  refrion  and 
lower  tail-eoverls  yellowish-oehrueeous.  A  distinct  '•  hridle  "  Ibrmed 
by  the  hair-liko  tips  of  the  feathers,  bordering  the  throat;  maxillary 
stripe  white  with  transverse  bars  of  dusky;  wiuj,',  3.!)() ;  tail,  ->:2:> ;  hill, 
1.0."),  slender,  nuxleralelyemved;  tarsus,  1.2",;  middle  toe,  .80  (40,7 '.S^J 
20  miles  from  Colorado  lliver,  near  Fori  Mojave).     Ilab.   Arizona  ((iila 

River,  Fort  Yuma,  and  lort  Mojave) Xixr.    lecontei. 

Above  ashy  drab,  tail  daiker  and  more  brownish  ;  winj,'  bands  ineon- 
sjiieuous,  and  tail-featluTs  hardly  diluted  at  tips.  Beneath,  the  ochraco- 
ous  covers  the  abilomen,  and  the  throat  inelines  to  the  same.  No 
"hridle."  Cheeks  and  ear-eoverts  blaekish,  with  eonsi)ieu()us  shaft- 
streaks  of  white;  win-  •).:iO;  tail,  5.G0;  hill,  1.40,  stout,  very  nuieh 
bowed, —  the  areli  rey:ular ;  tarsus,  l.,V) ;  middle  toe,  1.00  (3,932^, 
Caliliiruia).  //"/'.  Coast  region  of  Calilbrnia  .  .  .  var.  rediv i v  u.i. 
(i.  H.  orissalis.     Anal  rejrion  and  lower  tail-eoverts  deep  ehestmit. 

Ahov",  brownish-ashy  with  a  slight  purplish  east,  tail  not  darker; 
no  trace  of  wing  bands;  tail-leathers  diluted,  and  tinged  with  rusty  at 
tips.  Beneath,  of  a  unilbrm,  jjaler  tint  than  the  ujiper  plumage,  not 
lighter  medially  ;  throat  white,  with  a  eonspienous  "  bridle  "  ;  Ironi  this 
np  to  the  eye  whitish,  with  transversely  angular  bars  of  dusky;  wing, 
4.00;  tail,  0.r,0;  bill,  1.25,  very  .slender,  bowed  from  the  middle-  tar- 
sus, 1.30;  ,ni<l<lle  toe,  .00  (11,5,!;!^  Fo,t  Yuma).  f/„h.  ]{,.gion  of 
Uda  River  to  Rocky  Mountains  ;  north  to  Southern  Utah  (St  Geomv 
breeding;  Dr.  Buhner). 


Harporhynchus  rufus,  (  auams. 

BROWN  THBASHEH. 

Timlm  n0,.,,  L.nn.  .Syst.  Nat.  Kith  ,.1.  ms,  l.ii),  hasod  on  C.VTF.snv,  tab  19  -In 
hy.st.  Nat.  I.  mn,  :iO:i.--(l.VTK.,;,  NaUMianiiia,  KS;-i.s,  4--'4  ( Heligoland,  Oct.  18:i7). 
H<'n,o,-lninchu»  ri,/„s.  Cm,.  .Mus.  Hei,,.  1S;10,  81  -  lU,,.,.,  Iiir,ls  X.  Am  1858  'V,:i 
-In.  Kev.  An..  Hirds,  44.  -  Scatkii,  I>.  Z.  S.  1859,  340.  -In.  fatal.  18C1,  8.  no. 
48.— SA.MfKLs,  l(i3.     Mimm  rufus,  I'li.  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  18-)8    18(1 

Figures  :  Vt..;ii.i.oT.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  11,  pi.  li.v.  -  WiL.sos,  Am.  Oru.  11,  pi.  Mv  -  Vin 
Orn.  IJiog.  pi.  exvi. 

Sp.  Guar.  Expo.sed  porti.m  of  the  bill  shorter  than  the  liea.l.  Oulliue  of  lower  nian- 
■hhle  straight.  Above  light  einnamnn-red ;  beneath  pale  rulbu.s-whit..  with  loientudinal 
stivaks  ot  dark  brown,  excepting  on  the  chin,  throat,  middle  of  the  belly,  and  nii.ler  tail- 
eoverts.  These  spots  anteriorly  are  reddish-brown  in  their  terminal  portion.  Tlu-  inner 
snrlaee  of  the  wing  and  the  inner  edges  of  the  primaries  are  cinnamon;  the  concealed 
portion  of  the  ipulls  otherwi.se  is  dark  brown.  The  me.lian  and  greater  win.r-eoverts 
beconie  blaeki.sh-brown  towards  the  ...ul,  followed  by  white,  producing  two  eoi;pieuous 
bands.  Ihe  tail-feathers  are  all  rufou.s,  the  external  ones  ob.scnrely  tipped  with  whitish;  the 
sha  ts  ot  the  same  color  with  the  vanes.     Length.  11.15;  wing,  4.15 ;  tail,  5.20 ;  tarsus  l.;50 

I  An.  Lastern  North  America  to  Mi.ssonri  K.ver,  and  perhaps  to  high  central  plains 
tnited  btates,  east  ol  Rocky  Mountain.s,  north  to  Lake  Winnipeg. 


38  NOHTII  AMKUU'AN  HIIiDS. 

As  stated  in  "  liirds  of  North  Aiiioricii"  soiiie  .s])iH'imo,ns  (viir.  /oni/irniida) 
from  bt'yoiiil  the  Missouri  Kiver  are  hirger  than  eastern  birds,  witli  lonjjjer 
tails,  more  rut'oiis  beneatii ;  tlio  breast  spots  darlcer.  Unt,  in  passing  I'rom 
east  to  west,  the  change  is  so  insensible  tliat  it  is  im^Hjssible  to  divide  the 
series. 

Habits.  This  Tiirusli  is  a  common  species  throughout  a  widely  extended 
area,  from  tlu;  Kocky  Mountains  to  the  Atlantic,  and  from  the  ]ied  Ifiver 
country,  in  JJritish  America,  to  the  l;io  (Irande.  And  nearly  throughout 
this  entire  territory  it  also  resides  and  breeds,  from  Texas  to  the  o-lth  paral- 
lel of  latitude. 

It  reaches  New  England  early  in  May  and  leaves  it  in  the  latter  part  of 
Sejjtcmlier  or  the  tirst  week  of  (October,  its  stay  varying  witli  the  si-ason 
and  the  su])ply  of  its  food.  Tt  is  somewhat  irregularly  distributed,  conunon 
in  some  ])ortions  of  this  section,  and  rare  or  even  unknown  in  others.  It 
is  not  found  near  the  sea-coast  beyond  Massachusetts.  It  passes  the  winter 
in  the  Southern  States,  even  as  far  to  the  north  as  Virginia,  and  is  in  full 
song  in  the  neighborhood  of  Savannah  as  early  as  the  first  of  March. 

The  song  of  this  Thrusli  is  one  of  great  lieauty,  and  is  much  admired  by 
all  wild  !i]>preciate  woodland  iuelody  of  the  SHVcte.-si  arid  liveliest  tyiie.  It 
is  loud,  clear,  empiiatic,  full  of  variety  and  charm.  Its  notes  are  never  imi- 
tative and  cannot  be  mistaken  by  any  one  who  is  familiar  with  them,  for 
tho.se  of  any  other  bird,  unless  it  may  be  .some  one  of  its  western  congeners. 
It  is  a  very  steady  iierformer,  singing  for  hours  at  a  time.  Its  notes  an; 
given  in  a  loud  tone,  and  its  song  may  often  lie  heard  to  ijuite  a  distance. 

In  obtaining  its  food  the  Ih'own  Thrush  is  at  times  almo.st  rasorial  in  its 
habits.  In  the  early  spring  it  scratches  among  the  leaves  of  the  forest  for 
worms,  coleopterous  griilis,  and  other  forms  of  insect  food.  I>y  some  it 
is  charged  with  scrati'iiing  up  the  hills  of  early  corn,  lait  this  is  not  a  well- 
fownded  accusation.  Merries  of  various  kinds  also  form  a  large  jiart  of  its 
food,  ami  among  these  the  small  fruit  of  our  gardens  must  be  included. 

This  Thrush  is  a  very  all'ectionate  and  devoted  bird,  especially  to  its  young. 
It  is  also  proinjit  in  going  to  the  assistance  of  others  of  its  species  A\hen  in 
trouble.  Whenever  intrudeis  a]ipniach  their  nests,  esjiecially  if  their  young 
iire  far  advanced,  they  manifest  the  deepest  anxiety,  sometimes  even  making 
a  vigorous  defence.  Tl  writer  has  a  very  distinct  recollection  of  having 
encountered,  together  with  a  viuniger  brother,  an  ignominious  defeat,  when 
making  his  lirst  atteui|it  to  inspect  the  nest  of  one  of  tiiese  liirds. 

'I'he  iirown  Thrush  is  jealous  nf  the  intrusion  of  other  birds  of  its  own 
s])ecies  to  a  too  (dose  pioximity  to  it.-i  nesting-place,  and  will  assert  its 
love  of  seclusion  by  stout  liattles.  In  i.iaiisiana  llu;  coiislriu'tion  of  the 
iie.st  is  commenced  ipiite  early  in  Mareli  ;  in  I'enn.syhnnia,  not  until  May; 
and  in  tlu'  Ni'W  Kngliind  States  in  tia'  latter  part  of  that  month.  The  nest 
is  usually  not  more  than  two  <ir  three  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  built  in  a 
low   bush,  on  a  duster  of  briers  or  amony;  vines,     I  have  known  it  to  bo 


TrRDID.E  — THE  TllUrsiIES.  ;.}() 

])lace(l  in  tlio  interior  of  a  lioap  of  hnisliwooil  Ikisi'Iv  tlirowii  to^ctlicr.  1 
have  never  luot  -witli  the  nest  luiilt  n\)i)U  the  urouml,  luit  in  S])ringli(!hl,  and 
in  otlier  dry  and  sandy  h)ealities,  this  is  liy  no  means  an  nneonunon  (n'cnr- 
rence.  These  nests  are  IViMjnently  ])laeed  in  ehise  in'oxiniity  to  honses,  and 
sometimes  in  the  very  midst  of  villa,m's. 

The  nest  of  the  Tiirasher  is  hir^f,  and  ron.;ldy  l)nt  stroiijfly  linilt.  Tlie 
base  is  usnally  made  of  coarse  twigs,  sticks,  and  ends  of  hianciies,  fn'iniy 
interwoven.  Within  this  is  constrn'''ed  an  inni'r  nest,  com])osed  of  (hied 
leaves,  sti'ips  of  bark,  and  strong  l)hu'k  tibrons  roots.  Tlie.se  arc  lined 
with  liner  roots,  horse-hair,  an  occasional  leather,  etc. 

The  eggs  are  usnally  four,  sometimes  live,  and  rarely  six,  in  mnnber.  Tlu'y 
varv  both  in  the  lints  of  the  ground  color,  in  those  of  their  markings,  and 
slightly  in  their  shape.  Their  length  varies  from  .'.lU  to  1.12  inches,  with  a 
mean  of  !.(•.").  Their  breadth  I'anges  from  .7(i  to  .>S7  of  an  inch  ;  mean 
breadtii,  .SI.  The  ground  color  is  sometimes  white,  marked  with  tine  reddish- 
brown  dots,  conllncnt  at  (lie  larger  end,  or  forniing  a  broail  ring  aroiuid  the 
crown.  In  others  the  markings  have  a  yellowish-brown  lint.  Sometimes  the 
ground  color  is  a  light  green. 


t^ 


Harporhynchus  rufus,  \ar  longirostris,  (a  can. 

TEXAS  THBASHES. 

Orp/ini.i  !(>ii;iiniK/n\  li.VFli.  If.  Z.  ISliS,  5;"!.  -  In.  Mii;,'.  dc  .'Cool.  18:W,  OU.  |)1.  i.  Tn.vm- 
toiiiii  fi)iiiiirii.iiiY,  ('.Ml.  Wicfjiii.  Anil.  1S47,  i.  '2i'7.  Miiinin  Ittiiiili-iislri^,  .Sci.ati  i;, 
1'.  /.  S.  l>"i(i,  -Jilt  (Conlovii).  J/iir/iiir/iiiiii-/iii.i  /nmiirDs/rix,  Cam.  Miis.  liriii.  IS.lii,  ,s|. 
—  liAiiiii,  liinls  N.  Am.  1S,'.,h,  li.VJ,  |il.  lii.  In.  licv.  41.  -ScL.viKli,  1'.  Z.  S.  lS,"i!i, 
;imt  ;   111.  l^tit,  17i;  (Cily  of  M<x.);   111.  Calal.  ISlll,  >S,  no.   17. 

."^r.  ("llAii.  Siniil:ir  In  //,  nifnx.  tlir  nilims  cif  lini'k  iniirli  il:irl<i'|-.  \Viiii;s  iiiiicll  I'oiinilrd  ; 
.M'CDiiii  iiiiill  .■chillier  lliiiii  llii^  .■iccdiidiirics.  KNposcd  |ii)i-li(ii,  (if  the  hill  as  loiij.'  a.-;  Ilir  lirad  ; 
llic  lower  I'cl^'c  dci'idcdly  dci'invi'd  or  I'oiiravc.  .Miove  rallicr  ilaik  lirowiiisli-riil'oiis ; 
liciu'alli  pall'  riil'niis-w  liilc ;  sirt'akrd  on  llio  .■iidcs  oC  Iho  iii'ck  and  Imdv.  and  across  llic 
lirc'asi,  with  vorv  dark  lirowiiisli-liiai'k,  licai'lv  iiiiiloriii  lliili.lijlioiil,  linicli  darker  (iiaii  in 
rn/'ii.t.  Two  rather  narrow  while  hands  on  the  win;''.  Tlie  eoiieealed  jiortion  of  the 
ipiiil.-i  dark   hrowii.      beiii^tli,    1(1. ."lO;   win^r.    I."";   tail,  .Mill;   larsns,    1   lit. 

Mail  Eastern  Mexico;  norlli  to  IJio  (irancle,  Texa.s.  Cordova,  Sei,.  Ori/aha  (leiii- 
perale  re|.'i<in),  .'^imiciiua.st. 

Specimens  from  the  Ii'ioCrande  to  Mirador  and  ( )rizaba  are  tpn'to  identical, 
with,  of  course,  dilferences  among  individuals.  'I'his  "species"  is  not,  in 
our  oi»inion,  separable  from  the  //.  rii/nn  specilically:  Imt  is  a  race,  repre- 
senting the  latter  in  'he  region  given  above,  where  the  rn/ns  itself  is  never 
found.  The  relations  of  tlies(^  two  forms  are  exactly  paralleled  in  tlii^  Thri/a- 
//iiirns  iKihirlriinnis  and  7'.  In r/itiidiirl.  the  latter  being  nothing  more  than 
the  darker  Southern  representation  of  the  former. 

The  Texas  Thrasher  apjiears  to  behmg  only  to  the  Avifauna  of  the  South- 


40  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIlfDS. 

west.  It  first  appears  ns  a  bird  of  the  valley  of  the  I'io  nmiide,  and  extends 
from  thence  southward  through  Eastern  IMexico  to  (.'ordova  andOrizaba.  In 
Arizona  it  is  replaced  by  H.  patmcri,  H.  Icamtci,  and  H.  crissfifis,  in  Cali- 
fornia by  H.  )'afirini(s,  and  at  ('a]ic  St.  Lucas  by  //.  riiifrcus,  while  in  the 
Unitetl  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  it  is  represented  by  its  nearer 
ally  II.  rufuti. 

IIahits.  The  eggs  of  this  species  are  hardly  distinguishable  from  those 
of  the  couinidii  Urown  Tiirasher  (//.  m/Ks),  of  the  Atlantic  States.  The 
color  of  their  ground  is  a  greenish-white,  which  is  thickly,  and  usually  coni- 
jiletely,  covered  witli  line  markings  of  a  yellowish-brown.  They  have  an 
avenige  length  of  l.l;3  inches,  by  .79  in  breadth.  So  far  as  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  observing,  they  do  not  vary  from  thesi;  measurements  more 
than  two  per  cent  in  length  or  one  per  cent  in  bi'cadth.  Their  nests  are 
usually  a  mere  platform  of  small  sticks  or  coarse  stems,  with  little  or  no 
dei)res.sion  or  rim,  and  are  jilaced  in  low  bushes,  usually  above  the  u]iper 
branches. 

In  regard  to  the  distinctive  habits  of  this  species  I  have  no  information. 


Harporhynchus  cinereus,  X.vmus. 

CAPE  ST.  LUCAS  THRASHDB. 

Ifiiriinrliiiiirliii^  riiinriis,  X.VSH  s,  Tr.  \.  N.  Sc.  l.Si'iil,  2!tS.  —  Haiimi,  I1>.,  '.Wi  ;  licvicw,  Iti. 
-  Sil,.\Ti;i!,  Catal.  IStil,  8,  im.  41).  —  Ki.mot,  Illiist.,  i.  i)l.  i.  —  CiptiPKU,  Birds  Cal.  1. 
1!). 

Sp.  Cn.Mi.  Bill  as  Idiii;  ns  llic  lioail ;  all  the  lateral  outliiios  fronlly  (Icciirvcd  tVoiii  tlio 
l)as('.  T?risll('s  not  very  c()iis|iicii(ms,  Imt  reacliiiiu'  t<>  llif  nostrils,  ^Villf,'s  coiisiiji'ialily 
.slidrtcr  tliaii  the  tail,  iiiildi  roinidcil.  First  jiriiiiary  lirnad.  nearly  hall"  the  leiifrlii  of  llio 
se<'(inil  ;  llie  third  to  the  seventh  <|Mills  nearly  ei|ual,  their  tips  Ibrniinf;  the  onllino  of  a 

frentk' enrve  :   the  s )nd  (piill  shorter  than   the  ninth.     Tail  eonsiileraldy  (,'raduatod,  the 

lateral  fealliers  more  than  an  inch  the  .shortei'.  Lejis  stont :  tarsi  lon;;cr  than  middle  toe, 
dislini'tly  sentellate,  with  seven  scales. 

Ahovo  a.-hy  lirown.  with  perhaps  a  tinjre  (if  rusty  on  the  rnni]);  henealh  liilvons-whili', 
more  lidvoiis  on  the  llaid\s.  inside  of  win;:,  and  erissnm.  Henealh.  exeepi  <'hin,  (hroat, 
and  I'rom  nnddle  of  alidomen  to  erissnm.  with  \v<'ll-delined  V-shaped  spots  of  daik  lirown 
at  ihe  ends  of  the  featl  er.>!,  largest,  across  the  hreasi.  Loral  reijion  lioarv.  Wings  with 
two  mnrow  whitish  hands  across  Ihe  tips  of  greater  and  midille  coverts;  the  ipiills  edged 
externally  with  |),iler.  Outer  three  tail-leathers  with  a  rather  ohsolele  wlnle  patch  ii:  the 
end  of  inner  weli.  and  across  the  lips  of  the  onler. 

Spring  specimens  are  of  rather  purer  white  henealh.  with  the  .spots  mine  clislinct  than 
ns  (le,serih(Ml. 

Length  of  l'J,!l(!()  (skin).  10.00 :  wing,  4.10;  tail.  -t.dr. ;  (irst  primary,  1,<!0;  .s,.eond, 
'J..")0 ;  liill  from  gape,  1.40,  IVoiii  ahove,  1.1.'),  from  nostril,  .1)0;  tarsns,  l.'Jfi;  middli!  toe 
and  ci.'iw,  l.l'J:  claw  alone,  ..'O. 

II.Mi.     Cape  St.  Lneas,  Lower  ('alilornia. 

Tliis  s]rcfics  is  curiously  similar  in  cdldiiition  to  ^nvwoyi/cs'  ininitmiiii^,  from 
which  its  much  larger  size,  much  longer  and  deciirved  bill,  and  the  gradu- 


TURDID.K  — THE  TIIIIUSIIES.  4X 

atcd  tail,  of  course  readily  distiiiguisli  it.  It  agrees  in  some  respects  with 
II.  rnfiis  and  //.  longiroxtrU,  but  is  smaller,  the  bill  longer  and  more  curved ; 
the  upper  parts  are  ashy  olivuceous-browu  instead  of  rul'ous,  etc. 

H.xitiTS.  So  far  as  is  at  present  known  in  regard  to  this  species  it  appears 
to  be  confined  exclusively  to  the  peninsula  of  Lower  California.  It  has,  at 
least,  been  met  with  nowhere  else.  Mr.  Xantus  found  it  cj^uite  numerous 
in  the  vicinity  oi  Cape  St.  Lucas,  in  a  region  wliich,  as  he  descriljes  it,  was 
singularly  unpropitious.  This  was  a  sandy  shore,  extending  about  a  (puirter 
of  a  mile  inland,  whence  a  cactus  desert  stretched  altout  six  miles  u])  to  a 
high  range  of  mountains.  Throughout  this  tract  the  ground  is  c(jvered  with 
a  saline  elHorescence.     There  is  no  fresh  water  within  twenty-eight  miles. 

]\Ir.  Xantus  speaks  of  the  hal)its  of  this  bird  as  being  simiLir  to  those  of 
the  Orcusrojitci  iiionhoinx.  It  was  a  very  abundant  species  at  this  cape,  where 
he  found  it  breeding  among  the  cactus  plants  in  hirge  numbers.  He  men- 
tions that  as  early  as  the  ilate  of  his  arrival  at  the  place,  April  4,  he  found 
them  already  with  full-fledged  young,  and  states  that  they  continued  to 
breed  until  the  middle  of  -July. 

He  was  of  the  impression  that  the  eggs  of  this  si^ecies  more  nearly  re- 
seml)le  tho.se  of  the  connnou  Mocking- IJird  than  any  others  of  this  genus. 
The  aggravatingly  brief  notes  that  accomi)anicd  his  collections  show  tiiat  the 
general  jjosition  of  the  nest  of  this  s^jecies  was  on  low  trees,  shrubs,  and 
most  usually,  cactus  })lants,  and  in  no  instance  at  a  greater  elevation  from 
the  ground  than  four  feet.  Tlieir  nests  were  flat  structures,  having  only  a 
very  slight  depression  in  or  near  their  centre.  They  were  al)out  T)  inches 
in  diameter,  and  were  very  little  more  than  a  nu're  platform. 

The  eggs  vary  somcwliat  in  their  gnuuid  color,  but  exliibit  oidy  .slight 
variations  in  size  or  shape.  Their  greatest  length  is  l.i.'i  inches,  and  their 
average  1.12  inches.  Their  mean  lu'cadtli  is  .77  inch,  and  their  maximum 
.7!)  inch.  The  ground  color  is  a  greenisli-white,  prttfusely  marked  witli 
spots  «>f  mingled  purple  and  brown.  In  others  the  ground  cohn-  is  a  liluish- 
green.  In  s(uiu'  specinu'iis  the  spots  are  of  a  yellowish-brown,  and  in  some 
the  mai'kings  are  much  lighter. 


Harporhynchus  curvirostris,  Caban, 

OBAT  CUBVE-BILL  THBASHEB. 

Ofii/iiiin  riirn'nis/n'.i,  S\v.mns(in,  I'liilo.s.  'S\i\jt.  1S27,  itii'.t  (Ivistcni  Mcxii'i)).  —  M'C.vi.l,,  I'r. 
A.  N.  Sc.  May,  1848,  0:1.  .)fiiiii(ii  fiim'iiis/ri.i,  (liiAV,  OoniTii,  184-1 -4!'.  Twrntitmii 
nirririislrl.i,  HoN.vr.  ('uMs|M'itils,  IS.'id,  '>'7.  Scl.ATKll,  1'.  Z.  S.  lH,'i7,  -I'J.  //iir/iii- 
,/iifiiclii(.s  riin-irtistris,  Caii.  Mum.  Ilciii.  1.  IH.'ii),  81.  —  IJamiii,  Hirils  N.  Am.  ISTiS, 
ar.l,  |.l.  li.  ;  111.  li.'v.  4;-..  -  Hkkkmann,  1'.  li.  H.  Iti'i).  .\.  I'mkc's  U<\>.  IS.V.i,  11.  - 
Scl.ATKIt,  I'.  Z.  S.  IH'.'.l,  Xi'.l  ;  III.  Ciilal.  IHiil,  7.  no.  4(1.  —  DiiKssi'ii,  Il.is,  ISii".,  48;l. 
Pi})iuilorhiiiiis  hirilliiiis,  Ti.mm.  I'l.  (.'nl.  4U.  .'  Tn.mnloiiui  cttula.  W.Mil.Kli,  l.si.s,  18^1, 
r.28. 

6 


42  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Si'.  CriAH.  Expo.sp<l  iiortion  of  tlie  bill  alioiit  as  long  as  thn  head;  considerably 
decurvod.  Above  unifonii  giayisli-browii,  or  light  a.sh ;  beiieatii  dull  white;  the  anal 
region  and  under  tail-coverts  tinged  with  brownish-yellow.  The  under  ]iarts  generally, 
except  the  cliin,  throat,  middle  of  the  belly,  and  under  coverts,  with  rounded  sid)-triangiilar, 
quite  well-detine<l  spots,  much  like  the  back.  These  are  (piite  conlluent  on  the  breast. 
Two  narrow  bauds  on  the  wing-coverts,  and  the  edges  of  primaries  and  alula?,  arc  white. 
The  tail-feathers,  except  the  middle,  are  conspicuously  tipped  with  white.  Length  of 
female,  10  inches;  wing,  4.0i) ;  tail,  4.55  ;  tarsus,  1.21). 

Hah.  Adjacent  regions  of  I'nited  States  and  Alexico,  southward.  Cordova,  Orizaba, 
Mirador;  Mazallan,  Cohma,  Oa.xaca. 

Specimens  from  the  liio  (ivaiide  across  to  Mazatlan  represent  one  species ; 
but  those  i'roin  the  hitter  locality  are  soniewliat  darker  in  colors,  tliongh  this 
may  be  owing,  in  part,  to  the  fact  tli.it  they  are  winter  birds.  Considerable 
differences  in  ])roportions  may  often  be  noticed  between  individuals,  but 
nothing  strikingly  characteristic  of  any  particular  region. 

The  specimens  of  the  ^lazatlan  series  (.')7,32G^,  51,523,  and  51,525 (J) 
have  tails  considerably  longt-r  than  any  of  those  from  tlie  I{io  (irande,  the 
excess  iimounting  in  the  longest  to  nearly  an  inch ;  but  one  from  the  same 
locality  has  it  s/iorfer  thiin  any  of  the  Texas  specimens. 

In  its  perfect  plumage,  this  s])ecies  has  both  rows  of  coverts  distinctly 
tipped  with  white ;  l)ut  in  the  faded  condition  of  midsummer,  the  bands 
thus  ])roduced  are  hardly  discernible,  and  the  spots  below  become  very 
obsolete. 

H.viUTS.  Tii's  interesting  species  appears  to  be  common  in  "Western  Texas, 
the  valley  of  the  l!io  (irande,  and  Western  Mexico.  It  was  met  with  in 
these  regions  on  the  several  railroad  siu'veys,  and  is  described  hy  Dr.  Heer- 
mann  tis  pos.sessing  musical  powers  surpasse  I  by  few  other  birds.  When 
alarmed  it  immediately  hides  itself  in  a  tliick  covert  of  underbrush,  whence 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  dislodge  it.  Its  food  consists  of  fruit  and  berries 
Avhen  in  their  season,  of  insects  iind  their  Itirva',  and  of  worms.  The  c  it 
collects  botii  among  tlie  trees  and  from  the  grouml,  on  the  latter  of  which  it 
s]ieiids  mncli  of  its  time.  ^fr.  J.  11.  Clark  stales  tliat  the  nest  of  this  bird 
is  very  similar  to  tliat  of  the  ^b)cking-!>ird,  Init  is  finer  and  nnich  more  com- 
pact. He  iulds  that  it  is  oi'tener  ibund  among  the  Opuntia  than  elsewhere. 
It  is  a  (piict  bir<l,  ratiier  shy,  and  keeps  closely  within  the  clumps  of  the 
cjiapaiia].  For  a  bird  of  its  si/e  it  makes  an  uiHisual  noises  in  flying.  At 
Iiinggold  liuiracks  'Sir.  Clark's  tent  was  jiitched  under  a  conio-tree  in  MJiich 
there  was  a  nest  of  tlie.se  liirds.  They  were  at  first  .shy  and  seemed  quite 
disposed  to  al)andon  their  nest,  l)ut,  however,  soon  lu-came  accustomed  to 
their  new  neiglibnr,  and  went  nn  with  their  parental  duties.  The  position 
id'  their  nest  had  ''(".ii  very  Judiciously  selected,  for  it  was  during  the  .season 
of  tlie  lilack  li'iiit  of  the  coino,  which  is  somewhat  in  tiie  sjiape  and  size  of 
a  lliiiiibli',  with  a  plcasniil  milky  ])nlp.  These  constituted  their  jirincipal 
food.  Tlic  eggs  in  tins  nesl;  were  live  in  iminlier.  Lieutenant  Coiicli  met 
witii  it  from  Ih'ownsville  to  I>iirango,  wiiere  it  laid  already  paired  as  early  as 


TURDID.E  —  THE   TIIIIUSIIES. 


43 


Fel)ru:iry.  IFo  describes  it  as  e.\cee(liii;>ly  tiune  aud  gentle  in  its  habits,  and 
with  a  sonj,'  reniaikably  nielodicnis  and  attractive.  I'erclied  un  the  topniuMt 
Ijougli  oi'  a  tloweriny  mimosa,  in  the  presence  of  his  consort,  the  male  will 
])our  forth  a  volume  of  must  enchanting  music.  Their  nest  is  generally  very 
nearly  Hat,  measuring  nearly  si.x  inches  in  circumference,  and  scarcely  more 
than  an  inch  in  its  greatest  thickness.  Tt  has  hardly  any  distinct  cavity, 
and  liollows  but  very  slightly  from  the  rim  to  tiie  centre,  its  greatest  depres- 
si(jn  having  barely  the  depth  of  half  an  inch.  The  nests  are  composed  of 
long  coarse  fibrous  roots,  rudely,  but  somewhat  con^jactly  interwoven.  The 
iimer  framework  is  constructetl  of  the  same  materials  intermi.xed  with  the 
finer  stems  of  grasses. 

^[r.  II.  K.  Dre.sser  states  that  in  the  vicinity  of  ]\ratamoras  these  birds  are 
fond  of  fre(iuenting  small  villages,  and  that  he  fre(iuently  Ibund  their  nests 
within  the  gardens  aud  court-yards  of  the  hou.scs,  and  near  the  road. 

The  eggs  of  this  Thrush  vary  considerably  in  size,  ranging  from  1.20  to 
l.();5  inches  in  length,  and  from  .84  to  .77  of  an  inch  in  Itreadth.  Their 
mean  length  is  1.12  inches,  and  their  average  breadth  .80.  They  hav(! 
a  light  green  ground-color,  generally,  though  not  thickly,  covered  with  line 
brown  spots. 


Harporhynchus  curvirostris,  \ar.  palmeri,  liiucavAv. 

PALHEB'S  THBASHER. 

Ilarimrhiim-huscAtrvimtrh,  vnr.  jmlma-i,  liinow.w,  licpoi-t  King's  E.xiu'ditioii,  V,  1872. 

Sp.  Cn.vu.  Bill  ,-ilcn.lur,  iiKHloiiitdy  cuivccl;  fillli  ((uill  loiigiv-^t;  fourtli  and  .^i.xtli  jii.>Jt 
percquilily  .slioilor,  ami  e(iiial ;  .■^cdond  equal  to  nilitii ;  I'uvt  1.5o  Atoviuv  than  lonuust. 
fiiMiiM-al  pliniia.ua'  iiiiilniiii  jiTayisli-iimlier.  paler  below,  l)econiinj,'  almost  dirty  whitisli  on 
Ihe  throat  and  ahdomen  ;  lower  part  of  the  \m'nM  and  ahdonien  with  a  very  lew  Just 
di.seernilde  inxyidar  .specks  of  a  darker  tint;  lower  lail-eoverts  dilute  i-sabella-hrown,  n'lore 
oehraceous  at  their  niar}j:ins  ;  anal  re-ic.n  and  lower  part  of  abdomen  lijrht  oehraeeons. 
No  ban.ls  on  wings,  and  tail-leathers  only  diluted  at  the  tips,  ila.xillary  .stripe  whitish 
with  transverse  bars  of  dnsky.     '•  Ii-is  (nan^-c." 

tf(Xo.  8,I2M,  "New  J[exieo"  =  .\ri/.ona,  Dr.  Ileerniann) :  wiufr,  4.;!0 ;  tail,  5.00; 
bill  (from  nostril).  1.0(1;  tarsns,  I.IJO;  middle  toe  (wilhoul  elaw),  1.00.  9  ( I!),7'J:1,  ('ami') 
("bant,  Tue.son,  Arizona,  ^[ar(■ll  !'_>,  lS(i7  ;  Dr.  K.  I'ahner ;  with  e--s)  :  win-'  1. 1.");  tail, 
4.8.-);  bill,  .!).-);   tar.sns,  l.'J.-);   middle  toe,  .90. 

ll.vu.     Eastern  Arizona  (Tucson). 

This  very  curious  race  S(>ems  to  unite  the  characters  of  ciirrirustris  and 
Iccoiitci ;  in  fact,  it  is  so  exactly  intermediate  between  the  two,  that  we  are 
abiiost  in  doubt  as  to  which  it  is  most  ntiarly  related.  Having  the  stout  form 
and  liirger  size,  as  well  as  tiie  spots  on  the  abdomen,  of  the  former,  it  has  also 
the  uniform  colors  and  general  appearance  of  hroufrL  Were  it  not  that  the 
nest  and  egg.s,  with  the  parent  accompanying,  had  been  receivt'd  from  Dr. 
I'almer,  we  might  be  tempted  to  consider  it  a  hybri.l  between  these  two 


44  XORTH  AMKHICAN  BIRDS. 

species,  its  Imliitat  lieiiig  exactly  between  them,  too.  We  have  great  ])leasiire 
in  dedicating  this  curidus  I'oi'ni  to  Dr.  Edward  I'ahner,  who  has  added  very 
much  to  our  knowledge  of  the  Natural  History  of  the  interesting  region 
where  the  jn'osent  bird  is  found. 

L>rsriq>tinii  of  iit'.i/  tiiiil  ei/i/s.  —  (1.'),.'511,  t'aiiii)  Griiiit,  Arizona;  Dr.  E.  Piiliiii'i).  Nc.^it 
very  bulky. — !)  iiifhcs  in  lu'ii;lit  liy  ti  in  widlii.  Vciy  olaljonitely  constiiiclcil.  The  tiiii- 
iifst,  of  synmu'trical  form,  iuid  coniposiod  of  thin  };ras.s-.stalks  and  lia.x-likt'  lihro.s,  is 
cucIoslmI  in  an  ontur  casi"  of  tiiorny  .sticks;,  tliiidy  but  .strongly  jiut  toj^ethcr.  This  inner 
iH'st  has  a  (U'cp  cavity  nn-asiniiif;;  4  inches  in  dianiclci-  by  li  in  depth. 

Egjrs  (two  in  nnnibcr)  measure  l.IG  by  .8.") ;  in  siiai)e  exactly  like  tho.so  of  ('.  ciirrlrox- 
Irin ;  i)ale  lilue  (deeper  than  in  ciirriroslri.i'),  rather  thinly  s|>rinkled  with  minute,  but 
distinct  dots  of  pale  .sopia-browii.     Markings  more  distinct  than  tho.se  ofcuri'iroslris.    II.  R. 

The  nest  was  situated  in  a  cactus-bush,  four  and  a  half  i'eet  above  the 
ground. 

Dr.  Palmer  remembers  nothing  s])ecial  concerning  its  habits,  e.\ee])t  that 
the  bird  was  very  shy,  tind  kept  auich  on  the  gi'ound,  where  it  was  seen 
running  beneath  the  bushes. 


Harporhynchus  redivivus,  var.  lecontei,  ]5().n.\i'. 

LECONTE'S  THRASHEB. 

Toxostomii  liriiiiici,  l,.\wi;.  .\un.  N.  Y.  I.yc.  V,  Sept.  1S,")1,  Id!)  (Fort  Yiniia).  Ilnr/io- 
rhimchnx  lecontei,  1!uN.\I'.  C.  It.  X.WIll,  1854,  57.  -lu.  Notes  Dclattre,  39.— 
Baiuu,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  35(1,  pi.  1  ;   In.  licvicw,  47.  —  Cooi'EI!,  Birds  Cul.  I,  17. 

Sf.  Cil.Mt.  Bill  much  curved.  Sccoml  (piill  about  ci|ual  to  the  tenth  ;  exposed  portion 
of  the  first  more  than  half  the  lougest  ;  outer  tail-feather  an  inch  shortest.  General  color 
above  light  grayish-nsh,  beneath  nnich  paler;  the  cliiu  and  throat  above  almost  white; 
the  sides  behind  brownish-yellow  or  pale  rusty-yellow  ash,  of  which  color  is  the  crissum 
and  anal  legion.  Tail-feathers  rather  dark  brown  on  the  under  surface,  lighter  above; 
the  outer  edges  and  lips  ol' exterior  ones  oliscurely  jialer.     Quills  nearly  like  the  back. 

II.M).     GilalSivcr;   Fort  Yuma;    Fort  Mojave. 

Since  tlie  description  of  the  type,  a  .second  sjiecimen  (40,71  S^J,  Fort 
Mojave,  20  miles  from  Colorado  liiver,  Se])t.  30,  ISOo)  has  been  obtained 
liy  Dr.  C'oues.  This  skin  dill'ers  slightly  from  the  type  in  size,  being 
somewhat  larger,  measuring,  wing  ."i.HO,  tail  ').'.W,  bill  (from  nostril)  l.Oo; 
while  the  other  measures,  wing  I!. 70,  tail  4.70,  bill  .08.  This  dillerence  in 
size  very  )>robably  represents  that  between  the  se.\os,  the  type  most  likely 
being  a  female,  though  the  se.\  is  not  stated.  Owing  to  the  diHerent  seasons 
in  which  the  two  specimens  were  obttiined,  they  diller  somewhat  in  plu- 
mage also.  Dr.  Coues's  specimen  is  somewiiat  the  darker,  and  the  plumage 
has  a  softer,  more  blended  asi)ect,  and  a  more  tishy  tinge  of  color;  the 
otihraeeous  of  the  crissal  region  is  also  slightly  deeper.  No  other  ditl'erences 
are  apiirecitdile. 

Il.viiiTs,     Lecoiite's  Thrasher   is  a  new  and  comjiaratively  little  known 


TURDID.E  —  THE  THliUSIIES. 


45 


species.  A  sinyle  spefiinoii  was  obtiiined  by  J)r.  Txjcoiite  near  Fort  Yuma, 
and  described  by  Mr.  Lawruuue  in  18jI,  and  niuiaiiied  uniiiuu  for  many 
years.  In  18G1  Dr.  Cooper  presented  a  paper  to  the  Calilbriua  Academy 
of  Sciences,  in  which  this  bird  is  given  among  a  list  of  those  new  to  that 
State.  He  tlien  mentions  tiiat  he  found  it  common  about  tlie  .Mojave  liiver, 
and  tliat  he  procured  two  specimens. 

Dr.  Cones,  in  his  vahiable  paper  on  the  birds  of  Arizona,  speaks  of  ol)tain- 
ing,  in  IStlo,  a  .sjjecimen  of  this  rare  .si)ecies  on  a  dry  plain  covered  thickly 
witli  mes(piite  and  cactus,  near  Fort  Mojave.  Tins  bird  was  very  sl:y  and 
restless,  Hutteretl  hurriedly  from  one  cactus  to  another,  until  he  at  last  shot 
it  where  it  seemed  to  fancy  itself  hidden  among  the  thick  fronds  of  a  large 
yucca.  Its  large  stout  feet  admirably  adapt  it  for  its  partially  terrestrial 
life,  anil  it  apparently  spends  nuich  of  its  life  upon  the  ground,  where  it 
runs  rapidly  and  easily.  Its  Hight  he  describes  as  swift  but  desultory,  and 
accompanied  by  a  constant  flirting  of  the  tail.  He  considers  this  species  as 
inhabiting  the  whole  valley  of  the  Colorado  ami  Cila,  and  thinks  that  it 
does  not  leave  the  vicinity  of  these  streams  for  the  mountains. 

Dr.  Coojier  found  a  nest  of  this  .species,  but  without  eggs,  built  in  a  yucca, 
and  similar  to  that  of  //.  mli virus.  In  his-IJeport  on  tlie  IJirds  of' Cali- 
fornia, Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  finding  this  bird  common  on  the  deserts,  along 
the  route  between  the  Colorado  Valley,  wlierever  tliere  was  a  thicket  of  low 
bushes  surrounded  by  .sand-hills.  Its  notes,  lial)its,  and  general  appearance 
were  like  those  of  H.  rcdivkuH. 


Harporhynchus  redivivus,  c.vu.vn 

CALIFORNIA  THBASHEE. 

Harpvx  rcdirn;,,  (i.v.MliKl.,  I'r.  A.  \.  S.  II,  Au^'.  184,-.,  -JtM.  Tamst.m,,,  mlirirn,  r.AMliKt,, 
J.  A.  N.  Sc.  2.1  .srr.  1,  1S47,  42.  ^-  C'.vs.siN,  lllust.  I,  l.sr,5,  2(;o,  i.l.  .xlii.  jr,n;m-/nin- 
rA».v  rn/n-in,.-.;  Caii.vm.s,  Aicliiv  Natui-  1848,  '.kS.  —  |{.mui.,  Binls  X.  Am.  lsr.8,  ;!4!)  ; 
Kfv.  48.  -  Sci  ATi;ii,  1>.  Z.  .S,  18J!I,  ;):}!!.- Ciori-.n,  Hints  Oil.  I,  1.-,. 


.^p.  t'llAii.  WiiiLMiiiicli  loiiii.lf.l;  til,.  simoimI  ,|iiill  shorter  tliuii  tho  swoiidai-ics.  Tail 
imicli  t;TO(liiiilf(l.  IJill  iiiiicli  .Icciii-viMl.  l,,i|o-,.|'  than  the  head.  Above  hrowiiish-olive. 
without,  any  .^^ha.le  of -iwii ;  beneath  pale  I'iinianion.  li-hte.<t  on  the  throat,  ,leei)eninj,^ 
yi-aihially  into  .-i  hrowiii.sh-niron.s  on  the  nnder  t.iil-eoveit.^*.  The  foi'e  iiart  of  tho  hivii.Jt 
and  .sides  of  tho  body  brown-olive,  lighter  than  the  back.  An  obseure  ashy  snpereiliary 
stripe,  and  another  liffhtor  beneath  the  eye.  Ear-eoverts  and  an  iiidistinot  ui'a.xillary  stripe 
(lark  brown  ;  the  shafts  of  the  Ibiiner  whitish.  En.ls  and  tips  of  tail-foatliers  obsoletoly 
paler.     Leiifrth,  ll..',()  inehes  ;   winir,  4.20  ;  tud,  5.75 ;   tarsus,  1.5,5. 

IIah.     Coast  reifjon  olCaliliirnia. 

Hadits.  The  Californiii  Thrasher  a])peurs  to  have  a  somewlnit  rtistricted 
distribution,  being  eonii  -d  to  the  coiist  region  (jf  Calil'ornia,  where,  ho\rever, 
it  is  (piite  iibundiint.  It  was  first  met  witli  by  Dr.  C.ambel,  near  Monterey! 
The  specimens  were  obtained  on  the  ground  where  they  were  searching  for 


46  KOUTII  AMHRICAN  BIRDS. 

coleopterous  insects.  Dr.  Ileerinaiui  afterwards  found  this  bird  abundant 
in  the  southern  jiart  of  (,'aUfornia.  It  was  ditlicult  of  ajiproach,  diving  into 
tiie  tliick  bushes,  running  some  distance  on  tlie  ground,  and  becoiniug  alter- 
wards  unapproacliable.  He  si)eaks  of  its  song  as  a  flood  of  melody  equalled 
only  by  the  song  of  tlie  Mocking- IJird  {Mimus puliiijliitlus).  Colonel  McC'all 
also  describes  its  song  as  of  exquisite  sweetness,  "  placing  it  almost  beyond 
rivalry  among  the  countless  songsters  tliat  enliven  the  woods  of  America." 
Jle  also  states  that  it  is  as  retiring  and  simide  in  its  manners  as  it  is  brilliant 
in  song. 

In  the  character  of  its  flight  it  is  said  to  strongly  resemble  the  Brown 
Thraslier  (//.  riiftis)  of  the  Eastern  States.  Their  harsh,  scolding  notcfs, 
wlien  their  nest  is  approaclied,  their  motions  and  attitudes,  are  all  very 
similar  to  those  of  //.  vuJ'uh  under  like  circumstances.  Colonel  McCall 
ranks  the  song  of  this  species  as  far  sui)erior  to  that  of  any  other  Tinnish. 
Without  ])ossessing  the  powerful  voice  or  imitative  laculties  of  the  Mock- 
ing-Bird,  its  iu)tes  are  described  as  iiaving  a  liquid  mellowness  of  tone,  with 
a  clearness  of  expression  and  volubility  of  utterance  that  cannot  be  sur- 
])asse(l. 

A  nest  of  this  bird  i'ound  liy  Dr.  lleernuinu  was  conqiosed  of  coarse  twigs, 
and  lined  with  slender  roots,  and  not  very  carefully  constructed.  Mr.  Hep- 
burn writes  that  a  nest  found  by  him  was  in  a  thick  bush  about  five  feet 
from  the  ground.  It  was  a  very  untidy  alfair,  a  mere  pliittor:n  of  sticks, 
almost  as  carelessly  put  together  as  tiuit  of  a  i)igeon,  in  which,  tliough  not 
in  tlie  centre,  was  a  shallow  depression  aliout  4  inches  in  diameter,  lined 
with  tine  roots  and  gra.ss.  It  contained  two  eggs  with  a  blue  ground  thickly 
covered  witli  soot-colored  spots  conthu'nt  at  tlie  larger  end,  and  in  coloring 
not  unlike  tiiosc  of  the  Tunliiti  KMnlitttix.  The  eggs  measured  1.19  inches 
by  .81  of  an  inch.  Dr.  (\)oi)er  gives  tlieir  measurement  as  I.IO  of  an  incli 
liy  .8.1  Two  eggs  belonging  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  ("^,040,  a  and  b) 
measure,  one  l.l!)  by  .81,  tlie  other  1.14  liy  .U.S.  The  former  has  a  blui.sli- 
green  ground  spar.sely  s])otted  with  olive-lirowii  markings  ;  the  other  has  a 
ground  of  a  light  yellowisii-greeii,  witli  numerous  spots  of  a  russet  lirown. 

The  general  cliaracter  of  their  nest  is,  as  described,  a  coarse,  rudely  con- 
structed platform  of  sticks  and  coai.se  grass  and  mosses,  with  but  a  very 
slight  deim'ssiou.  Occasionally,  Iiowever,  nests  of  this  bird  are  more  care- 
fully and  elal)oratcly  maile  One  (l."),(l72)  obtained  near  Monterey,  by  Dr. 
Canlield,  lias  a  diameter  of  0  iiudies,  a  height  of  .S,  with  an  oblong-oval 
cavity  2  inclies  in  deptli.  Its  outside  Mas  an  interweaving  of  leaves,  stems, 
and  mosses,  and  its  lining  fine  long  filirous  roots. 

These  birds  are  cliietly  fomid  frequenting  the  dense  chaparral  that  lines 
tlie  Iiillsides  of  California  valleys,  forming  thicket.s,  conqiosed  of  an  almost 
iiupenetrable  growth  of  thorny  shrubs,  and  affording  an  inviting  shelter. 
In  such  jilaces  they  reside  througiiout  tlie  year,  feeding  upon  iiis(!cts,  for 
the  procuring  of  which  tlieir  long  curved  bills  are  admirably  adapted,  as 


TFRDID/E  — TIIK  TIirjTSTTES.  47 

nlsn  upon  the  berries  wliicli  genoniUy  aboniul  in  tlii'se  places.  Their  nests 
usimlly  contain  tliree  eggs.  Dr.  ('ooper  states  that  their  loud  and  varied 
song  is  freiiucntly  intermingled  with  imitations  of  other  l)irds,  though  tiie 
general  impression  appears  to  be  that  they  a  ■■;  not  imitative,  and  do  not 
deserve  to  be  called,  as  they  oi'ten  are,  a  mockinj^-bird. 


Harporhynchus  crissalis,  lIiiNin. 

BED-VENTED  THBASHEB. 

Ifnr/m-liiniclius  rrissnli.i,  IlKNltv,  I'r.  A.  N.  So.  May,  isns.  —  B.MliD,  llirds  N.  Am.  1858, 
350,  |)1.  Ix.vxii  ;  litnii'w,  47. — Cikh'ki!,  Birds  Cal.  i,  18. 

Sp.  Cii.xk.  Rcroiiil  (inill  iiliout  as  loiipf  as  the  .iccondarics.  Bill  iiiuoh  curved  ;  iDiigcr 
than  tlio  lioad.  Al)ovo  olive  hiowii,  with  a  faint  .»iiiado  of  <ri'ay ;  Ix'noath  nearly  uiiiforni 
lirowiiish-giay,  iniieh  paler  than  tlio  baek,  i)a.s.>iing  inson.sibly  into  white  on  the  (.'liin  ;  lint 
the  und(!r  tail-coverts  dark  browiiish-rnl'ons,  and  ahrni)tly  defnied.  There  is  a  hlaek 
niaxilliirv  stripe  cnttinjr  oil'  a  white  one  above  it.  There  do  not  appear  to  be  any  other 
stripes  about  the  hea<l.  There  are  no  bands  on  the  winj;s,  and  the  tips  and  outer  edfjes 
of  the  tail-feathers  are  very  ini'ons])ienously  lii,diter  than  the  reuiaiiiiiii,'  portion.  Lenj,'th, 
11  inches;   win,!;,  4.00  ;   tail,  o.SO  ;  tarsus.  I.'.','). 

II.Mi.  Itegion  of  tho  Gila  llivor,  to  Rocky  Mountains;  Southern  Utah  (St.  George, 
Dr.  I'aliiU'r). 

A  second  sjiecimen  (ll,r).3;i)  of  this  mre  species  is  larger  than  the  type, 
but  otherwise  agrees  with  it.     Its  dimensions  are  as  follows :  — 

l,eu<,'th  before  .'ikinning,  12.r)0;  of  .skin,  12.50;  wiiifr,  3.00;  tail,  (i.-'jO  ;  its  frraduation, 
1.45;  fust  quill,  1.50;  second,  .41;  bill  from  forehead  (chord  ol' curv(>),  1.05,  Iroin  i;ape, 
1.75,  from  nostril,  1.30 ;  curve  of  culmcn,  1.1)2  ;  height  of  hill  at  nostril,  .22  ;  tarsn.s, 
l.-TO;  midtllc  toe  anil  claw,  1.12. 

The  bill  of  this  species,  though  not  fputc  so  long  as  in  ndivirna,  when 
mitst  develo]H'd,  is  almost  as  much  curved,  and  much  more  slender,  —  the 
depth  at  nostrils  being  but  .22  instead  of  .20.  The  size  of  this  specimen  is 
equal  to  the  largest  of  rn/iririi.'<  (:?,9.'{2) ;  the  tail  absolutely  longer.  The 
feet  are,  however,  considerably  smaller,  he  claws  esi)ecially  so  ;  the  tarsus 
meastu'es  btit  l..S(),  instead  of  1.52  ;  the  middle  claw  .29,  instead  of  .'Mi. 
With  these  differences  in  form,  however,  it  would  bo  impossible  to  separate 
the  two  generically. 

A  third  specimen  (No.  00,9.58  9  ,  St.  (Jeorge,  Utah,  June  9, 187(1),  with  nest 
and  eggs,  has  recently  been  obtained  by  Dr.  Palmer.  This  sjiecimen,  being 
a  femtde,  is  considerably  smaller  than  the  type,  measuring  only :  wing,  :?.9(l ; 
tail,  0.00;  bill,  from  nostril,  l.lo.  The  plumage  is  in  the  burnt  sunnuer 
condition,  and  has  a  jieculiar  reddish  cast. 

Haiuts.  Of  this  rare  Tlirush  little  is  known.  So  lar  as  observed,  its 
habits  appear  to  be  ncnirly  identical  witli  those  of  the  Californian  .species 
(//!  n'(liririis).  It  is  found  associated  in  the  same  localities  with  If.  Icroii/ci, 
which  iilso  it  tippears  to  very  closely  resemble  in  all  respects,  so  far  as  ob- 


48 


NORTH  AMKHICAN  niKDS. 


served.  Tlw  first  spociiiicii  was  ol)tiiiiio(l  by  Dr.  T.  ('.  Henry,  near  Mirnbres, 
and  described  by  him  in  M>y,  ISo.S,  in  the  I'roceednij^s  of  the  IMiikdelphia 
Academy  of  Sciences.  A  .second  specimen  was  ol)taine(l  by  H.  B.  Miili- 
liauscn,  at  Fort  Yuma,  in  ISG.'!.  Dr.  Cones  did  not  observe  it  at  Fort 
Wliijiple,  liut  tiiinks  its  range  identical  with  that  of  /f.  Ivnmtvi. 

Dr.  Cooper  found  tliis  spcicies  quite  conimou  at  Fort  Mojave,  but  so  very 
shy  that  lie  only  succeeiled  in  shootinj^  one,  after  nuich  watrliin;^  i'or  it. 
Their  soulj,  general  habits,  and  nest  he  speaks  of  as  being  in  every  way 
similar  to  those  of  //.  ndirunia. 

The  eggs  remained  unknown  until  Dr.  K.  Palmer  had  the  good  fortune  to 
find  tliem  at  St.  (!eorge,  Southern  I'tah,  .lune  8,  LS7l).  The  nest  was  an 
oblong  Hat  structure,  containing  only  a  very  slight  deju-ession.  It  was  very 
rudely  constructed  externally  of  coarse  sticks  (piite  loosely  jait  together ; 
the  inner  nest  is  made  of  tiucr  materials  of  the  .same.  The  base  of  lliis 
nest  was  i'l  Indies  long,  and  7  in  breadth  ;  the  inner  nest  is  circular,  with  a 
diameter  of  A\  inches. 

The  eggs  are  of  an  oblong-oval  sliai)e,  one  end  being  a  little  less  obtuse 
tlian  the  other.  In  length  they  vary  from  l.l.'i  to  1.12  inches, and  in  breadtii 
frcrn  .iS4  to  .82  of  an  inch.  Tiiey  are  of  a  uniform  lilue  color,  similar  to  the 
eggs  of  the  common  itobin  {TKn/ns  iiu'ifnitdrins),  only  a  little  paliM'  or  of  a 
lighter  tint.  In  the  total  absence  of  markings  they  differ  remarkably  from 
tiiose  of  all  other  species  of  the  genus. 


Ckms  MIMUS,    Hoir. 

.Vhniis,  noiK,  Isis,  Oit.  IS'iii,  ".•"'i.     (Typi'  Turifus  poliiijlii/tii.f,  Linn.) 
()r/i/nii.i,  Sw.MNsiiN,  Ziidl.  .loiir.  Ill,  l.s:i7.  111".     (Saiiif  lypc) 

(Jkx.  CiiAii.     Hill  not  niiu-li  iiioiv  Ihau  hall'  thu  luii^lli  of  tlic  liciul ;  pfpiitly  docnirvcd 

lioiii  tliu  liiise,  iiotuliod  at  tip; 
(.•oiiiiiii,><.-iur('  curvi'd.  Goiiy.s 
i<lraif,'lit,  or  .^liylitly  cDiifavc. 
l{iutal  hristles  (piito  well  do- 
volopi'd.  Wiii<;s  rather  short- 
er than  the  tail.  Fiist  priiiiai'v 
ahtnit  eipial  to,  oi-  rather  nioru 
than,  hall'  the  second;  tliinl, 
I'onrlh,  and  lillh  (|nills  nearly 
I'lpial,  sixth  .seari'ely  .shorter. 
Tail  eonsiderahly  frradiinted  ; 
the  fealliers  still',  rather  nar- 
row, esjiecially  the  outer  wehs, 
lateral  feathers  about  three 
(piarters  of  an  ineh  the  short- 
er in  th(>  type.     Tarsi  lon;j-er 


3Ihmis  futhjiilttttus 


than  middle  toe  and  claw  hy  rather  less  than  an  additional  claw ;   tarsi  conspienously  aii< 
slronjily  .scutella.e;  liroad  plates  seven. 


TUUUID.K  —  THE  TH1UJ8IIES. 


49 


Of  this  <:ft'iuis  tliero  aio  many  sjiecios  in  Anu-iicii,  iiltliou;^li  lait  one  occurs 
witiiiii  tliu  limits  of  the  I'liitcd  States. 

The  sin<,'le  North  American  s})ecies  M.  jiafi/f/fotfKs  is  asliy  brown  above, 
wliite  beneath;  wings  and  tail  black,  the  I'urmer  nmcii  varied  with  white. 


Mimus  polyglottus,  r.oii:. 

MOCKIKO-BIBD. 

Tkh/iis  ]iohiij!otli(.i,  FilNN.  Syst.  Nut.  Idtli  t'd.  17")8,  lil'.l  ;  12tli  cil.  17rtti,  '203.  —  .V/»n/.'! 
jHih/ij/o/tii.'.;  Hon;,  Isis,  18-2(),  ii72.  -  Sclatki;,  1".  Z.  S.  Is.'.iJ,  2V2.  -  -  In.  185!t,  340.— 
In.  Ciital.  18()1,  8,  no.  r.l.  — Bamm),  liinls  N.  Am.  ]8r)8,  ;U-i.  —  In.  liov.  48.— 
SAMri-.i.s,  l(i7.  —  C'ooPEH,  Hiiils  Cnl.  I,  21.  —  (iiTSi)l.Aiii,  Iti'pi'itoiio,  IStiS,  230  (CuUi). 
—  T)i!i:ssi:i!,  Iliis,  ISfi.'i,  230.  —  ("ouK.s,  I'r.  A.  N.  Sc.  ISOii,  05  (Ai-izoim).  !  Orp/icns 
/iiicii/i/iriix,  Vl(ii>l!.s  ZodI.  IJci'clicy,  1830. 

l"i;,'iiivs  :  \Vll.s(iN,  Am.  Orii.  II.  1810,  pi.  .\,  li},'.  1.-  -Aui).  Om.  Hiog.  I,  1831,  pi.  x.\i. — 
In.  Hinls  Amir.  II,  1841,  pi.  137. 

,'<r.  CiiAU.  Tliirit  ami  f'oiii'tli  quills  longest ;  sucoiul  about  eijual  to  eighth;  tho  lir.st 
liiiHiir  MKirr  tliiwi  half  llic  .-icrouil.  Tail  cou^iili'iahly  {rfaduatod.  Aliovo  ashy  hrown,  tlie 
t'calhcis  very  olisolclcly  ilarkcr  ccutrally,  anil  towards  the  light  pluuilicous  downy  basal 
])ortion  (scarcely  apprccialilc,  except  when  the  feathers  are  lifted).  'I'he  under  parts  are 
while,  with  a  faint  lirnwnish  tinge,  except  on  the  chin,  and  with  a  .shade  of  a.sli  acro.s.s 
till'  bieast.  There  is  a  ))al(>  superciliary  stripe,  but  the  lores  are  dusky.  The  wings  and 
tail  are  dark  brown,  nearly  black,  except  the  leaser  wing-coverts,  which  are  like  the  back; 
the  niidille  and  greater  tippcMl  with  white.  li>rniing  two  bands;  the  basal  jiortion  of  the 
primaries  wliite  ;  most  extended  on  the  innc>r  primaries.  The  outer  tail-fealiiiu' is  white, 
sometimes  .■\  little  mottled;  the  seconii  is  mostly  white,  exci'pt  on  the  outer  web  ami 
towards  th<'  base;  the  third  with  a  wnile  spot  on  th(>  end;  the  rest,  except  the  middle, 
very  .slightly  or  not  at  all  tipped  wit'i  white.  The  bill  and  legs  are  black.  Length,  O.oO; 
wing,  4..")((;  tail,  .").(M». 

Youitij.  iSimilar.  but  distinctly  -potted  with 
dusky  on  the  breast,  and  obsoletely  on  the  back. 

Had.  Xorth  America,  from  ab(.ut  4(1^  (rare 
in  Ma.ssachusetts.  Samuels),  soutli  to  Mexico. 
Said  to  occiu'  in  Cuba. 

The  jMocking-Ilirds  are  closely  allied, 
requiring  careful  compiirison  to  distin- 
giiisli  thtnn.  A  near  idly  is  ^^.  (irjiJuim, 
of  Jamaica,  but  in  this  the  outer  feather 
is  white,  and  the  I'd,  :'.d,  and  4th  tail- 
feathers  are  marked  like  the  1st,  2d,  and 
.■)d  i>f  ji(j/i/f//(if/ifs,  resjiectiveiy. 

We  have  examined  one  hundred  tuul 
fourteen  specimens,  of  the  present  species, 
the  .series  embracing  laige  mimbers  from 
Florida,  the  l!io  (irande.  Cape  St.  Lucas,  and  Mazatlan,  and  numenms 
sjiecimeiis  from  intermediate  lucidities.  The  slight  degree  of  variation 
7 


Miwifs  poty^lnltits. 


50  NORTFT  AMi:RI('A>r  lURDS. 

inanifestcd  in  tliis  iinincnso  scM'ics  is  iviilly  snrin'isini,' ;  we,  ciiii  discover 
111)  (liili'ri'iico  of  color  tlint  dons  not  iU'ImmkI  on  ii;,'<',  sex,  sciison,  or  the 
individual  (tIioiij;li  tlic  Viiiiiitions  of  tlic  latter  kind  are  exct'cdinuly  rare, 
and  when  noticed,  very  sliylit).  Altlioiii,di  tlio  avera.i^c  of  Wcstci'U  six'ci- 
nicns  have!  sli^liily  loiii^cr  tails  tlian  Eastern,  a  Florida  example  (No. 
r)4,8r)(),(?.  Enterprise,  Kelt.  1!»),  lias  a  tail  as  loiij,'  as  that  of  the  htngest- 
tailed  Western  one  (Xo.  8,1(15,  Fort  Vnina,  (!ila  Kivcr,  Dec).  Specimens 
from  Colima,  Mirador,  Orizaba,  and  Mazatlan  are  (juite  identical  with 
Northern  ones. 

Hahit.s.  The  ^[ockin,i,'-T>ird  is  distributed  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  from 
^rassachnsetts  to  Florida,  and  is  also  found  to  the  I'acific.  On  the  latter 
coast  it  exhibits  cinlain  vaiiatiuus  in  forms,  but  hardly  cniuugh  to  se])arate  it 
as  a  distinct  sjiecics.  It  is  liy  no  means  a  common  bird  in  New  Enyhind, 
but  instances  of  its  breedinj,'  as  far  north  as  Sjiringiield,  Mass,  are  of  con- 
stant occnrrcMice,  and  a  single  individual  was  seen  by  Mr.  I'oardman  near 
Calai.s,  ^[e.  It  is  met  witli  every  year,  more  or  less  frequently,  on  Long 
Island,  and  is  more  common,  but  l»y  no  means  abundant,  in  New  Jersey.  It 
is  found  abundantly  in  every  Southern  State,  and  throughout  Mexico.  It 
has  also  been  taken  near  drinnell,  Towa. 

A  warm  climate,  a  low  country,  and  the  vicinity  of  the  sea  ap]iear  to  be 
most  congenial  to  their  nature.  "Wilson  found  them  less  numerous  west  of 
the  Alleghany  than  on  the  eastern  side,  in  the  same  jiarallels.  Throughout 
the  winter  he  met  with  them  in  the  Southern  States,  feeding  on  the  berries  of 
the  red  cedar,  myrtle,  holly,  etc.,  with  wiiich  tlie  swampy  tliickcts  abounded. 
They  feed  also  upon  winged  insects,  -which  they  are  very  expert  in  catching. 
In  Louisiana  they  remain  throughout  the  entire  year,  approaching  farm- 
houses and  plantations  in  the  winter,  and  living  about  the  gardens  and  out- 
liou.ses.  They  may  be  fre(|uently  .seen  jierched  ujion  the  roofs  of  houses  and 
on  the  chimney-tops,  and  are  always  full  of  life  and  animation.  AVlien  the 
weather  is  mild  the  old  males  may  be  heard  singing  with  as  much  sjiirit  as 
in  tlie  sjiring  or  summer.  They  are  much  more  familiar  than  in  the  more 
northern  States.     In  (Jeorgia  they  do  not  begin  to  sing  until  Febi'uary. 

Tlie  vocal  powers  of  the  Mocking-Bird  exceed,  both  in  their  imitative 
notes  and  in  their  natural  song,  those  of  any  other  s])ecies.  Their  voice  is 
full,  strong,  and  musical,  and  caj)al)le  of  an  almost  endless  variation  in  niod- 
idation.  The  M'ild  scream  of  the  P^agle  and  the  .soft  notes  of  the  IJluebird 
are  repeated  with  exactness  and  with  apjiarently  e(pial  i'acility,  while  both  in 
force  and  .sweetness  the  Mockiiig-liird  will  often  imin-ove  upon  tlie  originaL 

The  song'  of  the  IMockiiig-Uird  is  not  albigetlier  imitative.  His  natural 
notes  are  bold,  rich,  and  full,  and  are  varieil  almost  without  limitation. 
They  are  frequently  interspersed  with  imitations,  and  both  are  uttered  with 
a  rajiidity  and  eiii|diasis  tliat  can  liardly  be  equalled. 

The  Mocking-lhrd  readily  becomes  accustomed  to  confinement,  and  loses 
little  of  the  [lower,  energy,  or  variety  of  its  song,  but  oi'ten  much  of  its  sweet- 


TUIIDID.K  — TIIK  TlIllUSlIErf.  51 

ness  ill  a  domnstieatod  state.  Tlio  iiiiii,i,'liiig  of  unmusical  s(-iui(ls,  like  the 
f'l'owinn'  of  clocks,  iho  (.'arklinj^  dI'  lii'iis,  or  tlKs  crt'iikini;-  of  ii  whccllnuTow, 
wliili!  lliiiy  adel  to  the  variety,  necessarily  detracts  .'Voui  the  beauty  ot  his 
son;,'. 

Tiiu  food  of  the  ]\Ioekinj,'-15ird  is  (^hietly  insects,  their  larva',  worms, 
spiders,  etc.,  and  in  the  winter  of  herries,  in  ^reat  variety.  They  are  said 
to  lie  V(M'y  fond  of  the  gmpe,  and  to  he  very  destructive  to  this  iruit.  Mr. 
(f.  C.  Taylor  (Ibis,  1802,  ]>.  ll'.H)  mentions  an  instance  that  came  to  his 
kuo\vledj,n',  of  a  ])ersou  living  near  St.  Auj^ustiue,  Florida,  wlio  .shot  no  less 
than  eleven  hundred  Mockiiig-Birds  in  a  single  season,  and  buried  them  at 
tlie  roots  of  his  ;4rai)e-vines. 

Several  successful  attempts  have  been  ma<le  to  imhice  the  Mocking-ljird 
to  rear  their  young  in  a  state  of  conliuement,  and  it  has  been  shown  to  be, 
by  proper  management,  i)erfectly  practicable. 

In  Te.vas  and  Florida  the  ^tloeking-Hird  nests  early  in  March,  young  hirds 
appearing  (varly  in  A]iril.  In  (leorgia  and  the  Carolinas  they  are  two  weeks 
later.  In  I'enn.sylvania  they  nest  about  the  l(Jth  of  May,  and  in  Xew  York 
and  Xew  England  not  until  the  second  week  of  June.  They  select  various 
situations  for  tlie  nest;  solitary  thorn-bushes,  an  almost  impenetral)le  thicket 
of  branililes,  an  orange-tree,  or  a  holly-bush  ajjpear  to  bj  favorite  localities. 
They  often  build  near  the  farm-houses,  and  the  nest  is  rarely  nu)re  than  seven 
feet  from  the  ground.  The  base  of  tlie  nest  is  usually  a  rudely  constructed 
platform  of  coarse  sticks,  often  armed  with  formidalile  thorns  surrounding 
tlu!  nest  with  a  barricade.  Tlie  height  is  usually  5  inches,  with  a  diameter  of 
<S.  The  cavity  is  'A  inches  deep  and  o  wide.  Within  tl  e  external  barricade 
is  an  inner  nest  constructed  of  soft  line  roots. 

The  eggs,  from  four  to  six  in  nund)er,  vary  in  length  from  .94  to  1.06 
inclies,  with  a  mean  length  of  .9i).  Their  lireadth  varies  from  .81  to  .GO  of 
an  inch,  mean  breadth  .7.">.  They  also  exhi1)it  great  variations  in  the  combi- 
nations of  markings  and  tints.  The  ground  color  is  usually  light  greenish- 
blue,  varying  in  the  dejith  of  its  .shade  frf)m  a  very  liglit  tint  to  a  distinct 
blue,  with  a  sliglit  greenish  tinge.  The  markings  consist  of  yellowish-brown 
and  purjile,  chocolate-brown,  russet,  and  a  very  dark  brown. 


Cksvs  GALEOSCOPTES,  ( '.ui.vxis. 

Oii/cusraptes,  C.viiANis,  Mus.  Ilciii.  I,  l>Sr)(l,  82.     {Ty\»-  .\fi(iicictipu  ciiroHnouiis,  I..) 

Gkn.  CuMi.  ]5ill  sliorlci-  than  the  licail.  riitlici-  liroud  at  liase.  Rictnl  bri.stlc.'i  inoiloratcly 
(k'vi'loiH'il,  rcaehin.!;:  to  llir  iiostiils.  Wiii,irs  a  little  sliortL'i-  than  the  tail,  roundcil .  iiccon- 
duries  well  dovelopuj  ;  Ibiuth  and  lil'tli  quills  longest ;  tliinl  and  sixth  little  shorter  ;  first 
and  ninth  about  equal,  and  about  the  leuirth  of.^eoondaries  ;  first  quill  more  than  half  the 
se(;ond,  about  half  the  third.  Tail  pfradiiatcil ;  lateral  feather  abi)ut  .70  shorter  than  the 
middle.  Tarsi  lonjrer  than  midtlle  toe  and  claw  by  aliout  an  additional  hall'-elaw  ;  scutel- 
late  anteriorly,  more  or  less  distinctly  in  diU'erent  speeiiiiens  ;  seutellie  about  -seven. 


52 


NOKTII  AMUKICAN  1MUD8. 


The  coiis|)iouou,s  iiaUi'il  iiiciiilininous  border  loiiiid  tlif  cyu  ol'  soiiiu  Tliiiislii's,  with  the 
biiri'  jipaw  bciiiiid  i(,  not  iip|in'<-i;ili|c. 

Tlieiv  is  litlh'  (lincicm'c  in  loriii 
betwt'ou  the  siiigli;  species  of  (hdn)- 
sivjUcs  ami  Minnis  /ii>/i/i//ii/fiis,  beycuul 
the  le.s.s  decree  of  detiiiition  oi'  tlio 
tiii-sal  [ilates;  and  lint  for  the  dif- 
ferenee  in  eolonitiou  (^iinitonn  ])liiiu- 
lieous  instead  of  .uray  alioxe  ami 
white  lioneath),  we  would  hai'dly  be 
inelined  lo  distinguish  tlu;  two  ge- 

lievie'lllv  (i't/riKscofitts  citroliiunsi.s. 

The  single  s])eeies  knoMii  is  lead-ci/lored,  with  black  ca]),  and  chestnut- 
red  under  tail-coverts. 


Galeoscoptes  carolinensis,  cusan. 

THE  CATBIBD. 

jifiiscicii/iii  nirnliiirnsis,  I, INS.  Syst.  Nat.  1,  17t)ti,  -i-^^.  Tiirihia  ciirnliiii-ii.ii.i,  Liciir. 
Vi'iz.  lS'i:t,  ;!8.  -  I)'(>l:iili;w,  l.a  .'^:i!,'rii's  Culia,  di.s.  1,><.|(I,  ;')1.  Or/i/nns  uiro/iiiiii.sis, 
■l(isi;s,  Nat.  liiTimida,  ISM,  27  (lircrds).  Minms  oiriiliiiciisix,  (li;.vY,  U.Miin,  Hiiils 
N.  Am.  l.S.'i'.i,  .ill!.  -  r.;;v.\M,  I'r.  Mn.st.  Sur.  ISilT,  (!!•  (Iiiaf^iia).  -  l,niiii,  I'r.  1!.  .Art. 
lust.  (Woolwich),  IV,  ISlil,  UV(ra.sl  iirCascaclc  Mis.K  HiiliDsca/i/in  cin'dhiii'ii.ii.i,  V.th. 
Mils.  Hciii.  i,  18r)(t,  8-J  (type  ol  .,'i'iinsV  -In.  .loiii-.  Oni.  l.sr.S,  470  (Ciil.a).  -  -  (il'ND- 
l.Acll,  h'l'iicit.  18(>j,  23(l(i'iilia,  Very  ciiiiiiMiiii). — S(i.,\ii;ii,  Catal.  Iiinls,  Istil,  (!,  no. 
8!t.  —  Sci..  .^  Sai.v.  i'r.  lS(i7,  ^7."^  (.Mosipiild  Coast).  It.vmn,  l!<v.  l.sdl,  iti. — 
S.v.MiT.l.s,  17'J.  —  CiiDi'i  i;,  liird.sCal.  1.  'J:!. 

Fit;urcs  :  Ain.  li.  .\.  II,  ]>\.  1  li).  -  in.  Oni.  liiot;.  II,  pi.  •>».  -  Vir.ii.i.nr,  Ois.  Am.  Si|it. 
II,  pi.  l.wii.     -Wn.sciN,  Am.  drn.  II,  pi.  .\iv,  f.  ;i. 

8p.  Chak.  Third  i|iiill  loiiL'csl  :  lirsl  shnrlcr  lliaii  sixtli.  I'ri'VailiiiL;'  cnlcu'  dark  pluiiibc- 
o!.s,  liKiri' ashy  bciu-alh.  Crown  and  nape  ilark  siinly-lnowii.  \ViiiL;>  dark  lirnvvii,  (■(JL.'cd 
with  pluiulicous.  Tail  L'rci'ni.^li-black  ;  ihc  latcr.-d  Icatiiois  Db.srincly  tipped  wilh  phinilu'- 
oiis.     The  lUider  tiiil-euvcrt.s  dark   browuish-ehesiinil.     Female  smaller.     I.eiii;lh,   8.8")  ; 

wiiiu'.  :i.b,"i;  tiiil,   l.nii:  tarsus.  I.O.'i. 

Il\r..  I'niteil  ,<lal<'s.  nerlli  In  Lake  Wililiipefj, 
we.-l  1(1  head  of  ( 'oliimbia.  and  Caseade  Monil- 
lains  (Lovd):  .sonlh  to  I'anama  If.  I!.;  ("uba; 
li.ihainas  ;  lli'rimida  (b|-eeds).  .\eeideillal  ill 
lli'li!^nlaiiil  Island.  iMimpi'.  I  taxai'a,  Cordova, 
and  (iiialeiiiala.  Sri,ATi:it  ;  Mosipiilo  Coast,  ScL. 
\' ."^\i.v  ;  Orizaba  (winter),  Si  .mkiiuast  ;  Yiieii- 
laii.  I.AUii. 

Western  s|)eeiiiieiis  have  not  ajiprocia- 
bly  loiiovr  tails  liii.ii  Kasteiii.  Central 
.Aniencau  exiiinples,  as  a   nue,  have  the 

|)lninbe(ais  of  a  nion'  liluisii  ca.sl  tiian  is  usually  seen  in  Nurtii  Auierieaii 

skins. 


TIIUDID.K  — TIIH  TIIKUSllKS.  53 

Hahits.  Till!  Catbinl  liiis  u  very  cxloiulcd  j;v(ij;Tiiiiliiciil  Viiiij^e.  It  is 
iiliuii(l:iiit  throiigliout  tin;  Atliiiitic  States,  iVoin  Kloridii  to  Maine:  in  tlie 
central  jtortion  oi'  tlie  continent  it  is  t'onml  as  tar  norlli  as  Luke  Winneiiei;-. 

On  the  racitie  coast  i  lias  lieen  met  witli  at  Tauania,  and  also  011  the 
Columliia  Itiver.  It  is  occasional  in  ('ul)ii  and  the  Bahamas,  and  in  tlie  ller- 
nnulas  is  a  iiermaneiit  resident.  It  is  also  i'onnd  diirinsj;  the  winter  months 
almiidaiit  in  Central  America.  It  hreeds  in  all  the  Sontheni  Slates  witli 
])(!ssilily  the  exce])tion  of  Florida.  In  Maine,  accordinjj;  to  Professor  \'errill, 
it  is  as  coiiiinoii  as  in  ^lassachnsetts,  arri\iiig  in  the  former  jilaee  alioiit  tlic 
Lllltli  of  May.  ahont  a  week  latcir  than  in  the  vicinity  of  Hoston,  and  l)e;^in- 
iiiiiij,'  to  deposit  its  ei;gs  early  in  dune.  Near  Calais  it  is  a  h'ss  comnion 
visitant. 

Tlie  Xorthern  migrations  of  the  Catbird  commence  early  in  Fehruary, 
when  they  make  their  apiiearance  in  Florid. 1,  (ieorgia,  and  the  Caroliiia.s. 
In  Ai)ril  they  reach  Virginia  and  I'ennsylvaiiia,  and  New  Fngland  from  the 
1st  to  the  KItli  of  ^lay.  Their  first  aiipearaiice  is  usually  coincident  with 
the  lilossoming  of  tin;  pear-trees,  it  is  1101  generally  a  iiojiular  or  welcome 
visitant,  a  i)rejutlice  more  or  less  wide  spread  existing  in  regard  to  it.  Vet 
few  birds  more  deserve  kindness  at  our  hands,  or  will  better  rejiay  it.  F'rmii 
its  iirst  appearaiu'c  among  us,  almost  to  the  time  of  departure  in  early 
fall,  the  air  is  vocal  with  the  (piaint  but  attractive  melody,  rendered  all  the 
more  interesting  from  tlie  natural  song  being  often  bl'iulcd  with  notes  im- 
jierfec'ly  mimicked  from  the  songs  of  other  birds.  Tiie  song,  whether 
natural  or  imitative,  is  always  varied,  attractive,  and  beautiful. 

Tiie  Catl)ird,  wlicn  once  established  as  a  welconu'  guest,  soon  makes 
itself  perfectly  at  home,  lli^  is  to  be  .seen  at  all  times,  and  is  almost  ever  in 
motion.  They  beconu^  (|uite  tame,  and  tlii'  male  liird  will  frequently  appar- 
ently deligiit  to  sing  in  the  immetliate  presiuice  of  man.  Occasionally  they 
will  build  their  nest  in  clo.se  jiroxiniity  to  a  house,  and  appear  unmindful  of 
the  presence  of  the  niemiiers  of  the  fainilv. 

Tiie  Catbird's  power  of  mimicry,  tiiough  limited  and  imjierfectly  exer- 
cised, is  freipieiilly  very  amusing.  The  more  dillicult  notes  it  rarely  attem]its 
to  copy,  and  signally  fails  whenever  it  dots  .so.  The  whislli'  of  the  (i)uail, 
the  (duck  of  a  hen  calling  iier  iaood,  the  answer  of  tlie  yiaiiig  chicks,  the 
note  of  tiie  I'ewit  Flycatcli  am'  lu'  ivfrain  of  Towlice,  tlu' Catbird  will 
imitate  witii  so  much  exactness  as  .       to  l)c  distinguished  from  the  original. 

Tiie  Catbirds  are  di'voted  jiaicnls,  silting  upon  their  eggs  with  great 
closeness,  feeding  the  young  with  a.ssiduity,  and  accompanying  them  with 
parental  intenst  when  they  leave  the  nest,  even  long  aft.'r  they  are  able 
to  jirovide  for  tiieinselv"..  In'ruders  IVoni  whom  danger  is  apprehended 
they  will  boldly  attack,  attempLing  to  d.ive  away  snakes,  cats,  dogs,  and 
sometimes  even  man.  if  these  fail  they  resort  to  piteiais  cries  and  other 
maiiil(!stations  of  their  great  distress. 

Towards  oach  other  they  are  ailectionate  and  devoted,  mutually  assisting 


54  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

in  the  construction  of  the  nest;  iiuii  as  incubation  progresses  ihe  female,  who 
rarely  leaves  tlie  nest,  is  supplied  with  i'ood,  and  entertaiueil  from  liis  ex- 
haust less  vocal lulary  of  souj;,  by  lier  mate.  When  annoyed  by  an  intruder 
the  cry  of  the  Catbird  is  loud,  harsh,  and  unplea.sant,  and  is  supposcvl  to 
resemble  the  outcry  of  a  cat,  and  to  this  it  owes  its  name.  This  note  it 
reiterates  at  the  approach  of  any  object  of  its  dislike  or  fear. 

The  food  of  tiie  Catbird  is  almost  exclusively  the  larva;  of  the  larger 
insects.  For  these  it  searches  both  among  the  branches  and  tlie  fallen 
leaves,  as  well  as  the  furrows  of  newly  ploughed  fields  and  cultivated  gar- 
dens. The  benefit  it  thus  confers  ujwn  the  farmer  and  the  horticulturist 
is  very  great,  and  can  hardly  be  overestimated. 

The  Catliird  can  witli  proper  jiainstaking  be  raised  from  the  nest,  and 
when  this  is  successfully  accomj)lished  they  become  perfectly  domesticated, 
and  are  very  amusing  pets. 

They  construct  their  nests  on  clusters  of  vines  or  low  bushes,  on  the 
edges  of  small  thickets,  and  in  retired  [)laces,  though  almost  always  near 
cultivated  giound.  Tiie  usual  materials  of  their  nests  are  dry  leaves  for  the 
base,  slender  strips  of  h)ng  dry  bUrk,  small  twigs,  herl)ac(,jus  ])lants,  fine 
roots,  and  finer  stems.  They  are  lined  with  fine  dry  grasses,  and  sedges. 
Their  nests  average  4  inches  in  height  1)y  5  in  diametei'.  The  diameter  and 
dejjth  of  the  ca\ity  are  3\  inches.  The  eggs  are  of  a  uniform  deep  bluish- 
green,  and  measure  .'J~  in  length  and  .09  of  an  inch  in  breadth. 


CINCLIU.E  — THE  DIPPERS. 


55 


Kamii.y  CINCLID^.  — Tiik  Diiteuh. 

On  page  '1  will  be  found  the  cliarocteristics  of  tliis  family,  M-liicli  need  not 
lie  here  rejieated.  There  is  only  a  single  genus,  Cinrlux,  with  four  American 
species,  and  several  from  Eurojie  and  Asia. 


Genus    CINCLUS,    Bechhtkin. 

Ifililrnhiilii,  Vir.ii,T.i>T,  Aimlysc,  ISKi  (Ag.).  —  B.uiti),  H.  X.  A.  229. 

Ciiicliis,  Br.(i;.sii;iN,  (icnii'iii.  Natui-fr.  1802.     (Xot  of  Moi'liiiiig,  17.'<2.     'Typi'  fHKriiiin  ciii- 
clii.1,  L.)  — Salviv,  Ibis,  lHti7,  lO'J.     (Moiiof,'nii)li.) 

<ii:\.  CuAii.     liiU  \vitli(iut   nil}-   lii-i.-;tl('s  :il    tlir   hi'-c  ;   .sloniliM',  .=uliiiliit(>  ;    tli(>  inan(lH)lo 
licnl  sliglitly  iiiiwiu'il;   tlu;  uiiliiieii  sliijfhtly  coiicavi!  to  nciir  the  ti)),  wliii'h  is  iiiiich  curved 

anil  nolcliL'd  ;  tlie  coniiiiissiiral  tMljrcs  nf  tli(! 
liill  liiu'ly  iiick(>(l  towanls  oiid.  Feel  larn;o 
and  stroiiLr,  the  toes  in'ojeeling  eonsiderably 
beyond  the  tail ;  tlio  elaw.s  large.  Lateral 
toes  ec|ni\l.  Tail  very  short,  and  even;  not 
two  tliirils  the  wii.trs,  -whieli  are  eoneavo 
and  somewhat  I'ulcate.  Tlic  (irst  primary 
is  more  than  one  Iburlh  the  longest.  Eggs 
wiiite. 


Cindiis  weriraitiis. 


Tlie  slightly  upward  hend  of  the 
hill,  somewhat  as  'wxJuthxx,  renders 
the  cuhnen  concave,  and  t/ie  commissure  slightly  convex.  Tlie  maxilla  at 
hase  is  nearly  as  high  as  the  man- 
dible ;  the  wliole  bill  is  much  com- 
jiresscd  anci  attcmiated.  The  lat- 
eral claws  barely  reach  the  base  of 
till!  middle  one,  which  is  broad; 
the  inner  face  extended  into  a 
liorny  lann'na,  with  one  or  two 
notclics  or  ])ectinations  somewhat 
as  in  ('(>/in'iin(/(/ii/(r.  The  stilfcned 
suli-falcate  wings  are  (piite  re- 
markabl.'.  The  tail  is  so  short  that 
the  upper  coverts  extend  nearly  to 
its  tip. 

i'lic  s|(ccies  are  all  dull-colored  birds,  usually  brown,  sometimes  varied 
with  whit(!  on  the  head,  hack,  or  throat.  They  inhabit  mountainous  sidi- 
nlpine  regions  abounding  in  rajiid  streams,  and  always  attract  attention 
by  their  habit  of  feeding  tnuhu'  wattir,  searching  among  the  gravid  and 
stones  for  their  insect  prey. 


Cinditf  mfxirtimta. 


56  NORTH  AMERICAN  IJIRDS. 

The  only  otlicr  spofics  al  all  alliwl  tu  tlu^  Hiii,irlo  Nortli  Anu'ricaii  nnc. 
are  tlio  (/.  an/ftii(in(H  of  Ci'iitial  America,  and  ('.  /Kt/lioii  ul'  Easlern  Asia. 
Tliey  may  be  easily  distingiiislied  by  the  lallowiiig  characters-  — 

Plumage  ln'iioatli  scarroly  lighter  than  that  above;  head  and  ni'ck  brownish, 
darkest  above.  Wiuir,  4.00 :  tail,  2.15;  bill,  .5(1;  tarsus,  1.20  ;  middle  toe,  .S.". 
Legs  (in  life),  pinkish  white  (S,4!)()  l-'ort  Ma.ss.  N.  .M.).  IIaii.  Monntidns  of 
Middle  Province  I'roni  Sitka,  south  to  (ruaternala  .  .  var.    )ii  e.rirn  n  n  s  . 

Plunuige  beneath  nnieh  lighter  than  that  above, — very  light  along  the  median 
line;  head  not  brownish,  the  contrast  in  shade  between  iip|)er  and  lower  sur- 
tiiccs  very  marke(l.  Wing,  .'i. 50:  tail,  2.05 ;  bill,  .15;  larsns,  1.30;  middle  loe, 
.'JO.     Legs  yellow.     (12, 7S>s  J  Costa  Rica).     Had.    (luatemala  and  Costa  Riea. 

var.    II  r  d  <•  s  /  n  r  u  n . ' 

Plnniage  uniform  dnsky-brown.  middle  of  belly  lilaekish  ;  harh  amJ  riimp  si/khhi- 
ittcil  iritli  liliirk ;  wings  and  tail  lilaekisli-brown.  Total  len<rlh,  S.OO;  wing, 
4,00;  tail,  2.50;  tarsus,  1.25;  bill  (to  rictus),  LlO  {.'<alvin).  IIaii.  Lake  liaikal 
to  Kamtsehatka  ;  Amoorland;  S.  E.  .Siberia  ;  Japan  (Sah  in)      .         .     var.   jialhim'.- 


Cinclus  mexicanus,  Swains, 

AMERICAN  SIFFES;  WATEB  OUZEL. 

Ciiiehii  jiiiUiitii,  Hon.  '/m\\\.  .Tciur.  II,  lS-27,  .'I'i  (imt  the  Asiaiir  sjM'iies).  i'!iicIhs  virxieiiHHK, 
Sw.  IMiil.  Mag.  1827,  JiCiS.  -  Si  i,ati:i;,  Ciital.  ISCl,  Id,  Saivin,  Ibis,  18(10,  190  ; 
l.S(>7,  12(1  (C.Mutcniala).  I'.AiiM),  h'cvicw,  (iO.  ~- Dai.I,  k  T.ann is li.it  (.\laskaV  - 
CooiT.i!,  lUl■'i.^  Cal.  I,  2,"p.  /Ii/ilfii/iiil(i  nif.n'iviiii,  ilAiiin,  liiids  X.  .Vni.  ISi'i.S,  221i. — 
('c)oi'r.i!  k  SccKi.r.Y,  lii'p.  1'.  U.  U.  XII,  ii,  is")',!,  17."(  (U'sl).  Ciin-his  niiicriciniii.t, 
Hicll.  F.  li.  A.  II,  18:!1,  27:i.  Cinchi.s  imuv/tn;  lio.v.  ;  C,  iiniiiiiin.  Towns.  ;  ('.  tuirn- 
SI iidi,  ".\ri)."  Towns. 

Kiguii's  :  HoNAi'Acii'.,  Am.  Oni.  11,  1S2S,  pi.  xvi,  tig.  1.  .\iii.  Oni.  lii.ig.  pi.  iiclxx, 
4:!.').  — 111.  liirds  Aiinr.  II.  pi.  cx.x.wii. 

Sc.  Cm.  .Vbove  dark  pluinbcoiis.  bencilb  paler;  bead  ami  ii<>ek  all  round  a  sliade  of 
clove  or  perhaps  a  light  sootv-brown  ;  less  eonspicnoiis  beneath.  .\  coia'calcd  spot  of 
vliile  above  the  .'interior  corner  of  the  eye  .and  indications  ol'  llii'  sane  somctiines  on  the 
lower  eyelid.  Immature  spcc'iinens  usually  with  the  feathers  benealb  edged  wilh  grayish- 
while  :  the  greater  and  middle  wing-coverls  and  Ics.scr  ipiills  lippcil  with  the  same.  The 
eolors  more  uniform.     Leni;lh,  7.50  :   wing,  1. 00;   tail,  2,55. 

Yiiinii/.  iSiinilar  to  the  adull,  but  much  iiii.M  d  with  whilish  medially  bcuealh;  (his  in 
Ibrm  of  longiluiliiial  suflusions. 

Autumnal  ami  winti'r  speeimciis  ha\c  nmuc'rous  liiuisvcrsi'  cicsceuls  of  whilish  on 
lower  parts  and  wings,  —  these  very  especially  conspicuous  piKtcriorly ;  the  sccoiidiuii'.s 
iiri'  also  conspicuously  tcrminaled  wilh  a  while  crescenl.  Hill  brown,  paler  toward  ba.-ic 
of  lower  mandililc.  In  spring  and  sumnicr  the  bill  eiilirely  black,  and  the  whilish 
liiurkings  almost  I'Htircly  disappear;  the  young  bird  has  a  greater  a iinl  of  while  be- 
neath than  the  adull  in  winter  dress,  and  this  while  is  disposed  in  longiludinal,  not  trans- 
ver.se,  sidl'usions.     The  color  olihe  leg.s  np])ears  to  be  ilie  same  iit  all  season.s, 

I  I'.  ,//f/i'.v/ •(!•»<,  Sai.vin,  Ibis,  N.  S.  Ill,  121,  pi.  ii. 

-  r.  ii.illiisi,  Tl  M.M.  .\biii.  d'Oin  I,  ]i.  177.  — Sai.vin,  Ibjs,  HI,  18(i7,  11!'.  (S/iirin:n  liiirfni. 
var.  I'ai.i.as.  Znngr,  U.  -  As.  I,  120.) 


Il'lll 


CINrLIILf;  — THK   Dll'I'KUS.  57 

pi'riincns,  of  any  airo.  (roin  tlio  coast  of  On-iron  miil  llic  Ca^i-ailc  ^[l)unlaiMs,  have  lla; 

iiioi'c  (licply  lnowiiisli  ihaii  llinsc  fi-oiii  otlicr  rcuioii-:. 

Il.ui.      Koiiiid  tlii-(iiif:!i  the  luiiiiutaiiioiis  ri'jrioii  nl'  the  central  and  western  |)art  ol' North 

America,  from  Fort  llulkctl  soiilli  into  Mexico  anil  (iMateinaia.     Ori/.alia  (Alpine  re^rinn) 

SiMicii.     None  received  Ironi  the  coast   region  of  C'alilbruia.     Alinndant  on  the  N.  \V. 

coast,  Larainio  Peak  and  Deer  Creek,  Nob. 

This  species  has  a  wide  I'aiioe  aloiio'  the  luoiiiitaiiiuiis  reoioii  nl'  Xdith  iiiid 
Middle  Aiiiericii.     Mexican  speciiueiis  are  darlvcr. 

Haihts.  This  interestiiio-  bird  inhabits  exchisively  tlie  mouiitaiiioiis  por- 
tions of  Xorth  Ainericii  west  of  the  Mississip])i  from  Alaska  south  lo  (Jiiate- 
mala.  It  does  not  appear  to  Iiave  been  obtained  on  tiie  coast  of  ('alifornia, 
nor  in  the  valley  of  tlie  ^lississi])]>i.  In  the  ISritish  Possessions  specimens 
have  been  procured  on  Fraser's  IJiver,  at  Fort  llalkctt,  and  at  Colvilh^  At 
the  latter  place  ^Ir.  J.  Iv.  Lord  states  that  a  few  remain  and  ]iass  tlie  winter. 
They  are  foiind  anion,i^  tiie  luonntain  streams  of  Vera  ("rnz,  ami  jirobaldy 
thvouii'hont  Mexico,  and  no  donbt  may  be  met  with  in  till  the  liiohlaiids 
between  these  extreme  i>oii\ts.  Dr.  Xewlierry  met  witii  it  in  the  rapid 
atrean.s  of  the  Cascade  Mountains.  He  de-scriltes  it  as  llittinjf  ahing  in  the 
bed  of  the  stream,  from  tiuK!  to  time  i>liino;ino;  into  tiie  water  and  disa])pear- 
in;4,  to  apjH'ar  a,t;iiin  at  a  (bstant  ]ioint,  ii])  or  down  the  stream,  skippinif 
iilioiit  I'rom  stone  to  stone,  constantly  in  motion,  jcrkino  its  tail  iuid  moving 
its  body  somtiwhiit  in  the  manner  of  a  Mien. 

Dr.  Cooper  observed  tiiis  species  both  on  tlie  ('oliiml)ia  and  its  trilattaries, 
and  also  amoiiu-  the  niotiiitain  streams  oi'  the  Coast  kanue  west  of  Santa 
Clara.  At  the  latter  ])luce  he  found  a  ])air  mat 0(1  us  early  as  ilandi  KItii. 
At  sunset  he  heard  tlu!  male  singing  very  melodiously,  as  it  sat  on  one 
of  its  favorite  rocks  in  the  middle  of  the  foaming  raiiids,  making  its  delight- 
ful melody  heiu'd  for  (|uite  ii  long  distance  above  the  .sound  of  the  rotiring 
Wiiters. 

"This  bird,"  adds  Dr.  Cooper,  "combines  the  form  of  a  sandpijier,  the  song 
of  a  canary,  and  the  lupiatic  habits  of  a  duck.  Its  food  consists  almost 
entirely  of  a(piatic  insi'<'ts,  and  these  it  ])nrsiies  under  water,  walking  and 
flyhig  with  i)erfect  ease  beneath  a  dcptli  of  .several  leet  of  water."  Jle  also 
states  that  they  do  not  swim  on  the  surface,  lait  dive,  and  sometimes  liy 
lU'ross  streams  beneath  the  surfaci-  that  their  Might  is  rapid  and  direct,  like 
that  of  a  sandpijier;  jilso  that,  they  jerk  tiieir  tails  in  a  similar  miunier,  and 
generally  alight  on  ii  rock  or  log. 

Dr.  Cooper  on  the  ."ith  of  July  found  a  nest  of  this  bird  tit  a  saw-mill  on 
the  Chehalis  iJivir,  built  under  the  shelving  roots  of  an  enormous  arbor-vitie 
tiial  hadtloated  over,  and  rested  in  a  slanting  position  against  the  dam.  The 
lloor  was  of  small  twigs,  the  sides  and  roof  iiivhed  over  it  like  an  oven,  aiul 
formed  ol  moss,  pioj(H'ting  ,so  as  to  protect  and  shelter  the  oMeiiing,  which 
was  liirge  enough  to  admit  the  hiind.  Within  this  nest  was  a  brood  of  half- 
iledged  young.  The  parents  were  familiar  iind  fearless,  ami  had  become 
8 


58  NOin'II  AMKRICAN  BIRDS. 

iiccustoiiKHl  to  the  society  ol'  tlie  niillei'S.  Tlioy  liad  jn-oviously  niisiHl  aii- 
Dtluii"  bvood  that  season. 

Tlie  saiiK!  oliscrsaiit  naturalist,  some  time  al'terwards,  in  l\Iay,  found  tlie 
nest  ol"  anotiior  pair,  a  lew  niik's  north  oi'  Santa  Clara.  This  was  built  near 
the  loot  of  a  niill-dani,  resting  on  a  sliijlit  le(lu,o  under  an  over]ian<,an<^'  rock, 
from  which  water  was  continually  drojtping.  It  wa.s,  in  shiipe,  like  an  oven, 
with  a  small  doorway,  and  it  was  Imilt  externally  of  green  ino.ss,  which,  being 
still  living,  ])reventeil  tlie  easy  discovery  of  the  nest.  It  was  lined  witli  soft 
grass,  and  containetl  young. 

These  l)irds  are  found  .singly  or  in  pairs,  and  never  more  than  two  together. 
They  are  never  found  near  still  water,  and  frequent  only  wild  mountain- 
streams,  ca.scades,  eddies,  and  swift  currents. 

According  to  ^Ir.  Dall's  ob.servations  in  Ala.ska,  the  species  is  e.s.seiitially 
solitary.  He  obtained  .several  specimens  in  .lanuary,  February,  and  March, 
always  near  some  open,  unfrozen  s])ots  in  the  Nulato  IviAcr.  It  was  only 
found  in  the  most  retired  spots,  and  almost  invarialily  alone.  Wiien  dis- 
turbed, it  would  dive  into  the  water,  even  in  midwinter. 

Mr.  Eidgway  describes  the  I)i]ii)er  as  remarkably  (|\iick,  as  well  as  odd,  in 
its  movements, —  whether  walking  in  the  shallow  bed  of  the  stream,  or 
.standing  on  a  stone  along  the  edge,  contimially  tilting  u])  and  down,  now 
chattering  as  it  Hies  rapidly  along  the  stream,  again  alighting  into  the  water, 
in  whicli  it  wades  with  the  greatest  facility.  Its  liigiit  is  remarkably  swift 
and  well  sustained,  and  in  manner  is  very  unusual,  the  bird  ]iro]iellin/  itself 
by  a  ra])id  buzzing  of  the  wings,  following  in  its  ilight  every  undulation  in 
the  course  oi' the  stream  into  whicli  it  drops  suddenly.  Its  song  is  d(>scribed 
as  remarkably  sweet  ami  lively,  in  modulation  re.senjbling  somewhat  that  of 
tli(!  ffiir/)<ir/i)/iir/iiis  riifiis,  l)ut  less  j)owerl'ul,  though  sweeter  in  effect. 

Dr.  K.  lialdamus,  of  Halle,  who  jxisse.sses  sjiecimens  of  the  eggs  of  this 
s])ccies,  describes  them  as  pure  white  in  color,  oval  in  shajie,  and  hardly 
distinguishalde  from  those  of  the  European  6'.  ni/nc/lrns. 

A  nest  of  this  bird  obtained  by  Mr.  .1.  Stevenson,  of  Ilayden's  Expedition, 
in  lierthoud's  Pass,  Colorado,  is  a  hemisphere  of  very  uniform  contour  built 
on  a  rock,  on  the  edge  of  a  stream.  Externally  it  was  eompo.sed  of  gri'en 
moss,  in  a  living  state  ;  within  is  a  strong,  compactly  built  apartment, 
arched  over,  and  su]tportccl  by  twigs,  with  a  cup-like  deju'cssion  at  the  bot- 
tom, hemispherical  and  eompo.sed  of  roots  and  twigs  firndy  bound  together. 
The  structure  is  7  inches  in  height  externally,  and  has  a  diameter  of  lOJ 
inches  at  tlu;  ba.se.  Within,  the  cavity  has  a  depth  of  (1  inches;  the 
entrance,  which  is  on  one  side,  is  M^  in  breadth  by  2\  in  height.  The  eggs 
were  tliice  in  number,  uniform,  dull  white,  and  unspotted.  They  measure 
1.('4  inches  liy  .70.  They  have  an  elongated  oval  shape,  and  are  much 
pointed  at  one  end. 


SAXICOLID.'E  —  THE  SAXICOLAS. 


69 


Family  SAXICOLID^.  —  The  Saxk.m.as. 

Tho  ocMioml  fliaractors  of  tiiis  iiuuily  liave  alrciuly  liceii  <,nveu  on  ]).  '2, 
as  ilistiii,i;ui?jlK'(l  IVoiu  tlio  'fKnlida:  Tlio  n'laliiiii.slii|i8  art;  very  close,  how- 
over,  and  lull  little  violence  would  be  done  by  making  it  a  sublaniily  of 
Tiiriluhr  or  oven  a  group  of  Tanlma;  as  was  done  in  the  "  Birds  of  North 
America." 

While  the  groui)  is  very  W(;I1  r(']iro.senti'd  in  tlu;  Old  World,  America  has 
but  one  peculiar  genus  SUilui,  and  iuiother  iSti.rinilii,  reiiresentod  by  a  single 
species,  a  straggler,  perhaps,  from  (rreenland  on  the  one  side  and  Siberia  on  the 
oHier.  'J'iu!  diagnostic  characters  of  these  are  as  follows,  including  I'lin/i's 
to  show  tile  relationshii)S  of  the  three  genera:  — 

Turdus.  Tiirsi  loiii:,  cxcccdiiiL,'  tlic  iiiidiUi'  toe;  \viiii;-s  rcacliina'  to  tlic  iiiiililli'  dl'  llic  tail, 
wliic'h  is  iilicml  limr  lilllis  tlio  leii,u:th  of  tlio  wiiii^s.  Itill  .sloiit;  its  u]i|)it  oiitliiie  con- 
vox  toward  tlio  liiiso.     Soeond  quill  slK.rtoi'  than  lll'lli. 

Saxicola.  Tarsi  oonsidoralily  loniror  than  tho  middle  loo,  which  roaches  nearly  to  the 
lip  oC  tho  lail.  Tail  short,  even;  two  thirds  as  long  as  the  lenj,'llionod  wiiiiis,  which 
reach  boyoud  tlio  iiiiddlo  of  Iho  lail.  Si'coiid  <|iiill  Icjiiwr  than  liClli.  JJdl  attonualod; 
ils  uinior  outline  eonoav(>  lowards  ihe  liaso. 

Sialia.  Tarsi  short;  about  enual  to  the  middle  toe.  Winys  reaching  buyoiul  tho  middle 
of  tho  tail.     JJill  thiokunod. 


Genus   SAXICOLA,    Hhc  iistkin. 

S'l.fim/ii,  l!r.riisTi:iN,  (icMioiniiiitzigi'  Natur.i,'.  I.SO'J.     (Tyiic,  ,S'.  „-ii<iiil/ie.) 

(■KN-.  ('ii.vu.     Cinimis-anv  sliuhlly  onrved  to  llu-  well-iiofehed  lip.     Cidmon  oon(^^vo  for 
lh('  basal  hali;  Ihen  j;-enlly   docnrviiM,-.     Ooiiys  strai.irlit.     Bill  .^londor,  attenuated;  more 

than  half  the  len,u-lh  of  head.  Tail  short, 
bi-oad,  even.  Lei^^s  eonsiderably  longer 
than  tho  lio.id  ;  when  oiitstretcliod  roaoliin<,' 
nearly  to  tho  lip  of  tail.  Third  ([iiill 
longest  ;  second  bnt  liltle  slioiier.  Claws 
long,  slightly  curved;  bind  loo  '  rather 
elongated. 


As  already  stated,  America  possess- 
es but  a  single  member  of  this  group 
of  birds,  so  well  re]iresented  in  the  Old 
World.     The  color  is  bluish-grav,  with 

wings,  a  stripe  through  the  eye,  and  tho   middle  of  e.xpo.sod   tail-feathers 

black. 


GO 


NORTH  AMElllCAN  IJIIIDS. 


Saxicola  oenanthe,  }'>i:(  hst. 

THE  WHEAT-EAB. 

MiilncUla  a-iKiiillic,  Ijnx.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17")S,  ISO.  ,S(i.n'ri)l(i  (eiitiii//ie,  TJiX'llsT.  "  Oeiiiein. 
Xiitiirj;.  Isd'J,"  unci  of  Kiiii)|)caii  authors.  —  lloLiiiii.i,,  Oni.  (!nrii.  ^l^luls(■n  cd.),  1840, 
i'A  ((iiwiilaii(l).  —  l)Ali:ii,  Uii'tls  N.  Am.  iHiiH,  2'20  (Kuiopc)  ;  Review,  61.  —  Jonks, 
i\at.  Ui'iiumla,  Lsr)!l,  is  (MciumdiU.  -Coins,  Vr.  A.  N.  S.  18(il,  218  (Lalmuloi). — 
Ui;iNHAi;iii',  ll>is,  l^til,  ;"<  ((iriM'iilainl).  —  Dai.i.  &  Haxnisit.i;  (Alaska).  Snxkula 
icmnil/ioii/rs,  Vi(;iii;s,  /iiul.  lilossoiii,  lb^■^'.>,  lit  (N.  \V.  Amciica).  —  C.v.ssiN,  111.  1,  1854, 
2<l8,  \i\.  .\.\xiv  (Nova  Siotia). 

8i'.  ("ilAii.  ( I)i'scii|iti(>ii  I'lciin  Eiii-((i)t'aii  s|ii'ciiii('i).)  Male  in  .spriiij,',  forulii'ad,  liiii'  over 
till' cyi',  and  uiidci-  parts  ;_'cii('rally  white;  liic  laller  tiii^'ud  with  palo  ycUowisli-hi-owii, 
cspei-iaiiy  cm  the  hri'asl  and  thiciat.  A  stiipe  I'loni  tlie  iiill  thi-oiigli,  helow,  and  lichind 
tlic  eye.  with  tlic  \vini;s,  nppei'  tilil-cciveils,  hill  and  I'ci't,  lilaek.  Tail  white,  with  an 
aliriipt  hand  ol'liiac'k  (alioiil  .(ill  of  an  inch  loin;)  at  the  end,  this  eoloi-  exlenciin;,'  I'urlhei- 
lip  on  the  iniildle  leather.  Kest  of  n]iper  parts  ash-i;ray  ;  ipiills  and  jrreatef  eoveits 
.sli^ditly  ed},'ecl  with  whitish.     I;en,i;th,  (J.Oi) ;  win.ir,  ;i.4.'i ;  tail,  li..")ll  ;  tai-siis,  1.05. 

Autiiinnal  males  are  tiiiLred  with  lusty  :  the  lilack  iiiaikinjfs  hiown.  The  feinale  in 
si)ring  is  reddisli-L;ray  ;  lores  and  cheeks  brown  ;  the  Mack  niarkin^'s  g-eiierally  brownish, 
and  not  well  delined.     Vj\s<xs  pale  lifrht  blue.     Xest  on  ^'ronnd. 

Hah.  -Vn  Olcl  Worlcl  sjK'cies  (l';iirop(\  Xortherii  .Miii'a,  and  Asia),  abnndant.  in  (ireen- 
land,  loiincl  probably  as  an  aniunnial  inijiiant  in  Labrador,  Canada,  Xova  Scotia,  Hcriinida, 
etc.  Occurs  also  on  Norton  Sound,  near  I!eliriu^''s  Slraibs.  Very  oeeasioiiul  in  the  East- 
ern States:   Loin;-  I>land. 

This  bird  ii])iH'ars  to  be  abiiiulimt  in  Xortoii  Suiiiul,  from  which  ro^'ion  Mr. 
Dull  hu.s  recuntly  brought  speuiiuoiis  in  full  sjirino  ^ilnningc.     Tht'sc  iirc!  de- 

cidt'illy  sniiiUer  tluin  liird.s 
from  Liibriidor  luid  C!reon- 
liiud,  but  notdistiugiii.sliable, 
and  seem  to  iionso  jiri^'i.scly 
with  skins  from  Central  Eu- 
rope. 

H.viUTs.  The  M-ell-known 
Wheat-ear  is  entitled  to  a 
pliiee  in  our  faunii,  not  only 
as  an  accidental  visitor,  but 
iilso  its  an  occasional  resi- 
dent. Dr.  H.  1!.  Storer,  of 
Hoston,  fomul  them  breeding 
in  Lid)rador  in  the  siuiimer 
of  lcS4.S,  and  jirociu'ed  speci- 
mens of  the  young  birds 
which  were  fully  identified 
by  Dr.  Saiiiiiel  Ctiliot  as  lielonging  to  this  species.  In  the  following  year 
Andrew   Downs,  of  llalirux,  gave  me  the  .sjiccimeii  described  and  figured 


Saxircln  aimnthf. 


SAXICOLID.ii:  — THE  8AXIC0LAS.  gj 

by  Mr.  Cassin.  Tliis  was  secured  late  in  tlio  siimiiior  near  Cii]-n'.  Harrison, 
L!il)rador,  wliere  it  had  evidently  just  reared  its  brood.  In  18(j()  Mr.  Elliott 
Coues  obtained  another  specimen  on  tiie  '2~>t\i  of  Auj^ust,  at  Henley  Harbor. 
It  was  in  coniiiany  M'itli  two  others,  and  was  in  immature  plumage.  Its 
occurrence  in  considevaljle  numbers  on  the  coast  of  Lal)rador  is  I'urtl.'i'  con- 
firmed by  a  writer  ("W.  C")  in  "The  Field,"  for  June  1(1,  1H71,  who  estates 
tiiat  wlu'n  in  that  region  during  the  months  of  May  and  June  lie  saw  u 
numlK'r  of  "White  Ears,"  the  greater  proi)ortion  of  tliem  being  males.  He 
inferreil  from  this  tliat  tiiey  breed  in  tliat  country,  the  apparent  scarcity 
of  females  being  due  to  their  occupation  in  nesting.  !Mr.  Lawrence  has  one 
in  his  cabinet  from  Long  Lsland,  and  the  8niith.sonian  Institution  one  from 
Queliec.     Specimens  have  also  been  obtained  in  the  Bermudas. 

Holbiill,  in  his  paper  on  tiie  I'auna  of  (Jreenland,  is  of  tiie  opinion  that  the 
individuals  of  this  sitecies  that  occur  tiiere  come  from  Euro])e,  make  their 
journey  across  the  Atlantic;  without  touching  at  Iceland,  and  arrive  in 
South  (h'cenland  as  early  in  tlie  sea.son  as  it  does  at  the  former  place,  the  first 
of  May.  It  reaches  (iodhaven  a  month  later,  at  times  when  all  is  snow- 
bound and  the  warmth  has  not  yet  released  the  insects  on  which  it  feeds. 
It  is  f(jund  as  far  north  as  the  73d  parallel,  and  even  beyond.  In  SciJ- 
tcniber  it  puts  on  its  winter  dress  and  dejiarts. 

Mr.  Dall  .states  that  .several  large  flocks  of  this  s]H>cies  were  seen  at  Nulato, 
May  2'A  and  24,  1".(JS,  and  a  nund)er  of  sjjecimens  obtained.  They  were 
said  lo  be  abundant,  on  the  dry  stony  hill-top.s,  but  were  rare  along  the 
rivei'. 

Tlie  Wiieat-ear  is  one  of  the  most  connnon  Ijirds  of  P'urope,  and  is  found, 
at  different  .seasons,  tin'oughout  tliat  continent  a:;  well  as  in  a  large  portion 
of  Western  Asia.  It  breeds  througiiout  the  British  Islands  as  well  as  in  the 
whole  of  Xortliern  Europe  and  A.sia. 

Its  food  is  ])rincipally  worms  and  insects,  tlu^  latter  of  which  it  takes  U])on 
tlie  wing,  in  liie  manner  of  a  fly-catcher.  The  male  bird  is  said  to  sing 
prettily,  but  not  loudly,  warbling  even  MJieu  on  the  wing,  and  hovering 
over  its  nest  or  over  its  partner.  In  confinement  its  song  is  continued  by 
night  as  well  as  by  day. 

The  Wheat-ear  beguis  to  make  its  nest  in  April,  usually  concealing  it  in 
some  deep  recces  beneath  a  huge  stoiu>,  and  often  far  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  arm.  Sometimes  it  is  placed  in  old  w.dls,  and  is  usually  large  and 
rudely  constriicte.l,  made  of  dried  bents,  scraps  of  shreds,  feathers,  and 
rub1)ish  collected  about  the  huts,  generally  containing  four  pale  blue  eggs, 
uniform  in  color,  and  without  spots,  which  measure  .81  of  an  inch  in  length 
by  .O'J  iu  breadth. 


02 


XOllTII  A.MKHICAN  lilRD.S. 


Siafia  .N/Vi/i 


(iKxir.s   SIALIA,   SwAiNSOx. 

Sidlid,  SwAixsDX,  Ziiiil.  .loiii-.  Ill,  S<>iit.  1>S'J7,  17;!.     (Tvpf  Mnliicil/n  sidlis,  \,.) 

Ge\.  CiiAit.     IJill  short,  stout,  bioadiT  lliiiii  liif^li  at  the  base,  tliou  uoiiiii.i'sscd  ;  slifjflilly 

iiotclit'd  at  tip.  Uictus  witli  short  biislli's. 
Tiiisi  not  longer  than  the  iniildlc  too.  Chiw.s 
(•oiisidt'ialily<'ui'vt'd.  Wind's iiiiich  loni^or  thiin 
lh(^  liiil ;  the  lirst  primary  .spurious,  not  ono 
l()uilii  tiic  liiiif^cst.  Tail  niodi'i'atc;  sliplitly 
Ibrki'd.     i'-!.'j;s  [)lain  blue.     Nt'st  in  hok'S. 

The  species  of  this  oeims  are  all  well 
niavkod,  ami  adult  males  ave  easily 
distiiijftnslialile.  In  till,  hlue  I'orms  a 
])i'omiiieiit  I'eatiiie.  Three  well-marked 
species  are  known,  with  a  foiirtii  less 
di.stinet.  The  i'emales  are  duller  in 
color  than  the  males.     The  younj;-  tire  spotted  and  bireaked  with  widte. 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

Common  riiAUACTKns.     Rich  lihic  abovo,  dullci-  in  the  H'uialc     IJrucatli  rcddisii 
or  blue  in  llic  niaU'.  ri'ildish  or  hf,dit  dral)  in  tho  HMualc.     Voiuij;  wilh  wiujrs  and 
tails  only  blue,  the  head  antl  anterior  parts  of  body  with  numerous  whitish  s[)ots. 
A»    /Iri'dsl  rcihli.ih,  or  c/ifntinit, 

1.  S.  stalls.  Xo  ('hestuut  on  the  baek  ;  lluoat  reddi.sli;  abdomen  and 
crissuin  white. 

Blue  of  a  rich  dark  )iur]ilish  shade.  Tail  about  2.75.  Ifah.  Kast- 
eru  Province  I'liiled  States,  ("ulia,  aud  licruuidas      .  .  var.    sidlis. 

nine  of  a  frrcenisli  shade.  Tail  about  3.20.  /fah.  Kast  Mexico 
and  nuateniala var.    iiziirea.' 

2.  S.  mexicaiia.  Chcsinuf.  in  tircater  or  less  amount,  or.  the  back; 
tiu'oat  blue;  al)douicn  ami  crissuni  lihic.  I/nh.  West  and  Soulii  Mid- 
dle Province  I'niled  Slates,  south  to  Jalap.'i,  Cordova,  and  Coiima. 

Bi    ]lrc(ist  hhic  (lii/lit  (Irali  in  9)- 

;?.  S.  arctica.  Entirely  rich  fijreonish-blue ;  abdon)on  white.  Ifdb. 
Middle  I'ruviiice  I'liited  Status;  Fort  iMunkliu,  JJritish  America. 


Sialia  sialis,  TVmkd. 

EASTEBN  BLUEBIRD. 

}fiifdcill(i  sidJis,   LiNX.   .S.   N.   17"iS,   1.S7  (biisrd  on  ('Arr.sliv,   I,   pi.  xlvii).     Sinlia  sidlis, 

liAlliU,    liirds  N.   Am.   IS.'iS,  2>-2  :  Rev.  (i2.  —  Ii.>Ai:iiMAN,   Tr.  Host.  .Su.'.  l.Stlli,   1'24 

(t'alais,    .Ml'.;  very   rare).  —  Diii'.ssf.i!,    lliis,    IStia,    4tir)   (Texas,  winter). — .Samii:i,.s, 
I!.  X.  Knj,'.,  17.").     Sid/id  irilsiHii,  .SwAixsoN,  Zoiil.  .lour.  Ill,  1827,  173. — t'Ali.  .lour. 

1S.')8,   1-JU.     CiMU.Acn,   Call.   .lour.    18G1,   324;    Repertorio,  180.'),   'J30.  —  Jones, 


'  S.  dzurid,  I'lAiiiii,  lliv.  Am.  Hints,  1804,62.     (i'.  (niiira,  !Swaix.son.) 


SAXICOLlDyE  —  TJIE  8A XK '( )LAS. 


03 


Niit.    licniiii(l:i,    IS'i'.t,    '2S,    (it!  (rosiiU'Tit  in    lic/iiiililiil.      Siih-in  xl.ili-t,    lyAril.  ;   .hiipr/i.i 
si.i/i.'!,  Ntri'.  ;   /ui/Z/irdCii  irilsdiii,  Sw. 
I'iffuics  ;  ViKii.i.iPT,  Ois.   Am.  Sept.   I!,  ]il.   ci,  cii,  liii.    -Wils.   I,  pi.  iii.       Ai  n.  Oiii. 
Itiiif,'.  II,  1)1.  ixiii.  —  III.  li.  A.  II,  pi.  c.w.viv.     -  Ddiiiinv,  Cal).  I,  pi.  .\ii. 

Si'.  CiiAii.  iMilirc  u|)p('i-  |)iiits,  iiicliiilinj:  wiiif,'-;  iiml  tiiil,  rdntiiiiious  iiiid  luiiroini  aziiro- 
liliic:  llic  rhcck-siil'a  (Uillcr  tint  dl' the  ,>;aiiii'.  lii'iicatii  icildisli-hniwn  ;  the  alKioiiicii,  anal 
n';,'ioM,  ami  iiiidcr  tail-uovi'il.>i  white.  Jiill  and  foot  black.  Sl],al'l.><  of  IIk'  (|iiills  and  lail- 
rcalli('r><  l)lacl<.  I'Viiialc  with  the  hliio  li,i,diUT,  and  tiiij,'c(l  with  lirown  on  the  lu;ad  and 
hai'k,     Li'nu-lh.  ().7i')  ;  win^f,  4.0(1 ;   tail, 'J.OO. 

Yoiinij.  Males  (if  the  yoai-  dnll  hi-owii  on  iieai!  and  liaek  :  and  le,-<.'<er  (•overls  streaked, 
exrept,  on  heail.  with  white.  Thfoat  and  lore  part  ol'lncast  sti-eaked  with  wliite.  Tertial.s 
eilired  with  lii-own.      liest  of  coloialioii  soinewdiat  like  adnlt. 

Had.  Eastei-n  I'nited  States  ;  west  to  Foil  Laramie,  Milk  Rivor  ;  north  to  Lake  Win- 
nipei;;  resident  in  lierninila  ;  Cuba  (rare),  ( iiNnr.Aeii. 

A  specimen  from  (Juatemala  (r)(),411(?,  N'liii  I'atten)  relerrible  to  tlie 
var.  aziircd  is  iiii(li.stiii,i,'ui.sliiilil(!  in  color  I'rom  Xortli  American  example.'-' ; 
the  wino.s  and  lail  are  lon};er,  liowever,  mea.suriiig  respectively  4.20  and 
,3.0(1. 

Habits.  The  Bluebird  is  almndant  thronohout  the  eastern  portion  of 
North  America,  breeding  in  nearly 
every  part,  from  Georgiti  tuid  Lonisi- 
aiia  to  the  Arctic  regions,  with  only 
this  exception,  that  near  the  sea- 
l)oard  its  mignitions  do  not  extend 
so  far  to  the  north  as  in  the  interior. 
It  is  very  mrtily  to  be  met  with  be- 
yond the  Penobscot,  althoiiLch  Pro- 
fe.ssor  Verrill  mentions  it  its  very 
common  in  the  western  part  of  Maine. 
It  is  found  throughout  the  year  in  the 
Hermndiis,  and  occasicmally  in  ("iiImi. 
The  Selkirk  Settlement  is  the  most  northern  locality  to  which  it  has  been 
traced.  It  is  not  known  to  occur  larther  west  than  the  highlands  west  of 
the  Mississi])pi. 

Througli  idl  the  Eastern  States  the  lUiitibird  is  one  of  the  most  familiar 
and  welcome  of  the  earliest  visitors  of  s])riiio,  u.suiiUy  making  its  appear- 
iincc  as  ciirly  as  the  first  of  Miirch.  In  mild  sca.sons  they  come  in  the  latter 
jiart  of  February,  long  before  there  is  any  ai.]iarent  relaxation  of  the  severity 
of  winter.  In  IS.")?,  in  eonsetiuence  of  the  unusual  mildness  of  the  season, 
I'.iiK'birds  iippeinvd  ill  lai'nx'  numbers  as  early  tis  the  If.th  of  February,' 
and  reniiiined  apparently  without  siilfering  any  iiK'onvenience,  although  the 
weather  sul)se(iuently  became  quite  sevei'c.  In  1869  their  first  ap])earance 
was  observed  as  early  as  the  28tli  of  Jiinuiiry,  the  earliest  jjcriod  of  which 
I  can  find  any  record. 

In  the  .Middle  States,  with  every  mild  winter's  day,  the  lUuebirds  come 


Sia/ia  sinlis. 


04  NORTH  AMERICAN  .BIltDS. 

out  from  their  retreats,  and  aj^ain  disappear  on  tlie  return  of  severer  weather. 
Later  in  the  season,  or  early  in  Marcli,  they  return  and  make  a  permanent 
stay. 

When  well  treated,  as  the  Rluehirds  almost  universally  are,  they  retiirn 
year  after  year  to  the  same  box,  comin>j;  always  in  pairs.  The  marked  atten- 
tions of  the  male  bird  are  \ery  striking,  and  have  been  noticed  by  all  our 
writers.  He  is  very  jealous  of  a  ri\al,  driving  off  every  intruder  of  his  own 
species  who  ventures  upon  the  domain  he  calls  his  own.  Occasionally  tlie 
j)air  suffer  great  annoyance  from  ve.vatious  interferences  with  their  domestic 
arrangements  by  the  house  wren,  wlio  unceremoniously  enters  their  home- 
stead, desi)oils  it  of  its  carefully  selected  materials,  and  departs.  At  other 
times  the  wren  will  take  possession  of  the  jjremises  and  barricade  the  en- 
trance, making  the  return  of  its  rightful  owners  impossilde. 

The  song  of  the  lUuebirds  is  a  low  warl)lo,  soft  and  agreeal)le,  repeated 
with  great  constancy  and  earnestness,  and  i)rolonged  until  (piite  late  in  the 
season.  Just  before  their  departure,  late  in  October,  the  spriglitline.ss  of 
their  song  nearly  ceases,  and  only  a  few  plaintive  notes  are  heard  instead. 

Tiie  fotkd  of  the  Uluebird  consists  principally  of  the  smaller  coleopterous 
insects,  also  of  the  larva?  of  the  smaller  lepidoptera.  In  the  early  .spring 
they  are  very  bu.sy  turning  over  the  dry  leaves,  examining  the  trunks  and 
branches  of  trees,  or  ransacking  posts  and  fences  for  the  hiding-places  of 
their  prey.     In  the  fall  their  food  jiartakes  more  of  a  vegetable  character. 

The  lUuebird  selects  as  a  suitable  place  for  its  nest  a  hollow  in  the  de- 
cayed trunk  of  a  tree,  or  boxes  prepared  for  its  use.  Their  early  arrival 
enables  them  to  select  their  own  site.  The  nest  is  loosely  con.structed  of 
soft  materials,  such  as  fine  gras.ses,  sedges,  leaves,  hair,  feathers,  etc.  These 
are  rarely  so  well  wo\'en  together  as  to  bear  removal.  The  eggs  are  usually 
five  and  sometimes  six  in  number.  There  are  usually  three  broods  in  a 
season.  Before  the  first  bnjod  are  able  to  ])rovide  for  themselves,  the  female 
repairs  her  nest  and  commences  incultation  for  a  second  family.  The  young 
birds  aie,  however,  Ijy  no  means  left  to  shift  for  themselves.  Tlie  male  bird 
now.sliows  himself  iis  devoted  a  jiarent  as  in  the  earlier  spring  he  had  proved 
liin.self  an  atteutive  mate.  lie  watches  over  the  brood  even  after  the  second 
family  appears  and  claims  his  attention.  We  often  find  him  dividing  his 
cares  in  the  latter  part  of  the  sea.son  with  two  broods,  and  at  the  same 
time  supplying  his  mule  with  food,  and  occa.sionally  taking  her  ;'.ace  on 
the  nest. 

Tlie  eggs  of  tlie  Bluebird  are  of  a  uniform  ;mle  blue,  measuring  about  .81 
of  an  inch  in  lengtli  by  .(!2  m  laeadtii. 

In  (J'latemala  is  found  a  local  race  differing  in  its  lighter  under  colors  and 
in  the  gI^'enisll  tiuting  of  its  blue  (.S*.  nzitrca).  The  (S'.  Hidlia  is  also  f(»uiid  in 
the  more  o])en  districts  of  the  elevated  regions  where  it  is  numerous.  It  is 
there  known  Uii  "  Kl  uzuUjo." 


riAXlCOLIlLK  — THE  SAXICOLA;^.  65 

Sialia  mexicana,  Swains. 

CALIFOBinA  BLTTEBIBO. 

Siiilia  niMii-nna,  Sv,-.  K.  B.  Am.  II,  1831,  2(i-'.  —  Sci.atkI!,  P.  Z.  S.  18.")r,,  20:1  (f'nnlovii) ; 
1857,  121)  (t'liliforiiia)  ;  185!),  362  (Xalaim).  —  In.  Catal.  18(!1,  11,  no.  Ofi.  —  li.vini), 
BiiiLsN.  Am.  18.-,8,  22:!;  licvimv,  (i:!.  —  Coi.i.kii  &  SrcKi.KV,  P.  If.  I!.  XII,  ii,  1S5!I, 
173. — Poori'.u,  liiids  Cal.  I,  28.  Siidin  aaiili uliilin,  TiiWN.s.,  Al'D.  ;  Siidiii.  fivriilcn- 
enl/i.i,  Vicoiis. 

Figuics :  Ari).  M.  A.  II,  pi.  ix.xxv.  —  hi.  Uru.  liioi;.  V,  jil.  ccc.xuiii.  —  Vkjoils,  Zool. 
Bci'i'licy's,  Voy.  1S3'J,  |>1.  iii. 

Sp.  CiiAU.  Bill  sli'iidiT.  Tloiid  and  nock  all  round,  and  ii|)|)('r  part.^  jri'iii'i'ally  liiifrlit 
aziiic  blue.  Iiit('r.-:cai)Mhii'  it'j;ions.  .-^idcs  and  lore  part  of  the  breast.  an<l  .-iiilcs  ol'  tlic 
bfUy,  dark  rfd(li.-<li-!>ro\vii.  Rest  of  under  ])art-i  (with  lail-eovert,'<)  pale  liluisli,  ting(!d  with 
gray  about  the  anal  region.  Female  duller  above;  the  back  bro\vni.>ih  ;  the  blue  ol' the 
throat  replaced  Ijy  ashy-l)rowii,  with  a  shade  ol'  line.     Length,  (^50 ;  wing,  4.2.") ;  tail,  '2.\M. 

Yoiiiir/.  Tail  and  wing  as  in  adult;  head,  neck,  back,  and  breast,  dull  brown;  each 
t'eatlier,  exi'cpt  on  the  crown,  strci.kcd  centrally  with  white. 

IIaii.  Western  I'nitcd  States,  I'roin  the  Hocky  Mountains  to  Pacilic.  N'ot  noticed  on 
the  Mi.ssonri  plains.  Central  15ritisli  America,  or  at  ("ape  St.  Lucas.  Found  at  Xalupa  and 
Cordova,  Mex.,  Sci.atkii.     I'opocatapctl  (Alpine  rcgii)U).  Simicmka.^t. 

As  ill  tlio  titlii'is,  till!  cdldrs  iti'  this  sjx'cios  iiiv  mtii'li  dullov  in  fall  iiiid 
winter.  No.  '>'■'>, 'M'.^,i  (('ai'.s(iii  City,  Xevcadu,  Fell.  21)  diU'eis  i'roin  others  in 
the  followiiio;  respects :  there  is  hiirdly  any  cliestmit  on  the  back,  there  being 
only  just  a  tiiiye  aloiij,'  each  side  of  the  interseaiailar  reoion  ;  that  on  the 
in-east  is  inteiTU|ilcd  in  the  middle,  tiiid  thrown  into  ii  ](atch  on  each  side  of 
the  brciist,  thus  coiinectinjf  the  blue  of  the  throat  and  abdomen ;  the  blue 
of  the  throat  is  unusually  deep. 

Hahits.  This  lUuebird  beloiij^s  to  western  Xorth  America,  its  proper 
domain  beiii.ti;  l)ctwecn  the  llocky  Mountains  and  I'acitic,  from  ^[e.\ico  to 
Washington  Territory.  Mr.  Nut  tall  li'st  met  with  this  speiMcs  amoiij,'  the 
•small  rocky  ])rairi(!S  of  the  Columbia,  lie  spetiks  of  its  lud)its  as  exactly 
similar  to  those  of  the  common  lUtiebird.  The  male  is  equally  tuneful 
tliroiiuhout  the  breedinji-season,  and  his  .sontr  is  also  very  similar.  Like  the 
comnion  species  he  is  very  devoted  to  his  iiiiite,  alternately  feedin.i,'  and 
caressing  her  and  entertainiiio-  her  with  his  .song.  This  is  a  litths  more 
varied,  tender,  siiid  sweet  than  that  of  the  Ka.stern  species,  and  ditlers  in  its 
expressions. 

Xuttall  describes  this  tis  an  exceedingly  shy  bird,  so  much  so  that  he 
found  it  very  ditticult  to  obtain  a  sight  of  it.  This  he  attributes  to  the 
great  iibundance  of  birils  of  prey.  Afterwards,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village 
of  Santa  Harbara,  Mr.  Xuttall  again  saw  them  in  c(jiisiderable  nunilicrs, 
when  they  were  tame  tind  familiar. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  the.so  Hluebirils  seem  to  prefer  the  knot-holes  of 
the  oaks  to  the  boxes  ]irovided  for  them.      He  docs  not  conlirm  Mr.  Xuttall's 
description  of  its  song,  which  he  regards  as  neither  .so  loud  nor  so  sweet  iis 
!> 


00  NORTH  AMEUrCAX  lURDS. 

(hat  of  tlio  Kastcrn  spocics.  Ho  clcscvibos  it  as  a  curious  pcrforniance,  sound- 
iii,t^'  as  il'  two  l)ir(Is  were  siiit,niii;'  at  once  and  in  difleront  keys. 

^lany  of  this  s])eci('s  n'niain  in  Wasiiington  Territory  during  the  winter, 
where  Dr.  Cooper  ni(!t  with  tiiem  in  December.  They  associated  in  Hocks, 
frei^uented  roadsides  antl  fences,  and  led  ui)on  insects  and  hemes. 

Dr.  ( ianihel  f(jund  this  species  tin'oughout  the  Iiocky  AFountains,  and  always 
in  company  willi  the  l^lii/ia  (irrtini,  being  l)y  far  tlio  more  uliundant  species. 

Dr.  Kennerly  mentions  tinihng  tliis  .species  very  abundant  during  liis 
march  u])  the  Jfio  Orande.  Through  tlie  moiitlis  of  Xoveudier,  December, 
and  January  they  were  always  to  be  seen  in  laige  Hocks  near  small  streams. 

Tiie  West"rn  lUuebird  constructs  a  ne.'-t  usually  of  very  loose  materials, 
consisting  chiefly  of  line  dry  gra.sses.  The.se  are  notMoven  into  an  elaborate 
nest,  but  are  sim]ily  used  to  lim;  the  hollows  in  which  the  eggs  are  deposited. 
Near  San  Frauci.sco  ^Ir.  Hepburn  found  a  pair  making  use  of  tlie  nest  of  the 
Hirunilo  linii/roiiK  On  another  occasion  the  liluebirds  had  not  only  taken 
possession  of  the  nest  of  this  swallow,  but  actually  covered  up  two  fresh  eggs 
with  a  lining  of  dry  grasses,  iind  laid  iier  own  above  tliem. 

The  eggs,  usually  four  in  nund)er,  are  of  uniform  jiale  blue  of  a  slightly 
deeper  shade  tiian  that  of  the  *S'.  sialis.  They  measure  .H7  of  an  inch  in 
length  by  .(19  in  breadth. 

Dr.  Coojier's  sulisei[uent  o1)sorvations  of  this  species  in  f'alifornia  enabled 
him  to  add  to  his  account  of  it  in  his  rejiort  on  the  birds  of  that  State.  He 
found  it  abundant  in  all  tiie  wooded  di.stricts,  except  high  ii  tiie  mountains, 
and  thinks  they  reside  through  tiie  sunnner  even  in  the  hot  valley  of  the  l{io 
Clrande,  where  he  found  them  ])reparing  a  nest  in  February.  On  the  coast 
they  are  numerous  as  far  nortli  as  the  41llli  i>arallel.  He  found  a  nest  under 
the  porch  of  a  dwelling-house  at  Santa  Barbara,  showing  that,  like  our  Eastern 
R])ecie.s,  they  only  need  a  little  encouragement  to  become  half  domesticated. 
Tliey  raise  two  broods  in  a  season,  the  lirst  being  hatched  early  in  April. 

At  Santa  ( 'ruz  he  found  tiiem  even  more  con  tiding  tiian  the  Kastern  species, 
Iniilding  their  nests  even  in  the  noisiest  streets.  One  brood  came  every  day 
during  the  grape  sea.son,  at  about  noon,  to  ]»ick  up  grape-skins  tlirown  out 
by  his  door,  and  was  delightfully  tame,  sitting  fearlessly  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  oi)en  window. 

In  regard  to  tlicir  song  Mr.  ilidgway  states  that  he  did  not  hear,  even 
(hiring  the  pairing  season,  any  note  approaciiing  in  sweetness,  or  indeed 
similar  to,  tlie  joyous  spring  warble  which  .justly  renders  our  Kaslern  lUue- 
bird (S.  sill/is)  so  universal  a  favorite. 

The  two  Western  species  of  Sin/in,  though  ns.soeiatiiig  during  the  winter 
in  the  region  along  the  (Mistern  base  of  the  Sierra  Xexadii,  are  seldom  seen 
together  during  the  Itreeiling-.season  ;  ihiiS.(irrfir(t  returning  to  the  hight^r 
jKHtioiis  of  tiie  thinly  wooded  desert  mountains,  while  tlit!  .S'.  iiir.n'iitiiii  re- 
mains in  the  lower  districts,  either  among  the  eottonwood.s  of  the  river 
valleys  or  among  the  pines  anniiid  the  fuot-iiills  of  the  Sierra. 


HAXICOLID.K  — TlIK  8AX1CUI,AS.  67 

Sialia  arctica,  sw.vins. 

KOCKT  MOUNTAIN  BLUEBIBD. 

Eriilhriii-a  (Slulin)  (iirllfn,  Swains.  F.  R.  A.  II,  1831,  2ft0,  ]il.  xxxix.  Sitiliii,  nirtkn, 
XriTAi.L,  Mail.  II,  IMCJ,  .")7;!.  —  Haiku,  Birds  X.  Am.  18.5,s,  i-H  ;  |{cv.  ti4.  —  Sci.aikh, 
Catal.  18(il,  11,  no.  ()7.  —  DuKssKii,  Iliis,  ISti;"),  478.  (Texas,  winter,  very  alimnlant.) 
—  Coiii'Ki!,  Uiiils  Cal.  I,  •£>.  Siidia  macropkni,  ISaikii,  Stansbiuy's  liejit.  1852,  314 
(larger  race  with  Innj^er  wiiif^s). 

^\\  CiiAH.  GreL'iii.sJi  aziin'-bliii-  aliovc  anil  liclow,  hrjirlilcst  above;  tlio  liclly  and  under 
tail-coverts  wiiite;  the  latter  tinij'ed  wilii  bhie  at  the  (Muls.  Fonialo  showinif  blue  only  on 
the  rnnip,  \vini;Sj  and  tail;  a  white  rin^  round  the  eye;  the  lores  and  sometimes  a  narrow 
front  whitish;  elsowhore  re|ilaccd  by  brown.  Lenf^lh,  (i.li.") ;  wing,  4.3U ;  tail,  3.00. 
(ISVo.) 

Yonnij.  Male  birds  arc  streaked  with  white,  as  in  S.  siidin,  on  tho  characteristic  ijrountl 
of  till!  adult. 

IIah.  Central  tabh^-lamls  of  North  Anicrii'a,  oast  to  mouth  of  Yellowstone.  Oni; 
individual  colh'cted  at  Fort  FranUlin,  (ircat  Hoar  Lake.  Not  common  on  the  Paciliu 
.slope;  the  only  siiccimcns  rci'cived  coniing  from  Simiahnioo,  Fort  Crook,  and  San  Diojfo. 
Not  recorded  as  fouml  in  Mexico,     'V.  Arizona,  Colks. 

A.s  already  stated,  the  blue  of  this  s])ocics  is  <.;reeuer,  liioro  smalt-like 
than  ill  xlidis.  The  females  are  distiiigiiislied  from  those  of  the  other 
species  by  the  greener  Idtie,  entire  absence  of  nd'oiis,  and  longer  wings. 

In  autumn  and  winter  the  blue  of  the  male  is  much  .soiled  by  amber- 
brown  edges  to  tiie  feathers,  tiiis  most  conspicuous  on  the  breast,  where 
the  blue  is  sometimes  almost  concealed ;  the  plumage  of  the  female,  too,  at 
this  season  is  different  from  that  of  spring,  the  anterior  lower  jtarts  being 
soft  isabella-color,  much  less  grayish  than  in  s])riiig. 

1I.\I!ITS.  This  JJbudiird  belongs  chieily  to  the  Central  fauna,  and  occujties 
a  jilace  in  the  Eastern  only  by  its  apitearance  on  its  borders.  It  was  iirst 
procured  by  Sir  .lohii  Ikichardson,  at  Fort  Franklin,  in  July,  182,").  It  is 
abundant  throughout  the  central  taiile-hinds  of  North  America,  between 
the  racific  and  tho  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone,  from  (ireat  Uear  Lake  to 
the  lower  portions  of  California.     In  t'.ie  latter  State  it  is  not  common. 

Mr.  Xultall  met  with  this  sjtecies  in  the  early  \)\\\t  of  June,  nortliwest  of 
Laramie  Vmk.  Tlie  female  uttered  a  low  complaint  wlii'ii  her  nest  was 
approached.  Tliis  was  coiislniclcd  in  a  hole  in  a  clay  cliff.  Another  was 
found  in  the  trunk  of  a  decayed  cedar.  In  one  of  these  the  young  were 
already  hatched.  The  nest  was  composed  of  dried  gra.s.ses,  but  in  very  insig- 
nilicant  cpiantity.  Mr.  Nuttall  found  them  much  uunv  shy  than  the  com- 
mon sju'cies,  and  describes  tiieiii  as  feeding  in  very  nearly  the  same  manner. 
Ho  afterwards  found  a  nest  of  the  same  species  in  a  clill'  of  the  Sandy 
Uivor,  a  branch  of  the  Colorado.  Both  parents  were  feeding  their  brood. 
The  female  was  very  uneasy  at  Iiis  approach,  chirping,  ami  at  intervals 
uttering  a  plaintive  cry.     He  states  that  the  male  bird  has  a  more  plaintive 


68  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

and  raonotonou8  song  tlian  that  of  tlio  common  Bluebird,  and  tliat  it  has  the 
same  warbling  tone  and  manner.  He  afterwards  observed  the  same  species 
in  the  winter,  at  Tort  Vancf)uver,  a.ssociating  with  tlic  Western  lUuebird. 

J)r.  Woudhou.se  Inun;!  the  Arctic  15hiebird  (juite  common  in  the  vicinity 
of  Santa  Fe,  in  \ew  Mexico,  wliere  tliey  l)recd  about  tlie  houses  in  boxes  put 
II})  lor  them  by  the  inhabitants  for  the  i)urpose. 

Mr.  Townsend  found  this  species  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Platte  IJiver,  near 
the  lUack  Hills,  and  also  on  tlie  banks  of  the  ("ohnnbia.  They  confined 
themselves  to  the  fences  in  the  neighborhood  of  settlements,  occasionally 
lighting  upon  the  groiuid  and  scratching  for  minute  insects.  lie  describes 
their  song  as  a  delightful  warble.  Its  notes  resendile  those  of  the  common 
Bluebird,  but  are  so  different  as  to  be  easily  recognized ;  they  are  ec^ually 
sweet  and  clear,  but  have  nnich  less  power. 

Neither  Dr.  (land)cl  nor  Dr.  licermaiin  found  ihis  .sj-ecies  in  California 
excepting  during  tlie  winter,  and  were  of  the  o[iinion  that  none  remain  there 
to  breed. 

Dr.  Kennerly  observed  them  at  different  ])oints  among  the  liocky  Moun- 
tains, where  tliev  frecpuMited  tht;  vicinity  of  his  camp  early  in  the  morning, 
at  .some  times  in  pairs  and  at  others  in  flocks  of  four  or  five. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  states  that  he  found  this  Hluebird  very  abundant  between 
the  Cascades  and  the  liocky  ^lountains,  where  they  arrive  in  June  and  leave 
in  September.  After  nesting  they  as.seniblud  in  large  Hocks,  and  fed  on  the 
open  plains. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  very  light  blue,  ])aler  than  those  of  the  other  species. 
They  measure  .*^1'  (jf  an  inch  in  length  by  .GO  in  breadth. 

Mr.  IJidgway  states  that  ho  found  the  IJocky  ^Mountain  Bluebird  nesting 
in  Virginia  City  in  June.  Its  nests  were  built  about  the  old  buildings, 
and  occasionally  in  the  unused  excavations  about  the  mines.  At  Austin  he 
also  found  it  conunou  in  July,  in  similar  localities.  On  the  Kast  llumbohlt 
Mountains  it  M-as  very  nunu'rous,  especially  on  the  more  elevated  portions, 
where  it  nested  among  the  rocks  and,  though  more  rarely,  hi  the  deserted 
excavations  of  woodpeckers  in  the  stunted  ])irion  and  cedar  trees.  Ho 
describes  it  as  generally  very  shy  and  ililHcult  to  olitain,  seldom  jtermitting 
a  very  near  aiija'oach.  in  its  haliits  it  is  much  less  arboreal  tiian  either  >S'. 
iiiiwiainn  or  ,s'.  sliiH.-<,  abvays  jircferiing  the  open  niouiitahi  portions  in  the 
higher  miiges  of  tlie  (ircat  Basin. 

Ill  regard  to  its  notes  Mr.  Uidgway  .says  :  "The  common  note  of  this 
species  woiihl,  iVoiu  its  character,  be  at  once  recogiii/ed  as  that  of  a  Blue- 
bird. Its  autumnal  note,  bowcver,  lacks  entirely  the  jjcculiar  plaintiveiicss 
so  characteristic  of  that  of  our  Ivistcrn  species,  and  is  much  more  feeblo, 
consisting  of  a  simjile  weak  chirp.  Like  the  »S'.  vu'.eimnn,  the  »S'.  arrlirn 
was  also  never  heaid  to  giv(^  utterance  to  anything  resembling  the  lovely 
spring  warbling  of  the  iS.  tsidli-s." 


SYLVIID.E  — THE  SYLVIAS.  /jg 


Family   SYLVIID^.  -  Thk  Sylvias. 

C„AR  Bill  much  shorter  than  hca.l,  sI.M.lor,  broad,  and  d.pro.sed  at  the  hase,  di.tinrtly 
no..l,.d  and  deenryed  at  the  tip.  C„l,„en  .sharp-rid^ed  at  b.se.  Frontal  feathers  reaehin! 
o  the  no.str>!.s  wlneh  are  oval,  with  nienihrane  above,  and  overhung- not  concealed - 
by  a  few  bnstles  or  by  a  feather.  Ui.tal  bri..,les  e.xtendin,.  beyon.l  nost.  ils.  Tarsi  booted 
or  seutellate  Basal  ,onU  of  middle  toe  attached  its  whole  length  externally,  half-way 
ternally  1  nn.ar.es  ten  ;  spnrious  prin.ary  about  half  the  second,  which  is  shorter  than 
the  .seventh.     Lateral  toes  equal. 

The  birds  of  this  family  are  readily  distinguished  from  the  ParUla'  hy  the 
slender  hill,  notched  and  dec,n-ved  at  tip;  much  bristled  gape,  sharp-ridded 
cuhnen,  exposed  oval  ,  .strils,  less  adherent  toes,  etc.  They  are  much  smaHer 
hau  the  lurduhv  anAS;,,n,olido;  «-ith  much  more  slender,  depres.sed  bill 
longer  rictal  bristles,  etc.  The  short  outer  primary,  with  the  primaries  ten 
m  number,  distinguish  them  from  the  Sf/hiro/ida: 

The  following  .ynopsi.s  will  serve  to  characterize  tho  American  forms  of 
their  res,,ect.ye  sul>families.  The  species  are  all  among  the  most  diminutive 
in  size  witli  the  exception  of  the  Humming-Birds :  — 

A.    AVin,.s  lon,.er  than  the  nearly  even  and  emarjrinate  tail.     Scutell.-c  of  tarsus 
^arcely  or  not  at  all  appreciable.     General  color  olivaceous  above.     Xo  white  on 

Nostrils  naked.     Scntelkc  di.stinct  on  inner  face  of  tarsns  only.     Head  plain. 


Nostrils  overhnng  by  bristly  leathers.     Scutell.  of  tarsns  not  appreciate'"  ""  "" 
Head  with  a  colored  centra:  erest  I'lcciaoic. 

B.Wi,,,s  about  equal  to  the  graduated  taih     Tai^al  seuteliu,  distinct!    Alf^"''""' 
bldish  ;   tad  with  white  spots  or  patches  ^»-"o\l 

Nostrils  uncovered.     Head  plain;  either  bluish  or  black  above.         Polloj,  i;  li  no.. 

SriiFAMibv  SYLVIINiE. 

Feathers   of 'hontal   re^io,     w         b    '  ,  'S:/':'"'     '"^  T'^  ';-"  ^  '■-•^i""t'-  '-L 

scutcllate  anteriorly,  b,^  i^Uisth't  e^:!!    7'V'  ".^  X:::^!^   T"'''     '"' 
Aineriemi  form.)  (.'n.nacicis  ....nvn  with  relereiice  to  the 

The  intrcluction  of  this  subfamily  into  the  j.resont  M-ork  is  renuired  to 

accomnu>date  a  spec.es  of  P,,,,,, ,.,„  e,!,,,,...!  on  the  Yukon  bvT        ,1 

s  an  Telegmph  Kxped.tion,  the  first  known  instance  of  the  existen;-!  in  n'   Ui 
.  niencaot  a  group  of  birds  characteri.stic  of  the  northern  par     c^T     ,0  O 
JVorld.     Among  the  smallest  of  the  class,  they  are  eniinen  'y  soc  a        •„ 
feed  entirely  on  insects,  which  they  capture  mostly  on  tl.  wing     k^^' 


70 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


catchers.  The  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground,  and  is  of  an  oval  or  spherical 
form  with  a  round  opening  on  one  side.  The  .sexes  are  similar,  and  tlie 
young  difler  very  little  from  the  parents. 


Genus  PHYLLOPNEUSTE,   Meyer  &  AVolp. 

Phyllopncnatc,  Mevku  &  Wolf,  Tasuheiibudi,  1)522. —Dkglaxd  ct  Gkp.iie,  Oinith  Enron 
1,  1807,  U-i. 

Gen.  CiiAK.      Bill  .liorter  tlian   tli.-   lioad;  strai-ht,  slciulcr,  ami  dopicssed,  notclu'il 

at  tip.  NosliilsoptMi.  Tiirsi  k'ngtlicncd; 
c.xi'oediii'r  tin-  nii<Mlc  toe;  .'jcutcllatc  nii- 
torii)i'ly,  but  with  the  plates  indistinct, 
claw,'!  i-'hort,  nnifli  eiirvod.  Winjr.s  point- 
ed, lon^'ur  than  tail,  and  roacliin<>-  at 
least  to  its  niiddlo;  spurious  qiiill  ex- 
tendinj,'  fai-thur  than  the  uppor  coviMt. 
Tail  eniar<riiiato.  Olivaueoiis  above ; 
yellowish  or  whitish  beneath. 


^       4500A     

P/it/tlnpiti  itsfr  bnrfalh 


For  the  purpo.se  of  distinguishing  this 
American,  it  is  enough  to  siiy  tliat,  of  the : 
general  appearance  of  the  warblers,  it  has 
a  short  spiu-ious  first  primary,  as  in  the 
Thrushes,  and  some  Vireoiiida:  Tlie  single 
species  found  as  yet  within  our  limits  re- 
semhles  at  first  sight  an  immature  Douh-oirn 
a'stiva,  hut  is  easily  distinguished  by  llie 
wing  formula,  the  yellowish  strijjc  over  the 
eyi!,  and  the  brown  tail-feathers. 


genus   from   any  other   North 


Phyllopneuile  ban  ulis. 


Fhyllopneuste  borealis,   J5i..vs. 

ALASKA  WILLOW  WABBLY B, 

r/ii/Hdjincusfe  biiiYKlis,  Bi.as.  Iliis,  KSti2,  tii).     P/ii/l/ujinainlt;  Ki;nn.,  ISaiki),  Tnuia.  Cliioago 
Acad.  Soi.  1,  ii,  p.  ai3,  pi.  x.\x,  tig.  2,  ISGD. 

Sp.  Cn.Mt.  (Description  of  spc-cimen  No.  45.90!).)  Plnniafrc  in  AiiLmst :  aliovo  olive- 
frreen,  with  a  .slijrht  .shade  ot'lirowii  on  lop  oChead,  rather  lijrhter  behind  :  Ijenenth  wliito 
tinjred  with  irreenish-yellow  ;  tnoro  oliv(?  on  the  throat  and  breast;  and  more  yellow 
behind,  inside  the  winir  and  on  lhi;jhs;  axijlars  purer  yellow.  A  well-marked  fjreeni.sli- 
yellow  line  from  nostrils  over  the  eye  to  the  nape  (extendinjr  behind  the  eve  nearly  as 
far  as  from  eye  to  tip  of  bill),  beneath  this  an  olivaeeous  streak  thron«;h  the  eve,  rnnnintf 
into  the  mixed  olive  and  yellowisli  of  the  cheeks.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  brown,  edged 
with  olivaceous;  the  outer  edtres  of  primaries  more  yellowish  than  those  of  seeondnries  • 
the  greater  coverts  tipped  externally  with  greenish-yellow,  so  iw  to  form  a  di,stiucl  baud 


SVLVIID.K  _  TIlK    SYLVIAS. 


71 


across  flio  wiiip.  Bill  Tathor  dark  l)ro\vii ;  paler  Ixiicatli.  Logs  rlark  olivr  ;  Iocs  not  stMi- 
sibly  (liirirront.     Nest  probably  on  ground,  and  domed.     Eggs  white,  spotted  wiili  pini<. 

.Spurious  rjuill  in  length  about  one  fourth  the  second,  whieli  Li'iout  ecpials  the  sixth,  or 
very  slightly  exceeds  it  ;  third  and  fourth  hnigest ;   lifih  a  little  shorter. 

Diuu'usions  (fre.sh  specimen  before  being  skinned):  colal  length,  4.75;  expan.se  of 
wings,  (5.((() ;  wing  from  carpal  joint,  12.5t». 

Dimensions  (prepared  specimen):  total  length,  4.00 ;  wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.00.  Exposed 
portion  of  lirst  primary.  0.4'_' :  of  .second,  L5(i ;  of  longest  (measured  from  exposed  base 
of  lirst  primary).  I.S.").  Hill:  length  from  aliove,  0.;5S  ;  liom  nostril,  (t.2!»;  along  gape, 
1..").  Legs:  tai-.su.s,  O.liti :  middle  toe  and  claw,  0.:V) ;  claw  alone,  0.10;  hind  toe  and 
claw,  0.,i(i ;   claw  alone,  0,20. 

ir.Mi.     Xortheast  Asia  (China,  East  Siberia)  ;  adjacent  to  JJehring's  Straits  and  Alaska. 

Thi.s  species,  in  oonci-al  appetiraiice,  appiivently  comes  iietirer  to  7*.  fivrhilii.t 
tliiiii  to  any  otiier  of  it.s  eonoeiiers.  It  is,  however,  iiioiv.  olivaceous-green 
above,  and  more  yellow  beneath,  and  has  a  distinct  I)and  across  the  wing. 
The  siipereiliiiry  liglit  stripe  is  more  distinct  iind  longer;  the  bill  and  legs 
iive  darker,  and  tlie  toes  not  sensibly  diderent  in  color  from  the  tarsus.  The 
proportion  of  the  (piills  is  mucli  tiie  same,  excejtt  tiiat  the  interval  between 
the  tips  of  the  fifth  and  si.xth  tjuills  is  greater,  and  the  second  is  almost  inap- 
preciably longer  than  the  latter,  not  reaching  nearly  midway  between  the 
two.     Th(!  tirst  or  s])urious  (luill  is  rather  sJKjrter. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  s])ecies  was  obttiined  August  IG,  1860,  on  St. 
MichaL"s  Island,  in  Norton  .Soinid,  Alaska,  by  Mr.  (.Charles  Pease.  IVlr. 
JJannistei  met  witli  no  other  specimen  in  tiiat  locality,  and  from  this  it  is 
inferred  tiiat  Miis  is  not  tin  abundant  species  there.  It  was  described  as  a 
new  species  untier  tiie  name  of  P.  Icennicottii  (I'.aird),  but  has  been  ascer- 
tained by  Mr.  Tristram,  to  whom  it  was  sent  for  examination,  (Ibis,  1871, 
p.  2;{],)  to  be  identiciil  with  /'  hovculis  of  Blasiu.s. 

Dr.  niasiiis  also  states  (Xaumannia,  18.-)8,  ]..  ?^^r^)  that  a  si)ecimen  of  this 
species  has  betui  obtiiined  on  the  islan.l  of  Heligoland,  showing  it  to  be  also 
jin  accidental  visitant  to  Western  p]uro]ie. 

llAiiiTs.  Mr.  1{,  Swinhoe,  who  describes  this  among  the  birds  of  Formosa 
as  P.xnlrirnlfri,;  sttites  it  to  l)e  a  summer  visitant  to  Soutliern  China,  passin-' 
m  large  numbers  through  Anioy  in  its  autuniiml  migrations  southeastwaiJ 
probably  to  the  Piiilippine  I.slands.  touching  at  Southwestern  Fornmsa  and 
Twaiwanfoo,  where  lie  found  them  abundant.  This  was  for  a  few  days  in 
October,  but  he  neitlier  saw  any  before  nor  afterwards,  nor  did  he  meet  with 
any  tit  Tamstiy  (Ibis,  IHHa,  p.  ;i07).  The  same  writer  (Ibis,  18(iO,  p.  ^3) 
spet.ks  oi  tins  bird  tis  very  al)undant  in  Amoy  during  the  months  of  April 
iind  May,  Imt  passing  farther  north  to  I)reed, 

We  have  no  information  in  reference  to  its  habits,  and  notliing  farther  in 
regard  to  i.s  distriliution.  As  it  bears  a  very  close  resembltmce  'to  the  Wil- 
low Wren  of  Europe,  /',  tn,rl,lh,.,  it  is  .piite  i.n.bable  that  its  general  hal)its 
nest,  and  eggs  will  be  found  to  correspond  very  closely  with  those  of  that 
iiird. 


72 


NORTH  AMERICAN  J5IKDS, 


The  European  warl.lers  of  the  ,t,o„us  rhullopncvMc  are  all  insect-eatin.. 
birds,  captunno  then-  j.rey  wl.ile  ..n  the  wi„.-,  u,  also  feeding  on  their 
larvi^  ll.ey  irequent  the  woodlands  during  their  l^reeding-season,  but  at 
an  other  tunes  are  much  more  laniiliar,  keeping  about  dwellings  and  sheep- 

The  P.  trochih.  is  a  resi.lent  throughout  the  entire  year  in  Southern 
Europe  and  m  Central  Asia.  That  species  builds  at  the  foot  of  a  bush  on 
tlie  ground,  and  eonstructs  a  domed  nest  with  the  entrance  on  one  side 
Their  egg«  are  five  in  number  have  a  pinkish-white  ground,  and  are  spotted 
with  well-defined  blotches  of  reddish-brown,  measuring  0.G5  by  0  50  inch 
and  are  of  a  rounded  o\al  shape.  ^  ' 


SrBiw.Mii.v   REGULINiE. 

.liSoL   '''"''  '""'"  '"'"  ""  -'a.-,iiu>.o.l  tail.     Tu,.i  ,„,ote,l,  or  without  s,.„„.„„ 
This    subfamily    embraces   but  a   single   well-defined   North  America, 


(Jkms  regulus, 


Cuv. 


ncy,ans  Wv    "  Lo.;o„.s  .I'Anat.  Co,,,,,,  i;-,!.,  ISOO."     (Typ.  AMncilla  rcgnlus,  L.vn  ) 
Iu;j,doHlr^,  IkvTM.  1847.     (Type  "/.■.  /,rmr,,„h,.,  Pali.  "Okay  ) 

P/n,lM,,.ik..,  C.u>.   M,,.s.  H..i,..   I,  1850,   :...     iTy^.^.  Motacma  calcnanla,  L,xx.,-C<,r. 
//i!//i<>,  Caii.  ,Ioui'.  ()i'„.  1,  1853,  S3.     (.S„i,„.  ty,«..) 

Okn.  C„,u.     Hill  ,.lo„,,.o,-,  m„..h  ..1,0,-t,.,.  tl,a„  ,1,0  l„.a,i.  .1,  p,.o,...o,l  at,  ha..o,  l,„t  l.ooo,„i„. 

raiiidiy  c<,i„p,o.ssiMl ;  ,iio(lci-atoly  uotfju.,!  at  ti|^ 
Ci,lii,cM,  si.ai-l.t  to  near  the  tip,  the,,  pcntly 
curved.  r.,i„iiiis.^uiv  sti-aiirlit;  jronys  convex. 
RictiK><  well  1,1-oviiled  wi,l,  l),i,^lle,s ;  uo.«<,,-il  cov- 
<Tcd  l,y  a  sin.ule  l,i-i.stly  feallier  dii-eeted  forwai-ds 
(not  di.^tinct  ill  c„/en,hil„).  Tar.<!i  elongateil,  ex- 
ceedii,-  con,.ideial,ly  the  middle  too,  .and  without 
scutollie.  Lat.M'al  trtes  about  ecpial ;  hind  toe  with 
the  claw,  ioniser  thiin  the  inid.ile  one  l,y  ahout 
Iiair  (he  elaw.  CIaw.s  all  much  eiirved.  First 
,  ,       ,„,  primary  about  one  third  a.s  ion-'  a.s  the  l<m<'est- 

.--ond  e.p.,d  to    m.  or  six.h.     Tail  shorter  than  the  wings,  .„od..,.a,ely  ii.rlced,  the  ^^ 
cr.s  acuni.mate.     Colors  olive-.neen  above,  whi,i..l,  beneath.     Size  vcy  small. 

» 

We  are  unable  to  apjireciate  any  such  difference  betweet.  the  connuon 
.North  American  Iir;,„n  as  to  warrant  Cabanis  in  establishing  a  sepamte 
genus  for  the  ca/aMa.  The  bristly  feather  over  the  no.stril  is  perhaps  less 
compact  and  close,  but  it  exists  in  a  rudimentary  condition. 


Hegiilns  snirapa. 


SYLVIID.K  — T'll';   SYLVIAS. 
The  following  synopsis  will  servo  as  diagnoses  of  the  si)eeie.s  :  — 


J  lead  with  oiitirc!  oiiii  in  adiill  plain  o 


olivaceous,  with  a  I'oiiccaleil  patch  of  fi'inison. 
Hub.    Whole  of  North  America;  soiitii  to  (iiiatcmala;  Grcciilaiul     .         .         , 

Head  with  forehead  and  line  over  the  eyo  white,  boniei-e.l  inside  l.y  lilaek,  and 
within  this  a.Main  is  yellow,  enibracin^r  an  orange  patch  in  the  centre  of  the 
Clown.     Hah.    Whole  of  North  America 

Head  with  forehead  and  line  throii-h  the  eye  black,  bordered  inside  by  Avhitisb, 
an.!  within  this  ajrain  by  black,  embracing  an  unuige-red  patch  in  the  euiitro  of 
the  crown.     Hub.   Banks  of  Scluiylkill  River,  Pennsylvania 


73 


(i/fiid/iln. 


■idfnqia. 


curitrt. 


Regulus  satrapa,  Liciit. 

QOLDEN-CBOWNED  KIKOLET. 

I!.rn>h<s  .mfrnpa,   Liei.r.   Vorz.    1S2;{,  ii„.    410.  -  Da.,!,  &    IUn-ntstku  (Alaska).  -  Loan 
(VaiicMivr  l.sl.).  -lUiiti.,  Minis  N.  Am.  185it,  2-J7  ;  lievicw,  (J5.  —  Sei,.vri.;ii,  V.  7.  S 
1857,  212  (Orizaba).  -  U.kmkkku,  Cab.  Jour,  IV,  y:(,  pi.  i,  lij,.  ,s  (..jj.s,  tVoin  Labrador)." 
--I'll.  M.VX.  Cab.  Jour.  IS.'iS,  111.  _('o„|,|.;i.  &  SecKi.KV,   l>.  IJ.  K.  1{.  .\II,  ii,  185!) 
174  oviutm  in   W.   Tciritorv).  -  Lone,    1{.   Art.    lu.st.    Wool.    l.S(i4,    114 '(nest »). — 
DliKssKii,   Ibi.s   18ti5,   47<i  (T.'xas,  winter).   -S.v.Meia.s,   171*. -CooPKIt,  liirds  Cul    I 
32.     Xah-hi  rt,j„lnx,  M'li.s.  ;  /,■,•,,»/».,  a-isl„hi^,  Vm:ii.L.  ;  A',  tricolor,  Xi;tt.    Aim 

Figures:  Aue.  Birds  Am.  II,  pi.  cxx.xii._lu.  Urn.   Biog.   II,  pL  d.v.xxiii.  _  Vik.ii.l  Ois 
Am.  Sept.  II,  pi.  cvi. 

Sp.  C.vk.  Above  olive-green,  brightest  on  the  onfr  edges  of  the  win-  tail-reathors 
tmged  with  brownish-gray  towards  the  head.  I'oreh..a,|,  a  line  over  the  eye  and  u  space 
beneath  It,  white.  Exterior  of  the  ,.rown  before  and  laterally  black,  embraeing  a  central 
patch  ol  orange-red,  encircled  by  gamboge-yellow.  A  dnskv  spa,.-  aroniul  the  eye 
Wing-eoverfs  with  two  yellowish-white  bands,  the  posterior  covering  a  similar  band  on 
he  quills,  succeeded  by  a  broad  .Insky  one.  T'nder  parts  dull  whitish.  Len-rth  under 
4  niches;  wmg,  2.2,;  tail,  1.8...  Fe,„,„,.  without  the  orange-red  central  patd.:  Young 
birds  without  the  colored  eiowii.  ^ 

ILvn.     North  Au>eri,.a  generally.     On  the  west  coast,  not  recorded  .south  of  Fort  Crook 
Orizaba,  ScLATKK  ;  W.  Arizona,  Coi'ks.  "'"vviook. 

Specimens  of  this  bird  from  the  far  West 
are  lunch  brighter  and  more  oliviiceoiis  above; 
the  markings  of  the  face  are  also  somewhat 
different  in  siiowing  less  dnsky  aliout  tlie  eye. 
These  may  form  a  variety  olimceus. 

The  RcijkIhh  rrisfnfiiH  of  Enrope,  a  close  ally 
of  our  bird,  is  distinguislied  by  having  shorter 
wings  and  longer  bill;  the  Hanie-color  of  the 
head  is  more  extended,  the  l)laek  liorder  i.s 
almost  wanting  anteriorly.     The  back  tmd  nunp.  too.  are  more  yellow 

Habits  The  (ioKlen-creste.l  Kinglet,  or  Wren,  as  it  is  often  called,  occnrs 
over  nettrb^  the  whole  of  the  North  .A.nerican  contine.it.  It  is  abnn.lant 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  I'acilic,  an.l  thronghont  the  British  Provinces  where 


Resnlu.1  satrnpa. 


74  North  aj[erican  birds. 

it  chiefly  occurs  in  its  hreeding-season.  In  Massadmsctts  it  is  a  winter 
resident  i'roni  OeUiber  until  ^fay.  In  Maine  it  is  met  witli  in  si)rin<f  and 
fall,  cliieHy  as  a  niigratury  visitor ;  a  lew  also  remain,  and  probably  breed,  in 
tlie  dense  Thiijd  s\vanii)S  of  tliat  Statu.  They  are  nuwt  abundant  in  April, 
and  again  in  October.  In  the  vicinity  of  Calais  the  CJ olden-crest  is  a  coni- 
nion  summer  resident,  and,  without  doubt,  breeds  tliere. 

IJr.  Woodliouse  mentions  finding  this  species  in  abundance  in  New  Mexico 
and  Texas,  assoc^iated  with  Nuthatches  and  Titmice.  Dr.  Cooper  i'ouud  it 
abundant  in  Wasliington  Territory,  particularly  in  the  winter,  and  ascertained 
positively  tliat  they  breed  there,  by  .seeing  them  feeding  their  young  near 
Puget  Sound,  in  tlie  montii  of  August.  According  to  Mr.  liidgway  it  is 
much  less  numerous  in  the  (ireat  l>asin  than  the  Jl.  ai/ntdiild. 

The  food  of  this  lively  and  attractive  little  bird  during  the  sunnner  months 
is  alnio.st  ovclusively  the  smaller  winged  insects,  which  it  industriously  pur- 
sues amid  the  highest  tree-to])s  of  the  forest.  At  other  seasons  its  habits 
are  more  those  of  tlie  titmice,  necessity  leading  it  to  ransack  the  crevices  of 
the  bark  on  the  trunks  and  larger  lindjs  of  the  forest-trees.  It  is  an  expert 
fly-catcher,  taking  in.sects  readily  ujion  the  wing. 

But  little  is  known  with  certainty  regarding  its  breeding-habits,  and  its 
nest  and  eggs  have  not  yet  been  deseril)ed.  The  presum])tion,  however,  is 
that  it  builds  a  pensile  nest,  not  unlike  the  European  congener,  and  lays 
small  eggs  finely  sjirinkled  with  buff-colored  dots  on  a  white  ground,  and  in 
size  nearly  corresponding  witii  those  of  our  common  IIumming-Bird.  We 
must  infer  that  it  raises  two  broods  in  a  season,  from  the  fact  that  it  spends 
so  long  a  period,  from  April  to  October,  in  its  summer  abode,  and  still  more 
because  while  Mr.  Nuttall  found  them  feeding  their  full-fledged  young  in 
May,  on  the  Columbia,  Dr.  (.'ooper,  in  the  same  locality,  and  Mr.  Audubon, 
in  Labrador,  observed  them  doing  the  same  thing  in  the  month  of  August. 

According  to  the  olt.servations  of  ^Ir.  J.  K.  Lord,  this  s[)ecies  is  very  com- 
mon on  Vancouver's  Island  and  along  the  entire  boundary  line  sepiirating 
Washington  Territory  from  British  Cohnnbia,  where  he  met  with  them  at  an 
altitude  of  six  thousand  feet.  He  states  that  they  build  a  pensile  nest  sus- 
pended from  the  extreme  end  of  a  pine  branch,  and  that  they  lay  from  five 
to  seven  eggs.     These  ho  does  not  describe. 

Most  writers  speak  of  this  Kinglet  as  having  no  song,  its  only  note 
being  a  single  chirp.  But  in  this  tiiey  are  certainly  greatly  in  error.  With- 
out having  so  loud  or  so  powerful  a  note  as  the  Buby-crown  (7i!.  ea/cndidd), 
for  its  song  will  admit  of  no  comparison  with  the  wonderful  vocal  powers 
of  that  species,  it  yet  has  a  (juite  distinctive  and  prolonged  succession 
of  pleasing  notes,  whicli  I  have  heard  it  pour  forth  in  the  midst  of  the 
most  inclement  weather  in  February  almost  uninterruptedly,  and  for  quite 
an  interval. 

Bisclioff  obtained  a  largo  nnnd)er  of  this  species  at  Kodink,  and  also  at 
Suka,  where  it  seemed  to  replace  the  Uul»y-crown. 


SYLVIID/E  — THE   SYLVIAS.  -r- 

I  O 


Regulus  cuvieri,  A  id. 

CUVIEB'S  KIKOLET. 


neguhiscimeri,  Am.  Oiii.  Biog.  1,  1832,  288,  pi.  Iv,  etc.  —  Uaiud,   Birds  X.  Am.   isni), 
228  ;  Ui'v.  Am.  Birds,  06. 

Sr.  Char.  Size  and  general  nppoarancc-  probably  that  of  II.  .tn/mjin.  A  Idack  band  on 
till!  rorclii-ad  pii.-^siiif,'  baiA",  throufrli  and  1-  d  tin;  eye,  separat<,-d  by  a  grayi.-^li  Ijand  from 
another  Ijlaek  band  on  the  crown,  wliicli  unibraces  in  the  centre  ol'  the  crown  an  orange 
patch.     Length,  4.2.')  inche.-< ;  extent  ot'wing.s  0. 

Hab.     "Banks  of  Schuylkill  River.  Penn.     June,  1812."     Am. 

This  ,si)eeies  continues  to  bo  unknown,  except  I'roni  the  description  of  Mr. 
Autlubon,  as  quoted  above.  It  appears  to  difler  mainly  I'roni  R  .iiitrapa  in 
having  two  black  bands  (not  one)  on  the  crown  anteriorly,  separated  Ijy  a 
whitish  one;  the  extreme  forehead  being  black  instead  of  white,  as  in 
mtmpa.  The  specimen  was  killed  in  June,  1812,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Scluiylkill  liiver,  in  Penusylvauia. 


Regulus  calendula,  Licm. 

BUBT-CBOWNED  KINGLET. 

Afotacina  mkiiiMfi,  Linn.  Syst.  .\at.  I,  170(5,  337.  necjulus  cfilnuhila,  LiniT.  Vflrz.  1823, 
no.  408.  —  Bai1!I>,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  220;  Rev.  6(i.  —  Scuvrmi,  P.  Z.  S.  18.^.7,  202! 
—  lii.  1858,  300  (mountains  of  Oa.vaca).  —  In.  1859,  362  (Xalapa).  —  In.  18G4',  172 
(City  of  Mex.). -SA.MrKLs,  178.  —  Dali,  &  Banxi.stku  (Alaska).  -C,)opku,  Bird.s 
Cnl.  I,  33. —  III.  Ibis,  I,  1859,  8  (Guatemala). —Cooper  k  SrcKLEY,  P.  li.  \i.  XII, 
n,  1859,  174.-I{KixiiAi!nT,  Ibis,  1861,  5  (fireenlaml).  —  Duessku,  Ibis,  1865,  475 
(Texas,  winter).  CorthnUo  a,/ci,dtd„,  Caij.  .Four.  Orn.  I,  1853,  83  (type  of  genus). 
llaiuluH  nthiiinix,  VlKll.i..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  11,  1807,  49,  pi.  civ,  cv. 

Other  figures  :  WiLs.  Am.  Oru.  I,  1808,  pi.  v,  lig.  3. -I)ouoiiTY,'cab.  II,  pi.  vi  _  Vui) 
Orn.  Biog.  II,  pi.  cxcv.  —  lu.  Birds  Am.  II,  pi.  c.x.xxiii. 

Sp.  Ciiak.  Above  dark  green ish-olive,  passing  into  bright  olive-green  on  the  rump  and 
outer  edges  of  the  wings  and  tail.  The  under  parts  are  grayish-white  tinged  « ith  pale 
ohve-yellow,  especially  behind.  A  ring  roun.l  the  eye,  two  bands  on  the  win-covcits 
and  the  oxtenor  of  the  inner  tertials  white.  Male.  Crown  with  a  large  conceaLd  patch 
ol  scarlet  feathers,  which  are  white  at  the  ba.se.  Female  and  young  without  the  red  on 
the  crown.     Length,  4..')0;  wing,  2.;3.'i ;  tail,  I.80. 

Hab.  Greenland;  whole  of  North  America,  and  south  to  Guatemala.  Oaxaca  (hi<rh 
region,  November),  Sclatku.     Xalapa  and  Guatemala,  Sclater. 

This  species  of  7iV^/(/«,s  appears  to  lack  the  small  feather  which,  in  satrnpa 
overlies  and  conceals  the  nostuls,  wiiich  was  probably  the  reason  with  Cabanis 
and  Blyth  tor  placing  it  in  a  different  genus.  There  is  no  other  very  apparent 
difference  of  form,  however,  although  this  furnishes  a  good  character  for  dis- 
tmguishnig  between  young  specimens  of  the  two  species. 

H^VBiTS.    Much  yet  remains  to  be  learued  as  to  tlie  general  habits,  the 


76  NORTH  AMKKICAX  UIRDS. 

nesting,  and  distribution  during  the  breeding-season  of  the  Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet.  It  is  t'ouud,  at  varying  periods,  in  all  parts  of  North  America, 
from  Mexico  to  tiie  sliorcs  of  the  Arctic  seas,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific ;  and,  although  its  breeding-places  arc  not  known,  its  occurrence  in 
the  more  northern  latitudes,  from  ^hiine  to  the  extreme  portions  of  the  conti- 
nent, during  the  season  of  reproduction,  indicate  i)retty  certainly  its  extended 
distribution  throughout  all  tiie  forests  from  the  •44th  parallel  northward. 
None  of  our  American  ornithologists  are  known  to  have  met  with  either  its 
eggs  or  its  nest,  hut  we  may  reasonably  infer  that  its  nest  is  pensile,  like 
that  of  its  European  kindred,  and  from  being  susjn'uded  from  the  higher 
branches,  from  its  peculiar  structure  and  jiosition  has  thus  far  escaped 
observation. 

In  the  New  England  States  they  aie  most  abundant  in  the  months  of 
October  and  April.  A  few  ju'obably  remain  in  the  thick  evergreen  woods 
throughout  the  winter,  and  in  the  northern  parts  of  Maine  they  ai'c  occasion- 
ally fouud  in  the  suunner,  and,  without  doubt,  breed  there.  In  the  damp 
swampy  woods  of  the  islands  in  the  liay  of  Fundy,  the  writer  heard  their 
remarkable  song  resounding  in  all  directions  throughout  the  month  of  June. 
The  song  of  this  bird  is  l)y  far  the  most  remarkable  of  its  specific  pecu- 
liarities. Its  notes  are  clear,  resonant,  and  high,  and  constitute  a  prolonged 
series,  varying  from  the  lowest  tones  to  the  highest,  terminating  with  the 
latter.  It  nuiy  be  heard  at  (juite  a  distance,  and  in  some  respects  beai-s 
more  resenddance  to  the  song  of  the  English  Skylark  than  to  that  of  the 
Canary,  to  which  Mr.  Audidwn  compares  it. 

Their  food  ap])ears  to  he  chiefly  the  smaller  insects,  in  pursuit  of  which 
they  are  very  active,  and  at  times  appear  to  be  so  absorbed  in  their  avocation 
as  to  be  unmindful  of  the  near  presence  of  the  sjtortsman  or  collector,  and 
unwarned  by  the  souimI  of  the  deadly  gun.  They  are  also  said  by  Wilson 
to  feed  upon  the  stamens  of  the  lilossoms  of  the  maple,  the  apple,  i)each,  and 
other  trees.  Like  the  other  species,  they  are  expert  insect-takers,  catching 
them  readily  oji  the  v  ing.  They  ari'  chief'.y  to  be  met  with  in  the  spring 
among  the  tree-tops,  where  the  insects  they  prefer  abound  among  the 
expanding  buds.  In  the  fall  of  the  year,  on  their  return,  they  are  more 
commonly  met  with  among  lower  branches,  and  among  bushes  near  the 
ground. 

Although  presumed  to  be  chiefly  resident,  during  the  summer  months, 
of  high  northern  regions,  Wilson  met  with  s])ecimens  in  iViinsylvania 
during  the  breeding-season  ;  am^  it  is  (|uite  probable  that  they  may  occur, 
here  and  there,  among  the  high  valleys  in  the  midst  of  mountain  ranges, 
in  different  ])arts  of  the  country. 

In  the  winter  it  is  most  al»un(hint  in  the  (Inlf  States,  and  especially  in 
that  of  Louisiana.  Dr.  Woodiiouse  found  it  ([iiite  abundant  throughout 
Ti  xas  New  Mexico,  and  the  Indian  Territory.  Dr.  Cooj)er  found  it  in 
Washington  Territory,  but  did  not  there  meet  with  it  in  summer.     Dr. 


SYLVIID.E  —  THE  SYLVIAS. 


11 


Suckley,  however,  regarded  it  as  a  tninsieiit  visitor,  ratlier  than  a  winter  resi- 
dent of  tliat  region,  and  I'ar  mure  abundant  from  about  the  8th  of  Ai)ril  to 
the  20tii  of  May,  wlicn  it  seemed  to  be  mignitinj,',  than  at  any  other  time. 

Dr.  Kennedy  found  tiiese  birds  in  aljundauce  near  Espia,  Mexico,  and 
afterwards,  during  .January,  among  the  Aztec  Moiuitains,  and  again,  in 
Feliruary,  along  the  Bill  Williams  Fork.  He  describes  them  as  lively, 
active,  and  busy  in  the  pursuit  of  their  insect  food.  They  seem  to  l)e 
e([ually  abundant  at  tliis  season  in  California,  Arizona,  and  Colorado. 

Mr.  Ividgway  found  them  conmiDn  in  June  and  July  among  the  coniferous 
woods  high  upon  the  Wahsatch  Mountains  in  Utah,  and  has  no  doubt  that 
they  breed  there. 

Mr.  Dall  found  this  species  abundant  at  Nulato,  Alaska,  in  the  spring 
of  1808,  i)referring  the  thickets  and  alder-bushes  away  from  tlie  river-bank. 
They  appeared  very  courageous.  A  pair  that  seemed  about  to  connnence 
building  a  nest  in  a  si^iall  clump  of  buslies  tore  to  jneces  one  half  finislied, 
belonging  to  a  pair  of  Srohrophuyiis  fcrniyincus,  and,  on  the  blackl)irds' 
return,  attacked  the  female  and  drove  lier  away.  This  was  early  in  June, 
anil  Mr.  Dall  was  compelhitl  to  leave  without  being  able  to  witness  the 
seijuel  of  the  contest. 

A  straggling  specimen  of  this  bird  was  taken  in  18G()  at  Nenortatik,  in 
Greenland,  and  sent  in  tiu'  Hesb  to  (Jopenhagen. 


SiTRFAMiiY  POLIOPTILINJB. 

The  characters  of  this  subfamily  will  be  found  on  i)age  (ill. 


Gems  POLIOPTILA,  Sl 


.'L.\T. 


/■ulwiili/ii,  Sci.AlKlt,  I'r.  Zo(il.  !Soc.  is:,:,,  11.     (Tv|«',  Moliicilhi  camhu.) 

f'liAK.  Hill  .sl(!iulL'r,  atU'niiiile<l,  lint  (loprcsscil  ut  llu-  )..isi' ;  m'ailv  :i.s  loiif,'  a.s  t! 
ilistini'lly  notHicil  at  llu-  ti[),  and  provided  willi 
iiiihUtuIu  rii'liil  bristles.  Nostrils  nitlier  eloiijrated, 
not  eoneeided,  liiit  anterior  to  the  Croiital  I'e-allicrs. 
Tarsi  loii^'er  than  the  iiii<ldle  toe,  distiiietl.v  soiitcllale; 
the  toes  small;  the  hinder  oiu'  ,S(-'areely  loiip'r  than 
the  lateral;  its  elaw  seareely  loiipT  than  the  middle. 
Outer  lateral  toe  loiifror  than  the  inner.  First  pri- 
mary nhoiit  one  third  the  lou'rest ;  .second  uipial  to 
tho  seventh.  Tail  a  little  Umaw  than  the  \vini;s, 
moderately  fjradnated ;  the  leathers  romided.  Nest 
felled  and  covered  with  moss  or  lichens.  Kj;}{s  "■ret-n- 
ish-whitc,  spotted  with  piirpli.sh-browu. 


10  head, 


Mio/itilu  cirriilra. 


The  specioa  all  lead-color  above ;  white  beneuth,  and  to  ti  greuttu'  or  \tm 


78  NORTH  AMEKICAN  BIRDS. 

extent  on  the  exterior  of  the  tail,  the  rest  of  which  is  black.     Very  diminu- 
tive in  size  (but  little  over  four  inches  long). 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

Top  of  head  j)litiiibeotis. 
Two  outer  tail-feathers  entirely  white.     A  nairow  frontal  line,  extending  back 

over  the  e^e,  liliiek.     JJiib.    Xortii  America     ......         P.  cctmlea. 

Outer  taii-Coather,  with  the  whole  ol'  tlie  outer  web  (only),  white.     No  blaek  on 
tiie  forehead,  but  a  stripe  ovr  the  eye  above  one  of  whitish.       Huh.   Arizona. 

P.  2iliniihea. 
Tiqi  of  head  black. 

Edge  only  of  outer  web  of  outer  tail-ieather  white.     Entire  top  of  head  from  tht, 

bill  blaek.     JIah.    Rio  Grande  and  Gila /'.  mehtiiura. 

Species  occur  over  the  whole  of  America.     One,  P.  loubci/i,  is  peculiar  to 
Cuba,  ami  a  close  ally  of  J\  caralca. 


Folioptila  cserulea,  Sclat. 

BLVE-GBAT  ONATCATCHEB;  EASTEBK  GKATCATCEEB. 

Mnlacilla  caridai,  Li.sx.  Syst.  Nut.  I,  17CO,'l)37  (hasvd  ou  Mulaci/ld  piirvii  cariilea,  Enw. 

tab.  30'i).      Viilicinini  cii:nila(,  Cad.  Jour.  18,')."i,  471  (Cuba). — (ii'SDL.vcu,   liqicrt. 

IStifi,  "jyi.     J'ulwjifila  lariiliJi,  Sei.ATKi;,  P.  Z.  S.  ISo.'s  11.  —  Uaiki),  Kirds  N.  Am. 

18.W,  3S0.  —  111.   Hev.  74.  —  l)r,i-..s.>fi;i!,  Ilii.s,   ISOfi,  231.  —  CooI'ku,   Hirds  Cal.   I,  35. 

Motdcillii  cana,  O.M.  S.  N.  1,  1788,  973.     ?  Viilieivom  mexiaiiui,  Bon.  t'ouap.  1850,  310 

(not  of  f'Assis),  ffinalc.     Polioptihi  mcxiaiiin,  Sci.atku,  P.  '/..  S.  IS.'iO,  3(i3,  373. 
Figures:  ViKii.i,.  Ois.  II,  pi.  l.\.\.\viii. — Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  II,  pi.  .xviii,  tig.  3.  —  Am. 

Oni.  Biog.  I,  111.  l.\.\.\iv  ;  In.  Birds  Am.  I,  pi.  Ix.x. 

fe'  •  CuAii.  Abovy  grayish-blue,  gradually  becoming  bright  blue  on  the  crown.  A 
narrow  froulal  band  of  black  extending  backwards  over  the  eye.  I'nder  parts  and  lore.s 
bluish-white  tinged  with  lead-color  on  the  sides.  First  and  second  tail-feathers  while 
except  at  the  extreme  base,  which  is  black,  the  c(dor  extending  oblicpiely  forward  on 
the  inner  web;  third  and  Ibtnth  black,  with  white  tip,  very  .flight  on  the  latter;  tilth  and 
sixth  entirely  black.  TpP'''"  tail-coverts  blackish-plumbeous,  t^nills  edged  externally 
with  pale  blui.sli-gray,  which  is  much  broader  and  nearly  white  on  the  tcrtials.  Eemale 
without  any  black  on  the  head.     Length,  4.;i() ;  wing,  2.1");  tail,  2.2').     (Skin.) 

IIaii.  Middle  region  of  United  Slates,  from  -Vtlautic  to  I'acilic,  and  south  to  Guatemala; 
Cape  St.  Lucas.     Cuba,  Gixdi.ach  and  Buvant.     ]5ahanias,  liitVANT. 

Hauits.  Tiie  lUue-j^ray  Flycatcher  is  a  common  sjiecies  from  the  vVtlantic 
to  the  I'ncific  coast,  iilthou,t,'h  not  met  with  in  the  New  Enyland  States.  It 
is  less  abiindiint  on  the  coast  tlian  at  a  distance  from  it,  and  has  a  more 
nortliern  range  in  the  interior,  licing  met  with  in  Xortliern  Ohio,  Michigan, 
and  tiie  IJritish  Provinces.  S|ii'ciiiu'iis  occur  in  tiie  Smitiisonian  Institution 
collection  from  New  York  to  Mexico  and  (iuatemala,  and  from  Washington 
Territory  to  California. 

They  ajijjcar  in  reiinsylvania  early  in  ^fay,  and  remain  (here  until  the 
lust  of  Septemlier.     They  are  obstirve  I  in  Florida  and  Georgia  early  in 


.SYLVIID.E  —  THE  SYLVIAS.  79 

March,  bnt  are  not  known  to  winter  in  that  latitude.  All  the  .specimens 
in  the  Smithsonian  collection  were  obtained  between  April  and  October, 
except  one  from  Southern  California,  wiiich  was  taken  in  December. 

Near  Washington,  Dr.  Cones  states  the  lilue-gray  Gnatcatciier  to  be  a 
sunnuer  resident,  arriving  during  tlie  first  week  of  April,  and  remaining 
until  the  latter  part  of  September,  during  which 
time  they  are  very  aljundant.  Tiiey  are  said 
to  breed  in  liigh  open  woods,  and,  on  tlieir  first 
arrival,  to  frecpient  tall  trees  on  uhe  sides  of 
streams  and  in  orcliards. 

In  Californiii  and  Arizona  tliis  species  occurs, 
but  is,  to  some  ext(;nt,  replaced  by  a  smaller 
species,  jiecnliarly  western,  P.  mrliin  urn.  Tliere 
they  seem  to  keej)  more  about  low  bushes,  hunt- 
ing minute  insects  in  small  companies  or  in 

jiairs,  and  their  habits  are  hardly  distinguish-  Poiwpnin  cmdm. 

al)le  from  those  of  Warblers  in  most  respects. 

The  food  of  this  species  is  chiefly  small  winged  insects  and  their  larva?. 
It  is  an  expert  insect-(!atcher,  taking  its-  prey  on  the  wing  with  great 
celerity.  All  its  movements  are  very  rapid;  the  bird  seeming  to  be  con- 
stantly in  motion  as  if  ever  in  quest  of  insects,  moving  from  one  part  of 
the  tree  to  the  otlier,  l)ut  generally  jirelerring  the  upper  branches. 

Nuttall  and  Audul)on,  copying  Wilson,  sj)eak  of  the  nest  of  this  Gnat- 
catcher  as  a  very  frail  receptacle  for  its  eggs,  and  as  hardly  strong  enough  to 
bear  tiie  weight  of  the  parent  bird.  Tliis,  however,  all  my  observations 
attest  to  be  not  the  fact.  The  nest  is,  on  the  contrary,  very  elaborately  and 
carefully  constructed  ;  large  for  tlie  size  of  the  bird,  remarkably  deep,  and 
with  thick,  warm  walls  com])osed  of  soft  and  downy  materials,  l)ut  abun- 
dantly strong  for  its  buiUler,  wlio  is  one  of  our  smallest  birds  l)oth  in  size 
and  in  weight.  Like  the  nests  of  the  Wood  I'ewee  and  the  Humming-T^ird, 
tliey  are  moi^.els  of  architec.nral  beauty  and  ingenious  design.  Witli  walls 
made  of  a  soft  felted  material,  they  are  deej)  antl  ])ur.se-like.  They  are  not 
pensile,  but  are  woven  to  small  upright  twigs,  usually  near  the  tree-top,  and 
sway  witli  eath  breeze,  but  the  de])th  of  the  cavity  and  its  small  diameter 
])revent  tiie  eggs  from  rolling  out.  Kxternally  the  nest  is  covered  with  a 
beautiful  periphery  of  gray  licliens,  assimilating  it  to  the  bark  of  the  decidu- 
ous trees  in  which  it  is  constructed. 

Occa-sionally  these  nests  have  been  found  at  the  height  of  ten  feet  from 
the  ground,  but  they  wvv  more  frequently  built  at  a  much  greater  eleva- 
tion, even  to  the  heiglit  of  fifty  feet  or  more.  They  are  made  in  the  shape 
of  a  truncated  cone,  three  inches  in  diameter  at  the  base  ami  but  two  at  the 
top,  and  tliree  and  a  half  inches  in  height.  -  The  diameter  of  the  opening 
is  an  inch  and  a  half  In  Northern  (Jeorgia  they  nest  about  the  middle 
of  May,  and  are  so  abundant  tiuit  the  late  Dr.  Gerliaixlt  would  often  find 


go  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

not  less  tlmii  five  in  a  sin<.;le  day,  and  very  rarely  weie  any  of  them  less 
tluiu  sixty  feet  from  the  ground.  Dr.  (icrhardt,  wlio  v  as  an  accurate  and 
careful  ()l).scrvor,  speaks  of  these  as  the  best  huilt  nests  he  had  met  witli  in 
tliis  country,  botli  in  ri'jj;ard  to  strength  and  its  ingeniously  contrived  a])er- 
ture,  so  narrowed  at  the  top  that  it  is  impossible  for  the  eggs  to  roll  out  even 
in  the  sc  orest  wind.  Tliey  have  two  broods  in  the  season  in  the  Southern 
States,  one  in  April  and  again  in  July. 

This  Flycatcher  lays  usually  fiv(i  eggs.  These  are  of  a,  short  oval  form, 
somewhat  pointed  at  one  end  and  rounded  at  the  otiier,  and  measure  .5() 
of  fin  inch  in  lengtli  by  .44  in  breadth.  Their  gro.nid-color  is  a  greeni.sh- 
wliite,  marked  and  dotted  with  small  blotclies  and  spots  of  varying  and 
blending  shades  of  reddish-brown,  lilac,  and  slate. 


Folioptila  plumbea,  r..\ii!D. 

LE&O-COLOBEO  ONATCATCHEB;  ABIZONA  GNATCATCHEB. 

Piilio/itifii  jtliiiiilini,   liAiiMi,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  VII,  .Tunc,  1S.')4,  llS. --hi.  Hiids  N.  Am.  18.18, 
382,  \>\.  .\.\.\iii,  fig.  1  ;  Uovii-w,  7-t.  —  ('ihU'KK,  Birds  I'al.  I,  37. 

pp.  Cn.in.  Aliovc  liliiisti-frr.-iy ;  tlie  f'orcliciul  uniform  witli  the  crown.  Eyelids  white. 
A  ]).il('  frniyi.sli-wiiiti;  line  over  tlic  ('}•(•,  nliovo  wliich  is  anotlicr  of  lilack,  niucli  concealed 
hy  (lie  feathers,  and  whiili  does  not  reach  to  the  hill.  Lower  parts  dull  white,  tiiiirc<l  with 
hluish  on  the  sides  and  with  hrownish  behind.  Tail-feathers  lilack  ;  the  (irst  and  -second 
edpred  and  tipi)ed  with  white,  involving  the  entire  outer  web  of  the  first,  and  m(\st  of 
that  of  the  .^'cond  ;  t\w  lliinl  with  only  a  very  faint  edsriujr  of  the  same.  Fcnuile  duller, 
without  the  hlack  superciliary  line.     Lenj,'th,  4.40;  wing,  1.80;  tail,  2.;i(l  (7,18!)). 

Il.vn.     .Vrizona. 

This  species  difl'ers  from  /*.  rarulfii,  in  having  the  ash  above  less  bluisli, 
especiiilly  on  tiie  forehead  ;  the  black  su])erciliary  streak  is  only  a  horizontal 
bar,  not  reiicliing  tlie  1)111,  wliereas  in  cn'rii/ix  it  not  only  reaches  tlie  l)ill, 
but  idso  extends  across  tlie  forehead  ;  the  light  superciliary  stripe  is  more 
distinct.  The  tail  is  entirely  diiferent,  the  latenil  feathers  being  almost 
entiftly  black,  instetid  of  the  reveI^s(^ 

From  immature  s])ecimeiis  of  /'.  nirlinnirti  it  may  be  distinguished  by 
larger  size  and  purer  white  lower  jtarts,  ami  greater  amount  of  white  on 
outer  wi'bs  of  lateiiil  tail-featliers. 

llAItlTs.  Ihit  little  is  known  in  regard  to  the  distrilaition  or  history  of 
this  sjK'cies.  It  appears  to  be  peculiar  to  Arizbna  and  Mexico.  There  is  no 
good  reason  to  suppose  thsit  it  ditVers  nmteriidly  in  any  of  its  habits  from 
the  other  s])ecies  of  this  genus.  Dr.  Coojier,  who  observed  tliis  species  at 
Fort  Mojave,  states  that  it  is  a  winter  residdit  of  tliat  region  in  small 
numbers  ;  and,  so  far  as  lie  observed,  is  undistinguisliable  either  in  haliit  or 
general  appearance  from  cither  of  the  otlier  s])ecies  wliicli  at  that  season 
are  also  found  there.     Its  cry  of  alarm  resembles  that  of  tlie  common  wren. 


SYLVlIDyE  — THE  SYLVIAS.  gj 

Folioptila  melanura,  Lawi;. 

BLACK-CAPPED  OKATCATCHER. 

I'li/icu'oraafricnjiiUfi,  LawkkSi  P,  ^nii.  N.  Y.  Ly('.  V,  Sept.  IS.'d,  12-1  ('int  of  Swainsun). 
Ciilicivtn-a  vmianid,  Cassin,  Illnst.  I,  ISo-t,  KU,  pi.  xxvii  (not  of  HuN.).  J'oiiafitiln, 
melanura,  Lawkf.nce,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  VI,  Dec.  ISfifi,  168.  — Baii:i>,  Birds  N.  Am. 
18')8,  382;  licview,  68. -^  ]Ikeu.m\nn,  1".  i'..  U.  K.  vol.  A  (William.son),  1859,  39.— 
CoopKii,  Biid.s  I'al.  I,  37. 

Sp.  Char.  Above  pliimboous-bliin.  Whole  crown,  to  bill  and  cj'o,<!,  with  tail,  Instroiw 
blue-black.  Beneath  pale  Idnish-j^nvy,  almost  white  on  chin  and  anal  region;  the  (lank.*! 
and  cri.<suni  tinged  with  brown.  Edge  of  eyelid.-!,  and  margin  and  tip  of  outer  web  of 
lirst  and  second  lateral  tail-feather.-:,  white.  Female  and  young  without  the  black  of  tho 
crown.     Length,  4.1.');  wing,  1.85;  tail,  2.10. 

ILvii.     San  Diego  to  Fort  Yuma  and  Cape  St.  Lucas.     Arizona,  Col'ks. 

Specimens  of  tliis  species  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  differ  from  tliose  of  San 
Diego  described  in  the  V.  H.  R.  Keport  (7,llll)  in  having  the  wliole  of  tlie 
outer  web  of  the  outer  tail-feather  white,  and  iu  a  rather  hirger  wliite  tip. 
The  coloi's  beneath  are  a  little  less  asliy,  though  not  of  a  pure  white.  The 
ash  of  the  back  is  rather  lighttn-  and  purer.  The  lores  are  rather  lighter. 
The  first  primary  is  a  litth;  hirger  and  broader. 

It  is  possible  that  tlie  restriction  of  tlie  wliite  of  tlie  outer  web  of  tlie 
exterior  tail-feather  to  the  outer  half  only  is  an  unusual  circumstance,  as 
both  Mr.  Cassin  and  Mr.  Lawrence,  in  tiieir  descriptions,  speak  of  the  entire 
outer  web  being  white,  —  the  second  featiier  being  of  tlie  former  character. 
Under  these  circumstances  there  will  be  little  specific  diH'erence  between 
the  tails  of  P.  melanura  and  phnnhca.  The  female  bird:*  will  then  be 
separated  by  the  liglit  superciliary  line  and  much  shorter  tarsi  of  P. 
plumhea,  —  tlie  latter  measuring  .08  instead  of  nearly  .70  of  an  inch. 

Habits.  Tliis  species  was  first  noticed  as  belonging  to  the  North 
American  fauna  by  Cajitain  ]\fcCown,  who  obtained  it  near  Ringgold  Bar- 
racks in  1850.  It  has  since  been  noticed  at  Fort  Yuma  and  at  San  I)ie<'o 
and  obtained  in  greater  abundance  at  Cape  St.  Lucas.  It  is  also  found  in 
Mexico.  Dr.  Cooper  says  that  it  is  common  all  winter  both  at  San  Diego 
and  at  Fort  Mohave.  It  has  been  tmced  as  far  nortli  as  latitude  80°  in  the 
Sierm  Nevada.  Its  song  he  describes  as  a  harsh  ditty  of  five  parts,  some- 
thing like  a  wren's  song,  with  notes  like  those  of  a  swallow,  and  also  closely 
resembling  the  song  of  V^ireo  belli.  Their  scolding  note  is  a  faint  mew,  like 
that  ol"  a  cat. 

The  liabits  of  this  species  appear  to  be  not  unlike  those  of  the  peculiar 
family  to  wliicii  it  belongs.  All  its  members  are  among  our  smallest  birds, 
are  almost  exclusively  inliabitants  of  wootls,  and  resembh-  the  Ri<juli  in 
tlieir  restless  activity  in  pursuit  of  the  smallest  insects  on  wliich  they  feed. 
This  binl  is  described  as  particularly  active,  ipiick  in  its  movements,  search- 
11 


82  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

ing  with  great  activity  for  its  food,  and  preferring  low  trees  and  bushes. 
At  times  it  will  dart  about  in  tlie  air  in  pursuit  of  small  insects. 

Mr.  John  Xantus  found  tliese  l)irds  to  be  quite  abundant  at  ('ape  St.  Lucas 
and  obtained  several  of  their  nests.     They  were  generally  built  amon.^  the 
niterlacing  tendrils  of  a  wild  vine  {Antigomn  kpfopm),  and  .so  closely  inter- 
woven with  tlie  smaller  branches  as  to  be  inseparal)le.'  The  nests,  like  those 
of  all  tliis  family,  are  structures  of  great  beauty  and  delicacy.     They  luive  a 
li..ng]it  and  an  external  diameter  of  about  2^  inclies.     The  cavity  is  1 1  inches 
wide  at  the  rim,  and  fully  two  inches  deef..     This  great  proportionate  depth 
ot  tlie  nest  seems  to  be  characteristic  of  this  genus.    Tlie  external  portion  of 
this  nest  is  composed  of  a  composite  blending  of  %arious  vegetable  materials 
fine  hempen  fibres  of  plants,  strips  of  delicate  bark  from  smaller  shrubs' 
silken   fragments  of  cocoons   and   downy   cotton-like   substance,   all  very 
closely  impacted  and  felted  together,  somewhat  after  tlie  manner  of  the 
Humming-Bird.     The  whole  is  very  softly  and  warmly  lined  with  a  beauti- 
fully interwoven  and  silky  fabric  composed  of  the  soft  down  of  various 
plants. 

The  walls  of  the  nest,  tliough  of  the  softest  materials,  are  so  thick  and 
so  firmly  impacted  as  to  make  it  a  structure  remarkably  firm  and  secure 
against  accidents. 

The  eggs,  four  in  number,  measure  .55  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .45  in 
breadth.  They  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  their  ground-color  is  a  pale 
greenish-white  sjjrinkled  over  the  entire  surface  with  fine  dottiuirs  of  purple, 
reddish-brown,  and  black. 


CIIAM/EAD.E  — THE  GROUND-TITS. 


83 


Family  CHA^MABM.  —  The  (iROUND-Trrs. 

Char.  Bill  compressed,  short,  rather  conical,  not  notched  nor  decurved.  Ciilmen 
shnrp-rid^'ctl.  Nostrils  linear,  with  an  inciunbcnt  scale.  Rictal  bristles  reaching  beyond 
nosiril.s,  which  are  scantily  overlnnig  by  bristly  leathers.  Loral  feathers  brisHy  and 
directed  forwards.  Tarsi  booted,  or  covered  with  a  continuous  plate  anteriorly,  with 
faint  indications  of  scutelliv  on  the  inner  side.  Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  attached  for 
about  half  its  length  on  either  side.    Primaries  ten;  si.vth  quill  longest.    Plumage  very  lax. 

We  have  found  it  impossible  to  assign  the  genus  Chamcca  to  any  recog- 
nized fouiily  of  American  birds,  and  have  accordingly  been  obliged  to  give  it 
indejjendent  rank  in  this  re- 
spect, althougli  it  may  prop- 
erly   belong    to    some    Old 
World  group  witli  which  we 
are  not   acquainted.     In  its 
general    appearance    it    ap- 
proaches the  I'arukc  in  loose 
plumage,  bristly  lores,  want 
of  notch   to   bill,  etc. ;    but 
differs    in    the    very    mucli 
bristled   rictus,  sharp-ridged 
culmen,  linear  nostrils,  booted  tarsi,  less  amount  of  adhesion  of  the  toes,  etc. 

It  approaclies  the  Sijlviidw  in  the 
sharp-ridged  culmen  and  bristly  gape, 
but  is  otherwise  very  different.  The 
excessively  rounded  wing  is  a  pecu- 
liar feature,  the  sixth  primary  being 
the  longest. 

The  family  may,  perhajvs,  be  best 
placed  between  the  SyiviidoG  and 
Pnridcp. 

This  family  has  but  one  representa- 
tive (Chaiiiwafascmta),  and  tiiis  con- 
fined to  the  coast  region  of  California. 
Tlie  characters  of  the  genus  are  those 
of  the  family. 

Chamaa/usciata. 


Cliamrra/asciala. 


Gknus  CHAM2IA,  Cvmbel. 

C/;frn)(rrt,  Gambei,,  Pr.  A.  N.  So   Pliil    III    iSiT    ir.i      /t  n         ^      •.     > 

,         i».  ii.  ciL.  1  mi.  Ill,  isii,  104.     (Type,  Parus fasciulus.) 

But  one  .species  of  tliis  geni.s  has  as  yet  Iwen  described. 


84  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Chamsea  fasciata,  Gamd. 

OBOUND-TIT;  WBEN-TIT. 

Pariis  fasciatui,  fiAMnia,  Pr.  A.  N.  So.  Aug.  1843.  2(55  (California).     Chaviaia  fasciata, 

Gambkl,  I'r.  A.  N.  Sc  111,  1847,  1.54.  —  Ib.  J.  A  V.  Sc.  2d  suiie.s,  I,  1847,  34,  pi.  viii, 

fig.  3.  — Cahanis,  Wifgiuiuiir.s  Aivhiv,  1848,  I,  lOx.  —  Cassin,   Illust.  1,  1853,  39, 

1>1.  vii.  —  Haikd,  Birds  N.  Am.  ISrS,  370.  —  lu.  Review,  7(5.  — (.''iopeu,  Birds  Cal.  I, 
39. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Wings  scarcely  two  tlilrd.i  the  Icnprtli  of  the  ;  both  very  imieh  j^i'adu- 
afed.  Uii))L'r  and  out<3r  [lart.s  generally  (iiieiiKling  the  whole  tail)  olivaeeouw-hrown, 
tinged  with  gray  on  the  head ;  bcneatii  pale  brownish-cinnamon,  with  obsolete  sitreaka 
of  dusky  on  the  throat  and  breast,  Sid(,'s  iind  under  tail-coverts  tinged  with  olive-ltrown. 
Loi'es  and  a  spot  above  tiio  eye  obscui'ely  whitish.  Tail-feathers  with  obsolete  transverse 
bars.  Total  length,  G.20;  wing,  2.30;  tiiil,  3.50,  graduation,  1.20;  e.xpo.sed  portion  of 
first  primary,  .85,  of  second,  1.30,  of  longest,  si.xtii  (measured  from  exposed  base  of  first 
primary),  1.80;  length  of  bill  from  forehead,  .52,  from  nostril,  .30;  along  gape,  .GO; 
tarsus,  l.Oo ;  middle  too  and  claw,  .78 ;  claw  alone,  .23 ;  hind  toe  and  claw,  .55 ;  claw 
alone,  .30.    Eggs  liglit  blue,  unspotted  ;  nest  on  low  bushes. 

Hab.     Coast  region  of  Calitbrnia. 

Habits.  This  very  interesting  .species,  wliich  seems  to  combine  within 
itself  the  principal  characteristics  of  the  Wren  and  the  Titmouse,  was  first 
described  by  the  late  Dr.  Ganibel  of  Tliiladelpliia.  So  far  as  is  now  known, 
it  is  confined  to  the  coast  country  of  California,  from  Fort  Tejon  to  the  shore 
and  from  San  Diego  to  the  Sacramento.  Dr.  Gambel's  attention  was  first 
directed  to  it  by  the  continued  sound  of  a  loud,  crepitant,  grating  scold  which 
he  was  constantly  hearing  in  fields  of  dead  mustard-stalks  and  other  similar 
places.  He  at  last  discovered  it  to  be  this  species,  which  from  its  peculiar 
habits  he  called  a  Wren-tit.  It  kept  close  to  the  ground,  was  difficult  to  be 
seen,  and  eluded  jjursuit  by  diving  into  the  thickest  bunches  of  weeds,  utter- 
ing, when  approached,  its  peculiar  grating  ,»ren-like  notes.  Wlien  quietly 
watched  it  could  be  seen  to  search  for  insects,  climbing  twigs  and  dry  stalks 
sideways,  jerking  its  long  tail,  or  holding  it  erect  in  the  manner  of  a  wren, 
wliich,  in  this  po.sition,  it  very  much  resembles.  He  describes  it  as  at  times 
uttering  a  slow,  monotonous  singing  note  like  ii  chick-a-dee,  represented  by 
2}ce-pee-pec-peep.  At  other  times  its  song  is  a  varied  succession  of  whistling. 
In  spring  it  was  heard,  in  pairs,  calling  and  answering,  in  a  less  solemn 
strain,  and  in  a  manner  not  unlike  a  sparrow,  with  a  brief  pU-pit-pU,  ending 
with  a  prolonged  trill.  If  disturbed,  they  at  once  resumed  their  usual  scold- 
ing cries. 

Mr.  Bell  fouml  this  species  chieHy  frequenting  damp  places,  and  speaks 
of  it  as  of  pert  habit,  and  not  easily  frightened.  Its  white  iris,  when  ob- 
served in  its  native  retreats,  makes  it  easily  recognized.  This  feature  is  as 
conspicuous  in  this  bird  as  it  is  in  the  White-eyed  Vireo.  Its  skhi  is  re- 
markably strong,  the  muscles  of  tlie  thiglis  powerful  and  well  developed, 
and  its  whole  muscular  system  exhibits  an  unusual  strength  and  firmness. 


CHAM^AD.E  —  THE  GROUND-TITS  o  - 

oO 

Dr.  Cooper's  observations  in  regard  to  tliis  bird  are  a  little  different  in 
some  respects.  He  found  it  common  everywiiere  west  of  tlie  Sierm  Nevada 
on  dry  plains  and  l.illsides,  among  the  siirubby  undergrowtl,  but  not  in  the 
forests.  Instead  of  preferring  .lamp  places,  he  found  it  living  M-here  there  is 
1.0  water,  except  occasional  fogs,  for  six  or  eight  months  at  a  tin.e  Their 
movements  can  be  observed  by  patient  watching  and  keeping  perfectly 
•luiet,  when  they  seem  attmcted  by  curiosity  to  such  a  degree  as  to  approach 
one  wi  l„n  a  few  feet,  and  fearlessly  hop  round  him  as  if  fascinated  ^' 

Dr.  Cooper  found  their  nests  near  San  Diego  built  about  three  feet  from 
the  ground  in  low  shrubs.     They  were  composed  of  straw  and  twigs  mixed 
w.  h  feathers  and  firmly  interwoven.     The  cavity,  about  two  inches  wide 
and  an  inch  and  three  fourths  deep,  is  lined  with  grass  and  hair.     The  c.-s 
three  or  four  in  number,  are  of  a  pale  gre«nisli-blue,  and  measure  .70  byl2 


86  NORTH  A^^ERICAN  BIRDS. 


Family  PARIDiE.  —  The  Titmice. 

Char.  Bill  {rcnpr.illy  short,  conical,  not  notched  nor  deciirved  at  tip.  Cnlmcn  broad 
and  ronndi'd,  not  sliari)-i'idf;ed  at  l>ase.  Nostrils  roundi'd,  l)asnl,  and  concealed  by  dense 
bristles  or  bristly  feathers.  Loral  feathers  roiiij;h  anil  bristly,  dire(;ted  forwards.  Tarsi 
distinctly  scutellate ;  basal  joints  of  anterior  toes  abbreviated,  that  of  ini<ldle  toe  iniited 
about  ecjually  for  three  fourths  its  lenjith  to  the  lateral:  in  Pnriitiv  Ibrniinpr  a  kind  of  palm 
for  [ri-as])inf,' ;  outer  lateral  toe  decidedly  lonjrer  than  tlie  inner.  Priniarit  .s  ten,  the  first 
nnich  shorter  than  the  second.  Tail-fuuthcrs  with  soil  tips.  Nest  in  holes  of  trees ;  epffs 
white,  spotted  with  reddish. 

Witli  Cabanis  we  include  the  Nutliatclics  in  the  same  family  with  the 
Tiimice,  and  have  prepared  tlie  altove  diagnosis  to  embrace  both  groujis. 
They  agree  in  having  a  conical  bill,  not  notched  nor  dcciirved,  with  much 
rounded  culmen,  and  nearly  straight  commissure,  and  rounded  nostrils  cov- 
ered with  dense  bristles.  These  cliaracters  will  re.adily  distinguish  them,  in 
connection  with  the  ten  primaries,  and  tarsi  with  scutellaB  on  tlie  anterior 
half  only  (as  compared  with  Alaitdiilir),  from  any  other  American  Oscincs. 

The  two  subfainilies  may  be  thus  distinguished :  — 

Pariuas.  Body  compressed.  Bill  shorter  than  the  head.  Win^s  rounded,  equal  to  or 
shorter  than  the  rouniled  tail.  Second  ((uill  as  short  as  thi;  tenth.  Tarsus  lon<i;er  than 
the  middle  toe  and  claw,  which  are  about  equal  to  tlie  liinder ;  soles  of  toes  widened 
into  a  palm.     Plumage  rather  soft  and  lax. 

Sittinae.  ]3ody  depressed.  Bill  about  ecpial  to  or  longer  than  the  head.  Wings  much 
pointed,  much  longer  than  the  nearly  even  tail.  Tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe 
and  claw,  which  are  about  equal  to  tixe  hinder.     Plumage  more  compact. 


Subfamily  FARINiE. 

The  charactei"s  of  the  subfamily  will  be  found  sufficiently  detailed  above. 
The  genera  are  as  follows :  — 

Hill  with  curved  ontJiiies. 

Head  with  a  long  ])ointed  crest.     Wings  and  tail  rounded. 

Body  full  and  large.     Tail  aliout  equal  to  wings       ....        Lophnphaiie.i. 
Head  with  feathers  full,  l)ut  not  {westetl.     Wings  and  tail  rounded. 

Body  full.     Tail  about  ('([ual  to  wings  ;   rounded Parun. 

Body  slender.     Tail  much  longer  than  wings  ;  nnich  graduated       .  Pmltrij)ariis. 

Bill  toilh  outlines  nearly  straight. 
Head  with  compact  feathers.     AVings  pointed. 

Body  slender.     Tail  rather  shorter  than  the  wings  ;  nearly  even         .        Auri2>arHs. 


Genus    LOPHOFHANES,    Kaup. 

Uphophineji,  Kaitp,  Kiitw.  Ocsili.  Knrop.  Tliicrwelt,  1829.     (Typo,  Partts  cristalus.) 
Jiaiulupliiis,^.\\KAS\>t,  Mu.s.  Hi-in.  18,50,  1851,  01.     (Typo,  Parius  bicolor,  L.) 


PARin.K— THE  TITMICK. 


H7 


Okn.  Char.  Crown  witli  a  coiispinions  prost.  Hill  conical ;  both  uppor  and  lower 
outlines  convex.  Wings  frrmlnateil  ;  lirst  (piill  very  .short.  Tail  modenilely  long  and 
rounded.     .VesiLs  in  hollow  trees  ;  eggs  white  with  line  red  dotting.s. 

Of  this  genu.s  there  are  several  North  American  species,  all  a^'reeiii-,'  in 
;,'e»cral  diaiucters.     One  of  tliese, 
the  L.  wollurheri,  is  given  by  Ca- 
biinis  as  typical,  while  he  sepa- 
mtes   tiie   L.   hit'ohr  generically 
under   tlie   name   of   Ba-olophiis, 
as  having  a  ratlier  iliHcrent  form 
of  crest,  stouter  bill  and  feet,  and 
longer  wings.     All  of  our  species, 
liowever,  vary  in  these   charac- 
ters, each  one  showing  a  different 
combination,  so  that  we  prefer  to 
consider  all  as  belonging  to  tjie 
siime  genus  with  P.  crinUttiot. 


Tjophojilifines  b'cohr. 


The  species,  all  of  which  have  tlie  under  parts  uniform  wliitish,  may  be 
arranged  as  follows  :  — 

L.  bicolor.  ..,ov(!  idunilieous;  forehead  blaek ;  erown  much  like  the  back.  Huh. 
Eastern  Province  United  States. 

L.  atricriBtatus.  Above  phinibi>ous ;  forehead  whitish ;  erown  black.  Jhh.  East 
A[e.\ico,  north  to  Rio  Grande. 

L.  inornatus.  Above  olivaceous;  forehead  an.l  crown  like  the  back.  Huh.  South  of 
Middle  and  Western  Provinces  of  United  States. 

L  wollweberi.  Sides  of  head  banded  black  and  white;  erown  ash;  throat  black. 
Hub.   b.  Koeky  Mountauis  of  United  States;  Mu.\ico  to  Oaxaca. 


Lophophanes  bicolor,  Bonap. 

TUFTED  HTMOUSE;  BLACK-FBOHTED  nTMOITSE. 

Parus  «,W,.-.  L,NN   Syst   Nat.  12th  e.l.  I.  I76fi.  340  (based  on  P„ru.  crislaU.,  Crrsny 

Buds  Kurop...   1842.-BA,Kn,    Birds  N.   An,.   18.58.   384;   Koview    78  -Se^r  ,7 
Catal.  mi,  14  no.  87.     B..U„k,.  l,„lor,  Oah.  Mus.  Hdn.'l,  18.0.  91     ype^:   ' 

Am.  II,  pi  Ixxt  '      ""'     '■  '"■  *""•  '''°8-  '•  "'•  '"''^'  '"•  "i'-'l'^ 

S...  CnAu      Above  ashy  ;  a  black  frontal  band.     R..neath  dull  whiti.sh  ;  sides  brownish- 
chestnut,  o(  more  or  less  intensity.     Length,  6.25  inches ;  wing  3  17 
Hah.     United  States,  from  Missouri  A^alley  eastward. 

Feathers  Of  the  crown  elongated  into  a  flattened  crest,  which  extends  back 
as  fur  as  the  occ.put.  Bill  conical;  lower  edge  of  upper  mandible  nearly 
straight  at  the  base.     Fourth  and  fifth  quills  etpuil ;  third  a  little  shorter 


88 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Lophophanes  inomatus. 


the  bill,  which  arc  blackish. 


than  seventh  ;  second  rather  shorter  than  tlie  secondaries.  Tail  nearly  even, 
the  outer  about  .20  of  an  inch  shorter  than  tlie  longest.  Upper  parts 
ash-color,  with  a  tinge  of  olivaceous.     Forehead  dark  sooty-brown.     Tlio 

feathers  of  the  upper  part  of  the  head 
and  crest  obscurely  streaked  with  lighter 
brown.  Under  parts  of  head  and  body, 
sides  of  head,  including  auriculars,  and  a 
narrow  space  above  the  eye,  dirty  yellow- 
isli-white,  tinged  with  brown;  purest  on 
the  side  of  head,  the  white  very  distinct 
in  the  loral  region,  and  including  the  tuft 
of  bristly  feathers  over  the  nostrils,  ex- 
cepting the  tips  of  those  in  contact  with 
riie  sides  of  the  body  and  tlie  under  tail- 
coverts  are  tinged  with  yellowish-brown.  The  ([uills  and  tail-feathers  are 
edged  with  the  color  of  the  back,  without  any  whitish.  Bill  black.  Feet 
lead-color. 

Specimens  from  the  West  are  larger,  the  colors  all  more  strongly 
marked. 

Habits.  The  Tufted  Titmouse  is  a  common  and  well-known  species  in 
the  Southern  States,  from  the  seaboard  to  the  IJocky  Mountains.  Its  north- 
ei-n  limits  are  in  Pennsylvania,  ^Missouri,  and  Kansas.  P'arther  north  than 
this  its  occurrence  ai)i)ears  to  be  oidy  occasional  and  accidental.  The  state- 
ment of  Mr.  Audubon  that  they  are  found  in  the  Northern  States,  even  to 
Nova  Scotia,  was  evidently  a  mistake.  They  do  not  occur  in  Massachusetts, 
nor,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  have  they  been  met  with  in  any  part  of  New 
England. 

They  are  abundant  in  Northern  Georgia,  where,  according  to  the  obser- 
vations of  Dr.  Gerhardt,  they  are  among  the  first  birds  to  breed,  having 
fledglings  fully  grown  as  early  as  the  first  of  May.  Dr.  Woodhouse  found 
them  very  common  in  the  Indian  Territory,  but  none  of  the  other  explor- 
ing parties  met  with  it  farther  west,  where  it  is  replaced  by  its  kindred 
species. 

It  is  perhaps  the  most  abundant  bird  in  Southern  Illinois,  where  it  is  resi- 
dent, being  excessively  numerous  in  winter,  and  in  that  season  often  a  posi- 
tive miisance  from  their  impertinent  vehement  scolding  as  they  appear  to 
follow  the  hunter  in  troops  through  the  woods.  In  winter  it  is  a  constant 
inhabitant  of  the  door-yards  and  shrubbery,  particularly  fruit-trees  in  the 
towns,  where  it  is  associated  with  the  Carolina  Chickadee  {Panm  caroli- 
ncnsis)  and  other  winter  birds,  but  exceeding  them  all  in  familiarity  and 
boldness.     (Ridgway.) 

Mr.  Nuttall,  who  never  met  with  this  bird  north  of  Pennsylvania,  found 
it  very  common  in  the  winter  and  spring  in  the  Southern  States,  where  it 
displayed  all  the  habits  and  uttered  the  usual  notes  of  the  family.     In  the 


PARin.K— TUK  TITMICE.  gQ 

dreariest  sttlitmlus  of  tlie  Sotitliurn  States  tliese  birds  wcie  liis  constant  and 
anuising  eonii)anions.  TluMr  hMriglitly  niovenuMits  and  their  varied  musical 
talents  made  it  even  i.iore  pecnliarly  interesting  at  a  time  when  all  the  other 
tenants  of  the  forest  were  silent.  The  notes  of  this  hird,  which,  when  e.x- 
jiressfd  hy  this  writer  on  jtaper,  .seem  only  quaint  and  eccentric  articulatioii.s, 
were  characterized  hy  him  as  lively,  cheering,  and  ■aried,  delivered  with  a 
delicacy,  energy,  pathos,  and  variety  of  e.xjiression  to  which  it  was  fur  beyond 
the  ]K)wer  of  descri|itiou  t(i  do  justice. 

These  notes,  at  times,  even  partook  of  the  high-echoing  and  clear  tonca 
of  the  Oriole.  The  usual  song  of  this  Titmouse  is  presented  !>''  Mr.  Xuttall 
Iiy  the  following  characteristics:  "  jr/n))-/(iiii-ki/fi/-/>i//i/-(/ni/-(/-'  ,  ''■U-fxhica- 
dee-dir,"  varied  with  " Kin-/<r-tJi(l-d id-did,"  etc.,  etc.  Lit'er  i.  ''o  sea.son, 
under  tiie  milder  inthuMices  of  spring,  these  Titmice  jjursued  the  insects  from 
branch  to  branch,  calling  restlessly  and  with  loud  and  echoing  voices,  peio- 
pilo-pcto,  with  fre(iiu!nt  (juaint  variations  t(j(j  mimerous  to  be  repeated. 
Their  song  even  consi.sted  of  successions  of  playful,  pathetic,  or  querulous 
calls,  never  e.xhil)itiiig  any  trills  after  the  manner  of  the  Warblers,  yet  the 
comjiass  and  tones  of  their  voice,  their  capricious  variety,  and  their  general 
effect  are  desciribtnl  as  quite  as  pleasing  as  the  more  exquisite  notes  of  our 
summer  songsters. 

When  wounded  this  Titmouse  resists  with  great  s])irit  any  attempt  to  take 
him  alive,  but  soon  becomes  tame  and  familiar  in  confinement,  subsisting  on 
.seeds,  broken  nnts,  etc.  Imj)atient  of  restraint,  it  incessantly  attempts  to 
work  its  way  out  of  its  cage. 

The  general  habits  of  these  birds  corresjiond  clo.sely  with  those  of  the  large 
family  to  which  they  belong.  They  move  usually  in  small  flocks  of  from 
live  to  ten  through  the  branches  of  trees  and  bushes  in  quest  of  insects, 
examine  the  cracks  and  crevices  of  the  bark,  hang  on  the  under  side  of  small 
branches,  move  sideways  around  the  tiunks  of  trees,  probe  the  openings  in 
acorns,  pine-cones,  nuts,  etc.,  for  its  food,  and  retain  apparently  the  family- 
group  r   ';il  the  s])ring,  when  they  se])arate  into  pairs. 

One  of  these  birds  kept  i,i  confinement  by  Dr.  Bachman  of  Charleston 
was  in  the  habit  of  hiding  its  food  in  the  corner  of  its  cage,  in  a  small 
crevice,  and  of  creeping  at  night  into  a  small  box,  where  it  lay  doubled  up 
like  a  ball  till  the  first  light  of  the  morning,  when  it  resumed  its  restless 
habits. 

The  Tufted  Titmouse  passes  its  nights  and  days,  when  the  weather  is  in- 
clement, in  the  liollows  of  decayed  trees  or  the  deserted  holes  of  tiie  wood- 
peckers. In  such  places  it  also  builds  its  nests.  It  has  been  known  to  exca- 
vate a  hole  for  itself  even  in  hard  sound  wood.  Its  nest  is  simply  a  rude 
lining  of  the  selected  cavity,  composed  of  various  soft  and  warm  materials. 
In  this  are  deposited  from  six  to  eight  eggs.  But  a  single  brood  is  raised  in 
a  sea.son.  The  young  biids,  as  soon  as  they  are  fledged,  hunt  in  company 
^vith  their  parents,  and  remain  associated  with  them  until  the  following 


()0  NORTH  AMKiacJAN  lURDS. 

spring.  Tlie  eggs  of  this  liird  liavc  a  Icnigtli  of  .TH  of  an  indi  and  a  breadth 
of  .50.  Tliey  arc  of  a  roundi'd  oval  in  shape,  and  are  thici<ly  sprinkled 
with  fine  rust-colored  dots,  intermingled  witii  a  few  larger  markings  of  lilac, 
on  a  white  ground. 

Lophophanes  atricristatus,  Cassin. 

BLACK-TUFTED  TITMOUSE ;  TEXAS  TITMOUSE. 

rariis  a/rirri.s/iiliis,  ("as.sin,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  I'liil.  V,  18.'>(),  Klli,  |il.  ii  (Trxas).  Lnphojtlmwi^ 
ttliici  islatiis,  I'A.ssiN,  111.  liiiils  'IVxiis,  cti'.  I,  1853,  VA,  ])\.  iii,  —  BauiI),  Uirils  N.  Am. 
1858,  38,5  ;  licview,  78.  —  C'odI'KI!,  lUnls  C'lil.  1,  43. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Crest  very  Iniii;  and  ])oiii1i'(l  (1.2")  iui'lios).  Aliove  asli-colored,  A  broml 
band  on  the  fort'lioad  dirty  wiiito,  rest  of  head  above,  with  cre.it,  l)laek,  tinj^ed  with  ash 
on  the  sides,  t'olor  of  l\w  baek  sliadinj;  iiisensilily  into  the  dull  a.shy-white  of  the  nnder 
parts,  yidesofbody  palu  bi'ownish-chestnnt.  Female  with  the  orcvt  dnller  bl.ick.  Iris 
dark  brown.     Lonjrtli,  alioiit  5.25  inches;  winp',  3.00. 

Had.     Valley  of  Kio  Grande,  sonth,  into  Mexieo.     San  Antonio.     Texas.     A^era  Crnz, 

SCLATKU. 

This  sjiccies  is  not  rare  in  Te.xas,  where  it  has  been  noticed  as  far  east  as 
San  Antonio. 

IIabits.  So  far  as  known,  the  IHack-crested  Titmouse  is  restricted  in  its 
distribution  to  the  valley  of  tin;  Jtio  (Irande,  including  portions  of  Mexico 
and  Western  Texas.  It  was  first  met  with  in  the  latter  State  by  John  W. 
Audulxjn,  and  described  by  Mr.  Cassin  in  the  Troceedings  of  the  I'liihidelphia 
Academy. 

hi  its  general  ajipearance  and  in  all  its  habits  it  is  mentioned  as  having 
so  close  a  resenddance  t(i  tlie  connnon  Tufted  Titmouse  as  to  be  hardly  dis- 
tinguisliable  from  that  bird.  Dr.  Woodhouse  met  with  tliis  species  near  Sa.. 
Antonio,  Texas,  in  March,  Ifiill.  While  his  l)arty  was  encamped  on  the  IJio 
Salado  lie  obs(>rved  these  birds  busily  engaged  in  cajituring  insects  among 
the  trees  on  the  banks  of  the  stream.  Like  all  tlie  members  of  tliis  family, 
it  was  incessantly  in  motion  and  very  noisy.  Liter  in  the  season,  on  the 
8th  of  May,  the  .same  Jtarty,  when  encamped  on  tlie  (ibiilii,  again  found  this 
species  very  idnindant  among  the  oid<s.  The  young  males,  tlien  fidly  grown, 
closely  resembled  the  iididt  females,  botli  wanting  the  black  crest  that  dis- 
tinguishes the  matin-e  male,  lie  afterward  noticed  this  species  occurring  iit 
intervals  along  liis  route  as  far  as  tlie  head  waters  of  the  Ilio  San  Franci.sco 
in  New  Mexico,  lie  o!  .served  it  alnio.st  exclusively  among  the  trees  that 
bordered  streams  of  water.  The  females  and  the  young  males  invarialily  had 
crests  of  the  same  cinereous  color  as  their  general  jilumage,  but  in  the  latter 
slightly  tingeil  with  lirown.  They  oiHiurred  in  small  parties,  were  very  lively 
and  sociable  in  their  haltits,  ami  in  their  geneml  ap|)earaiice  and  even  in 
tlieir  nott^s  .so  very  closely  resembled  the  Kastern  species  as,  at  a  short  dis- 
tance, to  be  hardly  distinguishable  from  it. 


PARIDyE  —  THE  TITMICE.  QJ 

Dr.  Heermann,  in  his  report  on  tlic  birds  of  Lieutenant  I'arke's  survey, 
mentions  having  first  observed  this  species  near  Fort  Chirke,  in  Texas,  where 
it  was  very  abundant  He  describes  it  as  spriglitly  and  active  in  its  move- 
ments, searching  with  great  assiduity  for  insects  in  the  crevices  of  the  bark 
and  among  the  branches  of  trees.  Wliile  thus  engaged  it  keeps  up  a  cliatter- 
iiig  note,  varied  with  an  occasioaal  low  and  phiintive  whistle.  Its  habits 
appeared  to  him  to  resemble  most  those  of  the  common  Pariis  atricapiUas. 
Dr.  Heermann  states  that  it  builds  its  nest  in  the  hollow  of  trees,  and  that 
it  lays  from  twelve  to  sixteen  eggs.  He  does  not,  however,  say  that  he 
ever  met  with  its  eggs,  nor  does  he  give  any  description  of  them.  The  nest, 
he  states,  is  composed  of  fine  dry  grasses,  feathers,  wool,  mosses,  etc. 

General  Coucli's  description  of  this  sjiecies  and  its  habits  is  very  similar. 
He  observed  it  in  the  province  of  Nev  Le.m,  in  Mexico,  where  he  found  it 
verj'  abundant  along  the  San  Juan  into  the  Sierra  ^ladV'  He  describes  it 
as  a  very  lively  bird,  with  a  very  perfect  whistle  of  a  single  note. 

Mr.  Henry  A.  Dresser  souglit  very  diligently  for  its  nest  and  eggs  near 
San  Antonio  and  Houston,  in  Texas,  wliere  he  found  the  bird  very  connnou, 
and  where  he  was  sure  many  ])airs  remained  to  breed,  but  its  nest  was  very 
hard  to  find,  and  the  birds  very  wary.  He  succeeded  in  finding  one  nest, 
in  a  hollow  tree,  near  tlie  head  sjuings  of  tlie  San  Antonio  Uiver,  but  it 
contained  young.  The  nest  he  does  not  describe,  nor  does  he  mention  the 
number  of  young  it  contained. 


Lophophanes  inornatus,  (  .vssin. 

OKAT-TVFTED  TITMOTTSE ;  CALIFORNU  TITMOXTBE. 

Pariis  iiwrnnlus,  (ivMiiKi.,  I'r.  A.  X.  Sc.  riiil.  .\u<,'.  1H4'),  -iti.")  (rii|«T  raliforniaV  —  In. 
J.  A.  N.  So.  new  .scr.  1,  1847,  li.'),  pi.  vii.  Lophnphi iich  iiionuiliis,  Ca.s.six,  111.  1853, 
1». -BAinn,  lUnlsN.  Am.  IS.W,  1)80;  Uuvi.w,  78.  —  .S(;lati:u,  CaUil.  18G1,  14,  no. 
88.  —  Ku.ior,  lllust.  1,  111.  iii.  — CoopKU,  Hinls  ("til,  I.  42. 

Si\  CiiAii.  Crest  eloiifTiitotl.  CoU.r  above  olivi.ccoiis-iisliy,  lienonfli  wliilisli.  Sides  nf 
IkmI.V  mul  under  tail-eoverls  very  faiii'ly  tiii-;(Ml  witli  lirownisli,  senreely  approciiil.le. 
Sid.'s  of  lir-ad  suareely  dillereiit  from  the  erowi).  Forehead  obscurely  whitish.  Length, 
/J  iiiehes  ;   will};,  2."),"). 

Had.  Southern  United  Stato.i,  from  Rocky  Mountains  to  PaciHc  ;  Western  Nevada 
(UiUGWAv).     W.  Arizona  (CouKi»). 

The  bill  and  feet  of  this  species  are  lead-color.  Tlie  thinl,  fourth,  and 
fifth  .juills  are  longest;  the  third  and  eightli  about  wiual  ;  the  second  is 
sliorter  tlian  the  .slujrtest  primaries.  The  lateral  tail-feathers  are  a  little 
shorter  than  the  othere. 

A  specimen  from  Fort  Tliorn  lias  the  crest  longer  than  ill  otlier  siiecimens 
before  me,  measuring  l.-'if)  inches  from  base  of  bill  to  its  tip.  Tliis  may  be  a 
characteristic  of  the  male,  the  sexes  being  otherwise  alike. 


92  Noirni  AMKincAN  birds. 

Habits.  Tlie  (imy  Titmouse  belongs  «!sseiitiiilly  to  the  Pacific  coast, 
coming  eastward  only  as  i'ar  as  the  banks  of  the  Ivio  Grande  in  Texas.  It 
was  first  discovered  and  described  by  ])r.  Ganil)el,  in  his  Ijirds  of  California. 
It  has  since  been  met  with  not  only  throughout  California,  but  also  lu  all 
the  southern  portions  of  the  Jiocky  ^lountains,  in  New  Mexico,  and  from 
Mimbres  to  the  Kio  Grande. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  met  with  this  s])ecies  in  the  San  Francisco  Mountains, 
near  the  Little  Colorado  Itiver,  Xew  ^Mexico.  He  found  it  very  abundant, 
feeding  among  the  tall  ])ines  in  company  with  the  Sltta  ijygmwa,  S.  acnlmta, 
and  Paru.H  montnnm. 

Dr.  Gambel  firet  noticed  this  species  near  ^Monterey  on  the  20th  of  No- 
vember. It  was  flitting  actively  about  among  the  evergreen  oaks  of  that 
vicinity  in  comi)any  with  large  flocks  of  several  kindred  species.  They 
were  all  in  restless  activity,  searching  every  branch  for  insects.  As  well 
as  he  could  distinguish  its  notes  among  those  of  the  busy  throng  in  the 
midst  of  which  he  observed  it,  they  a]tpeared  to  resemble  very  closely  those 
of  the  common  P.  nfrimpiNitn.  Upon  his  following  it  up,  it  would  iitfer  a 
loud  scolding  outcry,  erect  its  higli  and  ])ointed  crest,  and  appear  as  angry 
as  possilile  at  the  intrusion.  He  found  it  very  connnon,  frecjuentiug  tall 
bushes  in  small  flocks,  searching  branches  of  low  trees,  uttering  weak  and 
slender  cries,  resembling  the  syllables  tsee  thlji-ddij. 

Dr.  Heernuuni  found  it  one  of  the  most  common  of  the  birds  of  California, 
where  it  is  resident  throughout  the  year.  He  descril)es  their  notes  as 
posse.ssing  an  almost  endless  viiriety,  so  much  so  that  he  was  repeatedly 
prompted  to  follow  it  as  a  new  sjK'cies.  He  met  with  a  nest  of  this  bird  in 
a  deserted  woodpecker's  hole,  whicli  contained  young. 

Dr.  Cooper  has  met  with  this  species  in  February  near  San  Diego,  but 
not  on  the  Colorado.  Tliey  seem  to  iirefer  the  evergreen-oak  groves  toward 
the  middle  of  the  State,  but  are  not  fouiul  in  the  higher  Sierra  Nevada. 
They  are  residents  throughout  the  year  in  the  evergi'  n  oaks  near  San 
Francisco.  He  adds  that  they  are  seen  in  smidl  ])artns,  scattered  about 
the  trees,  and  calling  to  each  other  with  a  variety  of  sweet  and  loud  notes, 
some  of  which  are  said  to  eijual  those  of  our  best  singers.  It  also  has 
certain  powers  of  imitation  like  the  Eastern  crested  species  and  the  same 
cry  of  ptto-peto. 

It  feeds  on  acorns  as  well  as  insects,  and  often  goes  to  the  ground  in  search 
of  them.  It  cracks  the  acorns  with  its  bill,  and  hammers  at  bark  and  de- 
cayed wood  witii  the  industry  of  ;i  woodi)ecker. 

^fr.  Kidgway  met  with  this  .species  among  the  ])ini's  of  the  eastern  sh)pe 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  but  nowhere  in  abundance.  Among  the  cedars  it  was 
almost  the  only  bird  seen.  He  describes  its  manneis  as  greatly  resembling 
those  of  the  other  s])ecies.  Its  notes,  though  dill'ering  from  those  of  the 
Eastern  L.  hiw/or,  being  weaker  and  less  distinct,  retain  its  vehement  and 
characteristic  manner  of  utterance. 


PARID.E  — THE  TITMICK.  03 

Lophophanes  woUweberi,  Hoxai-. 

WOLLWEBEB'S  TITHOTTSE ;  STBIFED-HEAOEO  TITMOUSE. 

LnplmplMMsivoUu-ihii-i,  Bon.  C.  1!.  XXXI,  Si'i>t.  ISi'iO,  478.  —  Westeb.mann,  Hijilr.  Dier- 
kiiiide,  III,  1851,  15,  plate.  —  Haiud,  IJird.s  N.  Am.  1858,  386,  pi.  liii,  lif?.  1  ;  Ucvinw, 
7!).  — ScLATEU,  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  299  (Oiixaca,  high  lands).  —  In.  Catal.  18U1,  14,  no.  89. 
—  Cooi'KU,  Hiiils  Cal.  I,  43.  Pitrm  amicxus,  Cas.sin,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  V,  Oct.  1850, 
103,  pi.  i.     LiijihoplMiies  galcnliis,  Cauanis,  Mus.  Hfiii.  1850,  1851,  90. 

Sr.  ("iiAii.  CiMitnil  portion  of  crest  asli,  encircled  liy  Idack,  conimencin-i:  as  a  frontal 
band,  and  pa.s.sing  over  the  eye.  Chin,  throat,  and  a  lino  from  liehind  the  eye  and  cnrving 
rouinl  the  auricular.><  to  the  throat  (bordered  behind  by  white),  as  also  some  occipital 
feathers,  black.  A  white  line  from  above  the  eve  marij:ininf(  the  crest,  with  the  cheeks 
below  the  eye  and  nnder  parts  generally  white.  A  black  half-collar  on  the  nape.  Upper 
parts  of  body  ashy      Length,  abont  4.50  ;  wing,  2..50. 

Hab.  Southern  Rocky  Mountains  of  I'nited  rfi.tles,  and  along  table-lands  through 
Mexico,  to  Oa.\aca  (high  regions,  Sci..vrKii;.     Orizaba  (Alpine  regions,  Su.M.j. 

Habits.  Wollweber's  Titmouse,  .so  far  as  its  distribution  is  known,  is 
a  bird  of  Western  Texas,  the  liigh  table-lands  of  Me.xico,  and  of  the  whole 
of  New  Mexico.  It  wa,s  described  l>y  Hona^tarte  and  by  Cassin  nearly  simul- 
taneously, in  1850.  It  bears  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  Lophuphancs 
cristufKs  of  Europe. 

Although  comparatively  nothing  is  known  in  reference  to  the  specific  hab- 
its of  this  si)ecies,  tliey  may  be  very  readily  inferred  from  those  if  the  other 
members  of  this  genus,  who.se  characteristics  are  all  so  well  marked  and  so 
uniform.  Dr.  Kennedy  is  the  only  one  of  our  natiu-alists  who  has  men- 
tioned meeting  the  species  in  its  living  form.  In  his  Report  upon  the  Birds 
of  Lieutenant  Whipple's  Survey  he  states  that  he  found  it  in  tlie  thick  bushes 
along  tiie  Pueblo  (Jreek.  Wherever  lujticed  it  was  coiLStantly  in  mction, 
lutpping  from  twig  to  twig  in  search  of  its  food,  lie  also  found  it  among 
the  pines  of  tiie  Aztec  ^Mountains.  Xo  mention  is  made  of  its  nest  or  eggs, 
and  its  niditicution  remains  to  be  ascertained. 


Ck.sls  PARUS,  Li.nn.eu8. 

raru.i,  LiNN.i-:rs,  Sy^st.  Xat.  1735.     (Tyiu',  P.  iiiKJor.) 

Gkx.  Ciiau.  Head  not  crested.  Rody  am]  head  full.  Tail  moderately  long,  and  slightly 
romided.  Dill  conical,  not  very  stout;  the  upjicr  and  nnder  outlines  very  gcMitly  iiiid 
slightly  convex.  Tarsus  l)ut  little  longer  than  middle  toe.  Head  and  neck  generally  black 
or  brown,  with  sides  white.     Nest  in  holes.     Eggs  white,  sprinkled  with  red. 

In  the  group,  as  defiiu'd  abovi",  arc  embraced  several  genera  of  modern 
systematists.  The  true  black-capped  American  Titmice  belong  to  the  section 
Pdicilc  of  Kaup,  and  exhiliit  but  three  well-marked  forms;  one,  /'.  vioufdiinn, 
with  a     hitu  stripe  over  the  eye ;  one,  idrivapillus,  without  it,  with  black 


94  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

head ;  and  one,  hudsoniciis,  also  without  it,  and  with  brown  head.     Tlie 
species  may  be  arranged  as  follows:  — 

1.   Head  and  neck,  above  and  beneath,  black  ;  their  sides  white. 

A«  A  broad  white  stripe  above  the  eye,  meeting  across  forehead. 

1.  P.  montanuB.  Edges  of  wing-coverts,  secon(hiriL's,  and  tail  scarcely 
paler  than  general  tint  above.  Beneath  asliy-whitisii,  medially.  Wing, 
2.85 ;  tail,  2.50 ;  bill  (along  cnlmen),  .50  ;  tarsus,  .G!) ;  middle  toe,  .43  ; 
wing-formula,  4  =  5,  3  =  0,  7,  2 ;  graduation  of  tail,  .18.  Hah.  Moun- 
tain regions  of  Middle  and  Western  United  States. 

B<   No  wiiite  stripe  above  the  eye. 

a.  Tail  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  wing.     Conspicuous  white  edgings  to 
wing-coverts,  secondaries,  and  tail-feathers. 

2.  F.  atiicapilluB. 

Dorsal  region  yellowish-cinereous,  wings  and  tail  purer  ash ;  sides  light 
ochraceous.  Whii''  edgings  of  tail-feathers  not  margining  their  ends. 
Wing,  2.60;  tail,  .1)0;  bill,  .40;  tar,sus,  .02;  middle  toe,  30;  wing- 
formula,  4,  '■.,  G,  3,  7,  8,  2  =  9 ;  graduation  of  tail,  .30.  (12,851  $, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.)  Hab.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America,  north  of 
about  39° var.  atricapillus. 

Dorsal  region  and  sides  with  scarcely  a  perceptible  yellowish  tinge; 
white  edgings  of  tail-feathers  passing  around  their  ends.  .Beneath 
whitish.  Wing,  2.75 ;  tail,  2.80  ;  culmen,  .35  ;  tarsus,  .05  ;  middle  toe, 
.40 ;  wing-formula,  5,  4=0,  3  =  7,  8,  2  =  9;  graduation  of  ttiil, 
.50.  (3704^?  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.)  7/«6.  Region  of  Missouri  River 
and  Rocky  Mountains var.   sepientr  ion  ulis. 

Colors  as  in  atricapillus,  but  much  darker.  Beneath  more  ochraceous. 
Wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.50;  cuhnen,  .40;  tarsus,  .00;  middle  toe,  .40;  wing- 
formiila,  4th,  5tb,  and  Gth  equal,  3  =  7,  2  =  10;  graduation  of  tail,  .25. 
(G7G2  $  ?  Fort  Vancouver,  Washington  Territory.)  Hah,  Pacific  Prov- 
ince of  North  America         var.    Decide  II  tul is. 

b.  Tail  shorter  than  wing;  no  conspicuous  white  edgings  to  wings  and  tail. 

3.  P.  meridionalis. '  Beneath  ashy  (nearly  dark  as  upper  stnfaee), 
whitish  medially.  Wing,  2.G0;  tail,  2.20;  culmen,  .40;  tarsus,  .03; 
middle  toe,  .40 ;  wing-formida,  4,  5,  0,  3  =  7,  2  =  10 ;  graduation  of 
tail,  .10.     (10,203,  Mexico.)     Hab.   Eastern  Mexico. 

4.  P.  carolinensiB.  Beneath  pale  soiled  oehraeeous-whitish,  scarcely 
lighter  medially.  Wing,  2.55;  tail,  2.30;  cuhnen,  .35;  tarsus,  .53; 
middle  toe,  .38  ;  wing-fonnnla,  5,  4,  0,  7,  3,  8,  2  =  9;  graduation 
of  tail,  .10.  (700^,  Wa.shington,  D.  C.)  Hab.  Eastern  Province  of 
United  States,  south  of  about  40°. 

2.  Head  and  neck,  above  and  beneath,  brown,  the  throat  darkest ;  their  sides  white, 

C3.  Back,  scapulars  rump,  and  sides  rnst^'-chcstnut. 

5.  P.  rufesoenB.     Side  of  neck  pure  white.     Wing,  2..'!5  ;   tail,  2.00  ; 
.  tarsus,  .01  ;  middle  toe,  .40.     Tail  scarcely  graduated.     Hab.   Pacific 

coast  of  North  America. 
D«  Back,  etc.,  grayish  or  ochraceous  brown. 

G.  P.  hudBOUiouB.     Side  of  neck  grayi.sh.     Back,  etc.,  smoky-gray. 

'   I'.ints  mwidunutlis,  Sci,.irKR,  1'.  Z,  S.  1850,  293.  —  lUllui,  Iti'v.  81. 


PARID^  — THE  TITMICE. 


95 


Sides  dark  rusty-brown.     Wing,  2.45;   tail,  2.45;  tarsus,  .02;  middle 

toe,  .35;  graduation  of  tail,  .30.     (17,101,  Halifax,  N.  S.)    Hub.  Arctiu 

America;  south  to  northern  boundary  of  the  United  States  (except  to 

westwai'd). 

7.  P.  sibiricuB.'     Side  of  neck  white.     Back,  etc.,  rusty  ochraceous- 

gr.ay.     Sides  rusty  ochraceous.     Wing,   2.70;    tail,   2.80;    tarsus,  .00; 

middle  toe,  .30 ;  graduation  of  tail,  .30.     Hub.  Europe. 


Parus  montanus,  Gambel. 

HOTTNTAIV  CHICKADEE:  WHITE-BBOWED  CHICKAOEE. 

Parus  nwnlaniis,  Gambel,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  Pliila.  April,  1843,  259  ;  Journ.  A.  N.  Sc.  2d 
SiMics,  I,  1847,  3.1,  pi.  viii,  f.  1.  —  lUiKi),  B.  N.  A.  1858,  394  ;  Review  Am.  H.  1,  18U4, 
82.  —  Klliot,  lllust. —CooPEli,  Bird.sOal.  I,  46. 

Sp.  CriAR.  Head  and  neck  above,  with  und(;r  part  of  head  and  throat,  glossy  black ; 
forehead,  stripe  above  the  eye  and  band  below  it,  involving  the  auriculars,  wliite.  These 
stripes  end)raeing  between  them  a  black  band  through  the  eye  and  confluent  with  the  black 
of  the  head.  Above  .ishy;  beneath  similar,  but  paler;  the  upper  part  of  breast  and  middle 
line  of  belly  white.    Length  about  5  inches;  wing,  2.00;  tail,  2.40. 

Hab.     Mountain  region  of  Middle  and  Western  United  States. 

Habits.     Tlie  Mountain  Chickadee  was  first  met  with  by  Dr.  Gambel  in 
journeying  westward  from  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Me.xico,  and  from  thence  was 
found  in  all  the  ranges  of  tJie  Eocky 
Mountains  nearly  to  California.     Its 
notes  and  hal)its  are  said  to  closely 
resemble  tlio,se  of  the  conmion  Chick- 
adee, but  weaker  and  more  varied.     It 
keeps  more  in  low  bushes,  where  it 
moves  from    branch   to   branch  with 
untiring  activity,  searching  eacli  mi- 
nutely for  small  insects.     It  also  fre- 
quently  descends  to   the   ground   to 
pick  up  small  seeds.     While  tiius  oc- 
cupied it  will  occasionally  stop,  look 


Piirits  alricapillux. 


round  and,  uttering  a  slender  te-de-de,  and  then  its  usual  note,  to-de-de-daU 
will  fly  to  another  bush. 

On  the  Hio  Colorado  they  kept  chiefly  among  the  cotton-wood  trees  that 
grew  along  its  banks,  and  its  ihmiliar  notes  were  almost  the  only  souiuls 
heard.  They  were  observed  in  large  an.l  busy  flocks  along  the  snuUlcr 
streams  in  company  with  tiie  Least  Tit  and  the  Regnli.  Dr.  Gambel  did 
not  hnd  them,  however,  so  abun.lant  on  the  California  sides  of  the  rid-e 
wliere  other  species  took  their  place.  °  ' 

Ur.  Heermann  found  this  Titmouse  abundant  among  the  mountains  sur- 
>  Parua  Hbiriciin,  Omel.  S.  N.  1788,  p.  1013. 


96 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


rouiuling  the  Volcano  in  the  southern  mines,  and  suhsequently  met  with 
them  on  the  sununit  of  the  Tejon  Pass.  He  tliinks  their  notes  and  hahits 
very  simiLar  to  those  of  the  africoiii/fus.  Dr.  Suckley  obtained  a  single 
specimen  at  Fort  Dalles,  but  regarded  it  as  extremely  rare  in  that  locality. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  found  it  quite  abundant 
in  the  iSan  Francisco  Mountains  of  New 
Mexico,  where  it  was  feeding;  among  tlie 
tall  pines  in  company  with  kindred 
species. 

Mr.  lUdgway  found  this  species  in 
groat   abundance  among  the   jiines   on 
the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada 
JMountains,  as  well  as  in  all  the  exten- 
sive cedar-groves  on  the  mountains  to 
the  eastward.     Around  Carson  City  this 
species  was  found  tlnougliout  the  win- 
ter.    In  its  manners  and  notes,  particularly  the  latter,  it  wa.s  hardly  distin- 
guisliable  from  F.  carolincmis.     The  notes  are  described  as  louder  and  more 
distinct,  though  their  calls  in  sj)ring  are  rather  less  clearly  articulated. 


Pnrliif  wnntanus. 


Farus  atricapillus,  Linn. 

EASTERN  CHICKADEE ;  BLACK-CAFFED  TITMOUSE. 

Pnrnn  atrimpillii.i,  I, inn.  Syst.  Xnt.  I,  I'titi,  341  (liaseil  on  Purus  atricapillus  cunadeiusis, 
Blil.s,s().N,  111,  .I;".;!,  tal).  xxi.x,  fig.  1).  —  Haikd,  Birds  N.  Am.  Isr.S,  3iM) ;  Reviow,  80. 
—  Sci.ATKl!,  Ciital.  1861,  l;!,  no.  80.  —  Dai.L  &  IUnnlstku  (Alaska).  —  Sa.mcki.s,  182. 
Pircih-  ii/rioi/iilli(,  Hon.  t'onsp.  1850,  230.     Pants yiilicstris,  Nrrr.  Man.  I,  1832,  79. 

Fijjurcil  liy  ArnrnoN",  Wii.sus,  etc. 

Sr.  CiiAH.  Scfoiid  i|iiill  a.s  loiim  ns  tlio  sci'niidaric.*.  Tail  vorv  slifrhtly  rounded  ;  lateral 
feathers  about  .10  shorter  than  middle.  Back  brownisli-ashy.  Top  of  head  and  throat 
blaek,  sides  of  liead  between  them  \vhit(!.  Beneath  whitish;  browni.sh-white  on  the  sides. 
Sid('.<  of  outer  tail-feathers,  some  of  i)riinaries,  and  secondaries  conspicuously  margined 
with  white.     Lenj;tli,  5.00 ;  wiiijr,  2.50:  tail,  2..50. 

IIab.     Eastern  North  America,  north  of  ,'il)th  parallel. 

In  this  species  the  first  ([uill  is  spurious  ;  the  fourth  quill  is  longest ;  the 
fifth  and  sixth  successively  a  little  shorter ;  the  tliird  is  altout  eipial  to,  or  a 
litth'  shorter  than,  tlie  eiglitli ;  the  second  is  a  very  little  longer  than  the 
secondaries.  The  tail  is  a  little  roimded,  tlie  innermost  feather  longest,  the 
rest  successively  ii  little  shorter.  The  greatest  difl'erence  in  length  of  tuil- 
feiithers  amounts  to  .30  of  an  inch. 

The  entire  crown,  from  the  bill  to  tlie  upper  part  of  the  biick,  coming 
down  on  the  sides  to  the  lo'ver  level  of  the  eye,  is  pure  black,  idthough  the 
edge  alone  of  the  lower  eyelid  is  of  tliis  color.     A  second  black  patch  begins 


PAKID.K  — THE  TITMICE.  97 

{it  tli(i  lower  maii(li1)le  and  ocoupieH  tlie  entire  iiiuler  finrfiice  of  tlie  head  and 
throat,  but  not  extending  as  tar  hack  within  a  quarter  of  an  incli  as  that  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  neek.  The  space  Ijetween  these  two  patches,  on  the 
sides  of  the  head  and  neck,  is  wiiite,  tliis  color  extending  along  the  hliick  of 
tlie  back  of  the  neck  as  far  as  its  truncated  extremity,  but  not  b<jrdering  it 
behind.  The  middle  of  the  breast  and  belly,  as  far  as  the  vent,  is  dull 
wJiite,  that  immediately  behind  tlie  black  of  the  throat  a  little  clearer.  The 
sides  of  the  breast  and  body  under  the  wings,  with  the  under  tail-coverts, 
are  pale,  dull  brownish-white.  The  back,  rumj),  and  upper  tail-coverts  are 
of  a  dirty  bluish-ash,  waslied  with  yellowish-brown,  especially  on  the  rump. 
The  wings  are  brown ;  the  outer  edges  of  the  third  to  the  seventh  i)riniaries 
narrowly  edged  with  wliitisli ;  the  innermost  sect)ndaries  more  broadly  and 
conspicuou.sly  edged  with  the  same  ;  larger  coverts  edged  with  dirty  whitish. 
Outer  webs  of  tail-feathers  edged  with  white,  purest  and  occupying  half  the 
web  in  the  external  one,  narrowing  and  less  clear  to  the  central  feathers,  tlie 
basal  portions,  especially,  assuming  more  the  color  of  the  back. 

Hahits.  Tlie  common  Chickadee  or  Jihick-cai)ped  Titmou.se  is  so  well 
known  throughout  the  greater  portion  of  the  United  States  as  to  be  gen- 
erally accepted,  by  common  consent,  as  the  tyjiical  representative  of  its 
numerous  family.  Until  i-ecently  it  has  been  sup])osed  to  be  universally 
di.stributed  over  the  continent,  and  while  this  is  now  (piestioned,  it  is  iKjt 
(piite  clear  where  its  limits  occur.  In  Eastern  IMaine  the  Parus  hudsonictiH 
and  tliis  species  meet.  In  the  District  of  Cidumbia  it  crosses  the  northern 
limits  of  P.  envoi iiiemia,  and  in  the  northern  ^li.ssissippi  Valley  it  mingles 
with  tlie  Aar.  septcntrionuiiH.  It  remains  to  be  ascertained  liow  far  the 
species  exceeds  these  bounds. 

A  few  individuals  of  this  sp(!cies  were  observed  by  Mr.  Dall,  December 
12,  at  Nulato,  wjiere,  however,  it  was  not  common.  They  were  also  ol)- 
tained  by  lii.schoff  at  Sitka  and  Kodiak. 

As  in  very  many  essential  respects  the  whole  family  of  Pnrifh-  are  alike 
in  their  characteristics  of  habits,  tiieir  manner  of  collecting  food,  their  rest- 
less, uneasy  movements,  tlie  similarity  of  their  cries,  their  residence  in  hol- 
low trees  or  brandies,  and  their  nesting  in  similar  i)laces,  witli  the  excei)tion 
only  of  a  few  species  that  construct  their  own  pouch-like  nests,  we  have 
taken  the  best  known  as  the  common  point  of  comi)arison.  Except  in  (he 
variations  in  plumage,  the  jioints  of  difference  are  never  great  or  very 
noticeable. 

In  New  Englnnd  the  IJlack-Cap  is  one  of  our  most  common  and  I'amiliar 
birds.  In  the  vicinity  of  Calais,  Mr.  IJoardman  sjieaks  of  it  as  resident  and 
abundant.  The  writer  did  not  meet  with  it  in  Nova  Scotia,  nor  even  in  the 
islands  of  the  Hay  of  Fuiidy,  where  the  hiuhonicns  is  a  coiumon  bird. 

It  is  a  resident  species,  nesting  early  in  May,  and  Jiaving  full-Hedged  nest- 
lings early  in  June.  AVhile  it  seems  to  ])refi!r  the  edges  of  woods  as  best 
allbrding  the  means  of  food  and  shelter,  it  by  no  means  coutines  itself  to 


98  NoIiTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

thes(5  localities,  not.  only  appearing  familiarly  around  the  dwellings  in  the 
winter  season,  but  also  occasionally  bleeding  in  open  and  exj)Osed  jdaces. 
A  hollow  ])ost  ol'  a  I'ence  in  the  midst  of  open  cultivated  fields,  a  decayed 
stump  near  tlie  side  of  a  pultlic  highway,  a  hollow  log  in  a  frei^uented  farm- 
yard, and  even  the  side  of  an  inhabited  dwelling,  are  localities  these  birds 
have  been  known  to  select  in  which  to  rear  their  young.  In  the  winter 
they  not  unfre<iuently  extend  tlieir  visits,  in  search  of  food,  into  the  very 
heart  of*large  and  crowded  cities,  where  they  seem  as  much  at  home  iind  as 
free  from  alarm  as  in  the  seclusion  of  the  forest,  searching  every  crack  where 
insect  larvie  or  eggs  can  be  hid.  On  one  occasion  a  j)air  had  built  its  nest 
over  a  covered  well  which  connects  with  the  dwelling  by  a  side  door,  tlirough 
which  water  was  chawn  at  all  hours  of  the  day  by  means  of  buckets  and  a 
rope,  the  wlieel  ior  which  was  in  close  proximity  to  their  nest.  Tiiey  mani- 
fested, however,  no  uneasiness,  and  even  after  the  young  were  ready  to  fly, 
tlie  whole  family  would  return  to  the  ])lace  for  shelter  at  night  and  during 
inclement  weather. 

Their  courage  and  devotion  to  tlieir  young  is  a  remarkable  trait  with  the 
whole  race,  and  with  none  more  than  with  the  present  species.  On  one 
occasion  a  Black-Cap  was  seen  to  fly  into  a  rotten  stump  near  the  roadside 
in  Brookline.  The  stump  was  so  much  decayed  that  its  top  was  readily 
broken  off  and  tlie  nest  exposed.  Tlie  mother  refused  to  leave  until  forcibly 
taken  off  by  the  liaiid,  and  twice  returned  to  tlie  nest  when  thus  removed, 
and  it  was  only  by  holding  her  in  tlu;  hand  that  an  opportunity  was  given 
to  ascertain  there  were  seven  young  birds  in  her  nest.  She  made  no  com- 
plaints, uttered  no  outcries,  but  resolutely  and  devotedly  thrust  herself  be- 
tween her  nestlings  and  tlie  seeming  danger.  When  relea.sed  she  immedi- 
ately flew  back  to  them,  covered  them  under  her  siielteving  wings,  and  looked 
xij)  in  the  face  of  her  tormentors  with  a  ipiiet  and  resolute  courage  that  could 
not  be  surjiassed. 

The  nest  of  the  Chickadee  is  usually  a  warm  and  soft  felted  mass  of  the 
hair  and  fur  of  the  smaller  tiuadrui)ed.s,  downy  feathers,  fine  dry  grasses  and 
mosses,  lining  the  cavity  in  which  it  is  placed  and  contracting  it  into  a  deep 
and  purse-like  opening  if  the  cavity  be  larger  than  is  necessary.  Usually  the 
site  .selected  is  already  in  existence,  and  only  enlarged  or  altered  to  suit  the 
wishes  of  the  pair.  But  not  unfrequently,  at  some  pains,  they  will  exca- 
vate an  opening  for  themselves,  not  only  in  decaying  wood,  but  even  into 
limbs  or  trunks  that  are  entirely  sound. 

These  birds  in  winter  collect  around  tlie  camps  of  the  log-cutters,  become 
very  tame,  and  seek  on  all  occasions  to  share  with  their  occiqiants  their  food, 
often  soliciting  their  portion  with  plaintive  tones.  Though  nearly  om- 
nivorous in  the  matter  of  food,  they  prefer  insects  to  everything  else,  and 
the  amount  of  good  conferred  by  them  on  the  farmers  and  the  owners  of 
woodlands  in  the  destruction  of  insects  in  all  tlieir  forms  —  egg,  cat(!rpillar, 
larva,  or  imago  —  must  be  very  great.     No  chrysalis  is  too  large  to  resist 


PARID.E  — THE  TITMICK. 


99 


their  penetrating  bill,  and  no  eggs  so  well  hidden  tliat  they  cannot  find  them 
out.  L  liave  known  one  to  attack  and  Hy  off  with  the  chrysalis  of  a  "  Woolly- 
bear"  or  salt-marsh  cater])illar  {Leucardia  acrcvu).  When  thus  t'oragiu"  Ibr 
their  food  tiiey  seem  totally  unconscious  of  the  near  presence  of  man,  and 
unmindful  of  what  is  passing  around  tlieni,  so  intent  are  they  upon  the 
object  of  their  pursuit. 

The  notes  of  the  Chickadee  exhibit  a  great  variety  of  sounds  and  combi- 
nations. As  they  roam  through  the  country  in  small  flocks  in  quest  of  food, 
their  refrain  is  a  continued  and  lively  succession  of  varying  notes  sounding 
like  a  quaint  chant.  When  annoyed  by  any  intrusion,  their  cry  is  louder 
and  harsher.  They  are  rarely  thus  disturbed  l)y  the  presence  of  man,  and 
even  when  their  nest  is  approached  by  him  they  present  only  a  passive  and 
silent  resistance.  Not  so  when  a  cat  or  a  squirrel  is  observed  in  unwelcome 
vicinity.  These  are  pursued  with  great  and  noisy  pertinacity  and  hoarse 
cries  of  dan,  f%.  day,  in  which  they  are  often  joined  by  others  of  the  same 
species. 

So  far  as  we  have  observed  them,  they  are  apparently  affectionate,  gentle, 
and  loving  to  each  other.  We  utterly  discredit  the  accusation  that  they 
will  treaclierously  beat  out  the  brains  of  feeble  birds  of  their  own  race.  It 
is  unsupixirted  by  testimony,  and  in  the  instance  cited  by  AVilson  he  gives 
no  evidence  that  this  injury  may  not  1^1  ve  been  done  by  some  other  species, 
and  not  by  one  of  its  own  kindred. 

Tlieir  nest  is  usually  near  the  ground,  and  the  number  of  eggs  rarely 
if  ever  exceeds  eight.  They  are  said  to  have  two  broods  in  the  season, 
but  tliis  statement  seems  to  be  contradicted  by  their  continued  presence 
after  Jiuie  in  small  flocks,  evidently  the  parents  and  their  first  and  only 
brood,  who  apparently  remain  togetiier  nine  or  ten  months. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  somewiiat  in  regard  to  the  distribution  and 
number  of  the  reddish-brown  markings  with  which  their  white  -n-ound  is 
more  or  less  sprinkled.  In  some  they  are  chiefly  gathered  in  a  ring  about 
the  larger  end ;  in  others  they  are  distributed  over  the  entire  e^.-  °  Tiieir 
eggs  are  smaller  and  a  little  less  si)herical  in  shape  than  those  of  the  septm- 
tnonalis,  averaging  .58  by  .47  of  an  inch. 


Parus  atricapUlus,  var.  septentrionalis,  Hauius. 

LONO-TAILED  CHICKADEE. 

Panu^scplcnlrmutli.,  H,uuas,  P,-.  A.  N.  S...  11,  184.5.  ano.-r.ss,^.  iii„,t.  I,  1853.  17. 

T:  '     7.    1,  '  ""'''  ^"^'^  '""•  ''''•  ''"  '  ^^'^'''■■'  '»■  -  S^^'-ATKK.  Catal.  18U1 

14   no.  82.     Panis  sepkntrhnalu,  var.  albcsce,,.-,,  IJai.i..  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  xxxvii 
?  Parus  atncapUliM,  I'n.  Max.  fab.  Jour.  VI.  1858,  1  i). 

Sp.  C,ur.     Length  abont  S.M  inche,,;  wing,  2.70;   tail  aho.*  .T  inches.     Head  nbove 
and  below  black,  separated  by  white  on  the  .sides  ..f  the  head;  baok  browni.sh-ash.    Be- 


IQO  NORTH  AMERICAN.  BIRDS. 

nt'ftth  wliito,  tinifod  witli  pnli;  browiiish-wliito  on  the  sides.     Outer  tnil-fefitliera,  primaries, 
HiKJ  .secoiHlaries  l)roiiiiiy  eil^'eil  witli  white,  iiivolviiiff  nearly  the  whole  outer  web  of  outer 
tiiil-l'eatiier.     Tail  mueh  grailuateil ;  the  outer  H.-uther  iiljout  .50  ol'  un  inch  shorter  than 
the  middle.     Seeond  quill  about  as  long  as  the  secondaries. 
IIai^      Region  of  Missouri  River  to  Roeky  Mountanis. 

Tlii.g  nice  is  very  similiir  to  the  P.  atricapillus,  but  differs  from  it 
somewhat  as  atriaipilhis  does  from  cnroliiu-iisis.  Its  size  is  much  greater; 
the  tail  proportionally  longer,  and  much  more  graduated  ;  the  white  of 
wing  and  tail  purer  and  more  extended.  The  bill  appears  to  be  stouter 
and  more  conical.  Tlie  back  ha.s,  i)erhaps,  a  little  more  yellowish.  The 
spurious  or  first  primary  is  larger. 

It  will  be  a  difficult  matter  to  retain  this  as  a  species  distinct  from 
atriaipiUus,  in  view  of  the  insensible  gradation  from  one  form  to  the  other ; 
and  it  may  be  looked  ujwn,  witli  scarcely  a  douljt,  as  simply  a  long-tailed 
Western  variety  of  the  common  species.  P.  Occident  alls,  and,  probably,  even 
P.  caro/iiioisiti,  may  even  fall  under  the  same  category,  their  peculiarities 
of  color  and  size  being  precisely  such  as  would  a  jjriori  be  exjiected  from 
their  geographical  distribution. 

Habit.s.  The  Long-tailed  Titmouse  appears  to  have  an  extended  distribu- 
tion between  the  Missi.ssippi  Valley  and  the  IJocky  Mountains,  from  Texas 
into  the  British  Possessions,  siiecimens  having  been  received  from  Fort 
Simpson  and  Lake  Winnipeg.  Among  the  ncjtes  of  the  late  Robert  Ken- 
nicott  is  one  dated  Lake  Wiimipeg,  -Tune  G,  mentioning  the  dissection  of  a 
female  of  this  species  found  to  contain  a  full-sized  egg.  A  memorandum 
made  by  Mr.  Ross,  dated  at  Fort  William,  May  15,  sjieaks  of  this  bird 
as  abundant  at  Fort  Simpson,  from  x\vigust  until  November,  the  last  having 
been  seen  Xovember  10.  One  was  shot,  June  2,  on  Winnipeg  River,  "a 
female,  who  was  about  to  lay  her  egg." 

In  regard  to  its  distinct  individual  history  but  little  is  as  yet  known.  It 
was  discovered  and  first  described  by  the  late  Edward  Harris,  of  New  Jersey, 
who  accompanied  ^Ir.  Audubon  in  his  expedition  to  the  upper  branches  of 
the  Missouri  River,  and  who  obtained  this  bird  on  the  Yellowstone,  about 
thirty  miles  above  its  junction  with  the  Missouri,  on  the  26th  of  July.  He 
describes  its  notes  as  similar  to  those  of  the  common  atricapiUvs,  but  less 
harsh  and  querulous,  and  more  licjuid  in  their  utterance.  Subsequently 
specimens  were  obtained  Ijy  Mr.  Keru,  artist  to  the  exploring  exjiedition 
under  Fremont  in  1840. 

It  is  the  largest  species  of  this  genus  in  America.  In  its  breeding-habits 
it  is  not  diflerent  from  the  Eastern  representatives.  Mr.  R  F.  Goss  found 
this  species  breeding  abundantly  nt  Neosho  Falls,  in  Kansas.  Tliey  nest  in 
decayed  stumps,  hollow  trees,  branches,  logs,  etc.,  after  the  manner  of  the 
atricitpi/lus.  The  excavation  is  usually  ten  or  twelve  inches,  and  even 
metre,  in  deijth.  The  nest  is  warmly  made  of  a  loose  soft  felt  composed  of 
the  fur  and  fine  hnir  of  small  ([uadrupeds,  feathers,  and  tlie  finer  mosses. 


PAIUU.K  —  TIIK  TlTMlCi:. 


101 


The  eggs,  usually  five,  occasionally  eight,  in  nuniljer,  are  of  a  rounded 
oval  siiupe,  measuring  .GO  by  .50  of  an  inch.  They  have  a  ])ure  duli-wliite 
ground,  and  the  entire  egg  is  very  uniformly  and  pretty  tliickly  covered 
with  tine  markings  and  small  blotches  of  red  and  reddiali-brown  inter- 
mingled with  a  lew  dots  of  purplish. 


Farus  atricapillus,  var.  occidentalis,  Baird. 

WESTEBN  CmCKAOEE. 

Pitrnsnccidentdlis,  Raikd,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  3!)]  (W.  Territory) :  Hfiviow,  81.  —  Sii.atki!, 
fatal.  1861,  14,  no.  82.  —  Elliot,  lUiist.  1,  pi.  viii.  —  CoorKU,  Birds' Cal.  1,  4j. 

Si'.  Cii.vu.  Tarsi  leiifrtliciifd.  Tail  <rniduato(l ;  ontor  ilsitlior  about  .25  of  an  incli  siiorter 
than  the  middle.  Above  dark  browni.-ih-ash ;  iiead  and  neek  al)ove  uiul  below  black  sepa- 
rated on  the  sides  by  white;  beneath  lifrjit,  dirty,  rusty  yellowish-brown,  scarcely  whiter 
along  the  middle  of  body.  Tail  and  wings  not  quite  so  much  edged  with  whitish  as  in  P. 
afn'rapillus.     Length  about  4.7") ;  wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.40. 

IIaii.    Northwest  coast  region  of  the  United  States. 

This  race  is  of  the  same  size  as  P.  atrkapillus,  and  resembles  it  in  its 
markings  ;  the  ashy  of  the  back  is,  however,  washed  with  a  dtirker  shiido 
of  yellowish-l)rown.  The  brown  of  tlie  under  parts  is  so  much  darker  as  to 
cause  tlie  predominant  color  there  to  be  a  pale  yellowish-brown,  instead 
of  brownish-white.  The  fourtli  quill  is  longest;  the  fifth  and  sixth  a  little 
siiorter  than  tlie  third  ;  tlie  second  is  about  as  h)ng  as  the  secondaries.  The 
tail  IS  rounded,  rather  more  so  than  in  most  atrkcqnllas,  the  diffei-ence  in  the 
lengths  of  the  feathers  amounting  to  about  .25  of  an  inch.  The  amount 
of  light  margining  to  the  quills  and  tail-feathers  is  much  as  in  atricamllus, 
but  rather  less,  perhaps,  on  the  tail. 

This  seems  to  be  the  Pacific  coast  representative  of  the  P.  atrimpiUii^ 
as  septcntnomt/is  belongs  to  the  middle  region,  corresponding  in  its  di«er- 
ences  witii  otiier  Western  representatives  of  Plistern  species. 

Habits.  Dr.  Cooper,  in  his  Birds  of  Washington  Territory,  says  of 
this  variety:  "The  common  Black-capped  Chickadee,  so  abundant  in  the 
Eastern  States,  is,  in  Washington  Territory,  represented  by  the  Western 
litmouse,  freipienting  the  low  thickets  and  trees,  where  it  is  always  busilv 
employed  seeking  food."  He  observed  its  nest  near  Puget  Sound,  burrowed 
in  soft  lytten  wood.  Dr.  Suckley  found  it  quite  abundant  in  the  valley  of 
the  Willamette,  and  also  at  Fort  Vancouver  during  winter.  In  habits  it 
closely  resembles  the  Black-Cap  of  the  Eastern  States. 

It  is  chieHy  found  in  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory,  visitin-  the 
iwrthern  part  of  California  in  winter,  when  it  is  also  abundant  nea"r  the 
Columbia  Biver.  At  this  season  it  is  generally  found  among  the  deciduous 
trees  along  streams  and  oak  groves,  seeking  its  food  among  the  branches. 
It  feeds  oil  seeds  and  insects,  and  is  very  fond  of  fresh  meat,  fat,  and  crumbs 


102  x<»i{Tii  AMKrucAX  iiruns. 

of  bread.  They  migrate  but  little,  reumiiiin<^  at  the  Columbia  River  even 
when  the  <,'rounil  is  covered  with  snow.  Tiie  egf,'s  are  as  yet  unknown,  but 
without  doubt  they  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Eastern  species. 


Farus  carolinensis,  Audubon. 

BOUTHEBN  CHICKASEI. 

Pnnis  mrnlinnisl.i.  Am.  Oiii.  lUiig.  II,  1834,  474,  \A.  Ax.  —In.  Birds  Am.  II,  1841,  l.'i'i, 
jil.  cxxvii.  -  IJ.Mlili,  Hiiils  N'.  .\m.  ISSS,  3i)2  ;  Kc-view,  81.  —  SiX.vrKli,  C'lital.  IStil, 
i:t,  III).  81.     I'uxiU  caroUnaisui,  BoN.  Consi).  1850,  230. 

Sr.  CiiAH.  Seconil  »niill  iiii|)iTi.Mably  longer  tliaii  soeondnrici.  Tail  vory  little  roundeil. 
Loiigtli  alioul  •t.")0  inches;  wiiig  les^s  than  2.5(1;  tail,  '2.40.  Back  l)ro\vni.'*h-ash.  Head 
above,  anil  throat,  black,  separated  on  sides  of  head  liy  white.  Beneath  white;  browni.-<li- 
white  on  sides.     Onter  tail-leathers,  ju'lniaries,  and  .secondaries,  not  edged  with  white. 

II.\B.  South  Atlantic  and  gidf  n-gion  of  I'nited  State.*,  north  to  Washington,  I).  ('. 
Texas  and  the  Mississippi  Valley ;  north  to  Central  Illinois  ;  the  only  species  in  the 
southern  portion  of  tlu;  latter  State. 

This  species  is,  in  general,  rather  smaller  than  P.  atriccqrilhin,  although 
the  tail  and  wing  appear  to  be  of  much  the  same  size.  The  body  and  feet 
are,  however,  snuiller,  and  the  extent  of  wing  is  three  quarters  of  an  inch 
less.     Tiie  bill  is  apparently  shorter  and  stouter. 

The  primaries  are  proportionally  and  absolutely  considerably  longer  than 
the  secondaries  in  the  present  sjjecies,  the  difference  being  .55  of  an  iiicli, 
instead  of  .45.     The  tail  is  rather  more  roundetl,  the  fetithers  narrower. 

The  tail  is  considerably  shorter  tlnm  the  wing,  instead  of  longer ;  the 
black  of  the  throat  extends  much  farther  back,  is  more  dense  ami  more 
sharply  defined  behind,  than  in  atriatpilhis.  Taking  into  view  these  dif- 
ferences, and  othei's  of  color,  we  feel  justified  in  retaining  this  as  a  species 
distinct  from  atrimjnlliis,  and,  iu  fact,  having  mcrulioiialis  as  its  nearest 
relative  (see  Syno[)tical  Table).  IJoth  this  species  and  atrmtpilhis  are  found 
together  in  the  Middle  States,  each  preserving  its  characteristics. 

Hauits.  South  of  the  once  famous  line  of  Mason  and  Dixou  this  smaller 
counterpart  of  the  (Jhickadee  seems  to  entirely  replace  it,  although  in  New 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  and  occasionally  even  as  I'ar  to  the  north  as  New 
York  City,  the  two  occur  together.  Its  range  is  presumed  to  be  all  the 
States  south  of  the  Potomac  and  the  Ohio,  as  far  to  the  west  as  the  liio 
Chande.  It  was  probably  this  species,  and  not  the  atrmipillm,  which  was 
met  with  by  Dr.  Woodhouse  in  the  Indian  Teri-icory.  Without  much  doubt 
it  breeds  in  all  the  States  south  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  Southern  Illinois,  as  far  north  in  the  Wabash  Valley  iis  the  mouth  of 
White  Iliver,  this  is  the  only  species,  unless  the  P.  atricapilliis  occasionally 
occurs  in  winter.  Specimens  from  this  region  are  undistinguishable  from 
those  taken  in  Georgia  and  the  extreme  Southern  States,  and  do  not  present 
the  peculiar  features  of  P.  utricupillits.      It  is  a  very  abundant  species, 


PARI  D.K  — THE  TITMIPK  103 

niitl  resident,  beiii;,'  in  winter  one  of  tlie  most  common,  as  well  iis  one  ol' 
the  most  ramiliur  liirils,  inhabiting  all  luculilios,  giving  jtrelerunce  neither 
to  swampy  woods  nor  to  door-yards,  for  it  is  as  often  seen  in  one  \A\\vv.  as 
another.  It  is  never  gregarious,  tliough  many  may  often  be  seen  or  heard  at 
the  same  moment.  It  begins  inciil»ation  early  in  April,  generally  selecting 
the  wild  phim  and  red-bud  trees  in  the  woods.  This  species  very  often 
constructs  its  own  nesting- places,  and  the  soft  wood  of  the.se  trees  is  very 
easily  excavated.  The  excavation  is  generally  made  in  a  horizontal  dead 
limb,  with  the  opening  on  the  under  side ;  tiiis  is  neat  and  regular,  and  as 
elaborate  as  those  of  any  of  the  woodpeckers.  Sometimes,  however,  a 
natural  cavity  is  selected,  fre(piently  in  a  pi  tstmte  stumit  or  "snag."  The 
nest  is  almost  always  a  very  elaborate  structure,  being  a  strong  comi)act  cup 
or  Ijed  of  "felt,"  whose  main  material  is  rabbit-fur  and  cow-hair. 

In  its  habits  it  seems  to  resemble  more  closely  the  /'.  jxtl ust rii  of  Europe 
than  the  atricapill !(.•<,  being  generally  found  only  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  ponds  and  deep,  marshy,  moist  woods.  It  is  also  rarely  fouiitl  other 
than  singly  or  in  pairs,  the  parent  birds,  unlike  most  of  this  family,  separat- 
ing from  their  young  soon  after  the  latter  are  able  to  provide  for  tliemselves. 
It  rarely  or  never  moves  in  Hocks. 

Their  notes  are  said  to  be  '  i  sonorous  and  less  frequent  than  those  of  our 
Black-capped  Titmouse.  In  the  winter  a  portion  retire  from  the  coast  in 
South  Carolina  into  the  interior  of  the  State  and  into  Florida,  where  Air. 
Audubon  found  them,  in  the  winter  of  1831  and  1832,  much  more  abun- 
dant than  he  had  ever  seen  them  elsewhere.  He  found  them  breeding  as 
early  as  February,  occasionally  in  the  nests  deserted  by  the  J>rown-headed 
Nuthatch.  A  nest  obtained  by  Dr.  Uachman  from  a  hollow  stump,  about 
four  feet  from  the  ground,  was  in  form  cup-shaped,  measuring  two  inches 
internally  in  diameter  at  the  mouth,  and  three  externally,  with  a  depth 
of  two  inches.  It  was  constructed  of  cotton,  fine  wool,  a  few  fibres  of 
plants,  and  so  elaborately  felted  together  as  to  be  of  uniform  thickness 
throughout. 

Mr.  Audubon  was  in  error  in  regard  to  the  eggs,  -which  he  describes  as 
pure  white.  Their  ground-color  i )  of  pure  crystalline  whiteness,  but  they 
are  freely  and  boldly  marked  all  over  with  deej)  reddisli-brown  and  red  spots. 
Tiiese,  so  far  as  we  have  compared  the  eggs,  are  larger,  more  numerous,  and 
more  deeply  marked  than  are  any  eggs  of  the  utricu^illus  we  have  ever  met 
with. 

According  to  the  observations  of  the  late  Dr.  Alexander  Gerhardt  of 
Whitfield  Co\inty,  Georgia,  tiiese  birds  usually  breed  in  holes  that  have 
been  previously  dug  out  by  the  J'icKs  jiKhfsrnis,  or  in  decaying  stuinjis  not 
more  than  five  or  six  feet  from  the  ground.  He  never  met  with  its  nest  in 
living  trees.  The  eggs  are  from  five  to  seven  in  number,  and  are  usually 
deposited  in  Georgia  from  the  10th  to  the  last  of  Apiil. 

The  eggs  of  this  sjjecies  are  slightly  larger  than  those  of  the  atricapillm, 


104  NOllTH  AMERICAN  UIIIDS. 

ami  the  reddish-brown  blotches  with  which  they  are  profusely  covered  are 
much  more  distiiuily  marked.  Tiiey  are  of  a  si»heroidal  oval  in  shape, 
lia\  3  a  pure  white  ground,  veiy  unilormly  aiul  genor.illy  sjn-inkled  witli 
blotches  of  a  reddisli-brown.     Tiiey  measure  .00  by  .50  of  an  inch. 


Farus  r-ifescens,  Towns. 

CHESTNUT-BACKED  CHICKADEE. 

I'm  us  riif.-mii.i,  TiiWNsi-.Ni),  .1.  A.  N.  Se.  Pliil.  VII,  ii,  1S37,  190.—  Ari).  On\.  Riog.  IV, 
isas,  371,  jil.  n'cliii.  —  Id.  Birds  Am.  1841,  158,  pi.  c.\.\ix.  —  ItAiiiii,  Itinls  N.  Am. 
IS.W,  ay4;  Review,  83.  —  CooPKR  &  Sl'cKl.KV,  P.  U.  U.  li.'i..  XII,  ll,  la.lit,  194 
(nesting). —S(.i,.vrKii,  Catiil.  1801,  14,  no.  8f!.  —  Oai.i,  &  HANNi.sTi'.it  (Aliuska). — 
(.'iMiiM'.::,  Hiiils  (.'al.  1,  47.     I'uecih:  riifisccii.i,  ItiixAi".  (."onsji.  ISSO,  '230. 

Si'.  CiiAK.  Whole  licad  and  neck  almve,  aii<l  throat  IVoiii  bill  to  upper  part  of  hreast, 
sooty  lilai-kish-liiowii.  Sides  of  head  ami  iieek.  upper  pail  of  hreast,  and  middle  of  hody, 
white;  l)a(;k  and  sides  dark  brownish-eliestuut.  Length,  475  inclit^';  wing,  2.'M;  tail, 
2.10. 

Had.     Western  I'liiled  States,  n<'ar  I'aeilie  eoast.  ' 

Haiuts.  The  Cliestuut-backefl  Titmoiiso  was  first  obtained  by  Townsend 
on  the  banks  uf  the  Coluudtia  JJiver,  and  described  in  th(!  Journal  of  the 
riiiladelphii)  Academy.  It  is  a  resident,  throuohout  the  year,  of  the  forests 
of  the  Columbia,  and  is  found  throuohout  California.  Like  all  of  thi.s 
familiar  family,  they  may  be  .seen  in  small  ilocks,  of  all  ages,  in  the  autuum 
and  winter,  moving  briskly  about,  uttering  a  nund)er  of  feeble  (juerulous  notes, 
after  the  manner  of  tlie  nti-iciipillux,  liut  never  joining  in  anything  like  the 
(jnaint  and  jingling  .song  of  that  l)ird.  Tliey  occasionally  have  a  coidi 
warbling  cliatter.  These  busy  little  gniu))s  may  be  often  seen  in  coin  ,ny 
with  the  Pftnis  (irridftifa/is  and  tlu;  Iteifithtu  sntriipa,  moving  through  tlie 
b.ishes  and  thickets,  cartd'ully  collecting  insects,  their  larvie  ami  eggs,  for  a 
♦ew  moments,  and  tlien  Hying  olf  for  sonu!  otlier  jiliu-e.  Tliey  are  suppo.sed 
to  rear  tlu'ir  young  in  the  midst  of  tlie  densest  forests. 

Mr.  Nuttall  states  tliat  when  the  gun  thins  their  raidvs  the  survivors  dis- 
play surprising  coinage  and  solicitiule,  following  their  destroyer  with  wailing 
cries,  entres    ng  for  their  companions. 

J)r.  (buubel  found  the  young  of  this  species  in  great  abumlancc  ammul 
^lonterey  in  the  fall  and  winter  months.  Dr.  Ileermann  saw  them  in  June, 
].sr)2,  feeding  their  young  ill  the  vicinity  of  San  Francisco,  where,  however, 
they  are  rare. 

In  Washington  Territory,  Dr.  ( 'oo])er  ftamd  this  the  most  abundant  species. 
It  ))rel'erred  tlie  dense  overgieens,  where  large  parties  cotdd  be  found  at  all 
seasons  busily  seeking  food  among  the  leaves  luul  brar.ches,  ascending  even 
to  the  higliest  tops.  Tiiey  were  usually  in  company  witli  tlie  Jicijnii  and 
the  otlier  Titmice.     Mr.  JJischofl"  found  them  abundant  at  Sitka. 


PARID.E-  THE  TITMICE.  105 

They  iicst,  like  all  the  others  of  this  genus,  in  holes  in  soft  ilecuyed  tnniks 
and  large?  limbs  oi"  trees  a  lew  feet  from  the  ground.  Their  eggs  are  not  as 
yet  known. 


Farus  hudsonicus,  Forst. 

HUDSON'S  BAT  CHICKADEE;  BBOWK-CAPFED  CHICKADEE. 

Pariis  hudsiiiiicK.i,  Fdiistki!,  I'liilos.  Trans.  l.XII,  1772,  HS.'t,  4:!0.  —  Am.  Oni.  Bioj^.  II, 
1834,  543,  111.  (•xciv.  —  111.  Hiid.s  Am.  II,  1.S41,  Im,  pi.  cxxviii.  —  lUiuii,  Kiitl.s  N. 
Am.  18.')8,  :!'.t,^);  licvicw,  8'2.  —  S.\.MrKi..s,  18,"..  -  D.u.i.  &  H.VNNisrKinAliisku).  I'drns 
hutlMii kits  \i\r.  lit/onilix,  liliYANl',  I'r.  Best.  .Soc.  N.  II.  IX.  1803,  308. 

Si".  Cii.Mi.  Above  yi'lliwi.-^li  olivnp('on.«-lirown  ;  top  of  liuiu!  ])iircr  brown,  not  very 
tliU'i'ii'iit,  in  tint.  Chin  and  throat  dark  .><c)oty-hrown.  Sides  of  hoad  white.  I?eneath 
while;  sides  and  mial  repjion  lifiiit  lirownish-chcstnut.  No  whitisii  on  win;;.'!  or  tail. 
Tail  nearly  even,  or  slif^litly  eniarginale  and  roundud.  Lateral  leathers  abont  .20  shortest. 
Len<,'th  abont  5  inehes;  winjr,  2.40;  tail,  '2.(!(i. 

IIaii.     Northern  portions  of  North  America,  from  Atlantic^  to  l*aci(io. 

Sjiecimens  from  the  most  nortliern  localities  iiii])ear  lai-gor  than  those  from 
Maine  and  Nova  Scotia  (/'.  litloralis,  HitVANT),  witii  luoportioiially  longer 
tails  (li.OO  inches,  instead  of  2.4(1).  We  can,  however,  detect  no  other 
dilferencc. 

The  J'dnix  nibirii'iia  of  Kurope  is  very  similar  in  colruation  and  characters 
to  tlie  r.  hii(lKoniii(-f.  Tlic  luincipal  dilference  is  seen  in  the  cheeks,  which 
in  Htbiririts  are  pure  wliite,  this  color  extending  along  the  entire  side  of  tho 
neck,  widening  behind,  anil  e.xteiitling  round  towards  the  back.  In  hinhoni- 
vm  the  cheeks  behind  the  eyi's  and  sides  of  the  neck  are  ash-gray,  tlie  white 
being  contined  to  the  region  Itelow  or  near  tiie  eye.  The  smoky-gray  of  the 
upper  part  of  head  iiml  neck  in  sihivints  is  in  a  stronger  contrast  witli  tlio 
brighter  nd'cscent-gray  of  the  ,  ...id  is  separated  from  it.  by  an  obscure, 

conceided,  whitisii  dorsal  half-collar,  represented  'Mxhtiditi^iiicKn  only  by  a  didl 
grayish  shade  in  the  plumage. 

Haiuts.  This  interesting  species,  one  of  the  liveliest  and  mo,st  animated 
of  its  family,  belongs  to  the  northern  and  eastern  sections  of  Nt '  i  America. 
It  is  found  in  the  eastern  and  northern  portions  of  Maine,  and  ])robably  also 
in  tiie  northern  parts  of  Ni-w  York,  Vermont,  and  New  llampsiiire.  In  the 
heavily  wooded  mountain-valley  of  Krrol,  in  tiie  latter  Stale,  Mr.  Maynard 
met  with  this  bird  in  the  latter  jtart  of  Octolicr,  in  company  N.ith  tho 
common  airirnpil/n.s.  in  the  same  month  he  also  obtained  two  birds  in 
Albany,  in  the  uortliwe.stern  ''orner  of  Main(\  A  single  s])ecimen  was 
taken  at  Concord,  Massachusetts,  October  L".',  by  ]\lr.  William  IJrewster. 

Near  Calais  it  is  resident,  but  not  common.  It  is  more  abundant  in  the 
islands  of  tiie  Iky  of  Fundy,  wlicn?  it  takes  (lie  jilacc,  almost  exclusively, 
of  the  alriiapillm.  Tiio  writer  lirs(  met  with  thesi;  lively  little  wood-sprites 
14 


106  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

ill  1850,  in  the  tliick  swampy  woods  wliicli  cover  one  of  the  small  islands 
near  (Iraiid  jMonan.  Their  general  ap]iearaiice  as  they  fhtted  through  tlie 
woods,  or  rustled  restlessly  among  the  tangled  debris  of  de(..._|Iiig  trees  and  ■ 
underl)riish  with  which  the  forest  was  clioked,  was  not  unlike  that  of  our 
common  J>laek-('ap.  Yet  there  was  an  indescribable  something  both  in  their 
cries  and  in  their  manners  that  at  once  suggested  a  ililference  of  S2)ecies.  To 
my  ear  their  cries  were  sharper,  clearer,  and  a  trifle  harsher.  There  was 
none  (if  that  resonant  Jingle  so  full  of  charm  in  the  Chickadee.  Their  notes, 
too,  were  more  articulate,  more  like  distinct  words,  and  were  brought  out  at 
certain  times  with  an  emjihasis  the  eil'ect  of  which  was  very  striking. 
Ueginning  with  tsdiCi-dei,  the  dee-dve-dSe  was  reiterated  with  an  almost 
incessant  volubility. 

It  seemed  to  be  a  more  retiring  bird,  never  frequenting  the  houses,  but 
keeping  closely  to  thick  and  retired  woods.  Yet  it  is  not  a  timid  species,  but 
seemed  entirely  unmindful  of  our  presence,  or,  when  mindful  of  it,  to  resent 
it  as  an  impropriety,  rather  than  to  fear  it  as  a  danger.  They  ajipareiitly  had 
nests  or  young  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  though  I  could  not  detect  their  local- 
ity. One  jiair  became  at  last  so  annoyed  at  my  jirolonged  presence  as  to 
manifest  their  uneasiness  by  keeping  within  a  few  feet  of  my  heail,  follow- 
ing me  wherever  I  went,  and  without  ceasing  from  their  clo,se  surveillance 
until  I  finally  left  their  grove  and  emerged  into  the  open  country.  All  the 
time  they  lirought  out  the  cry  of  dee-dee  with  a  clear,  ringing  emphasis  that 
was  almost  startling. 

A  few  days  later,  being  at  H  lifax,  Mr.  Andrew  Downes,  the  naturalist, 
took  me  to  the  nest  of  these  birds  in  a  small  grove  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
city.  The  nest  was  in  a  small  beech-tree,  and  had  l)een  cut  through  the  liv- 
ing w(i(h1.  The  excavation,  which  was  not  more  than  two  feet  from  the 
ground,  was  about  ten  inches  in  de]tth,  was  in  a  horizontal  jjosition  only 
about  two  inches,  wlmre  it  turned  abrujitly  downward,  and  from  a  width  of 
an  inch  and  a  half  assumed  a  width  of  three,  and  a  dejjth  of  seven  or  eight 
inches.  Tliis  was  warndy  lined  with  feathers  and  soft  fur.  The  nest  con- 
tained young  birds.  These  particulars  we  only  ascertained  when  we  had 
laid  '^are  the  excavation  by  a  sharj)  hatchet.  Though  disajti»ointed  in  our 
seiirch  for  eggs,  yet  ve  witnessed  r  very  touching  manifestation  of  devotion 
on  the  ])art  of  the  parents,  and  of  neighl)orly  .solicitude  in  various  other  in- 
mates of  the  grove,  which  was  at  or^e  most  interest  ing  and  a  scene  long  to 
be  rememltered. 

With  all  tJie  self-sacrificing  devotion  of  the  Rlack-t'a]),  these  birds  di.s- 
jihiyed  a  bohlness  and  an  aggi-ssive  intreimlity  that  at  once  commanded 
our  respect  and  admimtion.  I  never  witne.s.sed  anything  quite  equal  to  it.\ 
They  tiew  at  our  faces,  assailed  our  arms  as  we  wielded  the  invading  hatchet, 
and  it  was  dillicult  not  to  do  them  even  unintentional  injury  without  aban- 
doning our  jairpose.  IJefore  we  could  examine  the  nest  they  had  entered, 
and  had  to  be  again  and  again  removed.     As  soon  as  we  were  satisfied  that 


PAK1D.E  — THE  TITMICE.  107 

the  nest  of  tliis  hemic  pair  did  not  contain  wliat  we  sont^lit,  we  left  tlicni,  and 
tnrned  to  look  with  e([Uiil  adniinition  upon  tiio  imlignant  asseni1>ly  of  feath- 
eied  remonstrants  by  wliich  wo  were  surrouui^od.  The  neij;hl)orin<^'  trees 
swarmed  with  a  variety  of  birds,  several  of  which  we  had  never  l)efore  seen 
in  their  sunnner  homes.  There  were  the  lled-Poll  Warbler,  the  JUaclv  and 
Yellow  Warbler,  and  many  others,  all  earnestly  and  elocpiently  crying  out 
shame  upon  our  proceedings. 

Dr.  Bryant,  in  his  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Y:jr?noutli,  N.  S.,  etc.,  mentions 
finding  quite  a  inimber  of  this  .species  on  Big  Mud  Island,  near  that  place. 
A  pair  of  these  birds  with  their  young  were  seen  by  him  near  Yarmoutli  on 
the  3d  of  July.  Their  habits  seemed  to  him  identical  with  those  of  the 
Black-Cap.  The  young  were  fully  grown  and  could  Hy  with  case,  yet  tlieir 
parents  were  so  solicitous  about  tlieir  safety  that  he  could  almost  catch  them 
with  his  ha  ".  Their  notes  appeared  to  him  similar  to  those  of  our  common 
species,  but  sharper  and  more  tiling,  and  can  be  readily  imitated  by  repeat- 
ing, with  one's  front  teeth  sluit  together,  the  syllables  ('.ee-dee-ilte-tlee. 

Mr.  Audubon  found  a  nest  of  this  Titmouse  inl^alirador.  It  was  built  in  a 
decayed  stump  about  three  feet  front  the  ground,  was  purse-slraped,  eight 
inches  in  depth,  two  in  diameter,  and  its  sides  an-inch  thick.  It  wius  entirely 
composed  of  the  finest  fur  of  various  quadrupeds,  cliiefly  of  tlie  nortiieru 
hare,  and  all  so  thickly  and  ingeniou.sly  mattetl  throvighout  as  to  seem  as  if 
felted  by  the  hand  of  man.  It  was  wider  at  the  bottom  than  at  the  top. 
The  birds  vehemently  assailed  the  party. 

Mr.  Boss,  in  notes  comnumicated  to  the  late  Mr.  Kennicott,  mentions  that 
specimens  of  this  sjiecies  were  shot  at  Fort  Simpson,  October  I'i,  in  com- 
pany with  J',  septentrional  is,  and  others  were  afterwards  seen  towards  the 
mountains.  The  notes  he  describes  as  harsher  than  tliose  of  the  septintrio- 
imlia.  The  Smithsonian  nuiseum  contains  s])eo'iiiens  from  Fort  Yukon  and 
Great  Slave  Lake,  besides  the  hicalities  already  referred  to.  Mr.  Dall  found 
it  the  commonest  Titmouse  at  Nulato,  abunilant  in  the  winter,  but  not  pres- 
ent in  the  spring. 

Tiie  eggs  of  tliis  species  measure  .5G  by  .47  of  an  inch,  are  of  a  I'oundcd 
oval  shape,  am'  with  a  white  ground  are  somewhat  sparingly  marked  witli 
a  few  reddish-brown  spots.  These  are  usually  grouped  in  a  ring  around  tiie 
larger  end. 

f  ENus  FSALTRIPARUS,  ^Boxap. 

Pmltripnru.i,  Ronav.  Coniptcs  R('n(lu.s,  XXXI,  IS.'iO,  478.     (Tyiio,  P.  mclanotis.) 
^Kili/linliini.i,  Caii.vnis,  Musi'iim  lli'liicnmim,  1851,  UO.     (Tyiw,  Parm  trylhruccphalus.) 
Pmltrw,  Cassin,  111.  X.  Am.  Uird.s,  1853,  lU. 

(iKN.  CiiAU.  Sizi"  very  small  ami  .■^li'iuler.  Bill  very  small,  short,  coniprcssi'il,  nml 
with  its  ii|)por  onlliiK"  iiiiich  t'lirviMl  for  tin;  terminal  half.  I'ppi'r  maiidililo  much  di'opi'r 
than  under.  Tail  Kmil',  slender,  nmcli  graduated;  miieh  hinii-er  tliaii  liie  \viiijr'<;  llio 
I'eutlicis  very  narrow.    Tarsi  coiisiduiably  longer  than  tho  niiddlo  toe.     No  black  ou  the 


108 


XOHTli  AJ[ERICAN  BIRDS. 


crown  or  throat.     Eyos  while  in  somo  specimens,  brown,  in  others.     Nest  purse-shaped; 
eggs  un.spotted,  wliite. 

No  bird  of  thi.s  genus  belongs  to  the  eastern  portion  of  the  United  States. 
The  three  species  may  be  defined  as  follows  :  — 

A»   Tload  striped  witli  black  on  the  sides. 

P.   melanotis.     The  stripes  passing  under   the  eye   and   uniting   on   the 

occiput.     Huh.   Eastern  Mexico 
B«   No  stripes  on  the  head. 

P.  minimus.    Back  ashy ;  crown  light  brown.     ll(th.    Pacific  Province  of 

United  States var.  viinimua. 

Back  and  crown  uniform  ashy.     Ilab.  iiliddle  Province  and  southern  Rocky 

Mountains  of  United  States var.  plumbeus. 


Fsaltriparus  melanotis,  Bonap. 

BLACK-EAKED  BVSH-TITKOUSE. 

Parus  melanotis,  Hautlaub,  Hcv.  Zobl.  1844,  216.  Pn-cile  melanotis,  Bp.  Consp.  1850, 
230.  .Kyilluilisciis  melanotis.  Cab.  llus.  Heiii.  1,  1850,  1851,  DO.  Psallria  mclanolis, 
Wk,stki!MAXN,  Bijd.  Dierk.  1851,  IG,  plate.  Rwllriparus  mclaniilis,  Bonap.  C.  U. 
XXXVIII,  1854.  —  Sd.ATKi!,  P.  Z.  S.  18.58,  29*).  — In.  1864,  172  (City  Mex.).— 
S.  1.VIN,  Ibis,  1866,  li)0  (C.uatemnlii).  —  BAinn,  iiinls  N.  Ain.  1858,  386,  pi.  liii,  tig. 
3  ;  lievicw,  84.     Psaltriparits  pcrsonatus,  Bonap.  C.  U.  XXXI,  Sept.  1850,  478. 

Sp.  Char.  A  black  patch  on  each  cheek,  nearly  mt^eting  behind.  Crown  and  edges  of 
the  wing  and  tail  a.sh-gniy  ;  rest  of  upper  ]tarls  j'ellowish-brown,  lighter  on  the  nnnp. 
Beneath  whitish;  anal  region  tinged  with  yellowish-brown.  Length  about  4  inches; 
wing,  I.iJO;  tail,  2.^0. 

Had.  Eastern  Mexico;  south  to  Guatemala;  Oaxiica  (high  region),  Scl.^ter.  East 
Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada  i"  IIidoway. 

Habits.     In  regard  to  the  specific  peculiarities  and  tlie  distinct  individual 

habits  of  tlie  members  of  this  pretty  little 
species,  little  is  at  present  known.  Its  mode 
of  nesting  has  not  been  observed,  and  no 
mention  is  made,  l)y  those  who  have  met 
with  it,  of  its  peculiarities  of  song,  nor  have 
we  any  information  in  regfird  to  any  of  its 
habits.  Its  geograpliical  distrib  .tion,  so  far 
as  ascertained,  is  from  the  south  side  of  the 
vall(\y  of  the  Hio  (Jrande  of  Mexico  to  Gua- 
temala, and  there  is  no  reliable  evidence  of 
its  crossing  the  United  Stai.'s  boundary  line,  unless  Mr.  Kidgway  is  correct 
in  his  assurance  that  he  saw  it  in  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains  of  Nevada, 
near  Fort  Kuby.  It  was  first  dcscrii)ed  from  (luatemalan  specimens.  Mr. 
0.  Salvin  (Ibis,  18()(),  p.  190)  states  that  on  more  tlian  one  occasion  he 
observed  what  he  believed  to  be  tliis  species,  in  the  pine-woods  of  the 
mountiiins  near  Solola,  and  above  the  lake  of  Atitlan. 


2»T11    6 

PsaltrijHirus  minimHs. 


I'ARID.E— THE  TITMICE.  109 

(.1 

Fsaltriparus  minimus,  var.  minimus,  Bonap. 

LEAST  BtrSH-nTHOTJSE. 

Panm  minimus,  Town.sknd,  .1.  A.  N.  Sc.  VII,  ir,  1837,  100.  —  Arn.  Orn.  Biog.  IV,  1838, 
382,  111.  cedxxxii,  tij,'s.  fi,  (i.  —  In.  Birds  Am.  II,  1841,  160,  pi.  cxxx.  Pavilc  minima, 
Bon.  Con.sp.  1850,  230.  I'.iaUria  minium,  ('a.-^sin,  lllust.  18.53,  20.  I'ml/ri/innin 
minimiui.  Box.  C.  li.  XX.WIll,  18,'i4,  62.  —  Baikd,  Birds  N.  Am.  ISi'.S,  3i»7  ;  l!i- 
view,  84. — Cooi'EU  &  Suckley,  P.  K.  U.  Kep.  Xll,  ii,  1851),  195.  —  (Jocu'EU,  Birds 
Cal.  I,  48. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  Tail  loiip-,  feathers  graduated.  Above  ratlujr  dark  olivaeeoiis-cinorcons ; 
top  and  sides  of  head  smoky-brown.  Beneath  pale  whitish-brown,  darker  on  the  sides. 
Length  about  4  inches  ;  winjr,  1.00  ;  tail,  2.25. 

IIab.     Pacific  coast  of  United  States. 

There  is  (juite  an  appreciable  tlifl'eretice  between  specimens  of  this  species 
from  Washington  Territory  and  California  ;  the  latter  are  smaller,  the  under 
parts  paler.  In  the  series  before  us,  however,  we  see  no  grounds  for 
specific  distinction. 

Hauits.  This  interestinjf  little  species  was  first  added  to  our  fauna  by  the 
indefatigable  Mr.  Town.send  in  1837.  It 
is  abundant  throughout  the  I'acific  coast 
from  Fort  Steikcoora  to  Fort  Tejon.  Dr. 
Gambel  found  it  exceedingly  abundant 
both  in  the  Kocky  jMountains  and  through- 
out California.  During  the  winter  the 
otherwise  cheerless  woods  were  alive  with 
the  busy  and  noisy  troops  of  these  restless 
and  industrious  birds,  gleaning  their  scanty  _  „  . 

'  n  ri  J  Psaltnixtrus  minimus. 

fare  in  company  with  the  licguli,  in  every 

possible  position  and  manner,  from  bush  and  tree.  He  describes  their  anx- 
ious solicitous  searcli  for  food  as  (|uite  curious.  They  kei)t  up  a  continual 
twittering,  and  so  intent  were  tliey  in  their  eniitloyment  that  they  api)eared 
to  lose  sight  of  all  danger,  and  it  was  by  no  means  uiuisual  to  be  so  sur- 
rounded by  a  flock  as  almost  to  render  it  possible  to  catch  them  in  the  haiul. 
Dr.  Cooper  found  this  species  abundant  in  Washington  Territory,  but 
never  met  with  it  north  of  the  Columliia  Kiver.  Dr.  Suckley  says  it  is  (piite 
common  at  Fort  Steilacoom.  He  could  not,  however,  detect  any  din'erence 
in  its  habits  from  those  of  other  s])ecies  of  this  family.  He  saw  none  in 
Washington  Territory  during  the  winter,  and  presumes  they  all  migrate  to 
the  South,  though  the  riifcsccns  and  the  ovci(hntalU  are  found  there  through- 
out the  winter.  Towiisend,  however,  sp(!aks  of  it  as  a  constant  resident 
about  the  Columbia  lliver,  hopping  around  among  the  bushes,  hanging  from 
the  twigs  in  the  manner  of  other  Titmice,  twittering  all  tlie  while  with  a 
rapid  enunciation  resembling  the  words  tJiNhLsh  txhitit-ttiec-twcc. 


110  NOKTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Mr.  Nuttall  first  observed  their  arrival  on  the  banks  of  the  Walilamet  Iliver 
about  the  niiddle  ol'  Mny.  They  were  very  industriously  engaged  in  quest 
of  insects,  and  were  by  no  means  shy,  but  kept  always  in  the  low  bushes  in 
the  skirts  of  the  %\  oods.  On  one  occasion  the  male  bird  was  so  solicitous  in 
regard  to  the  safety  of  the  nest  as  to  attract  him  to  the  place  where,  sus- 
pended from  a  low  bush,  about  four  feet  I'roni  the  ground,  hung  tlieir  curious 
home.  It  was  i'ormed  like  a  long  purse,  with  a  round  hole  for  entrance  near 
tlie  top,  and  made  of  nios.s,  down,  lint  of  plants,  and  lined  with  feathers. 
The  eggs  were  six  in  number,  pui'e  white,  and  already  far  gone  toward  hatch- 
ing. In  the  following  June,  in  a  dark  wood  near  Fort  Vancouver,  he  saw 
a  tiock  of  about  twelve,  which,  by  imitating  tlieir  cliirjiing,  he  was  able  to 
call  around  him,  and  whicli  kejit  up  an  incessant  and  (pierulous  chirping. 

A  nest  of  this  bird  presented  Ijy  j\Ir.  Xuttall  to  Audubon  was  cylindrical  in 
form,  nine  inches  in  length  and  tln-ee  and  a  half  in  diameter.  It  was  sus- 
pended from  the  fork  of  a  small  twig,  and  was  composed  exterucilly  of  hypnum, 
lichens,  and  fibrous  roots  so  interwoven  as  to  present  a  smooth  surface,  with 
a  few  stems  of  grasses  and  feathers  intermingled.  The  aperture  was  at  the 
top,  and  did  not  exceed  seven  eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  diameter 
of  the  internal  passage  for  two  thirds  of  its  length  was  two  inches.  This 
was  lined  with  the  cottony  down  of  willows  and  a  vast  quantity  of  soft 
feathers.  The  eggs  were  nine  in  number,  pure  white,  .56  of  an  inch  by  .44 
in  their  measurement. 

Dr.  Cooper  found  them  throughout  the  year  near  San  Francisco.  He 
found  one  of  their  nests  at  San  Diego  as  early  as  the  first  of  !March.  The 
nest  is  so  large,  compai'ed  with  the  size  of  the  birds,  as  to  suggest  the  idea 
that  tlie  Hock  unite  to  build  it.  He  gives  the  measurements  as  eiglit  inches 
in  length  and  three  in  diameter,  outside ;  the  cavity  five  inches  long,  one 
and  a  half  in  diameter.  It  was  cylindrical,  and  suspendetl  by  one  end  from 
a  low  branch. 

When  one  of  these  birds  is  killed,  Dr.  Cooper  says  that  the  others  come 
round  it  with  great  show  of  an.xiety,  and  call  plaintively  until  tliey  find  it 
A\  ill  not  follow  tliem,  becoming  so  fearless  as  almost  to  allow  of  their  being 
taken  by  the  hand. 

Fsaltriparus  minimus,  var.  plumbeus,  Bmrp. 

lEAD-COLOBED  BTTSH-TITMOVBE. 

Psallnn  phimhrn,  Yi\\VA\  V\:  A.  N.  S.  VII,  Juno,  18.'i4,  118  (Little  Colorado).  rsnIMpnrm 
phniiheiin,  Haiui),  IJinls  N.  Am.  ISfiS,  3i»8,  pi.  x.vxiii,  iig.  2  ;  Review,  84.  — Sclater, 
Catal.  1861,  398,  no.  77.  —  Cooi-EK,  Birds  Cal.  I,  49. 

Sp.  Char.  Tail  loii^,  feather.^  p;ni(liiato(l.  Al)ove  rather  liffht  olivacoon.'^-cincroous. 
Top  of  head  rather  clearer:  forehead,  chin,  and  ,«idcs  of  liead,  pale  smoky-hrowii.  Be- 
neath brownish-white,  scarcely  darker  on  the  sides.  Length  about  4.20  inches;  wing, 
2.15;  tail,  2.50. 


PARID.E  — THE  TITMICE.  HI 

Had.  Southern  Rocky  Mountain  rojrion  of  Fnitoil  Ptatos,  from  mountains  of  Wost 
Arizona  to  Green  Kiver,  Wyoming;  west  to  Carson  City,  Nevada  (Uir)GWAYj. 

This  variety  is  very  similar  to  tlic  Ptudtyipnviis  minimus  of  the  west  coast, 
which  it  represents  in  the  Kocky  Momitaiu  region.  It  is,  however,  apprecia- 
bly larger,  the  wings  and  tail  proportionally  longer.  The  top  of  the  head  is 
plumbeous,  nnilbrm  with  the  bu(!k,  instead  of  smoky-brown.  The  back  is  a 
paler  ash,  the  nnder  parts  darker. 

HiUJiTs.  Of  the  history  of  this  variety  but  little  is  known.  It  is  found  in 
the  southern  portion  of  the  Iiocky  Mountain  regions,  within  the  United 
States,  in  Arizona  and  Xew  jMexico.  Tlie  extent  of  its  area  of  distribution 
remains  to  be  ascertained.  \)v.  Kennerly  met  with  it  on  Little  Colorado 
I{i\  er,  where  he  observed  it  among  the  scattered  bushes  along  the  banks  of 
tlie  river,  occurring  in  large  flocks.  These  passed  rajjidly  from  place  to  place, 
uttering  their  short,  (piick  notes.  He  afterward  met  with  them  along  the 
head  waters  of  Hill  Williams  Fork,  inhabiting  the  tops  of  the  cotton-wood 
trees.  "When  attracted  to  them  by  their  notes,  they  could  oidy  be  seen  after 
a  very  careful  search.  Ho  obtained  no  knowledge  as  to  their  mode  of  nest- 
ing, and  no  information,  so  far  as  we  are  aware,  has  been  obtained  in  regard 
to  their  eggs.  It  may,  however,  be  safely  conjectured  that  they  are  white, 
and  hanlly  distinguishable  fiom  those  of  the  minimus.  Dr.  Cones  found 
them  common  near  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona. 

Mr.  Iiidgway  met  with  this  bird  in  especial  abundance  among  the  canons 
of  West  Humboldt  ^louiitains  in  September.  He  found  it  also  in  all  suit- 
able places  westward  to  the  very  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  ^lountains.  It 
was  met  witli  principally  in  the  thick  brushwood  bordering  the  streams,  in 
ever-restless  companies,  continually  twittering  as  they  flew  from  bush  to 
bush,  in  single  rows.  !Mr.  Iiidgway  describes  these  birds  as  remarkably 
active  in  their  movements.  If  unmolested,  they  were  exceedingly  unsus- 
picious and  familiar.  During  November  he  found  them  inhabiting  the 
cedars,  always  associating  in  scattered  flocks. 


Genus  AURIPARirS,  Baikd. 

Aiiripants,  Baiud,  Rev.  Am.  Hiids,  1804,  85.     (Typo,  ^-EijiUuilns  jUivkcps,  SuND.) 

Ges.  Ciiau.  Form  sylvicoline.  Bill  conieal,  nearly  .wtraight,  and  very  acute  ;  the  eoin- 
mi.ssuro  very  shghtly  and  gently  curved.  Nostrils  concealed  by  decumbent  l)ristle.'^. 
Wings  long,  little  rounded;  the  Hrst  quill  half  the  second;  third,  fourth,  and  liflh  quills 
nearly  ei[ual,  ami  longest.  Tail  slightly  graduated.  Lateral  toes  equal,  the  anterior  united 
at  the  extreme  ba.se.  Hind  toe  small,  about  ui^uul  to  tho  lateral.  Tarsus  but  little  longer 
than  the  middle  toe. 

This  genus  is  closely  allied  to  Paroiths  of  Euro]ie,  as  shown  in  Birds  of 
North  America  (p.  <id\)),  tliongh  suflieiently  difl'erent.  It  is  much  more  syl- 
vicoline in  appearance  than  the  other  American  Paridxv. 


112 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Auriparus  flaviceps,  IJaiud. 

TELLOW-HEAOBO  BUBH-TITMOVSE ;  VESDIK. 

^Effi/halns  flaviceps,  Sunuevai,!,,  Ol'vcrsigt  afVct.  Ak.  FiJih.  VII,  v,  1850,  129.  Psaltria 
fltivkciiK,  Sl'l.  p.  Z.  S.  XX IV^,  Miucli,  1856,  'AT.  rmllriparus  flaviceps,  Sci,.  Catal. 
Am.  lUrds,  1801,  13,  no.  70.  raroidrs  fluviccps,  Haikd,  IJiids  N.  Am.  1858,  400,  pi. 
liii,  li{,'.  2.  Auriparus  fliiviceps,  IIaiiid,  lU-view,  1804,  85. — (.'oopEii,  liirda  t'al.  I, 
51.  Void  rostrum  oriuUum,  Lawrenuk,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  May,  1851,  113,  pi.  v,  fig.  1 
(Texas). 

Sp.  Char.    Above  oinereous;  hond,  all  round,  yellow;  les.ser  wing-coverta  chestnut; 
beneath  browiiLsli-wliite.     Lenpfth,  4.50  inches;  winfr,  2.1C;  tail,  2.35. 
IIau.     Valleys  ol'  the  Rio  Grande  and  Colorado  ;  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Habits.     This  new  and  interesting  little  species  was  first  added  to  our 

lanna  by  Mr.  Kawrence  in  1851,  only  a  year 
after  its  first  description  as  a  bird  of  Mexico. 
Notwithstanding  the  abundance  in  which  it 
has  been  in  certain  localities,  less  has  been 
developed  in  regard  to  its  habits  and  specific 
characteristics  than  Ave  seem  to  have  had  a 
right  to  anticipate. 

It  was  found  in  Western  Texas,  in  Mexico, 
in  the  lower  valleys  of  New  Mexico  and 
Arizona,  and  is  very  abundant  at  Cape  St. 
Lucas.  Of  the  eighteen  species  of  birds  found  by  Mr.  John  Xantus  breed- 
ing in  the  last-named  locality,  this  one  was  regarded  as  the  most  abundant. 
In  a  letter  from  that  gentleman,  written  in  August,  1859,  he  mentioned 
that  he  had  collected  over  one  hundred  eggs  of  this  species,  during  that 
season,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Dr.  Heermann,  in  his  report  on  the  birds  oUserved  in  Lieutenant  William- 
son's explorations,  states  that  he  first  discovered  tliis  species  in  Southern 
California,  at  the  terminus  of  the  Mohave 
Eiver.  Owing  to  their  extreme  wildness, 
he  was  not  able  to  obtain  any  specimens. 
In  searching  for  their  food,  he  states  that 
they  often  remained  suspended  with  their 
backs  downward,  after  the  manner  of  the 
Titmice.  He  found  their  nests  quite 
abundant,  though  from  the  lateness  of 
tlie  season  few  of  the  birds  were  re- 
maining, in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 
Yuma.      Dr.   Heermann  describes   their 

nests  as  spherical,  formed  of  twigs,  and  having  the  entrance  on  one  side. 
The  interior  was  lined  with  down  and  feathers,  and  contained  usually  from 


Auriparus  flaviceps. 


Auriparus  flavierps. 


PARin.K  — Til !•:  TITMICE.    .>  113 

four  to  six  e<,'<^a.  Tliese  lio  (losei'il)es  as  liaviiiji,  when  fresh,  a  ground-color 
of  i)iile  blue,  duHlied  all  over  with  small  hlack  si»ot.s. 

Dr.  Kenuerly,  in  his  Report  on  the  IJirds  of  the  Mexican  Pioundary  Siirvey, 
states  that  he  met  witli  tiiis  species  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ikio  Gr.inde.  They 
were  very  wild,  flew  rapidly,  and  to  quite  a  distance  before  they  alighted. 
They  seemed  to  frequent  the  low  mez([uite-bushes  on  the  hillsides. 

Mr.  Xantus  found  this  species,  when  he  first  arrived  at  San  Lucas,  on  the 
4th  of  April,  with  young  birds  already  fully  Hedged,  although  others  were 
still  breeding  and  continued  to  breed  until  the  middle  of  'luly.  Two  fifths 
of  all  the  eggs  he  collected  tluit  .season,  lie  writes,  were  of  this  species.  This 
may,  however,  have  been  in  part  owing  to  the  conspicuous  prominence  of 
their  nests,  as  well  as  to  their  abun(hinc(!.  Xantus  found  the  nest  in  va- 
rious positions.  In  one  instance  it  was  suspended  from  a  leafless  bninch 
not  three  feet  from  the  ground,  with  its  entrance  nearly  to  the  ground.  In 
another  instance  it  was  on  an  acacia  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  For 
the  most  part  they  are  hung  from  low  acacia-trees,  on  the  extreme  outer 
branches.  In  all  cases  the  entrance  to  the  nest  was  from  the  lower  end,  or 
towards  the  ground. 

Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper,  in  his  History  of  the  Dirds  of  California,  speaks  of  find- 
ing a  large  number  of  this  beautiful  little  bird  during  the  whole  winter  fre- 
quenting the  thickets  of  algarobia  and  other  shridns,  and  with  haliits  inter- 
mediate between  those  of  Titmice  and  Warblers,  corresponding  with  their 
intermediate  form.  Their  song  resembles  that  of  the  Cliickadee,  and  they 
also  uttered  a  loud  cry,  as  they  sat  on  liigh  twigs,  witli  a  triple  lisping  note 
resembling  tzee-tee-tce.  Dr.  Coo])er  found  a  pair  building  on  the  lOth  of 
March.  They  first  formed  a  wall,  nearly  spherical  in  outline,  of  the  thorny 
twigs  of  the  algarobia,  in  which  tree  the  nest  was  usually  built.  They  then 
lined  it  with  softer  twigs,  leaves,  the  down  of  plants,  and  feathers.  They 
covered  the  oiitside  with  thorns,  until  it  became  a  mass  as  large  as  a  man's 
head,  or  nine  inches  by  five  and  a  half  on  the  outside.  The  cavity  is  four 
and  a  half  inches  by  two,  with  an  opening  on  one  side  just  large  enough  for 
the  bird  to  enter.  On  the  27t]i  of  iVrarch,  Dr.  Cooper  found  the  first  nest 
containing  eggs.  These  were  in  all  instances  four  in  number,  pale  blue, 
with  numerous  small  brown  spots,  chiefly  near  the  larger  end,  though  some 
had  very  few  spots  and  were  paler.  Tiieir  si/e  he  gives  as  .60  by  .44  of  an 
inch.  In  one  nest,  which  he  closely  observed,  the  eggs  were  hatched  after 
about  ten  days'  incubation,  and  in  two  weeks  uiore  the  young  were  ready  to 
leave  their  iiest. 

Subfamily  SIT  TIN  JE. 

The  characters  of  the  Sittina-  are  exjiressed  with  suftlcient  detail  on  page 
86.       The  section  is  represented  in  America  by  a  single  genus,  confined 
mainly  to  the  northern  jtortion. 
15 


114 


.VOHTK  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Sitta  cnroti-.^nsis 


(JkNUS    sitta,     LiNNyKUM. 

.V/«(/,  LiN.N.tars,  Syst.  Nat.  1735.     (Agaiisiz.) 

Okn.  Ciiak.     Rill  subulate,  acutely  pointed,  compressed,  ii))out  as  long  as  the  head; 

culnien  and  commi.'isure  nenily 
sti-nij^ht;  gonys  convex  and  as- 
cending ;  nostrils  covered  by  a 
tuil  of  bristles  directed  forward. 
Tarsi  stout,  soutellate,  about  equal 
to  the  middle  toe,  much  .shorter 
than  the  hinder,  the  claw  of  which 
is  half  the  total  length.  Outer 
lateral  toe  much  longer  than  in- 
ner, and  nearly  ecjual  to  the  mi<l- 
dle.  Tail  very  .short,  broad,  and 
nearly  even  ;  the  feathers  soft  and 
truncate.  Wings  reaching  nearly 
to  the  end  of  the  tail,  long  and 

acute,  the  first  primary  one  third  of  (or  Ie,s.s)  the  third,  or  longest.     Iris  brown.     Nest  in 

holes  of  trees.     Eggs  white,  .spotted  with  reddish. 

Tlie  North  American  species  may  be  arranged  as  follows  :  — 

A.   Crown  lilack.  , 

S.  carolinensiB.     Belly  white  ;  no  bl.ack  stripe  through  eye. 

Bill,   .70  long,   .17  d(>cp.      Black   spots  on  tertials  sharply  defined. 
IJab.    Eastern  rroviiice  Norll\  America      .         .         .         var.    euroliui-n.iis. 

Bill,  .80  long,  .1''  deep.    Black  .spots  on  tertials  obsolete     ITnh.  Middle 
anil  Western  Pro-,  nee  United  States,  south  to  Cordova,  Mexico,  var.  ac  aleida. 
S.   canadensis.     Bell  ,■  brownish-rusty.    A  black  stripe  through  eye.     Hub. 
Wliol<>  of  North  America. 
B«   Crown  not  black. 

S.  pusilla.     Crown   light  hair-brown ;    hind  too   much  longer  than   tlu^ 
middle  one.     Ihih.    South  Atlantic  and  (iulf  States. 

S.  pygmaea.     Crown  greenish-plumbeous  ;  hind  toe  about  equal  to  middle 
one.     Hub.    Wcstei'ii  and  Middle  Province  United  States,  south  to  Xalapa. 


Sitta  carolinensis,  var.  carolinensis,  Lath. 


WHITE-BELLIEO  NTTTHATCH. 

SiUn  etiropa-a,  var.  y,  carolinensis,  Gm.  S.  N.  I,  1788,  440.  Silta  carolinensis.  Lath.  hid. 
Orn.  I,  17!>0,  2ti2  ;  also  of  all  other  Anit'ri<'aii  writers. —Ekichknbach,  Handbucli, 
Abh.  II,  18.5S,  153,  tab.  d.xiii,  figs.  35(i3,  35«4.  —  lUlun,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  374, 
pi.  xxxiii,  lig.  4  ;  Kcview,  86.  —  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  VI,  1858,  106.  Sitta  mclanocephtla, 
ViKiM,.  Gal.  I,  1834,  171,  111.  dxxi.  i. 

Other  figures:  Wilson,  Am.  Oni.  1,  pi.  ii,  fig.  3.  —  Auu.  Oni.  IJiog.  II,  pi.  clii.  — In. 
B.  A.  IV,  pi.  ecxlvii. 

Sp.  Char.     Above  ashy-blue.     Top  of  head  and  neck  black.     Under  parts  and  sides  of 
'lead  to  a  short  distance  above  the  eye  white.       L'lider  tail-coverLs  and  tibial  feathers 


PAIUD.K  —  THE  TITMICE. 


115 


Silln  aculmla. 


l)i-own  ;  fniipcalod  piiiiiarifs  white.  Bill  stmit.  Foiimlo  with  lilnck  of  lu'!«l  };los.-<e(l  with 
iishy.     Leiijrth  iihout  <j  inchi's  ;  wiiifj  aliout  :i.7-'). 

IIab.     United  States  nid  Uiitish  I'roviiiccs  ;  west  to  Iho  Valley  of  the  Mi.«.soiiri. 

TfATilTS.     The  coiriiion  Wliite-liellied  NiiMiatch  ha.s  an  exteinletl  (listrilm- 
tion  tlirougliout  la-arly  tlie  wliole  of  Kasteni  North  Aiiieiicu,  from  the  Athiu- 
tic  to  the  IJocky  iMountaiiis.     West  of  the  great  central  plains  it  is  replaced 
by  the  var.  andcnta.     It  ha.s  not  been 
met  with,  so  far  as  1  tun  aware,  farther 
north  than  Nova  Scutiti.      It  is  a  resi- 
dent  of  Eastern   Maine,  and    is   tpiite 
common  in   the   southern   and  western 
portions  of  tlie  same  State.     In  jMa.ssa- 
cinisetts  it  is  rather  coniiiion  than  abun- 
dant, and  more  plentiful  in  the  western 
than   in  the   eastern   portio?\s    of  that 
State. 

The  habits  of  this  and  tlu!  other  species 
of  Nut'.atches  jmrtake  somewhat  of  those 
of  the  smaller  Woodpec^kers  and  of  the 
Titmice.  Without  the  noisy  and  restless 
activity  of  the  latter,  they  seek  their  food 

in  a  similar  manner,  and  not  unfrecpiently  do  so  in  their  company,  moving  up 
or  down  the  trunks  and  over  or  under  the  branches  of  trees,  searching  every 
crack  and  crevice  of  the  bark  for  insects,  larvio,  or  eggs.  Like  the  Woodpeck- 
ers, they  dig  industriously  into  decayed  brandies  for  the  hidden  grub,  and  like 
both  Woodjjeckei-s  and  Chickadees  they  industriously  e.xcavate  for  themselves 
a  ])lace  for  their  nests  in  the  decayed  trunks  of  forest  trees.  Their  nest,  how- 
ever, is  usually  at  a  greater  elevation,  often  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  from 
the  ground.  The  European  Nutluitch  is  said  to  plaster  up  the  entrance 
to  its  nest,  to  contract  its  opening  and  lessen  the  diingers  of  unfriendly 
intrusion.  This  habit  has  never  been  observed  in  any  of  the  American 
species. 

All  our  ornithological  writers  have  noticed  the  assiduities  of  the  male 
liird  to  his  sitting  mate,  and  the  attention  with  which  he  supplies  her  with 
food.  He  kee])s  ever  in  the  vicinity  of  the  nest,  calls  her  from  time 
to  time  to  come  to  the  mouth  of  the  hole  to  take  her  food,  or  else  to 
receive  his  endearments  and  caresses,  and  at  the  ajjprotich  of  danger 
fearlessly  intervenes  to  warn  her  of  it.  Wluni  feeding  together,  the  male 
bird  keeps  up  his  peculiar  nasfil  cry  of  hfink-honk,  rei)eating  it  from  time 
to  time,  as  he  moves  around  the  trunk  or  over  the  branches. 

Their  favorite  food  is  insects,  in  every  condition.  With  this,  when  abun- 
dant, they  seem  content,  and  rarely  wander  from  tlieir  accustomed  woods  in 
summer.  In  winter,  when  snow  or  ice  covers  the  branches  or  closes  against 
them  the  trunks  of  trees,  they  seek  the  dwellings  and  out-houses  for  their 


IIG  NORTH  AMEUICAN  liUlDS. 

uecessaiy  food,  ami  will  oven  alight  on  the  grouiul  in  (luest  of  seeds.  In 
searching;  for  food  i.'inong  the  trees,  Ihey  move  as  readily  with  their  heads 
downward  as  in  any  other  position.  Their  motion  is  a  uniform  and  steady 
progression,  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  a  mouse,  but  never,  like  the  Wood- 
pecker, by  occasional  hops. 

The  Euroj)ean  species  ccdlect  and  store  away  the  fruit  of  the  hazel  and 
other  nut-bearing  trees.  Our  bird  has  been  supj)osed  to  do  the  same  thing, 
but  this  is  by  no  means  an  indisjtutable  fact. 

In  some  parts  of  the  country  absurd  prejudices  prevail  against  these  inter- 
esting little  birds.  They  are  indiscriminately  confounded  with  the  smaller 
Woodi)eckers,  called,  with  them,  Sap-Suckers,  and  because  in  tiie  spring  and 
fall  they  frequent  old  orchards  are  most  unwisely,  as  well  as  unjustly,  peree- 
cuted.  They  are  among  the  most  active  and  serviceable  of  the  fruit-grower's 
benefactors.  His  worst  enemies  are  their  I'avorite  food.  It  is  to  bti  ho])ed 
that  soon  a  better-informed  jjublic  oi)inion  will  ])revail,  cherishing  and  ju'o- 
tecting,  rather  than  seeking  to  destroy,  this  useful,  affectionate,  and  attractive 
si)ecies. 

Interesting  accounts  are  given  in  English  works  of  the  confiding  tameness 
of  the  European  species.  When  kindly  treated,  it  will  come  regularly  for 
its  food,  approaching  within  a  foot  or  two  of  the  hand  of  its  benefactor, 
and  catching  with  its  bill  the  food  thrown  to  it  before  it  can  reach  the 
ground. 

The  pair  work  together  in  constructing  the  perforation  in  which  they  make 
their  uest.  When  the  excavation  has  been  well  begun,  they  relieve  each 
other  at  the  task.  The  one  not  engaged  in  cutting  attends  upon  its  mate, 
and  can-ies  out  the  chips  as  they  are  made.  These  nesting-places  are  often 
quite  deep,  not  unfreiiuently  from  fifteen  to  twenty  inches.  Audubon  states 
that  they  build  no  nest,  but  this  does  not  corresi)ond  with  my  observations. 
In  all  the  instances  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge,  warm  and  soft  nests 
were  found,  composed  of  down,  fur,  hair,  or  feathers  loosely  thrown  together, 
and,  though  not  large  in  bulk,  yet  sufficient  for  a  lining  for  the  enlarged 
cavity  that  completes  their  excavation.  Soon  after  they  are  hatched,  the 
young  climb  to  the  opening  of  the  nest  to  receive  their  food,  and,  before 
they  are  ready  to  fly,  venture  out  upon  the  trunk  to  try  their  legs  and  claws 
before  their  wings  are  prepared  for  use,  retiring  at  night  to  their  uest.  In 
the  Southern  States  they  are  said  to  have  two  broods  in  a  season. 

The  eggs  of  this  Nuthatch  measure  .80  by  .62  of  an  inch.  Their  ground- 
color is  white,  but  when  the  egg  is  fresh  it  has  a  beautiful  roseate  tinge,  and 
generally  receives  an  apparently  reddish  hue  from  the  very  general  distribu- 
tion of  the  spots  and  blotches  of  rusty-brown  and  purplish  with  which  the 
eggs  are  so  closely  covered.  These  markings  vary  greatly  in  size,  from  fine 
dots  to  well-marked  blotches.  Their  color  is  usually  a  reddish-brown ; 
occiisioually  the  markings  are  largely  intermixed  with  purple. 


FARID.E  —  THE  TITMICE.  jj^ 

Sitta  carolinensis,  var.  aculeata,  Cass. 

SLENDEB-BILLEO  NUTHATCH. 

*''""?:"''"'"•  •'.\^'^i^-.  !'>■•  A.  X.  S,..  VIII,  Oct.  I,s5ti,  2.14.  -  Haiki.,  Birds  N.  Am.  IS.'ia, 
'•',  I'l.  xxxiii,  lijr.  ;!  .   |!,.vi,.,v,  8(i.  —  C.oi'Kit,  Orii.  ('ill.   I,   1870,  54.     !  tliUii  atroli- 

ot".T'  '"^'■'■•^ ''•'''  ''■  '^'-  ^-  1«''»'.  2!)3  ^Cordova) ;  1858,  300  (Oii.\acii) ;  1859,  303  (Xuliipa), 
•'7 J  (Oiixaca). 

ll'^l-i  'n"  ''^    ''i"iilar  to  earnlineii.iis  ;   hut  ujipor  sc'coiidani'.s  witli   only  obspiiro 

1'lacki.sli   .lotclu...,  instead  of  sharply  Uolinud  lo>i-itudiuaI  .spot.s  of  ek-ar  black,     liill  .slen- 
derer and  more  iitlenuated. 

IfAn.  Western  and  Middle  Provinces  of  the  United  Slates,  .south  to  Cordova,  Me.K. 
Orizaba  (.Vlpnie  re-ions),  HvMini. 

Tlie  cliamcti!r.s  j-iveii  ahove  (ix\)reHs  the  es.sential  diflereiice.s  between  this 
and  tlie  Ka.ster„  race  of  .V.  cn-o/innisis.  In  the  pte.ser.t  form,  the  depth  of  the 
bill  opposite  its  l,,se  in  .14,  the  width  .17,  and  .80  or  more  in  lengtli 
irom  the  forehead;  while  these  same  measurements  in  var.  mrofiucmis 
are  .17,  .22.  and  .70.  Tlie  obsolete  (character  of  the  black  spots  on  the 
secondaries  is  a  persistent  feature  in  the  var.  acu/cata. 

HA1J1T.S     This  bird  chiuHy  dillers  from  its  eastern  congener  in  its  more 
Slender  lull.     Tliere  appears  to  be  no  difference  in  regard  to  their  liabits,  at 
least  none  have  been  noticed,  and  it  is  probable  there  is  none  other  than 
trivial  changes  caused  by  its  opportunities  of  procuring  food,  and  the  kinds 
upon  w  uch  It  subsists.    It  is  supposed  f.  be  distributed  througliout  Western 
Nor  Ji  America,  from  the  IJritisii  Possessions  to  Mexico,  though  Dr.  Coo,,er 
thinks  that  It  ,s  not  a  common  bird  south  of  San  Francisco,  and  only  to  be 
seen  there  m  the  ct.lder  months.     It  has  been  met  with  at  San  Diego  in  Feb- 
ruary.    He  did  not  observe  any  in  the  Coast  Mountains,  near  Santa  Cruz, 
but  northward  tliey  are  numerous  in  the  summer,  frequenting  chiefly  the 
groves  of  the  deculuous  oaks,  cree].ing  constantly  about  their  trunks  and 
branches  in  search  of  insects,  whicli  they  also  occasionally  seek  on  the  roofs 
and  walls  of  houses.     Their  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  S.  canndcn.is,  but 
their  movements  are  .said  to  be  slower,  and  their  note  is  a  single  harsh  call 
uttered  occasionally,  and  resi.on.letl  to  by  their  comrades.     Dr.  Cooper  found 
them  quite  common  in  Wtishi.gt,,,.  Ten-itory  and  at  Puget  Sound.     Dr. 
buckley  also  mentions  their  great  abundance. 

Dr  Kennerly  met  with  this  species  a  hundred  miles  west  of  Albuquerque, 
New  Mexico,  and  quite  abundant  among  the  pines  of  the  Sierra  Madre  He 
speaks  of  its  note  as  being  jieculiar. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  states  that  this  species  remained  about  Colville  durinc.  the 
winter,  when  the  thermometer  was  30°  below  zero.     He  also  mentious"that 
le  ound  them  nesting,  in  June,  in  the  branches  of  the  tallest  pine-trees  so 
lugli  up  as  to  render  the  obtaining  their  eggs  almost  an  impossibility 

Mr.  llidgway  found  the  Slender-billed  Nuthatch  abundant,  throughout  tlie 


X18  NORTH  AMERICAN  UIRDS. 

year,  in  the  vicinity  of  Carson  City,  among  the  pines  on  tlw  Sierra  Neva(hi 
Mountains,  lie  noted  its  great  similarity  in  manners  to  the  earulinciiHU  ;  at 
the  same  time  tlie  well-marked  dilference  in  the  notes  did  not  esca])e  his 
attention.  Tiiese  notes  are  nuich  weaker,  and  are  uttered  in  a  finer  tone,  and 
some  of  thoni  are  said  to  be  entirely  dill'erent. 


Sitta  canadensis,  Tjnx. 

BED-BELLIED  NTTTHATCH. 

;Sif/ii  ciniiiikiini.i,  I, INN.  Syst.  Nut.  I,  17(i('>,  177.  —Am.  Oiii.  nioj;.  11,  1834,  pi.  eviii. — 
lit.  Itirds  Am.  IV,  pi.  ccxlviii.  —  liKicii.  lliiinlli.  Al>li.  II,  IS.'iIi,  IfrJ,  tiili.  dxiii,  lig.s. 
li.'itil,  :\'iiJ-2.  —  lUinn,  lUids  N.  Am.  lS.'),s,  ;i7t>  ;  Hcvicw,  87.  --  S(i„\ri:i!,  Ciitiil. 
Ifiiil,  1;'),  no.  !tl.  —  Cooi'Kii,  Oiii.  C'iil.  I,  1870,  54.  Hil/d  viiriii,  WiLs.  Am.  Oin.  I, 
18U8,  4(1,  jil.  ii. 

Sp.  Cn.\li.  Al)ov(!  ii.^liy-liluc.  Tup  of  head  lilack  ;  a  white  line  aliovo  and  a  black  one 
tlii'0U};'h  tiie  eye.  Cliin  white ;  rest  of  under  parts  lirowni.sli-nisty.  Leii<,'th  alxmt  A.M 
iiieht'.s  ;  wiiif;,  2.()(1.  Feinali'  with  the  lilaek  of  head  ini.Ked  with  ashy  :  beneath  paler, 
more  of  a  nniddy-white. 

II.\i!.     Whulc  l.'iiiled  Stales  and  liriti.sh  I'roviiici's.     North  to  Lake  Winnipeg. 

IlAitlTS.  The  common  Ifed-bellied  Nutliatch,  thougli  nowliere  a  very 
ahundant  .<!])ecies,  is  found  throughout  tlie  vliole  of  Niu'th  America,  fnmi 
Florida  to  high  uortheru  regions,  and  from  ocean  to  ocean.  Tlie  Smithsonian 
Institution  ])ossessos  specimens  fnuu  Georgia,  Selkirk  Settlement,  (California, 
and  Washington  Territory.  Mr.  (.Jandud  found  them  ([uite  common  in  the 
mountains  in  the  interior  of  Califm'nia,  in  October,  roving  in  comi)any  with 
busy  docks  of  tlie  Pnnis  iiiojitmiKs. 

Dr.  Coojier  met  with  tluun  aliundantly  in  Washington  Territory,  where 
they  ju'eferred  the  oaks  aiul  oilier  deciduous  trees,  and  never  freiiueiited  the 
interior  of  tlie  dense  forest.  He  fibserved  this  bird  and  the  Slender-billed 
Xuthatch,  along  the  4'.lth  parallel,  cast  of  the  Cascade  ^loimtain.s,  as  late  as 
the  middle  of  Octoljer.  Dr.  Siukley  also  met  both  biids  west  of  the  same 
mountains. 

Tliis  Xutliatch  was  olwerved  by  Mr.  K'idgway  among  the  as])en  groves  bor- 
dering the  stivaiiis  that  flow  from  the  Ka.st  Ilumlioldl  Mouiiliiins.  In  tiiat 
locality  it  was  coiiimo!i  througli  the  month  of  September,  though  not  abun- 
dant. It  was  again  seen  in  .Itiiie  among  the  pine-woods  of  the  Wahsatch 
Mountains,  but  it  was  not   iniiiiiKm. 

'Wiiile  a  f(^w  of  lliese  birds  are  reside  '  of  tlie  Northern  States,  they  aru, 
to  a  consideralile  extent,  of  migratory  ha  -s.  Wilson  ob.served  them  leaving 
in  large  numliers  for  the  Southern  States  in  October,  and  returning  again  in 
April.  On  tlie  L'dth  of  '..lay,  ISli?,  the  writer  observed  a  small  fI<K'k  in 
Eastern  ^liis.saclinsetts,  evidently  just  arrived  from  the  South.  They  were 
apparently  fatigued  and  hungry,  and  paid  no  attention  to  the  near  presence 


PARID.K  — THK  TITMICK.  119 

of  workmen  eii«,'ii<;i'(l  in  st'ttiiijf  lioiiu-polcs.  Tliey  visited  and  carefully 
examined  each  pole,  and  bored  holes  into  .several  in  search  of  hidden  larwe, 
often  within  a  few  feet  of  ]»ersoiis  at  work. 

While  on  the  IWilu-  coast  they  are  said  to  prefer  the  forests  of  deciduous 
trees,  and  to  he  rarely  found  in  the  dark  ever<,'reen  fn-ests,  in  the  Eastern 
States  they  seem  to  be  particularly  fond  of  the  seeds  of  pine-trees,  and  in 
the  winter  are  seldom  found  in  the  woods  of  deciduous  trees. 

They  feed  in  pairs  and  climb  about  in  all  directions,  usually  in  comjmny 
with  the  white-breasted  species,  Chickadees,  and  the  smaller  Woodpeckers. 
They  are  restless  and  rapid  in  their  motions,  and  have  a  voice  at  Ic'ast  an 
octave  hi<Ther  than  any  other  of  this  fan)ily.  The  note  is  a  monotone,  and  is 
unmusical.  Mr.  Xuttall  represents  their  cry  as  consistinj^  of  three  .syllables, 
represented  by  (l(li/-(l(l;/-(hlit,  and  comi)ares  it  to  the  sound  of  a  child's 
trumj)et. 

Those  winteriuff  at  the  North  occasionally  visit  farm-yards  and  orchards, 
and  examine  the  eaves  of  outbuildings  for  food. 

Audubon  found  this  sjuuies  more  jilentiful  in  the  woods  of  Afaine  and 
Nova  Scotia  than  anywhere  else.  I  lis  never  met  any  south  of  Maryland, 
saw  none  in  Newfoundland,  and  oidy  met  with  one  in  Librador.  At  East- 
jHU't  he  found  a  pair  breedin<,'  as  early  as  the  I'Jth  of  Aja-il,  l)efore  the 
liluebirds  had  made  their  a])pearance,  and  while  ice  was  still  remaining  on 
the  northern  exposures.  An  excavation  had  been  made  in  a  low  dead  stumj), 
less  than  four  feet  from  the  ground,  both  male  and  female  birds  working 
by  turns  until  they  hail  reached  the  depth  of  fourteen  inches.  The  eggs, 
four  in  numlKfr,  were  of  a  white  ground-color,  tinged  with  a  deej)  blush 
when  fresh,  and  sprinkled  with  reddish  dots.  They  raise  but  a  single  brood 
in  a  season. 

C.  S.  I'aine,  of  East  IJethel,  \t.,  found  a  nest  of  this  sjtecies  about  the 
middle  of  May,  in  a  small  beech-tree,  the  tixcavation  having  Iteen  nrade  at 
the  height  of  twelve  feet  from  the  ground.  The  hole  was  abo\it  as  large  as 
that  made  by  the  Downy  Woodpecker.  When  lirst  noticed,  the  bird  was 
looking  out  of  the  hole.  Having  been  started  out,  she  Hew  to  a  limb  close 
by  and  watched  the  party  some  time.  AVhen  she  flew  back,  she  buzzed 
before  the  hole  in  the  maimer  of  a  Hununing-l>ird,  and  then  darted  in. 
While  Afr.  I'aine  was  looking  on,  the  male  came  .several  times  to  feed  his 
inat(f,  who  would  meet  him  at  tiie  opening  with  a  clamonuis  noise,  to  receive 
his  bounty.     The  nest  contained  live  eggs. 

In  Western  Massachu.setts,  Mr.  Allen  sjteaks  of  this  species  as  chit^Hy  a 
winter  resident,  appearing  the  (irst  week  in  October,  anil  leaving  the  hist 
of  Ap-1. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  measure  .(12  by  .48  of  an  iiu'.h,  and  are  of  an 
oblong-(»val  shape.  Their  ground-color  is  a  clear  crystal  white,  marked 
priiu;ipally  about  the  larger  end  with  a  wreath  of  purple  and  roseate 
markings. 


120  NORTH  AMEIIICAN  BIRDS. 

Sitta  pygmsea,  Vi<;. 

PIOXT  KUTHATGH. 

Sitta pj/fim(ai,,  Vifious,  Zniil.  l^cwihcy's  Voy.  1830,  25,  jil.  iv.  —  Aun.  Orn.  Hioj;.  V,  1839, 
pi.  cau'xv.  —  In.  Hiids  Am.  IV,  pi.  col.  —  Itl'.lcEl.  Haiif"'  18;'):!,  153,  till),  il.viv,  tigs. 
SSti.i,  3306.  —  Ni'.wiiKiiiiY,  P.  1!.  H.  Hep.  VI,  iv,  18')7,  7-  —  Haihd,  Hiid.s  N.  Ain. 
1858,  378  ;  Review,  88.  —  Sci.AIKI!,  P.  Z.  S.  1859,  363  (Xsilapo,^.  —  1b.  Cutal.  1861, 
15,  no.  i»3.  —  CooPKlt,  Oni.  ("al.  I,  1870,  55. 

Sp.  CiiAK.  Above  a.-iliy-hliic ;  licad  and  iii>per  part  of  neck  greenish  n.shy-brown,  it.s 
lower  lionlcr  pas.«iiig  a  little  lu'low  the  eve,  where  it  is  darker;  nape  with  an  obsicure 
whitisli  .spot.  Chin  and  throat  wliiti.<li;  rest  of  lower  part.s  browni.sh-white ;  the  .sides 
and  behind  like  the  baek,  but  paler.  ^Middle  tail-feather  like  the  back  ;  it^i  basal  half  with 
a  long  white  spot;  its  outer  web  edged  with  black  at  the  base.  Length  about  4  inches; 
wing,  2.40. 

Had.     Western  and  Middle  Provinces  of  I'nited  States ;  south  to  Xalapa. 

Tliis  species  is  closely  related  to  Sitta  pmilla  of  the  Southern  States. 
The  brown  of  the  head  has,  however,  an  olivaceous-green  tinge  not  seen 
in  the  other ;  the  Avliite  sjiot  on  tlie  nape  loss  distinct.  The  middle  tail- 
feather  has  its  basal  half  white  and  the  outer  web  edged  with  black  at  the 
base.  This  black  edging  is  never  seen  in  the  other,  and  the  white  patch  is 
reduced  to  a  faint  trace,  only  visible  in  very  higlily  pluraaged  specimens. 

Habits.  This  diminutive  species  of  Nuthatcli  is  found  througliont  our 
Pacific  coast  and  on  tlie  western  shtpe  of  the  liocky  Mountains,  from  Wash- 
ington Ten-itory  to  Southern  California.  It  is  idso  to  be  found  in  New 
Mexico,  and  specimens  have  been  ])rocured  from  Mexico. 

Dr.  Kennerly  found  them  (juite  abundant  in  the  Sierra  Madre  and  San 
Francisco  Mountains,  even  as  high  uj)  as  the  snow-line,  seeking  tlieir  insect 
food  among  the  to])s  of  the  lofty  j)ines.  Dr.  Newberry  frequently  met  with 
tliese  Xuthatches  in  the  most  wooded  ]ilaces  on  his  route,  where  water  was 
near  and  any  consiilerable  amount  of  animal  life  visible.  He,  however, 
never  met  with  them  in  the  forests  of  yellow  ])ines.  Dr.  Oambel  mentions 
their  almost  extraordinary  abundance,  in  the  winter  montiis,  in  U]»per  Cali- 
fornia. Around  ^lonterey,  at  times,  tlie  trees  ai)peared  almost  alive  with 
them,  as  the}'  ran  up  aiul  down  and  around  the  Imiiuihes  and  trunks,  ntter- 
ing  their  monotonous  and  queruhtus  cries.  Their  note  he  describes  as  a 
re])eated  wiiistling  irit-vif.  When  one  utters  this  cry,  tlie  rest  join  in. 
Tliey  also  have  a  whistling  trill  wliile  they  are  busily  seardiing  the  tree  in 
every  part,  and  they  never  leave  till  they  have  pretty  thoroughly  searched 
every  crack. 

Dr.  Cooper  oidy  met  witli  tliis  Nuthatch  in  the  open  pine-foi-ests  about 
Fort  Colville,  near  tlie  4",ltli  ])aridlel.  Tiiey  were  as.sociateil  in  smidl  flocks 
alM>ut  the  20th  of  Octolier,  when  tiiere  were  heavy  frosts  at  night.  The 
chir])ing  noise  they  made  resend)led  the  cries  of  young  diickens.  Their 
liabits  were  very  similar  to  those  of  the  I'luiltriparuH  minimus. 


I'ARID.K  — THE  TITMICE.  121 

Mr.  J.  K.  T^nl  ibtind  tliis  Xuthatcli  an  ahuiuliuit  bird  along  the  entire 
lengtli  of  the  hotindary  line  from  the  coast  to  the  Rocky  Mountain.s.  It  was 
also  conunon  on  Vancouver  Island.  Tliey  were  seen  in  large  flocks  in  com- 
pany with  the  ('liicka(h'e.s,  excei)t  during  the  nesting-time,  which  is  in  June. 
A  few  were  winter  residents  at  Colville,  but  the  greater  number  left  in 
November,  lie  descriljes  it  as  a  very  active  bird,  always  on  the  move. 
After  nesting  they  congregate  in  large  flocks  and  move  about  from  tree  to 
tree,  twittering  a  low  sweet  note;  as  if  singing  to  themselves,  now  climbing 
back  downwards  along  the  under  sides  of  the  toi)most  branches  of  tall  pines, 
searching  into  every  crevice  for  insects,  or,  descending  to  the  ground,  cling- 
ing to  the  slender  flower-stalks  for  other  insects.  They  nest  in  June,  make 
a  hole  in  tlie  dead  brandi  of  a  pine,  and  deposit  their  eggs  on  the  bare  chips 
of  the  wood.  Tliis  account  does  not  agree  with  the  experience  of  California 
ornithologists,  wlut  have  found  a  loose  nest  within  the  excavation. 

Mr.  Kidgway  foimd  this  Nutliatch  abundant  amimg  the  pines  of  tlie  Sierra 
Nevada,  in  the  vicinity  of  Carson  City.  They  were  found  generally  in  pairs. 
Its  note  is  said  to  greatly  resenil)le  the  vociferous  pee])ing  of  some  of  the 
small  Sand])ipers,  being  sharp,  loud,  and  distinct,  and  vigorously  and  continu- 
ously uttered,  whether  clindjing  or  flying.  He  found  it  exceedingly  hard  to 
discover  this  bird  among  the  branches,  or  even  when  flying,  owing  to  the 
swiftness  and  irregularity  of  its  flight.  When  the  female  of  a  pair  had  been 
killed,  the  male  bird  was  extremely  loud  in  his  lamentations.  Diminutive 
as  this  bird  is,  Mr.  IJidgway  states  that  it  is  also  the  noisiest  of  all  tlie  feath- 
ered inhabitants  of  the  ]iines,  though  it  is  less  active  in  the  pursuit  of  insects 
than  the  larger  species. 

Nests  of  this  bird  obtained  ncnr  Monterey  appear  to  be  as  well  made  as 
those  of  any  of  this  gemis,  lining  the  cavity  in  which  they  are  placed  and 
conforming  to  it  in  size  anil  slnqtc,  the  materials  sutflciently  interwoven  to 
permit  i-emoval  and  jireservation,  and  warndy  constructed  of  feathers,  wool, 
vegetable  down,  hair,  and  the  silky  efflorescence  of  .seeds. 

Tlieir  eggs,  seven  in  number,  rcscndile  tiwise  of  the  X  ni imdenMS,  but  are 
of  smaller  si/e  and  a  little  more  jxiinted  at  one  end.  Their  gnmnd-color 
is  crystalliiui-white.  This  is  covered  more  or  Ic  '•  thickly  with  red  spots,  most 
numerous  at  the  larger  end.  Their  measure  varies  from  .()5  by  .50  to  .(10  by 
.47  of  an  inch.  The  first  eggs  of  this  bird  brought  to  the  notice  of  natural- 
i.sts  were  procured  at  Kort  Cniiik  on  the  Upper  Sacramento  of  California,  and 
not  far  from  Mount  Shasta,  liy  Sergeant  .Tohn  Feilner,  I'.  S.  A.,  forming  part 
of  a  very  extensive  collection  of  birds  and  eggs  transmitted  by  him  to  the 
Smithsonian  Institution.  Promoted  to  a  lieutenancy  for  gallant  conduct, 
this  gentleman  finally  attained  the  rank  of  cajitain  of  cavalry,  and  was  killed 
by  the  Sioux  during  an  exploring  expedition  into  Dacotah  under  General 
Sully. 

Iti 


122  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Sitta  pusilla,  Lath. 

BBOWN-HEAOEO  NVTHATCH. 

Sitta  pusilla,  Lath.  Iiul.  Orn.  I,  1790,  263.  —  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  11,  1810,  105,  pi.  xv. — 
Am.  Orn.  Biog.  11,  1834,  pi.  v.xxv.  —  In.  BinlsAm.  IV,  pi.  ccxlix.  —  Reich.  Hnndb. 
1853,  153,  tab.  dxiv,  tigs.  35tJ7,  35(i«.  —  Baihd,  Biids  N.  Am.  1858,  377  ;  Review,  88. 
—  ScLAl EU,  fatal.  IbOl,  15.  'v 

Sp.  Char.  Aliovo  a.«liy-l>lii<.' ;  top  of  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  rather  life'ht  liair- 
browii,  divided  on  the  nape  by  wliitc.  Eye  involved  in  the  brown,  which  is  deeper  on 
the  lower  border.  Beneath  muddy-whiti.<h ;  sides  and  behind  paler  than  the  back. 
Middle  tail-feathers  almost  entirely  like  the  back.     Length  of  female,  4  inches;  wing,  2.50. 

Hau     South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States.     Ohio!     Kihtland. 

Habits.  The  Drown-headed  Nuthatch  ha.s  a  much  more  restricted  distri- 
bution than  the  other  members  of  this  family  in  this  country.  The  speci- 
mens in  tlie  Smithsonian  Museum  are  chiefly  from  Georffia.  Wilson  met 
with  it  in  Virginia,  and  .states  that  it  is  found  in  the  other  Southern  States. 
I  have  received  its  eggs  from  Cheraw,  S.  ('.,  and  from  Florida. 

Wilson's  description  of  its  habits  makes  them  almost  identical  with  those 
of  Sittn  canadcniii.%  while  its  notes  are  more  .shrill  and  chirping.  Like  that 
bird,  it  is  very  fond  of  the  seeds  of  the  pines.  Wherever  found,  it  is  a  con- 
stant resident,  and  does  not  migrate. 

Audubon  states  that  this  bird  never  goes  farther  north  than  Afaryland, 
and  that  it  is  the  most  !d)undant  in  Florida,  (leorgia,  and  the  Carolinas. 
In  Louisiana  it  is  mre,  and  it  is  not  found  in  Kentucky.  Its  notes, 
he  states,  are  several  octaves  higher  than  tl',.se  of  the  mrolinribsis,  and 
more  shrill,  and  at  least  an  t)ctave  and  a  half  higher  than  those  of  the 
cmiadcnsis. 

Although  apparently  preferring  pines  and  pine  barrens,  it  by  no  means 
cfinfines  it.soll'  to  them,  but  is  not  uniiv(|uently  seen  on  low«trecs  and  fences, 
mounting,  descending,  and  turning  in  every  di:*e('tii»n, and  with  si  much  (juick- 
ness  of  motion  as  to  render  it  dittictdt  to  shoot  it.  It  examines  every  hole 
and  every  crevice  in  the  bark  of  tri'es,  as  well  as  their  leaves  and  twigs, 
among  wliich  it  finds  almndiince  of  food  at  all  seasons.  I  hiring  the  breeding- 
season  they  go  about  in  pairs  and  sire  very  noisy.  Their  only  note  is  a  mo- 
notonous cry,  described  as  resembling  (lend,  deiul.  ]Mr.  Audubon  further 
states  that  when  the  first  brofnl  leaves  the  nest,  the  young  birds  keep  to- 
gether, moving  from  tree  to  tree  with  iUl  the  activity  of  their  jiarents,  wiio 
join  them  when  tiie  secimd  '.-...ud  is  alile  to  keep  them  company.  In  Florida 
they  [Kiir  in  the  beginning  of  Felirtiary,  having  eggs  as  early  as  the  middle 
of  that  month.  In  South  Carolina  they  breed  on<^  month  hiter.  Their  nest 
is  usually  excavated  by  the  birds  them.selves  in  the  dead  portion  of  a  low 
stump  or  sajiling,  .sometimes  oidy  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  but  not  unfre- 
(piently  at  the  lieight  of  thirty  or  forty  feet.     Both  birds  are  said  to  work  in 


PARID^  — THE  TITMICE.  123 

concert  with  great  earnestness  for  several  days,  until  the  hole,  which  is  round, 
and  not  larger  at  tiie  entrance  tlian  the  body  of  the  bird,  is  dug  ten  or  twelve 
inches  deep,  widening  at  the  bottom.  The  eggs,  according  to  Mr.  Audubon, 
are  laid  on  the  bare  wood.  This,  however,  is  probably  not  their  constant 
liabit.  The  eggs,  hvm  four  to  six  in  number,  and  not  much  larger  than  those 
ot  the  Hunnuiiig-15ird,  have  a  white  ground,  tliickly  sprinkled  with  tine  red- 
disli-brown  dots.  They  are  said  to  raise  two,  and  even  three,  broods  in  a 
season.  Accorchng  to  tlie  observations  of  the  late  Dr.  Gerhardt  of  Northern 
Georgia,  tlie  Ihowu-headed  Nuthatch  breeds  in  that  part  of  the  country  about 
the  19th  of  April. 

The  eggs  of  this  Xuthatcli  are  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  measuring  .60  by 
.50  ot  an  inch.  Their  white  ground-cok)r  is  so  completely  overlaid  by  a  pro- 
lusion ot  tine  dottings  of  a  dark  purplish-brown  as  to  be  entirely  concealed, 
and  the  egg  appears  almost  as  if  a  uniform  chocolate  or  brown  color. 


124 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Family    CERTHIAD.^.  —  Thk  Creepers. 

Guar.  Primaries  ten  ;  first  very  short ;  less  than  half  the  second.  Tail  long,  wedge- 
shaped,  the  featliers  stifl'ened  and  acute.  Rill  slender,  much  compressed  and  curved. 
Outer  lateral  toe  nuu'h  longest ;  hind  toe  exeeeding  both  the  middle  toe  and  the  tarsus, 
which  is  scutellato  auteriorly  and  very  short.  Entire  basal  joint  oi"  middle  toe  united  to 
the  lateral. 


Cfrthin  nmiricann. 


Oknus  CERTHIA,   Linn. 

CertlUa,  Lixn.eus,  Syst.  Nut.  od.  10th,  1758,  112.     (Tyjic,  C.  J'timilinris.)     (Set-  Reicmkn- 
iiAcu,  liandbuch,  I,  ii,  1853,  25(5,  for  a  monograph  of  the  gomis.) 

Gen.  CnAU.     Plumage  soft  and  loose.    Bill  as  long  as  head,  not  notched,  compressed; 

.ill  its  lateral  outlines  deeurved.  Nostrils  not 
overhung  by  I'eatliers,  linear,  with  an  ineum- 
lient  thickened  scale,  as  in  D-uglodyfes.  No 
rictal  bristles,  and  the  loral  and  frontal  feathers 
-inooth,  without  bristly  sliafls.  Tarsus  scutel- 
latt!  anteriorly,  shorter  than  middle  toe,  which 
again  is  shorter  than  hind  toe.  All  claws  very 
long,  nnich  curved  and  compressed;  outer  lat- 
eral toe  nnich  the  longer;  basal  joint  of  middle 
loe  entirely  adherent  to  adjacent  ones.  Wings 
rather  pointed,  about  etpial  to  the  tail,  the 
'(■athers    of  which    arc    much    pointed,    with 

stifTened  shafts.     Primaries  ten;  first  li'.ss  than  half  the  second.     Nest  in  holes  of  trees; 

eggs  white,  sprinkled  with  reddish. 

Of  the  Certhiadcc  but  one  p;enu3  lie- 
loyps  to  Aijierica,  —  C'erthia,  with  its  one 
•small  spe  iea  u(  con&icloi'iihle  v.iiiability 
with  locality.  Tiie  i'hiU"a(;ter.s  abovi; 
"fiven  include  both  iainily  iiiul  generic 
characters,  derived  from  this  one  jfeuus. 
This  is  readily  distinj,niished  by  the  de- 
curved,  compressed  bill  ;  absence  of 
notch  and  bristles;  exposed  linear  nos- 
trils with  incumbent  scales  ;  connate 
middle  toe,  very  lonj^  claws,  short  tarsi, 
pointed  and  stiH'eiied  tail-featiiers,  etc. 

The  American  and  Kuropeaii  varieties  (they  can  scarcely  be  called  species) 
resemble  ciUih  other  very  closely,  though  they  appear  to  be  distinguished  by 
such  dilierences  as  the  following:  — 

The  two  Euroi)ean  races,  ('.  finniiiaria  and  C.  rosta;  both  dilfer  from  all 
the  American  varieties  in  having  tiie  crissum  scarcely  tinged  with  yellowish. 


Ctrthid  americana. 


CERTHIAIJ.K  — THE  CUEEl'EK.S.  125 

C.  famUiuris  is  more  ashy  heneatli  tlian  any  others,  and  (J.  rosfa;  is  purest 
wliite  beneath  of  all.  Nearest  C./(imiliaris,  in  tlic  American  series,  as  regards 
tints  of  the  upper  parts,  are  the  Pacific  coast  specimens  of  V.  tnticrimtia, — 
wliile  the  latter  are  most  like  tlio  Atlantic  region  specimens  of  the  same. 
C  mcriruna  is  to  he  compared  only  with  the  North  American  forms,  thougli 
it  is  the  only  one  approaching /fo«//<V//-v',s"  in  tlie  ashy  lower  parts. 

C.  familiar  is  is  at  once  separated  from  the  rest  by  having  the  tail  shorter 
than  the  wing. 

C.  costa',  is  almost  precisely  like  Eastern  specimens  of  C.  nmcricana  in 
coh)rs,  but  is  absolutely  pure  wliite  below,  and  without  the  distinctly  yellow- 
ish crissum  of  the  American  bird.  The  bill  and  claws,  however,  are  consid- 
erably longer  than  in  Kastern  amerimna,  though  their  size  is  almost  e(pialled 
by  those  of  Western  specimens  ;  the  colors  are,  however,  more  decidedly 
difi'erent. 

There  is  never  any  deviation  from  the  generic  pattern  of  coloration ;  but 
the  variation,  amonij  individiiah  of  each  form,  in  length  of  the  bill  and  claws, 
as  well  as  the  tail,  is  remarkable. 


Certhia  familiaris,  var.  americana,  Hdxai'. 

BBOWN  CBEEFEB. 

Verthiii  funca,  Baiiton,  Fraginonts  of  tlit'  Xatuial  Flistorv  of  Pennsylvania,  1799,  11.  Cfr- 
fliin  /iiMili<irLs,  ViKri.i..  Uis.  Am.  Sciit.  II,  180/,  70  (not  the  European  bird);  also  of 
Wii.si.N  and  AuiiuiKiN.  —  Maynaui),  Birds  E.  iMass.  1870,  9:3.  Certhia  amcrkumi, 
BciNAl'.  ('oinp.  List.  Ksa.s.  _K|.;i,i,.  Handb.  I,  18.-)a,  21)5,  pi.  dc.w,  ligs.  4102,  4103. 
—  Baiud,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  372;  Review,  89.  — iMa.x.  (.'ab.  Jour.  1858,  105.— 
('ooi'KU&SucKl.KY,  P.  H.  |{.  Kep.  XII,  ii,  1859,  192.  -  IIamms,  Pr.  Best.  Soe.  X.  II. 
18(i4  -OG,  80.     Cert/iia  mexkruM,  Cixii'Ki!,  Orii.  Cal.  I,  1870,  58. 

k 
Si'.  Ciiah.  Bill  about  llii',  l^nn;tli  of  tlu:  head.  Ab.ne  ilark  brown,  with  a  .slif;litly 
rid'ou.s  shadi',  oaeli  rcalhcr  .struakiMl  centrally,  but  not  abruptly,  with  wliitisli;  riinii>  rust  v. 
licneatli  almost  .sjlky-wliitL' ;  the  under  tail-oovcrt.s  with  a  liiint  rusty  tiii<rt'.  A  wliitu 
streak  over  the  eye;  the  ear-eoverts  streaked  with  whi.ish.  Tad-1'eatliers  brown  een- 
lially,  the  e<lges  paler  yellowisii-browii.  Winjis  with  a  transver.se  bar  of  pale  reddLsh- 
whitc  .'ieros.s  both  web.s.     Leuijtli,  .")..")0  ;   winjr,  2.(iO  ;   tail,  2.00.     (\o.  8'J7.) 

Yomuj.      (r)!)4r),   Steilaeooni,   \V.   T. ;   Dr.  J.  8.  Cooper.)      ResenibHng  the  adult,   but 
streaks  Ml)ove  indistiuet,   and   the  leathers  thi're   tipped   iudistiuetly  with  blaekisii  ;   the 
ruloMs  restricted  to  tiie  upjjcr  tail-coverts.     IJreasl  and  JultuIuiu  with  very  niiuulo  blackish 
waving.s  or  indistini^t  bars. 
IIau.     Whole  of  United  States,  to  Red  River  .Settlement. 

Specimens  from  the  far  west  arc  purer  white  beneath,  much  as  in  foda\ 
Imt  those  from  the  northwest  coast  have  the  wliite  tinged  with  light  rusly. 
Tiiough  purer  white  below,  these  specimens  are  mucii  browner  tdiove  thiin 
Eastern  ones,  —  sometimes  more  so  than  in  famifiaris,  Imt  then  there  is 
the  yellowish  crissum  never  seen  in  this  "  species,"  and  the  i)roportions  are 
quite  difi'erent.     Thus  it  will  be  seen  the  C.  amevinuia  nniy  alway;',  be  dis- 


126  NORTH  AMEUICAX  UIRD8. 

tinj,'uislied  from  the  otlier  forms  ;  wlien  most  resembling  coHfn;  in  the  grayish 
tints  of  the  upper  phimage  (as  in  Eastern  examples),  the  lower  parts  are  less 
jmrely  white,  and  the  bill  and  claws  smaller ;  wlien  like  it  in  the  projiortions 
and  i>ure  white  of  the  lower  parts  (as  in  Western  specimens),  the  colors  above 
are  altogetlier  more  brown.  The  yellowish  crissum  of  amcricanuH  will 
also  distinguish  them.  Though  often  resembling  famlliaris  in  the  colors  of 
the  upper  i)arts,  the  latter  may  always  be  distinguished  by  its  ashy  lower 
parts  without  yellowish  crissum,  the  shorter  tail,  with  its  less  acute  feathers, 
and  stouter  bill. 

C.  mcxicaiius  is  still  more  different  in  colors,  for  which  see  that  variety. 

Haiuts.  Our  common  Creeper,  so  closely  resembling  the  Creeper  of  Eu- 
rope as  by  many  to  be  supposed  identical  with  it,  is  distributed  over  the 
whole  of  Xorth  America,  from  tlie  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  high  northern  latitudes. 
At  difl'erent  seasons  it  may  be  found  in  every  one  of  the  several  States  and 
Territories,  yet  it  is  never  very  abundant.  Tiie  Smith.sonian  possesses  speci- 
mens from  various  parts  of  the  country,  from  Georgia  to  Fort  Steilacooni  on 
the  Pacific,  but  of  these  none  api)ear  t(j  have  been  secured  during  the  period 
of  rejiroduction.  Dr.  lleermann  found  them  very  connnon  in  the  more 
mountainous  districts  of  California.  Dr.  Cooper  found  these  birds  abundant 
in  the  forests  of  Washington  Territory,  but  difficult  to  detect  from  the  simi- 
larity of  their  color  to  that  of  the  bark  over  which  they  crept.  They  were 
ai)])arcntly  constant  residents  in  that  Territory.  Dr.  Suckley,  who  obtained 
several  specimens  of  this  species  in  the  oak  groves  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort 
Steiliicoom,  states  that  in  their  habits  the  Western  birds  resemble  those  of  the 
Atlantic  States. 

Mr.  Eidgway  found  this  Creeper  inhabiting  both  the  pine  forests  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  where  it  was  the  more  connnon,  and  also,  in  winter,  among 
the  willows  of  the  river  valleys.  He  did  not  meet  with  it  east  of  the  Truckee 
Itiver,  nor  until  he  had  reached  the  Wahsatch  Mountains. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  found  the  Brown  Creeper  generally  distributed  throughout 
the  Indian  Territory,  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  (.'alifornia,  and  adds  that  it 
was  especially  abundant  in  the  San  Francisco  Mountains  of  New  ^lexico. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  he  has  met  with  this  form  in  the  winter  through- 
out the  higher  mountains  and  among  the  Coast  Range  as  far  south  as  Santa 
Cruz.  He  found  them  cliiefly  i'retiuenting  the  coniferous  trees,  creeping  up 
and  down  their  trunks  and  branches,  searching  for  insects  in  their  crevices, 
and  so  nearly  reseml)ling  the  bark  in  their  general  color,  that  they  can  be 
detected  only  with  great  difficulty,  except  when  in  motion. 

He  adds  that  their  notes  are  shrill  and  wiry,  and  are  oilen  heard  when  the 
bird  is  scarcely  visible,  without  a  careful  search,  tlieir  cry  appearing  to  be 
from  a  greater  distance  than  tiie  real  ])erformer.  In  March,  Dr.  Cooper  heard 
them  giving  out  a  faint  but  sliarp-toned  song,  resembling  that  of  a  Wren. 
If  Dr.  Cooper  is  correct  in  his  account  of  the  notes,  they  do  not  correspond 
with  those  of  our  Eastern  bird. 


CERTITIAD.E  —  THE  CREEPERS.  1^7 

Dr.  Kennorly,  in  his  Report  on  the  hinls  ohserved  hy  him  near  the  3r»tli 
parallel,  states  tliat  he  IoiuhI  our  (toninion  Creeper  very  abundant  amony  the 
rougli-barked  cedars  in  the  Aztec  Mountains.  It  usiuiUy  attracted  notice, 
and  its  ])lace  of  retreat  was  discovei  1,  by  iiis  heariuf^  its  quick  and  siiarp 
notes.  A  clo.se  and  careful  search  ^^cnoruliy  enabled  him  to  perceive;  it  j)n)- 
ceeding  leisurely  ujjward  and  downward,  in  straiglit  or  spiral  lines,  towartl 
the  top  of  the  tree,  d(jdgin>,'  dexterously  to  the  opposite  side  from  the  ob- 
server, and  only  resuming  its  occupation  when  assured  of  solitude  and  safety. 

The  observations  of  Dr.  Kennerly,  if  they  are  to  be  received  as  character- 
istic of  the  AVestern  (,'reepers,  do  not  corres])ond  with  those  of  our  Ea.stern 
birds,  as  far  as  we  have  observed  tliem.  Noim  of  our  birds  are  more  easily 
approached,  and  when  they  are  pursuing  their  search,  for  food,  none  are  more 
regirdless  of  observation.  The  statement  that  our  ( 'reeper,  when  watched, 
moves  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  tree  from  tlie  looker-on,  has  ff)und  a  certain 
currency  in  our  books.  We  are,  however,  of  the  opinion  that  this  is  owing 
to  its  restless  activity,  prompting  it  to  constant  changes  of  place  and  position, 
and  not  to  its  timidity  or  caution.  We  have  uniformly  found  them  either 
unconscious  or  regardless  of  our  near  presence. 

They  are  solitary  in  their  habits,  and  frequent,  especially  in  the  summer, 
deep  woods,  searching  for  their  favorite  food  in  high  places  where  it  is  difli- 
cult  to  reach  them,  but  this  is  no  necessary  evidence  of  tiieir  shyness.  Tliey 
often  hunt  for  their  food  in  very  exposed  places,  with  equal  courage  and 
recklessness.  It  is  an  active,  restless  bird,  associating  with  Titmice  and  the 
smaller  Woodpeckers,  moving  with  great  rapidity  from  side  to  side  and  from 
place  to  place.  They  breed  in  hollow  trees,  in  the  deserted  holes  of  tiie  Wooil- 
peckers,  and  in  the  tlecayed  stum])s  and  branches  of  trees.  Their  nest  is  a 
loose  aggregation  of  soft,  warm  materials,  not  interwoven,  but  simply  col- 
lected witii  regard  to  no  other  requisite  than  warmth. 

In  the  summer  of  18.")  1  our  jiarty,  in  their  visit  to  one  of  the  smaller 
Grand  Mcman  Islands,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  meet  witli  the  nest  of  this  bird. 
It  was  built  in  a  decayed  birch-tree,  only  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  and 
contained  five  eggs  nearly  ready  to  hatch.  This  was  on  the  20th  of  June. 
Tlie  nest  was  an  intermingling  of  decayed  wood,  the  fur  of  small  quadrupeds, 
and  feathers,  but  with  so  little  adherence  or  consistency  of  form  that  it  was 
impossible  to  retain  the  materials  in  position  after  removal. 

So  far  from  evincing  any  timidity,  the  birds  refused  to  leave  tlieir  nest,  and 
could  hardly  be  prevented  from  following  it  when  remoxed  from  the  woods 
to  a  house  on  the  i.sland.  One  of  our  companions,  returning  to  the  woods  in 
order  to  secure  the  birds  for  the  sake  of  identification,  found  the  pair  still 
lingering  round  the  place  of  their  rilled  nest.  Upon  liis  approacli  they  began 
to  circle  round  his  head  with  rejH'oachful  cries,  and  continued  to  keep  so 
close  to  him  tliat  it  was  imf)ossible  to  shoot  one  without  mutilating  it.  At 
length  one  of  the  birds  aliglited  on  a  small  branch  held  over  his  head  by 
a  lad  who  accompanied  him,  and  in  this  position  was  secured  by  shooting  it 


128  NORTH  AMEKICAN  15IRDS. 

with  a  pistol  loa.led  with  the  finest  shot.  Its  mate  couhl  have  been  secured 
as  she  persisted  in  pursuing  them,  hut  she  was  not  molested.  Throu-dio,,; 
there  was  not  a  trace  of  timidity  on  the  part  of  either  hinl,  hut  the  most 
reckless  and  daiuiig  devotion. 

Jfesides  the  single  cull-note  or  the  sharp  outcry  with  which  the  Creepers 
signahze  then-  movements,  an.l  which  they  utter  from  time  to  tin.e  as  they 
rapnlly  ami  busdy  n.ove  up  and  ,lown  the  trunks  and  limbs,  or  flit  from  tree 

he  fact     1  he  care  ul  observations  of  Mr.  William  P.rewster  of  Cambrid-.e 
have  .satisfied  lum  that  these  birds  have  a  very  distinct  and  varied  .son.     D^r- 
ing  the  winter  these  birds  are  not  uncommon  in  the  vicinity  of  Hostonrcomin^ 
al>out  the  houses  with  all  the  tameness  and  confidence  of  the  P.n,s  ntrical 
lus,  and  pernut  a  very  near  approach.     They  are  very  easily  attracted  by  .sus- 
pending from  a  piazza  a  piece  of  fat  meat.     Mr.  Brewster  has  observed  them 
commence  smgnig  as  early  as  the  14th  of  March.     Their  notes  are  varied 
and  warbling  and  somewhat  confused;  some  of  them  are  loud,  powerful  and 
suri.as..ii.gly  sweet,  others  are  more  feeble  and  plaintive;  their  .song  u.sually 
eml.s  wit^i  then-  accustomed  cry,  which   may  be  represented   by  le^. 
ere-ep.     Mr.  Lrewster,  besides  repeate.Uy  hearing  them  sing  in  Massachusetts 
m  the  early  spring,  has  also  listened  to  their  song  in  Maine  in  the  roiXof 

Their  eggs  are  small  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  bird,  are  nearly  oval 

edtT;  n    1?™'''''""''''  ground,  sparingly  sprinkled  with  smalJ,  fine, 
red  and  reddish-brown  spots.     They  measure  .55  by  .4.S  of  an  inch. 

Certhia  famiUaris,  var.  mexicana,  (ii.oa. 

MEXICAN  CBEEFEB. 

Certhia  nicTicana,  "Glooek,  Handbuch."  RE.rnKNn.v,,,,  Hnndbuoh,  I,  18.53  265  „1 
dlxn,  ,.,s.  3841,  .3842.-Sn,.ATKn.  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  290;  1858,  297  ;  1859, '3S,  3  2 
--SU.VI.V.  ,1,„,  i8fi,i,  190  (Volcan  do  Fuo..,.  Cat.).  -  Ba„>i.,  Birds  N.Am.  18.58 
6,i  (undor  C.  amencamt),  pi.  Ixxxiii,  fig.  2  ;  Review,  90. 

Sr.  Char      Gronnd-color  ul.ovo  vory  dark  sopin-brown,  each  feather  with  a  .sharply 

ofinerl  ,„..d,al  .troak  of  p:rayi..h-white,  these  streaks  beoou.ing  broader  posteriorly   wherl 

they  are  discontinued  at  the  l,o.in„inf,  of  the  rump.     Whole  rump  and  upper  tai  -'covert.. 

ches  nut-ru  OU.S.      Beneatl,  pale  ashy,  hecon.ing  almost  white  on  ti.e  throat;  crissal  fe.nth- 

ers  deep  ochrnceous  except  at  the  tips,  which  are  whitish.     Markings  of  the  winffs  as 

hh^dafJ^ir""''  ^'''''  ''""'^"^^  '"'"-  '•'''  '""'  -•'"'  '''  C'"-"  "-'n-l),'.48'; 
UnTttdSt^t'e?'"*''''  ""''  ^^'''''°'   '"■"''"^'^  "''''"'^'"^  "'"""   "'•'   tab>e-lands   into  ti,e 

This  is  one  of  the  best  marked  of  the  various  races  that  have  been  dis- 
cussed (see  p.  124).  The  ground-color  of  the  upper  parts  is  altogether  darker 
than  m  any  of  the  others,  and  the  streaks  are  more  sharply  defined  and  nar- 


CERTIIIAD.E  — THE  CREEPERS.  129 

rower ;  the  rufous  of  tlie  rump  is  of  a  castaneous,  instead  of  yellowish  cast ; 
the  wings  appear  more  uniform  with  the  l«ick,  owing  to  the  dark  color  of  the 
latter,  and  their  pale  markings  have  little  of  that  yellowish  tinge  so  notice- 
able in  the  others.  In  the  ashy  tinge  of  tlie  lower  parts  there  is  a  resem- 
blance io  familiariH  ol  Europe;  but  the  latter  has  not  tlie  ochraceous  cris- 
sum  so  noticeable  in  the  present  bird.  There  is  little  resemblance  to  Western 
and  Rocky  Mountain  specimens  of  the  C.  mmrimna  ;  and  if  these  are  to 
be  considered  as  sejiarable  from  the  Eastern  (which,  however,  would  not,  in 
our  opinion,  be  advisable)  they  must  not  be  referred  to  mvxicmia. 

The  Mexican  Creeper  is  introduced  here  on  account  of  the  jjrobability  of 
its  occurrence  in  the  Southern  IJocky  Mountains. 

Habits.  Mr.  Salvin  found  the  Mexican  Tree-Creeper  by  no  means  un- 
common in  the  pine  forests  of  the  upper  zone  of  the  V(jlcan  de  Fviego.  He 
also  observed  it  frequenting  pine-trees  in  the  district  of  Chilasco,  Vera  Paz, 
at  about  6,000  feet  above  the  sea. 


17 


130  NORTH  AMKRICAX  HrRD.S. 


Family  TROGLODYTIDiE.  —  Tife  Wrk 


>:n-s. 


Char.  Riotal  bristles  wanting;  tiu>  lonil  IWitluMs  with  bristly  points;  the  Irontnl 
fentht-rs  fren.-rally  not  reaching  to  nostrils.  Nostrils  varied,  exposed  or  not  ..ovo.cd  by 
leathers,  and  generally  overhung  by  n  seale-like  n.enibrane.  IJil)  usually  without,  notch 
(ex,x.pt  ui  some  Middle  American  genera).  Wings  nn.ch  lounded,  about  e.|ual  to  tail 
which  IS  graduatcl.  I'rhnaiies  ten,  the  Ihsl  generally  about  half  the  second.  ])asal  joint 
ot  nnd.lle  toe  usually  united  to  half  the  basal  joint,  of  inner,  and  the  whole  of  that  of  the 
outer,  01'  more.     Lateral  toes  about  eipial,  or  the  outer  a  little  the  h)nger.     Tarsi  scutellate. 

The  inn)(,ssibility  of  detii.i.ig  uuy  largo  groiii)  of  ai.iiuals,  so  as  to  se])iiratc 
It  stnugeiitly  and  abruptly  from  all  otliers,  is  well  understood  among  natu- 
ralists; and  tlie  Tronloih/tidw  form  no  exception  to  the  rule.  Somo^betir  so 
close  a  resemblance  to  the  Mocking  Thruslies  as  to  have  been  combined  with 
them ;  while  others  again  exliibit  a  close  approximation  to  other  subfamilies. 
The  general  attinities  of  the  family,  however,  appear  to  be  to  the  Timfiila; 
and  one  of  the  best  characters  for  separating  the  two  families  aj.pears  to  exist 
in  the  structure  of  the  feet. 

In  the  Tiorlufn-  tlie  basal  joint  of  the  outer  lateral  toe  is  united  to  the 
middle  toe,  .sometimes  only  a  part  of  it ;  and  the  inner  toe  is  cleft  almost  to 
its  very  base,  so  as  to  be  opjwsable  to  the  hind  toe,  separate  irom  tlie  others. 
In  tlie  Ti-o(flo(hiU.(lw,  on  the  contrary,  the  inner  toe  is  united  by  half  its  b'  sal 
joint  to  tlie  middle  toe,  sometimes  by  the  whole  of  this  joint ;  and  the  second 
joint  of  the  outer  toe  enters  wholly  or  partially  into  this  ui;ion,  instead  of 
the  basal  joint  only.  In  addition  to  this  character,  the  open,  exposed  nos- 
trils, the  usually  lengthened  bill,  the  generally  etpuil  lateral  toes,  the  short 
rounded  wings,  the  graduated  tail,  etc.,  furnisli  points  of  distinction. 

Genera. 

A.   Lateral  toes  very  unequal. 

n.  Cuhnen  ilepressed  basally,  the  interval  between  the  nostrils  wider  than 
the  much  compressed  anterior  half  of  the  i)ill.  Plate  on  the  posterior  half 
of  the  tarsus  continuous.     Catherpea. 

h.    Cuhnen  compres,sed  ba.sally,  the  interval  between  the  nostrils  ii.u'rower 
than  the  rather  dei)res.se.l  anterior  half  of  tlie  l)ill.     Plate  on  the  j.osterior 
half  of  the  tar.sus  broken  into  smaller  scales.     Salpinctes. 
B«   Lateral  toes  equal. 

c.  Length  about  8  inches.     Campylorhynchus. 

d.  Length  less  than  C  inches. 

Bill  abruptly  decurved  or  hooked  at  the  tij).     Outstretched  feet  not 

reaching  near  to  end  of  tail.    Thryothorus. 

Tail  longer  than  the  wing,  the  feathers  black,  variegated  terminally 

with  whitish Subgenus   r///'.)/ '""""«•••. 

Tail  shorter  than  the  wing,  the  feathers  rusty,  not  variegated  with 

^^''''•'**'' Subgenus   Thri/oth  or  us. 

Hill  only  gently  curved  at  the  tip.     Outstretched  tect  reaching  nearly  to 

or  b(!vond  \]w  end  of  the  tail. 


T!{<J( JLODVTID.K  —  THE    WUKNS. 


131 


Hack  witlinut,  .streaks.     No  di.stinct  suiiorrilinry  stiipo.     Troglodytes. 

Bill  (;urvo(l,  sub-conical.    Tiiil  ns  long  m*  wing-  Siihgcnu.s  Troijlod  i/fen. 
Bill  sti-ai;rlit,  sulniliitu.     Tail  nmcli  shorter  than  winf;. 

8ulijrcnii.s  ^1  tin  rill  n  r  ii . 
Back  streaked  with  black  and  white.     Cistothorus. 

Bill  short,  stout;  its  depth  eipial  to  one  half  its  length  I'roni 
the  nostril ;  gonys  straight  or  even  convex,  ascending.  Crow  ji 
streaked  ;   no  distinct  suiicrciliary  stripe.         Subgenus  ('in  loth  or  it  s. 

Bill  elongated,  slender ;  its  deptb  less  than  one  third  its  length 
from  the  nostril ;  gonya  slightly  concave,  declining.  Crown  not 
streaked;  a  conspicuous  superciliary  stripe.     Subgenus  Telmatodyteit. 


Gknus   CAMFYLORHYNCHUS,   Siix. 

Campylorlijinchm,  Si-ix,  Av.   Rriis.  I,  1824,  77.      (Type,  C.  si-nlupacean,  Si>ix  =  Tiirdiin 
varkguliis,  Gmul.) 

Okv.  Char.  Bill  stout,  compressed,  as  long  as,  or  longer  than  the  head,  without  notch 
or  rictal  bristles;  culmcn  and  com- 
missure curved ;  gonys  nearly  straight. 
Nostrils  in  the  antero-inferior  part  of 
nasal  groove,  in  advance  of  the  frontal 
feathers,  with  an  ovcil. mging  scale 
with  thickened  edge,  as  in  T/irijotho- 
rtts ;  sometimes,  as  in  the  type,  re- 
duced to  a  slight  ridge  along  the  upper 
side  of  the  nasal  groove.  Lateral  sep- 
tum not  projecting  below  or  anterior- 
ly into  the  nasal  cavity,  but  concealed 
by  the  nasal  scale.  Tarsus  a  little 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ; 
claws  strong,  much  curved,  and  very 
sharp ;  middle  toe  with  basal  joint 
adherent  almost,  throughout.     Wings  Cktmpjiiorhynchm  bruntuicapiUus. 

and  tail  about  ecpud,  the  latter  graduated;  the  exterior  webs  of  lateral  feathers  broad. 

This  genus  embraces  the  largest  species  of  the  family,  tiiid  is  well  rej)- 
resented  in  Middle  and  Soutli  America,  two  species  oidy  reaching  into 
North  America,  which  may  be  di.sLinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Top  of  head  and  post-ocular  stripe  reddish-lirown ;  baek  streaked  longitudi- 
nally and  linearly  with  whice.  All  the  feathers  beneath  conspicuously  sjwtted. 
Crissum  and  tlanks  with  rounded  or  elougate(l  spots.  Iris  re(ldish.  No.-:trils 
inferior,  linear,  overhung  by  a  scale.  Nests  large  and  purse-shaped;  eggs  white, 
profu.sely  marked  with  salmon-colored  or  reddish  spots. 

a.  Spots  much  larger  on  throat  and  juguhun  than  elsewhere.  Inner  webs 
of  second  to  fifth  tail-feathers  {"betwecm  middle  and  outer  fealiiers)  black, 
except  at  tips.  Li^ugih,  8.t)0 ;  wing,  ;J. 40;, tail,  3..").  Ilah.  A(ijaccnt  bor- 
ders of  United  States  and  Mexico hniiiiieicajtilliin. 

b.  Spots  on  throat  and  juguhun  little  larger  than  elsewhere.  Inner  webs  of 
intermediate  tail-leathers  banded  with  white  like  the  outer.     Length,  7.50. 

Hah,   Cape  St.  Lucas afflnU. 


132 


XORTH  AMEHFCAN  «IRI)S. 


Campylorhjmchus  brunneicapillus,  Gray. 

CACTUS  WBEN. 

I'li-iihiptn  hninnricnpilliin,  I,afi!F.s\ayk,  Mng.  dc  Zool.  1835,  61,  j)l.  xlvii. — Lawr.  Ann. 
X.  Y.  I,yc.  V,  1851,  114. —  Cassis,  Hirds  C'ul.  Tex.  1854,  15(i,  \>\.  xxv.  —  Hkkumann, 
.1.  A.  N.  Se.  II,  1853,  263.  ('.  Iiniiiiidcapllhi.1,  (!kay,  Gimhmii,  I,  1847,  15i).  —  Bp. 
I'onsii.  1S50,  'i'iS.  —  Sci,.  P.  A.  N.  S.  156,  264.  —  lUiim,  Kinla  N.  Am.  1858,  355; 
I'r.  riiil.  Aciul.  185!",  3,  otc.  ;  Ucv.  itH.  —  Hkkiimann,  1*.  K.  K.  X,  185S>.  —  Dkessek, 
llns,  186.5,  482  (Tcxiis).  —  Cdoi-kh,  Oim.  ("al.  1,  1870,  6;. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  Hill  as  lon<;  as  tlic  lioad  Abovo  brown ;  darkest  on  the  head,  wliifh  i.<» 
nnspottod.  Fealhcrs  on  thi'  back  sticakod  centrally  with  white,  nencatli  whiti.sli,  tiii)?ed 
with  rusty  on  the  belly  ;  tiic  leathers  of  the  throat  and  upper  parts,  and  under  tail-eoverts, 
with  larp'.  rounded  black  spots;  tlio.-ie  of  the  reinainini;  inider  parts  with  snndler,  more 
linear  ones,  i  'liin  and  line  over  the  eye  white.  Tail-leathers  black  beneath,  barred  subter- 
luinally  (the  outer  one  throufrhout)  with  white.  Iris,  reddish-yellow.  Leiifrth,  8  inches; 
winjr,  3.40  ;  tail,  ,3..')."). 

Hah.  Adjacent  borders  of  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Rio 
(irande  to  the  Valley  of  the  Colorado,  and  to  the  Paeilio  coast  of  Southern  California. 
Replaced  at  Cape  St.  Lneas  liy  <\  nffiiiis. 

Tliis  sjiet'io.s  is  lotnul  iiliundaiilly  along  tlie  line  of  the  IJio  drande  and 
Ciila,  extoiuling  noitlnvard  .some  di.stance,  and  everywhere  conspicuous  by 
its  wion-like  habits  and  cnornions  nest.  v 

Habits.     The  Brown-headed  ('iee])er  is  a  compnratively  recent  addition 

to  the  fauna  of  the  rnited  Staters, 
but  ajtjiears  to  be  common  idong 
tlie  southwestern  borders  of  tlie 
I'liited  States,  from  the  valley  of 
the  liio  (irande  to  San  Diego,  in 
California.  In  Lower  California 
it  is  rejilaced  by  the  C.  ajfinis. 

It  was  liist  added  to  our  avi- 
fauna by  Mr.  Lawrence  in  IHol, 
on  the  strength  of  a  sj)ecimen 
obtained  in  Texas  by  Ca])tain 
McCown. 

Dr.  Hecrmann,  in  his  \m\wv  on 
the  Birds  of  California,  s|ieai<3 
of  finding  it  in  the  ariil  country  liack  of  (Juymas,  on  the  (iiilf  of  Cali- 
fornia. Tills  country,  jircscnting  oidy  broken  surfaces  and  a  coiifu.sed 
mass  of  volcanic  rocks,  covered  liy  a  scanty  vegetation  of  thorny  buslies 
ami  cacti,  among  other  interesting  birds,  was  found  to  contain  this  species 
ill  aiiiiiidaiicc.  Mc  describes  it  as  a  lively,  sprightly  8])ecies,  uttering,  at 
intervals,  clear,  Imid,  ringing  imics.  Us  nest,  compo.sed  of  gni.s.ses  and  lined 
witli  fcallieis,  was  in  tlic  sliapc  of  a  long  ])ur.sc,  enormous  for  tiie  size  of  tlie 
bird,  aiul  laid  fiat  between  tiio  forks  or  on  the  branches  of  u  cactus.     TIio 


Ctimptjlorhynrhus  bninnticuf'i//it>. 


TROGLODYT1D.E      THE  VVUEN8.  133 

entrance  was  a  covered  ]ia.ssa<j;e,  varying  frmn  six  ti)  ten  inches  in  len>ith. 
The  Of^ys,  six  in  nnmher,  lie  ilescrilied  as  beinjj;  tit'  a  delicate  salnion-cdlor, 
very  pale,  and  often  so  thickly  speckled  with  ash  and  darker  salmon-colored 
;i'  its  as  to  give  (jnite  a  rich  cast  to  the  whole  surl'ace  of  the  (^gg. 

Lientenaiit  Coucli  met  with  these  liirds  near  Monterey.  He  states  that 
they  have  a  rich,  powerful  song.  Of  the  nest  he  gives  substantially  the 
same  descrii)tioii  as  that  furnished  by  Dr.  Heermann. 

The  eggs  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  slightly  more  jtoinfed  at  one  end, 
antl  are  so  etiually  and  generally  covered,  over  a  white  giound,  with  fine 
salmon-colored  spots,  as  to  present  a  uniform  aud  almost  homogeneous 
apjiearance.  They  vary  in  length  from  an  inch  to  l.OL*  inches,  and  have 
an  average  breadth  of  .08  of  an  inch. 


Campylorhynchus  affinis,  Xanti;«. 

THE  CAFE  CACTUS  WBEN. 

Vumpiihirhijiulius  dtliiiis,  Xanpis,  I'l-.  .\.  N.  Sc.  ltS."i!»,  'J'.KS  ^Capo  St.  l.iicas^.  1!aii!1i,  I'r. 
A.  N.  Si'.  lS."i!t,  :i(i:t:  \Wv.  1(10.  Sci..  Cital,  ISiil,  17,  no.  1(18.  •  Ki.i.mr,  llliist. 
H.  N.  A.  I,  IV.       I'diii'Kii,  OiM.  Cat.  I,  1870,  02. 

Si'.  ("ii.\i<.  ('ap  (if  iu'ad  icddisli-ljiowu ;  tlio  conifiiU'il  ciMitrcs  of  fcatlu'r.*!  dii.sky. 
Rest  iif  iii>pi'r  |)arl.<  ^liiyi.-ili-lii'owii,  nil  the  fi'iU.licr.'*  of  liody  and  S('ii(mlars  with  broad  cen- 
tral or  .«lial1  streaks  of  wliilisli  ('dL;i'd  witii  lilack;  tlic  slrcaks  irrcu'iilar  ill  oiilliiii',  on  some 
foaliiers  nearly  linear,  in  others  wideiiiiiu:  at  intervals  aloiij;'  tin?  shall.  Outer  weli.s  of  the 
wiiig-fi^atliors  cros.sed  liy  aliout  seven  rows  of  wliiti.sli  seniieirenlar  s[)ol.s,  witii  eorresjiond- 
'm<(  .series  of  more  eirenlar  ones  on  the  inner  \vel>.  Tail-feathers  lilaek,  all  of  them  with  a 
series  of  aliont  eiylit  (inadrale  while  spots  on  each  well,  which  are  allernate  to  each  other, 
not  opposite,  and  extend  from  or  near  the  lilaek  shall  to  the  e(l].;(' ;  ihc;  extreme  lips  of  llio 
feathers  lilaek  ;  the  two  central  fealhers,  however,  more  like  llie  hack,  with  irregular  niot- 
tliiii,'  of  jrrayish  and  Mack.     I'ltper  tail-eoverts  liarred  transver.sely  with  Mack. 

Under  parts  white,  I'aiiitly  timred  with  rusty  posterioily  ;  each  feather  spotleil  with 
lilaek,  exeeptiiif;-  on  tin-  imiiiacnlat(!  chin.  These  spots  are  rather  lai'L'er  and  more  (piad- 
rate  on  the  Jiij;ii1hiii,  where  tiiey  are  sometimes  on  lii(>  sidi's  of  the  fealhei-s  (on  one 
or  liolh  sides)  ;  posteriorly,  however,  they  are  eloiifxaled  or  lear-shapeil,  and  striinji-  aloii;; 
the  shaO,  one  or  two  on  each.  On  tli(?  erissnni  ihey  are  lai-jre  and  miieh  rounded,  three  or 
liiiir  on  each  loil},'er  feather.  I,e;.:s  rutiier  dusky.  Bill  lead-color,  pale  at  the  base  below  : 
iris  reddi.sh-browii.  A  broad  while  slrijie  from  bill  over  the  eye  aii<l  nape;  eiliji'd 
above  and  below  with  black;  limj  liehind  the  eye  like  the  crown  ;  cheek-feathers  while, 
edired  with  blackish. 

Jmmalnri!  siiceimeiis  exhibit,  a  lelideiicy  to  n  whitish  spollim;  in  the  ends  of  the  fealhers 
of  the  cap.  A  very  yoinifi;  bird  does  not,  however,  diller  materially,  except  in  haviiij;  tin; 
spots  less  distinct  bencalh,  the  white  streaks  less  coiispicnoiis  iibove,  the  while  of  the 
win;;s  soiletl  with  riifoiis.  iSpeiimeiis  vary  considerably  in  Ihe  pro|)orlioiial  as  well  as 
alisoliite  lliickiipss  and  leie.rlh  of  ihe  bill ;  thus,  No.  It'2,l(i7  measmes  .80  liuui  nosiril  to  end 
of  bill,  instead  of  .(10,  as  ui\en  below  for  No.  I'i.lHI'i. 

12,iMi,"i.  Total  lennlli,  7.o"  ;  wiii^r,  .'1..10;  tail,  ;i.lO  ;  iis  jjradnalion,  .(."i;  exposcil  portion 
of  lirst  primary,  1.4'-',  of  second, 'J.l.'i,  ofloii^;csl,  or  foiirlh  (nieasnreil  from  exposed  ba.se  of 
first  primary),  I'.b'i;   lenglh  of  bill  lidin  loichead,  .!l(>,  from  nostril,  .(iO;  along  gape,  1.07; 


134  NORTH  AMKUICAN  BIRDS. 

tiirsiis,  1.02;  iiiidilli;  toe  imd  claw,  .00;  daw  almu',  .25;  liin<l  too  uiiil  ilaw,  .7l> ;  elnw 
alone,  .1!."). 

IIau.     Only  ol)st'iv(Ml  at  Cape  .St.  Luoius,  Lower  Calilbrnia. 

Tliis  species  is  most  nearly  allied  to  C.  hrimiiiiciipilliin ;  the  most  apparent 
diflerence  at  first  si<j[lit  being  in  tlie  greater  concentration  of  black  on  the 
throat  and  jngnlum  in  brumieirapillus,  and  tlie  nuicli  smaller  size  of  the 
remaining  sj)ots  on  the  under  j)arts,  with  the  dei^ided  light -cinnamon  of 
the  jKisterior  jntrtion  of  tlie  body.  Tlie  outer  and  centml  tail-featliers  alone 
are  niarked  as  in  C.  affink,  the  intermediate  ones  being  entirely  black,  with 
tlie  e.\cei)tion  of  a  white  suliterminal  band. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  characteristic  birds  constituting  the  isolated  fauna 
of  Cape  St.  Lucas.  Like  nearly  all  the  species  peculiar  to  this  n^markable 
locality,  it  is  exceedingly  abundant,  breeding  in  immense  numbers.  Tt  has 
not  yet  1)een  detected  elsewhere,  though  it  may  possibly  be  found  on  the 
Lower  ("olonulo. 

Haiuts.  Tliis  recently  described  sjiecies  was  first  discovered  by  Mr. 
Xantus,  and  lias,  so  far  as  is  known,  a  somewhat  restricted  locality,  having 
been  met  witli  only  at  tlie  southern  extremity  of  Lower  California,  wliere  it 
is  an  exceedingly  abundant  bird.  Mr.  Xantus  has  jiulilished  no  oliservations 
in  regard  to  its  habits,  wliich,  however,  are  jtrobably  very  nearly  identical 
with  those  of  the  more  common  species.  From  the  brief  memoranda  given 
by  him  in  tlie  genenil  register  of  his  collections,  made  at  Cajie  St.  Lucas,  we 
gather  that  their  nests  were  liiiilt  almost  exclusively  in  ojiuntias,  cacti,  and 
tlie  i)rickly  ]iear,  and  were  generally  only  four  or  live  feet  from  the  ground, 
but  occasionally  at  tlie  height  of  ten  feet. 

Tiie  nests  are  large  purse-sliajied  collections  of  twigs  and  coarse  grasses, 
very  similar  to,  and  iiardly  ilistinguishalile  in  any  respect  from,  those  of  tiie 
more  northern  species.  The  eggs  vary  from  1.(15  to  1  inch  in  length,  and 
from  .()")  to  .7<l  of  an  inch  in  breadth,  and  liave  a  reddisii-white  ground  very 
uniformly  dotted  with  fine  markings  of  reddish-brown,  jiurple,  and  slate. 


SiinoF.xrs  SALPINCTES,  <'.\ii.kms. 

s;i//iiiicfi:i,   Cahams,    Wicf^inann'.s    .Vnliiv,    1S17,    i,    'i'Si.     (f)'l»',    Truiihnhilt.s  tihsuliiii.s. 
Say.) 

(U.S.  CiiAii.  IJill  n.<  lonjr  lis  t lie  head  ;  all  tlie  ontliiies  iii-arly  ."traifflit  to  tlie  tip,  then 
deciirved  ;  nosli'ils  oval.  Keel  weak:  lafsi  decidedly  longer  than  liie  middle  loc;  outer 
lateral  loc  niiieli  loni/er.  reaelMiijr  lo  llie  lia,<e  of  llie  middle  claw,  ami  ciiual  lo  lln'  hinder. 

Winirs  idioni  one  liflh  lon).'er  than  ihe  tail  :   ll xpo.^ecl  porlion  oi'  lh<'  lirst  piimary  ahont 

hair  Ihat  of  llie  s.'ccind,  and  two  lil'lli.;  Ihal   of  lln'  lonrlli  and  tiflli.     Tail-leal hi'r.>i  very 
hroad,  |)lanc,  lu'aily  even  or  sliijlilly  ronndcil;   the  lateral  moilerately  f,'nidiialed. 

Of  this  genus  but  one  sjiecies  is  so  far  known  in  the  United  Slides,  the 
liack  Av'reii  of  tiie  I'lirlier  ornithologists.      It  is  peculiar  among  its  cognate 


THO( JLODYTID.E  —  THE   WRENS, 


135 


genera  by  having  the  two  continuous  plates  on  eacli  side  the  tarsus  divided 
into  seven  or  more  smaller  plates,  with  a  naked  interval  between  them  and 
the  anterior  scutelhe.  Other  characters  will  be  found  detailed  in  the  lie  view 
of  American  Birds,  p.  1(J9. 


Salpinctes  obsoletus,  Caban. 

BOCK  WHEN. 

Trmjlodutea  obsuMiis,  S.w,  Longs  K.\i»',l.  II,  i,s-i;!,  4  (south  fork  of  Pluttu).  —  At'n.  O™. 
liioS.  IV,  pi.  rcdx.  Id.  U.  a.  11,  pi.  txvi.  -  NKWBiiuiiY,  P.  U.  If.  Hep.  VI,  iv, 
18;.7,  SO.  —  IIi:ki!M.\nn,  P.  I!,  li,  Hep.  X,  1S5!),  41.  Salinncks  olm,MiLi,  (Jab.  Wicg- 
iiiaiinsAivliiv,  1847,  i,  3-J3.  li.vii!!),  liiids  N.  Am.  1858,  :iri7  ;  Kev.  11(1.  —  Sci.atkh, 
P.  Z.  S.  isns),  371  (Oa.xacaK  -CiM.i'illi,  Oiii.  Cal.  1,  1870,  til.  I  I'mijImhiUs  lalis- 
/(tscidtim,  Liciir.  I'lvis-Vci/i-ich.  Is31,  no.  82. 

Sp.  ("iiau.  riiinmo-c  vciy  sdl'i  iiiid  lax.  IJill  aliout  as  long  as  the  head.  Upper  parts 
browiiish-jfray,  cacli  t'catlirr  with  a  ci'iilral 
line  ami  (oxcc|)t  on  (in-  head)  tniiisvcrsc  liars 
of  (lu.sky,  and  a  small  dull  i)ni\vnisii-wliiri' 
spot  at  the  end  (.sei'n  also  on  the  tips  of  tlu? 
(secondaries).  Runi|i,  si.les  of  tiie  liody,  and 
poste?-ior  part  of  helly  and  under  taii-i'overts 
dull  ciinianion,  darker  aliove.  Itesl  of  under 
parts  dirly  while;  fealhcrs  of  throat  and 
breast  with  dnsky  eenlral  streaks.  Lower 
tail-eoverts  handed  liroadly  with  lilaek.  In- 
ner tail-feathers  like  the  liaek,  the  otiiers 
with  a  broad  hlaek  bar  n<'ar  the  end;  the 
ti|)s  cinnamon  ;  liie  outer  on  each  sidi'  alter- 
nately banded  with  this  color  and  lilack. 
A  dull  wliite  line  above  anil  lieliind  llie  eve. 
2.40.     Young  not  niaikccl  or  banded  bencalii 


Siilpiilrh.s  obsottttis. 


Iris  brown.     Length,  o.TO;  wing,  2.82;  tail, 
Eggs  white,  spotted  with  red. 


IIah.  Central  regions  of  the  Tnited  Slates,  to  .\[exic>o,  east  to  mouth  of  Yellowstone 
River.     Cape  Si.  Lucas.     Not  recorded  from  I'aeili.'  sloiie.     W.  Arizona,  CoiKs.     Oaxaca, 

Sci.ATKH. 

Haiuts.  The  l{(tck  Wren,  .so  far  as  its  distrilmtinu  is  known,  is  princi]»ally 
restricted  to  tlie  higii  eentriil  jtlains  of  the  h'ocky  Mountains,  from  Xoliriiska 
to  tlie  coast  ranges  near  tlie  I'acilic,  and  from  Oregon  to  Mexico  and  Lower 
California.  According  to  I»r.  Cooper  it  is  nn  abundant  species  throughout 
the  dry,  rocky,  and  liarrcn  districts  of  California,  especially  in  tlie  .southern 
portions,  where  it  I'onics  nearer  the  coast.  They  are  numerous  among  the 
plains  on  both  sides  of  the  h'ocky  Mountains.  Tiicir  favorite  jtliices  are 
among  the  rocks,  where  they  arc  always  busily  engaged  in  hunting  for  insects 
in  the  crevices.  Dr.  Cooper  found  nests  at  San  Diego  in  cavities  under  tiie 
tiled  roofs  of  inaiscs,  but  tliey  ail  contained  young  as  early  as  May.  At 
Fort  Mojave  they  began  to  sing  in  Fciirtiary,  and  their  .soirg  continued 
throughont  the  spring.     They  range  to  a  liigh  elevation  among  tlie  nioun- 


136 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


SafpintffS  ohso!rtiis. 


tains,  liuviiig  been  found  by  Dr.  Nev.beny  at  Klamath  Lake  in  Oregon.  Dr. 
Cooper  does  not  describe  their  song,  but  Dr.  Heeruiann  speaks  of  it  a.s  only  a 
very  weak  trill.     Tiie  latter  met  with  them  in  the  mountainous  districts  of 

California,  where  thev  were  searchinH 
for  their  food  among  the  crevices  of 
the  rocks.  He  afterwards  met  with 
them  in  New  Mexico  and  Texas. 
They  were  (piite  abundant  in  the  Te- 
jon  Valley,  passing  in  and  out,  among 
and  under  the  boulders  profusely  scat- 
tered over  the  mountains,  searching 
for  spiders,  worms,  and  small  insects, 
in  i)ursuit  of  which  they  uttered  at 
intervals  a  loud  and  (juick  note  of  a 
peculiarly  thrilling  character.  Lieu- 
tenant Couch  found  them  in  the  sand- 
stone rfinges  near  I'atos,  in  the  province  of  Coahuila.  Some  of  their  habits 
are  spoken  of  as  sparrcw-like,  and,  while  tiiey  have  the  usual  wren-like 
gi'ating  noises,  they  also  ])ossess  a  song  of  great  variety  and  sweetness. 

Dr.  Kennerly  met  with  them  among  the  bushes  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Rio 
CJrande.  Their  flight  he  describes  as  sliort,  the  biixl  generally  soon  alighting 
on  the  ground  and  rumiing  off  very  rapidly. 

This  Wren  was  tii-st  discovered  by  Mr.  Say  near  the  Arkansas  Kiver,  inhab- 
iting a  sterile  district  devoid  of  trees,  hopping  along  the  ground  or  flitting 
through  the  low,  stunted  junipers  on  the  Ijanks  of  the  river,  usually  in  small 
flocks  of  five  or  six.  Xuttall  afterwards  found  them  in  July  on  the  Western 
Colorado.  Tiie  note  of  the  female  was  ch(irr-rktirr-tr-aii//i,  with  a  strong 
guttural  accent,  and  with  a  shrill  call  similar  to  the  note  of  the  (Carolina 
Wren.  The  old  Itirds  were  feeding  a  l)r()od  of  five  young,  which,  though  full 
grown,  were  cherished  with  (juendous  assiduity.  He  found  them  nesting 
among  the  rocky  ledges,  in  the  crevices  of  which  tiiey  bide  themselves 
when  disturbed.  Afr.  Nuttall  also  met  with  this  sjjecies  near  Fort  Van- 
couAer.  Mr.  Salvin  states  that  in  several  instances  it  has  been  mot  with  in 
(Juatemala. 

The  eggs  of  this  Wren  obtained  by  Dr.  Palmer  in  Arizona  have  a  clear 
Vihite  ground,  sparingly  s])otted  with  well-defined,  distinct  dottings  of  brown- 
ish-red. Tliese  are  (chiefly  distributed  around  the  larger  end.  They  vary 
somewhat  in  size  and  shape,  some  being  of  a  more  rounded  i'unn,  though  all 
have  one  end  more  jiointed  than  the  other.  The  length  is  jtretty  uniform, 
.77  of  an  inch.  The  breadth  varies  from  .00  to  .(10  of  an  inch.  They  art! 
Lirger  and  more  oblong  than  the  eggs  of  any  otiier  Wren,  except  perhajis  the 
mc.ilviiniis,  and  bear  little  resemlilance  to  any  other  eggs  of  this  family  with 
which  1  am  ari|uainted,  except  those  of  the  Winter  Wren,  and  the  egg  at- 
tributed to  T.  inih ri'iniKs. 


TRoaLUDYTrD-K  — THE  WHENS.  i;-}- 

Tli(!  nest  i.s  lioind^ciicdiis  in  wtnicluro,  compuseil  eiitiroly  of  thin  strips  of 
rcdtlisli-coloii.'il  Imik  iiiul  lino  roots,  intorsporsetl  with  a  few  snuill  hits  of 
wool.  It  is  distorted  l)y  ])iickinji,-,  so  that  nieasuronients  of  it  woukl  he 
vahieless;  its  dimensions  in  its  jiressed  condition  are:  diameter,  ."i  iuclies ; 
depth,  2  inelies.     The  cavity  is  shaUow  and  saucer-shaped. 

From  ^Ir.  llidgway  we  k'arn  that  from  the  summit  of  the  Sierra  Nevada 
eastward,  as  far  as  tin;  i)arty  explored,  he  found  this  Wren  universally  tlis- 
triltuted.  In  (lie  mithlle  ]irovinces  of  the  Ihx^ky  Mountains  it  was  the  most 
ahundant  species  of  (he  family,  l)ut  was  not  so  abundant  in  the  Wahsatdi 
Mountains.  Tiie  general  resort  of  this  s])ecies  was  among  rocky  or  stony 
inll-slop(!S,  though  it  was  not  confined  t<j  sucii  localities.  At  Carsou  City 
he  found  it  iiarticularly  i)artial  to  the  rubhish  1  the  decayhig  ]iine-logs.  At 
Virginia  ("ity  it  was  the  only  Wren  seen  frequenting  the  old  Ituildings  and 
abandoned  niiuing-shaits,  in  its  predilection  for  sucdi  ])laces  reminding  him 
very  nuu'ii  of  the  Tliri/of/i<iri(ii  /ndociriiniiis,  which  in  its  manners  it  very 
strongly  resembles. 

Mr.  Uidgway  noticed  a  wonderful  variety  in  the  notes  of  this  Wren.  Its 
peculiarly  guttural  ttnrc.  was  rei)eateilly  heard,  and  its  song  in  spring  had 
a  sligiit  resend)lauce  in  modulation  to  that  of  the  Carolina  Wren,  th(ni"h 
altogether  lacking  the  jxiwer  aud  richness  so  characteristic  of  the  superb  song 
of  tliat  bird.  FriMjuently  its  .song  was  changed  into  a  prolonged  monotonous 
trill,  siiuilar  to  the  trenndous  spring-call  of  tiie  Jiniai  linniuilia. 

This  species  is  not  so  wary  as  the  Cat/nrjicH  viciiatniiti.  Upon  suddenly 
starting  up  an  individual  of  tins  kind,  lie  would  Hy  to  the  nearest  l)ouhler, 
turu  with  his  breast  towards  tiie  ])arty,  swing  oddly  from  side  to  side,  all  the 
while  ludicrously  bowing  and  scolding  the  intruder  with  his  i)eeuliar  shar}) 
expressions  of  displeasure. 

Dr.  Cooper,  in  iiis  pa]ier  on  tiie  Fauna  of  tiie  Territory  of  ^rontana,  states 
that  he  observed  this  bird  occasionally  through  the  main  Itocivy  Mountain 
chain  to  near  the  crossing  of  tlie  liitterroot,  but  it  was  less  tHnnmon  than 
among  the  cliffs  and  rocks  of  the  itarren  plain  along  their  eastern  slope. 
Tiiough  he  did  not  find  it  in  tlie  western  part  of  Washington  Territory,  he 
has  no  doul)t  that  it  fre()iients  ])arts  of  the  rocky  canons  of  tlie  Columbia 
Plain.     A  nest  with  nine  eggs  was  found  in  a  log-cabin  below  Fort  lienton. 


Genus  CATHERPES,    hum.. 

Cdtherpifi,  ll.uiiii,  Iliids  X.  .\in.  I  >.-.j5,  :i.-)7.     (T\|h',   Tlirmtlfints  m<:ri,;nuis,  Sw.^ 

Okn.  Ciiau.  Hill  Idiijrcr  lliiiii  till' hciiil,  ,<liMnl(r;  all  the  (nitliiies  iieiiily  strtiijriil  to  lli(> 
tip,  then  gontly  (lociiivi'd,  ^^uwsx  Icasl  so  ;  nostiils  liiiciir;  larsiis  .slioit,  alMnit,  e(|iiiil  to  tins 
middle  toe,  which  reaches  to  llie  iiiiddl.'  of  liie  iiiiildic  claw.  OiitiT  toe  consideialily 
Icilifrer  than  the  inner,  leacliiiitr  heyond  the  liase  of  the  middle  claw.  Win^js  a  little  lonjjor 
than  the  tail;  the  e.xiiosed  portion  of  the  liisl  primary  aliunl  half  that  of  the  fourth  and 
18 


138 


NOHTII  AJIEKICAX  BIRDS. 


fifth.     Tail-fenthcrs  very  broad  and  perfectly  plane;  tail  nearly  even;  the  two  lateral 
graduated;  the  outer  about  eleven  twelllhs  ol'tlie  middle. 


Tliis  genus  agrees  with  Sa^nnctes  in 
tlie  broad,  i)liiue  tail-feathers,  but  the 
bill  is  much  longer,  the  nostrils  linear, 
not  oval,  the  feet  mucli  stouter,  the 
outer  toe  ratlier  longer;  tlie  tarsus  short- 
er, being  equal  to  the  middle  toe,  not 
longer;  the  hind  toe  nuich  longer  tlian 
the  outer  lateral,  instead  of  equal  to  it. 
The  wings  are  but  little  longer  than  the 
tail,  and  shoiler  than  in  Salpindcs. 

Tliis  genus  is  conhned  to  the  western 


Catherpes  mexicaniis. 


portions,  wliere  a  single  species,  0.  mccicanm,  occurs  in  two  well-marked 
varieties :  — 

C.  mezicanus. 

Culinen  almost  straight,  the  tip  der-nrvcd,  ponv-s  straight.  AIh.vr  blackish- 
brown  ;  wings  and  back  sparsely  sjirinkled  with  minute  white  specks;  no  s  ch 
murhui;,s  on  head  or  neck.  Bars  on  tail  very  br.md,  .12  in  width  on  outer 
feathers.  Wmg,  2.84;  tail,  2.40;  cnlmen,  .90;  tarsu.s,  .75  ;  mi.ldle  toe,  .08; 
posterior,  .47  ;  outer,  .52  ;  inner,  .49  (52,791,  Mazatlan,  Mexico).  Hah.  Mex- 
ico      ..         . 

„  ,  ,  var.   ni  ex  I  ran  us. 

Cuhnen  and  gonys  Imth  gently  curved,  the  latter  somewhat  concave.  Above 
cmnamon-ashy,  more  rc.idish  on  rnnip  and  wings;  head  and  neck  above  with 
numerous  dots  of  while ;  very  (bw  of  these  on  liack  ami  win-^s.  Tail-bars 
very  narrow  and  thread-like.  Wing,  2,48;  tail,  2.12  ;  culmen,  .8;!;  tarsus,  ..50; 
middle  toe,  .52 ;  posterior,  ..•55  :  outer,  .44  ;  iimcr,  .30  (53,425  ^,  Fort  Churchill' 
Nevada).     JIab.   Middle  (and  I'acilic?)  I'lovince  of  United  States,    var.  eon.sperxus. 

In  var.  mc.riemiv.9  the  white  of  throat  is  more  abruptly  defined  against  the 
rufous  of  abdomen  than  in  var.  ron- 
spersus,  in  which  the  transition  is  very 
gradual.  The  latter  has  the  seconda- 
ries rufous  with  narrow  isolated  bars 
of  black;  the  former  lias  them  lilaik- 
ish,  hitkntcd  on  lower  webs  with  dark 
rufous.  In  nir.rivnnns  the  feet  are 
very  stout,  and  dark  brown  ;  in  mn- 
.'ipcr.vis  tliey  are  much  weaker,  and 
deej)  black. 

All  sj^ecimens  from  soutli  of  the 
United  States  (inchuling  ( Jiraud's  type 
of  Certhia  alhifrmis)  belong  to  the  re- 
stricted mcKinnnis,  wliile  all  from  the 
United   States   are   of   the   var.   <oiis/irrsi<K 


Ciilherpta  mexitanus. 


TI100L0DYTID.E  — THE  WREXS.  139 

Catherpes  mexicanus,  var.  conspersus,  Ridgway. 

CAiSrOK  WHEN;  WHITE-THBOATEI)  BOCK  WSEN. 

rroijhiilijles  mr.nmintH,  Hkkumann,  .1.  A.  X.  Sc.  2cl  ser.  II,  1853,  113. —  In.  P.  K.  R.  Rt'p. 
X,  18,")9,  41.  —C'as.six,  IlUi.st.  IJinls  Cal.  1,  1854,  17:',  lil.  xxx.  Catherpes  mexicanus, 
Baii;|),  Hii'ils  X.  Am.  1858,  350  (in  imit)  ;  Hev.  Ill  (in  i)ait).  —  Cuol'KU,  Oni.  Cal.  1, 
1870,  (it).     Oallicrpcs  viexiaoiKs  var.  con.ipcrsn.s,  KlDUWAY. 

Sp.  CnAii.  (Xo.  53,425  ^,  m.ar  Fort  Cliuicliill,  X'ovada,  December  7,  18()7;  R.  Ridg- 
way). Above,  brownisli-a.>ihy  on  the  anterior,  and  bright  cinnamoii-rulbii.s  on  the  pos- 
terior hair,  tilt'  two  colors  shading:  in.'ieM.-iibly  together.  The  anterior,  or  grayish  portion 
thickly  s|)rinkl((l  with  nunieroii.s  .small  ciicidar  dot.s  of  white,  each  preceded  by  a  .smaller 
speck  of  du.sky  ;  a  few  of  the.se  dot.s  on  the  rump.  Wings  with  obsolete,  ragged,  narrow, 
isolated  bars  of  dusky,  these  most  sharply  di'fnied  on  the  secondaries.  Tail  clear  rufous, 
crossed  with  about  nine  very  narrow,  thread-like,  .somewhat  zigzag  bars  of  blacTv,  —  these 
about  .02  wide  on  the  middle,  and  .07  on  the  outer  feather.  Beneath,  anterior  third,  pure 
silky-white,  .shading  insensi1)ly  into  .soft  ochraceous  on  the  breast,  this  .soon  darkening  into 
deep  ferruginous,  the  color  of  all  the  posterior  lower  parts ;  the  whole  of  this  ferruginous 
surface,  with  very  obsolete  transverse  spots  of  white,  each  ])reci'ded  by  a  narrower  dusky 
one.  Length,  5.75 ;  extent  of  wings,  7.50  (fre.sh) ;  wing,  2.48;  tail,  2.1.'!;  euhueu,  .83 ; 
tarsus,  .50.  Bill  deep  slate,  paler,  and  with  lilaceous  tinge,  at  base  of  lower  mandible ; 
iris  umber ;  tarsi  and  toes  black  (fresh  color.s). 

Hab.  Centi-al  region  of  North  America,  from  boundary  of  United  States  northward. 
Extends  up  Valley  of  Colorado.     Western  Nevada,  resident ;  Ridgwav. 

The  above  characters  a)i])ly  tn  all  .specimens  of  Catlurpea  from  north  of 
Mexico,  as  substantiated  liy  a  suHicient  series  in  the  collection.  It  is  a 
remarkable  fact  that  this  northern  race  .should  be  so  much  smaller  than  tiie 
Mexican  one,  especitilly  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  a  resident  bird  in  even 
the  most  northern  parts  of  its  ascertained  habitat. 

HA15IT8.  The  geoLfraiiliical  distribution  of  this  race  of  the  Wliite-throatcd 
Wren,  so  far  as  known,  is  confined  to  the  line  of  the  United  States  and 
Mexican  boundtiry,  extending  northward  up  the  Valley  of  the  Colorado,  as 
far  as  Western  Nevada.  Tlie  corresponding  Mexican  race  reaches  some 
distance  southward,  but  has  not  yet  been  detected  beyond  the  limits  of 
Mexico.  The  habits  of  both  nices,  however,  are  (^uite  similar,  as  far  as 
known. 

Dr.  Heermann  first  mot  witli  tliis  Wren  in  the  sjn-ing  of  1851,  on  the 
Cosumnef.  iliver.  In  the  following  year  he  ]):'ocui'ed  three  specimens  on  the 
Calaveras  Kiver.  He  describes  it  as  an  active,  sinightly  bird,  having  a  loud 
and  pleasing  song  that  may  be  heard  a  great  distance,  and  which  it  repeats 
at  short  intervals.  When  found,  it  was  occu|)ied  with  setirching  for  insects, 
between  and  under  the  large  boulders  of  rock  that,  in  some  })ortions  of  the 
river,  are  thrown  together  in  confused  nuusses,  as  if  by  some  terrific  convul- 
sion of  nature. 

Dr.  Kennerly  also  met  with  this  species  in  similar  localities  among  the 
hills  bordering  upon  the  Big  Sandy,  where   the  rocks  are  also  described 


140  XOHTH  AMKKJCA.V  ItlK'DS. 

as  piled  up  thick  and  hi,I,.     Tl.oy  were  .lartin.  Iron,   rock  to  rock  and 
-ejnng  anjong  tl.e  crevices  witl.  ...at  activity,  constantly  ..peatin,  tl^ 

.t^dithcult  to  procure  a  specunen.     He  did  not  observe  this  bird  anywhere 

Their  occurrence  equally  in  such  wild  and  desolate  regions  and  in  .  .e  midst 
of  crowded  c.  .es  ind.cates  that  the  abundance  of  thei^  food  in  either  place 

^^  IHM,  first  observed  they  were  supposed  to  nest  exclusively  in  .leep  and  i„- 
accessjble  crev,ces  of  rocks,  where  they  were  not  likely  to  be  traced.     Mr 
H.  K  Dresser  afterwards  n.et  with  its  nest  and  eggs  in  A\  astern  Texas,  thou-h 
h    g,ves  no  descnpfon  of  either.    He  found  this  species  rather  conunon  n^x 
Km  Antonio,  where  it  ren.a.ned  to  breed.     One  pair  fre,,uented  a  printing- 
o^hc    a     hat  place  an  old  half-ruine,!  building,  where  th'eir  familiar  habits 
made  them  great  favorites  with  the  workmen,  who  informed  hi.u  that  the 
previous  spring  they  had  built  a  nest  and  reared  their  young  in  an  old  wall 
c^e^by^  and  that  they  berime  ve.y  tame.     At  D.  Heennann's  rancho  .I 
he  Medina  he  procured  the  eggs  of  this   bird,  as   well  as  those  of  the 
Louisiana  and  Bewick's  Wren,  by  nailing  up  cigar-boxes,  with  holes  cut  in 
tiont,  wherever  these  birds  were  likely  to  build. 

Mr.  Suniiehrast  describes  its  nesti  as  very  skilfullv  wrought  with  sinders' 
webs,  and  built  m  the  crevices  of  old  walls,  or  in  the  interstices  between  the 
tiles  under  the  roots  of  the  houses.  A  nest  with  four  eggs,  supposed  to  be 
those  of  this  si)ecies,  was  ol)tained  in  Western  Texas  by  Mr  J  H  Clark  •  it 
was  cup-sha,,ed,  not  large,  and  with  only  a  slight  dq.ression.  The  e.-s 
lour  ,n  number,  were  unusually  oblong  and  pointed  for  eggs  .if  this  fa.nllv' 
a.ul  measured  .80  by  ..;(.  of  an  inch,  with  a  crystalline-white  ground,  pro- 
fiisely  covered  with  numerous  an.l  large  blotches  of  a  re.ldish  or  cinnamon 

So  far  as  the  observations  of  Mr.  liidgway  enabled  him  to  notice  this  bird 
he  found  It  much  less  common  than  the  ^./ph,;.  „lsoh;„s,  and  inhabiti,,.: 
on  y  the  most  seclude.1  and  rocky  recesses  of  the  mountains.     Its  common 
noe  o    alarm  is  des,.ribed  as  a  peculiarly  ringing  ,,Jnk.     It  'uas  a  remark- 
.  l.lv  o.ld  and  indescribably  singular  chant,  utterly  unlike  anythin..  el.se  Mr 
l>.<lgway  ever  l.eanl.     This  consisted  of  a  series  of  detached  wl^istles   l,e- 
Minn.ng  ,n  a  high  tine  key,  every  note  clear,  snu,otli.  and  of  equal  leiioth 
each  1,1  succession  being  a  .legree  lower  than  the  ,,receding  one,  and  ,n.i; 
ending  when  the  bottom  of  the  s,.ale  is  reache.l.     The  tone  is  .soft,  ricli 
and^  silvery,  resembling  somewhat   the   whistling  of   the   Cardinal   Gros- 

It  was  often  seen  to  fly  nearly  perpen.licularly  up  the  face  of  a  rocky  wall 
and  was  also  noticed  to  cling  to  the  roof  of  a  cave  with  all  the  facility  of  a 
true  Creeper.       , 

'  Thi.s  icrimrk  iipj.lics  to  tin-  Mcxicni  iiicc 


THOdl.ODYTID.K  —  TIIK  WREN'S. 


141 


(iiMs  THRYOTHORXJS,   Vieill. 

ThriHImni^,  ■\'ii-.ir,i,..T,  Aiialysf,  ISKi,  45.     (Type,  Trnglodyks  arundimitrv.s,  "  Tnujhdjitc 
'''"  /'■"•'••'""■'■,"  Vii;ri,i..  Oils.  Am.  Supt.  II,  1807,  'of>  =  Si/Ma  ludovkiuita,  Lath.) 

Gk\.  Ciiak.  Bill  cniiiinvsscd,  latlicr  .slender;  height  about  one  fourth  the  length  above. 
Culnion  and  .•oniiiiissuie  frenily  cinved  throughout;  gonws  straight;  tip  very  ob.soletelv 
"olehed.  Nostrils  in  the  lov.er  edge  of  anterior 
e.xtrennty  of  the  nasal  groove,  narrowly  elliptical, 
overhung  by  a  .till'  ,seale-like  roof  of  the  thiekened 
membrane  of  the  upper  part  of  the  nasal  groove,  the 
cre.seentic  .-dge  rounded.  The  .septum  of  nost 'ils 
miperforate;  the  posterior  pai^t  of  the  na.snl  oavif 
with  a  short  septum  projecting  into  it  parallel  wit'h 
the  central,  not  iiiTpcndieular  as  in  Microrercnlus. 
W  nigs  and  tail  ab„ut  equal,  the  hitter  moderately 
rounded;  the  first  prinmry  more  than  half  the 
.second,  about  half  the  longest.     Tarsi  rather  short. 

scarcely  exceeding  mi<ldle  toe      .Vnterior  .scntelhe  Thr^othorus  imloHncianu,. 

distinet,  ivst  of  each  si,le  of  tarsi  in  a  .•ontinuous  plate.     Lateral  toes  ecpial. 

_  The  diagno.ses  of  the  X„rth  American  s])ecies  are  as  follows:  — 

Species  and  Varieties. 

CoMMov  rnAUArTFii.s.  U.-ad  above,  and  b,fk,  of  much  the  same  color.  Cris- 
sum  banvd  transversely  ;  rest  „f  un.ler  parts  plain.  Tpper  tail-coverts  an.l  ex- 
posed surface  of  win^s  barred,  [ris  hazel.  Xest  in  holes  or  with  an  arched 
covering.     Eggs  red.ljsh-whife,  spott..,!  with  red  and  i)urple. 

".    Thriiofhnrns. 
T.  ludovicianus.     Tail-feathers  reddish-brown,  barred  with  black.    Greater 
wmg-coverts  spotted  with  whitish. 

Beneath  yell,.w-whitish,  washed  oivasionallv  with  rustv.     Sides  plain 

Bill  from  nostril,  .-I,-,     Length,  (i.t.H).     Hah.    Eastern  Province  Unite.l 

htates    .        ,  ,      ,       .    . 

r.  ,         ,.  ••■...      var.  ;  M  (lortci  a  ii  n  s. 

Beneath   rufous;    lijrhu.r  on   throat   and   alomr   median  line.      Sides 

obsoU.fely  barivd   with  dusky.      Bill    f,,,,,.   „„„,i,_   ,-;c.      Length,  0.25 

J/'ib.    Lower  Rio  Grande.  ......    a..;         ;• 

\ar.  ber  la  udic  ri. 

h.    Tehnnlndiites. 
T.  bewickii.     Tail-H.athens,  ex.rpt  central,  black;  the  expo.sed  surface  and 
tips  only  varied  with  white.     Length,  itjA). 

Above  dark  rufous-brown;  beneath  phimbeou.s-white ;  flanks  tinned 
with  brown.  H,„„p  and  exposed  secondaries  distinctly  ban.led.  l^uills 
and  nnd.lle  tail-feath..rs  browni.sh-black.  Length  from  nostril  .3!)- 
along  gape,  .70.     Hah.    Eastern  I'rovinc  Tnited  States.  var    h  e  w  icic  if 

Above  ashy-brown ;  beneath,  inclu.ling  flanks,  dear  white ;  rump 
a.shy,  and,  like  secondaries,  very  obsoletely  barred.  Quills  and  middle 
tail-feathers  grayish-brown.  I/ah.  Southern  border  of  Cnite.l  States 
into  Mexico       .         .  ,  '         , 

„  ,        .  ■         ■ var.  I  e  II  co<j  a  .i  tvr. 

Colors  intermediate  between  the  two  last.     Bill  longer,  from  nostril 
.50,  from  gape,  .HI.     //«/>.    Pacific  Province  .         .         .        .      x,ir.  up  il  nr  .i  s  . 


142 


XOHTII  AMERICAN  BIKDS. 


HuBOE.vus  THRYOTHORUS,  Vikiu,. 


Thryothorus  ludovicianus,  var.  ludovicianus,  Bonap. 

GREAT  CABOLIKA  WBEN. 

Sylvia   liiilovicidnii.    Lath.    Iml     Oin     II     iron     r.  la       t  .  ^i   t  ,      .... 

\..z.  1,H.M,  J5;  also  ol  BoNArAiMK.  An.n.oN,  an.l  I'u.nck  Max.     Thryothorus  In- 
,^>rn-.u..,    l„s.U.i.    ,83«,   etc.  -  Ba,h„,    ]«..«    N.   Am.   18.^8.   361 /rcv, 
7,.,,/W,,,s-  .n;n..l>...ce„.,  V,k„.u  Oi.s.  A.„.  S.-i.t.  II,  1807.  55.  pi.  cviii.     (Ortainlv 

?    o    'p      '";  '''•''•  ■'"•  ""•  "•     ^'"•."''''""•''•'  ''•'""•"'-■  V.KM.,..  Nouv.  Diet.  XXXIV 
1*19,  jO.     Jhryot/wnisloinsmiia;  Lk.s.sox.  Kov.  Zoiil.  1840   ^yo 
Ad.l,do,ml  ligures:  Auu.  0,„.   I3io..   I,   1831,  pi.  Ixxvii.  _  I.!  '£a.  Am.   II,   1841.  pi. 

Sr.  Ctau.     Exposed  portion  of  tl.o  l.ill  ..hortov  ti.an  the  hoad.     Abov.  n.,l,li.l>-l,mwn 

Ih.oatuliti.l.;  rest  of  „„,lor  parts  pale  yellow-rusty,  .larkest  towar-ls  the  under  tail 
covers  wh,eh  are  eonspienously  l.arred  with  blaek.     Exposed  surface  of  the  wh'sa  d 

(eathe  s  an.l  qu.lls  shown,g  series  of  alternating  whitish  and  dusky  spots     L^s  fle 
colored.     Length,  Cinches;  win-  2.(i0;  tail,  2.45.  i^'.^.s  tlesli- 

IIab.     Eastern  Province  of  L'nit^-d  States,  from  New  York  southward  to  the  Gulf. 

Habits.  The  Great  Carolina  or  Mocking  Wren  is  found  in  all  the  South- 
eas  ern  and  Southern  States  from  Floritla  to  Maryland,  and  from  the  Atlantic 
to  vatisas  an,l  the  \  alley  of  the  IJio  (irande.  It  is  not  common  about  Wash- 
inston,  but  IS  much  more  abundant  in  the  Southern  State...  Occasionally  it 
._  .^  -,_.        -  I'as  been  found  as  far  north  as  Philadelphia, 

and  in  one  or  two  instaaces  near  New  York,' 
where  JMr.  Lawrence  has  twice  seen  it,  and 
where  on  one  occasif)n  it  appeai-ed  to  be  breed- 
ing.    Dr.  Woodhouse  found  it  very  abundant 
througliout  Texas  and  the  Indian  Territory. 
It  is  also  abundant,  and  resident,  in  Southern 
Illinois,  as  far  north  as  latitude  38°  20'  20". 
Tiie  habits  and  movements  of  this  species, 
as   described  by  those  who   have   had  the 
best   oi)portunities   for   observing   it,  corre- 
spond with  those   of  the  whole   family  of 
AVrens.     Its  Hight  is  usually  only  in  short 
distances,  and  is  accompanied  with  short  Hap- 
.,      ,    ,         J     ,  ,  rings  of  the  wings,  and  violent  jerkings  of 

the  body  and  tlie  tad.  The  latter  is  usually  kept  erect.  It  moves  with 
quick  jerks,  and  with  sharp,  raj.id  notes  uttered  as  if  in  anger.  It  is  in  si-dit 
one  tnoment  and  out  the  next,  passes  in  at  one  place  and  out  at  another 


Thrynthorvs  hfwickii. 


TROGLODYTIDyE  —  THE  WRENS.  143 

with  the  rapidity  of  thonj,'ht.  Mr.  Audubon  often  saw  it  sin.u;infT  from  tlie 
roof  of  an  abandoned  liat-l)oat,  near  New  Orleans,  and  when  its  son;,'  was 
ended  it  would  creep  from  one  board  to  the  next,  enter  an  augur-hole  at 
one  ])hice  to  reappear  at  another,  catching  numerous  sjuders  and  other  in- 
sects all  the  while. 

Occasionally  its  movements  are  like  those  of  a  Creeper,  ascending  to  the 
upper  branches  of  trees  of  a  moderate  lieight,  or  climbing  a  grapevine, 
searching  diligently  among  the  leaves  and  in  the  crevices  of  the  bark  for 
insects. 

This  .species  possesses  a  great  variety  and  power  of  song.  It  is  also  said 
to  have  and  to  e.xliibit  renuirkal)le  powers  of  imitation,  with  n  great  variety 
in  its  appropriated  notes  of  other  birds,  giving,  with  modulations,  tlie  hoarse 
rattle  of  the  Kingtislier,  tlie  lively  notes  of  tlie  Tufted  Titmouse,  the  simple 
refrain  of  the  Ground  Kobiii,  with  those  of  the  Grakles,  the  Meadow  Lark, 
the  Bluebird,  and  others.  Like  the  common  Wren,  the  Carolina  generally 
builds  its  nest  in  the  hollow  of  some  tree  or  stump,  or  any  other  convenient 
cavity.  At  other  times  it  constructs  its  own  habitation  without  any  other 
protection  than  the  thick  branches  of  a  vine  or  shrub.  In  these  situations 
they  are  long  and  deei),  and  have  an  artificial  roofing,  often  separate  from  the 
nest  itself.  Tlie  materials  employed  in  their  con.struction  are  hay,  grasses, 
leaves,  feathers,  horse-hair,  and  dry  fibres  of  the  long  Spanish  moss.  They 
are  softly  and  warmly  lined  with  fur,  hair,  and  feathers.  The  nest  is  not 
unfre(iuently  five  or  six  inches  in  depth,  while  the  opening  is  not  large 
enotigh  to  admit  more  than  one  1)ird  at  a  time.  They  sometimes  raise  three 
broods  in  a  season. 

It  breeds  as  far  north  as  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Audubon  having  found  its  nest 
in  a  swamp  in  New  .lersey,  opi)osite  that  city. 

Although  seemingly  studious  of  concealment,  and  shy  and  retiring  in  its 
habits,  Nuttall  frequently  observed  it  in  Tuscaloosa  and  other  large  towns 
in  Alabama,  appearing  on  the  tops  of  barns  and  out-houses,  singing  with 
great  energy. 

Dr.  Coofier,  who  enjoyed  a  favorable  opportunity  of  watching  these  birds 
in  Florida,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1859,  found  a  nest  of  this  Wren  in 
the  middle  of  March.  It  was  built  in  a  small  box  on  a  shelf  in  a  mill,  and 
was  about  four  feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  arched  over  at  the  top,  though 
this  was  not  necessary  to  shelter  it.  This  covering  was  formed  of  shavings, 
with  a  few  small  sticks  and  straws.  Four  eggs  were  laid.  The  birds  were 
very  tame,  and  were  not  alarmed  by  the  loud  noise  of  the  mill,  nor  by  a  cat 
almost  always  present.  Another  nest  found  by  Dr.  Cooper  was  built  in  a 
small  hole  in  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  not  more  than  six  inches  from  the  ground. 
This  nest  was  not  arched  over.  Its  close  proximity  to  a  dwelling-house 
alone  protected  it  from  wild  animals. 

The  eggs  of  this  Wren  are  usually  six  or  seven  in  number,  and  vary  in  size 
and  shape.     They  are  for  the  most  part  of  a  spheroidal-oval  shape,  though 


144 


xNOKTlI  AM1-;U1CA.\  JUHD8. 


.son.e  are  ,nore  oblon^^  than  otl.ors.     Their  lo,,,4h  x  aries  (rn,..  .To  t<.  70  of  an 

u  m      T  ''  """"i:^'  "''■'  '"''^■'""^  "f  I'"'I'^<^'  «l"te,  reddish-brown. 

a  id  nt  ./       r  ^'""r^""'^  l'-"^'  -1"'%  ^'i"u-J.  "»ul  are  not  n.ore 
abunUant  at  the  larger  end  than  elsewhere. 


Thryothorus  ludovicianus,  Nar  berlandieri,  (ouch. 

BEBLANOIEB'S  WBEN. 

Sp.  r.iAH.     Kxposcl  portion  „n,ill  ,u.,iHv  as  Ion-  us  tlio  l,..n.l      Ah„v     i    i 
brown,  n.ost  vivi.l  on  the  nnn,,.     A  ^y\Msh  .fv.k  m-   ■    1,  .      .       ,'     T     '■"''•^'" 

IIah.     A'alli'v  of  J{io  Grande.  ■"    >      >        , -•- 

Tl)e  distinctive  features  of  this  race  will  be  found  indicated  on  pac^e  141 
T  us    orm  bears  to  the  T.  Indovirian,.  about  the  same  relation  thK,  1: 

ti^fZ  '''T'  '""  ;"  "■ ''''''"'  '  ""^  ^^  ''"'-^'^^  *«  ^«  considered;  r 
ened  bill  and  deej-er  color  belong  to  the  Kio  Grande.  It  has  not  yet  been 
met  with  north  of  the  Eio  (Grande,  but  doubtless  extends  into  Texas  Not" 
mg  IS  known  of  its  habits. 


StrnoExu.s 


THRYOMANES,    Soiat. 


'''"'■""' ''  ^'•'■"™"'  ^'^^''l-  A-"-  ^i-'J^.  1««1.  ^1-     (Type  rrooloU,lesl,,cicm.) 


Thryothorus  bewirkii. 


There  aie  three  strongly  marked  geograi^hi- 
cal  \arieties  of  "  Bewick's  Wien,"  separable 
by  quite  constant  cliaracters.  Of  these  the 
Afcxican  {lairof/askr)  and  the  typical  form 
from  eastern  North  America  {hcwld-ii)  difier 
niost  in  coloration,  wiiile  the  western  {hiuIii- 
ri(s)  is  intermediate  in  this  resi)ect,  but  witli 
a  longer  bill  than  in  tlie  otlier  two.  Tjiu  ])e- 
culiarities  of  tlie  three  forms  are  exjiressed 
on  page  141. 


TUOGLODYTIU.K  —  THE  WUENd.  145 

Thryothorus  bewickii,  vm.  bewickii,  Uonap. 

BEWICK'S  WBEV;  LOKO-TAILEO  HOUSE  WHEN. 

Trn(jtoihi/r.t  hciric/.ii,  Aril.  Oni.  IHoj,'.  I,  l.s;!l,  '."li,  1>1.  xviii.  —  111.  lliid.s  Am.  II,  1841,  120, 
pi.  rxviii.  riii-itiilhiiriin  hviriekii,  Wfsw.  List,  18;{8.  —  Haiisd,  IJirils  N.  Am.  1858, 
363.  Tfhiiiildiliilis  l,i:irick-ii,  ('All.  Mus.  Hfiii.  I,  ISfiO,  78.  Thrijolhortis  bewickii,  viir. 
harii-lii,  It.MiMi,  licv.  Am.   15.  IStJJ,  12ti. 

Sr'.  CiiAii.  Aliovc  (l:uk  riilims-lpiowii ;  niiiii)  miil  iiiiililU^  luil-Conthers  soinctiiiio.s  a  littlo 
liuli-r,  anil  very  .>ili<rlitly  liiiircd  witli  jri-ay,  and  toffi'tlici'  with  llio  cxpiwed  surface  of  soo 
ciiidai-ii',<  dislinclly  liani'd  wilii  dusky.  HiMiciitli  .soiled  ))hnnlpi'oii.s-\vliitisli ;  llank.s  limwn. 
Crissuni  l.andod;  ^'lound-color  nf  (mills  and  tail-fcatlicis  lirownisli-black.  Lungtli,  ").")(): 
winjr,  2.2'):  tail.  2.50.     LciiKtli  lioin  nostril,  3i>;  alon;.'  gape,  7(». 

IIau.     Eastorn  Province  of  I'nitcd  States. 

Habits.  This  interest iii"-  si)iHit's  of  Wren  was  first  iiiot  with  by  Aiuhibou 
in  l^niisiiuiii.  A  uunilier  of  imliviihuils  were  observed  at  the  time,  but  noth- 
inji;  of  its  history  wtis  i<iiowu  for  sevenil  years  iifterwanl.  In  shape,  color, 
and  liabits  it  most  resembled  the  t.'arolinii  Wren,  but  was  less  rapid  in  move- 
ment, and  not  so  lively.  Fourteen  years  later  l)r.  Baclinian  ii^ain  met  witli 
birds  of  this  speeii's,  in  l.S;!.'.,  tit  the  Salt  Sul])hur  Sjirings  of  Mryinia.  Tiiey 
comi)rised  a  family  of  two  jitirents  and  ti^■  i  young,  nearly  full  grown.  Their 
notes  were  like  tho.se  of  the  Winter  Wren,  neither  louder  nor  more  connected. 
They  seemed  of  restless  htiliit,  eree])ing  actively  among  fences,  stumps,  and 
logs.  One  a.scendeil  an  niik,  netirly  to  the  toj),  in  the  manner  of  a  Creeper. 
This  species  proved  to  be  i|uite  common  in  that  loctdity,  and  to  be  the 
only  Wren  alauidant  timoiig  the  mountains.  Dr.  (Jibl)s  detected  it  noar 
Columbia,  S.  (A,  and  Dr.  Trudeau  afterwards  found  it  quice  common  in 
Louisiana. 

It  was  first  observed  breeding  by  I'rofessor  Baird  in  ('arlisle,  Penn., 
in  1844.  In  all  respects  the  nests  and  their  location  corresponded  with 
these  of  the  common  Wren.  I»r.  Woodhouse  found  it  very  abundant  in  the 
Indian  Territory,  tind  describes  its  habits  tis  similar  to  tliose  of  other  Wrens. 
Lieutenant  (Joucli  observed  tiiis  Wren  at  Santa  Itosalio  in  Mexico,  early  in 
March.  It  was  .seeking  its  food  among  the  low  jjrickly- pears.  He  was 
informed  that  they  dejjosited  their  eggs  wherever  they  could  do  .so  without 
making  much  of  a  nest,  inside  the  cal)ins  under  tlie  rafters,  but  in  New 
Leon  he  found  one  of  its  nests  (juite  elaborately  constructed  in  a  tliatclied 
roof.  He  descril)es  the  song  as  tpiite  varied,  and  one  of  the  sweetest  tiiat 
he  heard   in  that  country. 

The  late  Dr.  (ierliardt  of  Viirnell's  Station,  Ga.,  met  with  this  species 
among  the  mountainous  i)ortions  of  Northern  Georgia,  where  it  generally 
nested  in  holes  in  stumps.  In  one  instance  the  nest  was  constructed  five 
inches  in  lengtii,  and  lour  in  diameter,  with  a  cavity  two  inches  in  depth,  and 
the  walls  of  great  pro])ortioniite  tliickness,  nuule  externally  of  coars<,  roots, 
19 


]46  NORTH  AMKUICAX  lilRDS. 

finer  on  the  iuHidc,  and  lined  willi  varidtis  kinds  of  aniniul  I'ur -and  willi 
leathers,  liolli  birds  \vori\ed  to^etlier  in  eonslrni'tiny  tiieir  nest,  hej^innin^' 
on  the  lltii  of  Ajiril,  and  on  the  L'Ttli  of  the  same  niontii  this  contained 
seven  e,i,',us.  The  nest  was  not  covered  a'  the  to]),  in  the  manner  of  the 
(^irolimi  Wren.  In  the  foHowinj^  season  anotiier  jiair  commenced  hnildin^' 
their  nest  in  liis  lied,  in  a  lo,L;-li(aise.  Driven  from  tiiese  impossilih'  (Hiarters, 
tiu'V  tried  liie  same  e\|)eriment  in  vaiiiuis  oliiei'  parts  of  the  luaise,  Imt  only 
to  aliandon  it,  and  at  last  linished  hy  makiny  a  suecessfid  attemiit  in  the 
hay-loft.  'I'heir  visits  to  that  |iortion  of  (Ji'orjfia,  he  informed  me,  were 
irrejj,iilar  ami  only  oeeasional.  In  ISo',)  he  had  not  met  with  any  birds  of 
this  species  for  the  s]iace  of  live  years. 

The  e^ys  measure  .(17  by  .")(>  of  an  inch  in  their  average  )iri|iortions, 
resemblin.u  somewhat  those  of  the  Carolina  Wren,  init  havin.i;'  a  lighter 
"ground,  with  fewer  and  liner  markin,L;s  of  slate-  and  reddish-brown.  The 
},n'ountl-C(dor  is  of  a  iiinkish-white. 

Mr.  A.  iioucard  obtained  specimens  ol'  tiiese  birds  in  the  winter  monlhs, 
in  the  State  of  (laxaca,  Mi'xico,  pi'olialily  of  tiie  var.  /incoi/Ks/ir. 

AVe  learn  from  Mr.  llid;;\\ay  that  in  S(aithern  Illinois  (as  fur  north  as  lati- 
tude 'M"  20'  20")  this  Wren  is  very  abundant,  and  the  most  familiar  s]ii\cies 
of  the  family.  In  certain  localities  (as  in  the  Valh-y  nf  the  Wabash)  it 
entirely  icplaces  the  '/'riK/Zdi/i/fcs  inlmi,  the  latti'r  iicin^  wholly  uid<no\\n.  In 
its  habits  it  is  even  more  familiar  than  that  s|)ecies,  always  preferriii,i^ 
tlie  out-bnildin.us,  e\en  in  lai'i^e  towns,  to  the  neighliorhooil  of  tla^  woods, 
and  still  further  inci'eases  its  atlractidiis  by  posscssin,i;'  a  charming  son;.;', 
ii  real  soikj,  of  sweet  notes  linely  modulated,  and  uttered,  generally,  as 
the  liird  |pcrch("^  pon  a  fence  or  tiie  sialilc  rooj',  its  head  tbrnwn  iiack, 
and  its  long  tai.  pendent  as  it  sings.  The  cunfused,  gai)bling  sputter  of 
7'.  iii/iiii,  uttered  as  it  |ianses  Just  for  an  instant  in  its  restless  lio]iping 
through  the  ivy.  cannot  iie  compared  tn  the  chant  of  liipiid  musical  notes 
of  this  species,  wliicii  rescndilcs  moi'e  nearly,  both  in  modulation  and  power, 
that  of  the  Son,g  S|)arro\\  \  Mi/hs/h'-.k  mi/di/iif],  lhou,gli  far  superior  to  it. 
On  ordinary  occasions  the  note  of  iJcwick's  Wren  is  a  soft,  low  /<///,  uttered 
as  the  bird  hops  alioiit  the  fence  or  stable,  its  long  tail  carried  ujiright,  and 
Jcikcd  to  one  side  at  each  Imp.  In  ils  moNcnu'Uts  it  is  aitdgcther  mure  _ 
deliberate  and  less  restless  than  the  7'.  /ii(/iiri('-'/ii's,  >■  7'riii//iii/i//i.'<  tnlon, 
neither  of  which  it  nmch  resembles  in  motion,  a. id  si  less  in  notes.  The 
nest  of  this  Wren  is  usually  buil'  about  the  oul-liouses,  ^  mortisi^-hole  or 
siaue  wcll-cnucealiMl  corner  being  gcnerallv  selected.  ( tld  stables  and  ash- 
hoppers  ai'c  especially  frcipienlcd  ;>s  ncsting-]il:a('>.  .Mr.  IJidgway  louud  one 
in  the  bottiim  of  the  conical  pmiinn  of  a  (piail-ni't  v>hicli  was  hung  up  in  a 
shed,  and  aunlliei'  in  a  pi'ce  cif  stn\('-pipe  which  !ay  horizontally  in  the  gar- 
ret ol  a  smokc-hiiuse  ;  another  ii'sleil  upon  a  Hat  Imard  over  tiie  do(ir  of  an 
out-hinise,  while  a  fnmili  was  jilaced  behind  the  wcatiiei-linarding  of  a  build- 
ing,    'i'lu-  nest  is  generally  very  bulky,  though  the  lailk  is  regulated  to  suit 


Tli()(il,()l)VTII).F,  — TIIK  WIMON'S.  147 

tlin  size  of  tlin  (^avity  in  wiii'li  tlic,  iiost  is  jilaccd.  Its  materials  am  usually 
sticks,  straws,  cdarse  i'catlicis,  tine  cliiiJS,  (itc..,  cxtciioily  iasteueil  toi^etlier 
with  masses  of  spiiler's-welis,  tiie  lining  being  of  liner  antl  more  downy  mate- 
rials, generally  soft  spider's- wei IS,  tow,  and  especially  the  downy  featluu's  of 
liarnvard  fowls. 


Thryothorus  bewickii,  vm.  leucogaster,  (Jm  fd 

Tivijhiiljilis  /tiiriKjdsIrd,  (liiri.ii,  I'.  Z.  S.  l,s;!(),  iS!t  ('I'iiiniiuliinis).  I!(in.  Xod's  rti'liittrc, 
185.1,  41!.  '  Tlii'ihilhth-ii^  lii-irhl.li.  Sri.AiKi;,  1'.  /,.  S.  lf<."iil,  :i7'J  (Oaxafii).  Tlirjinlliiii-nx 
hrii-iikil    var.  Inn-iKjii.sli  i\  li.Miiii,  Ifcv.  Am.  I>.  I'JT. 

Si'.  Cii.ui.  .Miovc  asliy-lini«ii  ;  niiii|i  and  iiiiilillr  lail-liMllicrs  l)ri>\vnisli-ii>li.  Ilic  liir- 
liicr  iicai'ly  pure  asli  ;  witlicnil  a|i|i;ci'ialili'  liais;  liais  mi  srcmiilarii'S  olisolctc.  liciicalli, 
ini-liiiliii,^'  iiisiilr  <il'  wiii'j.  iiiirc  wliilc,  willi  lilih'  m-  iin  lnow  iii.^li  im  tlii'  .^iiiK's.  (."i-is-^iiiii 
liainlcil;   i;-roiiiiil-i-nli)r  oI'iIk'  (|iiills  ami  l.-Ml-lralliris  L'layisli-liruwii.     Size  nl'  var.  hcirirl,/' 

il.Vl!.    Siiiillirni  lidlilrrs  ol'   I'liilc'd  Slalrs,  iiilii  Mo.Mcd. 

lI.viilTs,  Xothing  is  on  record  of  tlic  lialiit.s  of  this  variety  iis  distin- 
guished from  var.  hi  irirhii. 


Thryothorus  bewickii,  mh    spilurus,  \'i(;ni!s 

Tniii/iii/j/fi'n  .i/iiliin(.s,  Vliaili.-^,  Zoiil.  lici'r'hcy'.s  Viiya.i;i',  l"^;'.'.'.  Is,  |i|.  iv,  tij,'.  1  (< 'alil'oriiiaV 
7'liri/iiHiiini.^  siii'l:ini-i.  ( 'nciPKl!,  Oni.  Ciil.  I,  ISTa,  li'.'.  7'rnii/,iiliili:s  ln-iriiiii,  \i;\viii:iii;v, 
r.  !!.  I!,  lii'iit.  VI,  IV,  l.s.',7,  sil.  ('(Min;i;  ,>^  ,Sr,  ki  i.y,  ;i,.  Ml,  n.  tsiio,  mil.  T/nif- 
iitliiirim  hiifitkii,  S(i..\ri:ii,  <'alal.  IMil,  -J-J,  im.  Ml  ^iii  pail).  ThrHijlJujrnxhtiriiKii, 
viir.  sj:ihirii.i,  ll.vilil),  li'cv.  Tiii. 

Sp.  Cm.M!.     Similar  in  hiii-it-Lii  in  cnlnr,  the  hill  cdii.-^iili'i'.'ilily  loii^rci'.     I,i'iijj;tli  froni  nos- 
tril, .5(1,  fiapc,  .Si,  iii.^lr.iil  ol'  .:;!)  ami  .7n. 
II.M).      Tai-ilic  slope  ol'  I'liiiiMl  Slate.-:. 

Young  liirds  from  all  the  localities  dilli-r  from  adults  merely  in  having  the 
featliers  oi'  thi;  throat  and  hrcast  very  iiarrowly  and  inconspicuously  edged 
witii  lilackisii. 

II.Mili'.s.  This  variety  of  I'.cwick's  \Vrc;i  is  exclusively  an  inhahitaiit  of 
the.  Western  coast.  According  to  I  >r.  ('oo|icr,  they  aliouud  throughout  tlie 
wooded  parts  of  California  iind  northward,  IVcinunling  tlie  densest,  forests 
as  well  as  the  open  groves.  I  hiring  the  winter  they  were  found  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  hirt  Mojiivcinit  left  in  .\pril.  prnluiiily  for  the  mouninini.  Tiiey  also 
winter  liiroiighout  the  mild  regions  towiinls  the  coast  as  far  north  as  I'nget 
Sound.  Tliey  are  known  as  Mocking-Wrens.  tiiougii  Dr.  Cooper  thinks  they 
do  not  rcidly  imitate  other  hirds,  hut  ratlier  have  a  grciit  variety  of  tlicir  own 
notes,  some  of  which  lescmiile  thosi'  of  other  liirds  and  are  well  calculated 
to  deeeivt)  one  unaccustomed  to  llicm.  lie  was  often  led  to  seai'cli  in  vain 
for  .some  new  form,  which  he  thought  he  heard  singing,  onlv  to  tind  it  to  he 


148  Noirnr  ameimcan  miips. 

a  bird  ol-  tl.is  species.  X.ar  San  Die-o,  in  A,)ril,  IHiVI,  ho  discovered  one 
ot  Its  nests  built  in  a  Ionv  busl.,  only  throe  leet  fn.ni  the  ground  It  was 
quite  open  above,  formed  of  twigs,  grass,  etc.,  an<l  contained  five  e-.-s  just 
ready  to  hatcli,  described  as  white  with  brown  specks  near  the  larger  end 

Messrs.  Vittall  and  Town.sen.l  observed  these  birds  in  the  marshviuea.lows 
ot  the  Walilaniet.  accompanied  by  their  young,  as  i,arly  as  Mav.  They  s.-emed 
to  have  all  the  habits  ..f  Marsh  Wrens.  Drs.  ( tand^el  and  'Heern.ann,  who 
observed  them  in  California,  describe  them  as  keei.ing  in  h,w  bushes  and 
piles  ot  brush,  as  well  as  about  old  dead  trees  and  h.gs,  over  and  around 
vyhich  they  were  Hitting  with  the  greatest  activity,  uttering,  wlien  ai.j.roache.i 
tlie  usual  grating  scold  of  the  Wrens. 

In  Washington  Territory  1  )r.  Cooper  states  (hat  this  an.l  the  Winter  Wren 
are  among  the  few  birds  that  enliNcii  the  long  rainy  season  with  their  .son-.s 
which  were  as  constantly  lieard  in  the  .lullest  w.-ather  as  in  the  sunnv  sprii^-' 
llie  young  broods  make  their  first  appearance  there  in  .Tunc.  Dr  'su,.kk"v 
louiid  this  s,,e.Mes  very  abundant  at  I'uget  Sound,  where  it  is  a  ..onstaiit 
resident  through.uit  the  year.  On  sunny  days  in  Januarv  mid  in  February 
it  was  found  among  low  thickets  in  con.paiiy  with  the  smaller  species  At 
this  season  they  were  v  cry  tame,  allowing  a  person  to  approach  them  without 
a].parent  fear.  He  sj.eaks  of  the  voice  of  the  male  as  being  harsh  and  lo.ul 
during  tiie  breeding-sea.son,  a-.d  not  unlike  that  of  the  common  House  Wren 


(JriNTs  TROGLODYTES,   \'ikmx. 

Tvo!,lo.h>les,  VlI-.o.Lor.  (.is.  A,„.  S.  |,t.  ||,  ],m,7,  .VJ.      (Tyi...,   Tr„„M,>frs  „;/„„.) 

The  diaracters  of  this  genus  are  suthciently  iu.h-cated  in  the  .synoi.sis  vn 
l>agv  LSI.  They  come  very  closa  to  tliose  of  nn/„f/,on>s,  the  nostrils  e.s- 
jK'ciall^v-  being  linear  and  ox..,l,„„g  l.y  a  .scale.  In  this  respect  both  differ 
fmin  lln-nophih,,  „f  Middle  America.  The  bill  is  .shorter  or  not  lom^er  than 
the  head  ;  straight,  .slender,  and  without  notch.  The  tail  is  graduated  and 
shorter  than  th.'  m.ich  rounded  wings,  the  featlu-rs  narrow.  The  light  super- 
ciliary line  of  Thniutlwrus  is  almost  entirely  wanting. 

Species  and  Varieties, 

,i.  -i       ,     .         ,  "•  Tiiiiiliiilijlfs. 

liill  .'111(1  winu'.-;  nlioiil  criiiiil. 

T.BBdon.     UoiR.atI,  -n,yisl,-«l,il,..     Cis. ,,„,1  ll„nl<s    .lislinrllv   l,„riv,l. 

\   inK-<'"V,.H.s  ..|,ott..,l  with  wl,iti..l,.     I.,„.k  l„.,s  of  „ni  alu mif  tlu-  «i,l,!. 

"I   lllcir  lllU'IS|lilrcs. 

I'H'sl  priMiMi-y  n-urly  l,.ir  ti,..  l,.„.nsl.     r„l.,r  ahov,.  ,|,„-k-l.r..wn.  niCous 
t™is„.i|.      „„,,.    J^a.,..,.,,  |-n,v ,.|„,...,lS„.„.s      .  .  .      vnr.  „.,/„„. 

Ui.iirs,,,,,!,,,-.     Al,„ve|ml..rl,n,w„.     //„/,,    1v,,.|..,m  M..Ni,.,.,  In,,,,    Hi,, 
Uliiiiiic  si,iilliwiiii| 

I'Msl   pninaiT  |,„ir  ,|„.  .,„.o,„|.     a1,„v..  ,,a'l.,-  I,',„w„'.      //„/,     \l2\C^  ' " '' "  ' ' 
"n.l\\..sU.n,|>,„vi,„...|-„iu.,ISu,l..s   .         .         ,         ,  vn,../wM-/-,„,MMM. 


TR()(iLODYTI  D.l':  -  THE  WRENS. 


149 


val'.  (I  I II X  <'  ('  ti  ■"' '  >■' . 


/(.  Aiiiirllinrii. 

Tiiil  very  sli.n't  :  diily  iilioiil  two  tliinls  tlio  wing. 
T.  hyemalis. 
.(.  Size   i,\'  iiiinn   ,.x,.,.|,i    foi-  shortci-  tail,  winjr    iilionl    2.(10;     rulliieii    very 

sliaiMht.      //'(/).    Alculiaii  Islauils 

/'.   Much  .siiialliM-  tluiii  (itdiiii,  wing  alionl  1.7i"). 

Pal(!  ifddisli-lirown  ;  dusky  bars  ol'  upper  parts  with  whitish  spots  or  in- 
terspaces,    lldh.    Eastern  Province  United  States  ;  Cordova  r      var.  Ii  //  <<  m  n  I i ." . 

Dark   ruliiMs  aljove   and  helow;    upper  parl.s  with  low  or  almost  no 
whitisii  spots.     Hub.    I'aeilie  Province  North  America.  var.  jiu  r  i/i c  n  s . 


Troglodytes  BBdon,  Vii:im-. 

HOUSE  WBEN;  WOOD  WBEN. 

Tniii/di/iitrs  ,nl„„,  Vir.ii.i..  (Us.  Aui.  Sept.  II,  1S(I7,  iri,  pi.  evil.  —  lii.  Nmiv.  Piet.  XX.XIV, 
IM'.i,  .">(i(i.  I'.AiLii,  I'.inis  N.  Aiu.  IS.".^,  MH  ;  li''V.  KW.  ~  Sc  i,.vri;i!,  Catal.  ISOl,  -J-J, 
nil.  Ur..  Mavx.vim),  H.  K.  .\hiss.  llijlniiiilhivas  wihm,  (ali.  .lour.  IStiO,  4(»7.  Syhi" 
tloiiKsliai,  \V,i.soN,  Am.  Oni.  1,  ISOH,  12it,  pi.  vii.  Triiiili,di//,s  Jniviin,  NlTT.  Man. 
I,  is;t2,  i-l-l.  f  Tr^'ului/ii/rsdmi-rkiiiiiin,  Arii.  (Ini.  Bioj,'.  II,  18:J4,  ■liV.i  ;  V,  ISyi),  -Iti'.t, 
111.  ilxxix.  111.  llirds  Am.  II,  1841,  l'i3,  pi.  cxix.  —  H.uitn,  birds  N.  Am.  IhaS,  3(iS  ; 
l!iv.  1,  1  11. 

Other  lignrcs  ;  Ai  n.  (hii.  liiog.  1,  l.s:il.  pi.  Ixxxiii.  -   In.  Bird.s  Am.  II,  1841,  jil.  cxx. 

Si'.  ('u..,i.  Tail  and  wings  about  e(pial.  Mill  shorter  than  the  head.  Above  reddi.sh- 
brown.  darker  towards  the  head,  brighter  on  the  rump.  The  leathers  everywhere,  except, 
on  tlie  head  and  neck,  baried  with  dusky  ;  obscurely  .so  on  the  back,  and  still  less  on  the 
rump.     All  the  tail-ti^alliers  barreil  Inim  the  base:  the  conlrast,  mori!  vivid  on  the  exterior 

one.     li( alb  jiale  luh ons-while,  tinged  with  light  biownish  rcross  the  breast;   the  po.s- 

terior  parls  rallicr  dark  brown,  obscurely  banded,  rnder  lail-i'overts  whitish,  with  dii.skv 
bars.  \n  iiidi-^lincl  lii:-  over  (he  eye,  eyeliiis,  and  loral  region,  whiti.sh.  Cheeks  brown, 
streaked  with  whitish.      Lenglh,  l.!M) ;   wing,  'J.(»S:   tail.  li.dO. 

H.Mi.     Eastern  Province  ol'  ilie  Tniled  Statc>.  iVom  .Vtlanlic  to  the  .Missouri  Uiver. 


Ill  till'  h'ovit'w  di'  Aii.t'iieiui  liinis  (\k  I :'>!»),  I  Iitivo  establislicd  a 
(i::()rii>!,  to  umlifiicc.  siii'L'iiiii'tis  I'l'niii  ^Icxico  pulci'  llniii  (li/aii,  tiiul 
bniwiiisli  tiiioo  on  Uic  brciist,  iuid  smaller  si/c. 

TliL'Ui  cau  seai'ct'ly  he  iiiiy  tlmiht  that  tlio  7'.  mnirlfiniKs  ol'  And 
iKttliiiio;  more  tliaii  this  s|i(rifs  in  daiU.  acfideiitally  .stiiled  pluiiui; 
charcnal  of  lainil  tices,  etc.). 

H.vlilTs.  Till'  ciiiuiiKiii  House  Wren  is  i'ouiid 
Lliruuoiiuut  ilie  I'liited  Slates,  iVoiii  llie  Atlaiitie 
to  tiie  lioeky  Mouiilaiiis,  tlinttoli  it  is  iml  eveiy- 
wliere  e([iially  aliiiiidaiit  Tims,  wliile  in  some 
l)arls  III'  .Massaelui.setts  it  ocetirs  in  eonsiilei- 
alile  immliers  every  year,  in  oilier  port  ions  iml 
twenty  niiles  distant  it  is  never  seen.  West  id' 
till!  Iioeky  Motinlains  it  is  rt'iilaeed  l.y  I'ark- 
iiian's   vV'ren,  wliieli  is  nitlier  a  raee  than  a  dis- 


variety, 
with  ii 

nlioii   is 
;e  (I'm 111 


7V..«/.../i/(, 


150 


NORTH  AMERICAN  RnU)S. 


Troi^tniliitrs  rl''lnn. 


tiiR't  species,  the  flillen-iices  in  plmiiiige  heiiii^'  very  slijilit,  iiiid  in  lialiits, 
nest,  iinil  e,L;^s  ii<it  iipiirecialile,  tliiiii<;li  Dr.  <  ooju'r  tliiiiks  there  is  u  diller- 
enco  ill  their  soii^.  Another  nice  or  ii  closi'ly  allied  species,  T.  if~liri(K,  is 
t'oiiiid  in  Mexico,  near  tiie  Ixtrders  of  the  United  States,  hut  does  not  have 
fill  extended  ran^e.     It  is  round  in  the  winter  in  (liiateinala. 

This  species  does  not  apjiear  to  lie  i'ouiid  lieyond  the  southwestern  jiortion 
of  Maine  and  the  southern  portions  of  New  Hampshire  and  \'ernioiit.  It 
iiiakes  its  first  apjiearance  in  Washinjiton  early  in  A])ril,  and  for  a  while  is 

very  altiindant,  visiting  very  fainiliar- 
iy  the  jiiil'lic  yroiinds  of  the  capitol, 
private  <>ardeii8,  out-lmildings,  and  the 
eaves  of  dwellin.ns.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear in  the  New  JMiylaiid  States  until 
after  thi'  first  \\'eck  in  ^Fay,  and  leaves 
for  the  South  ahout  the  last  of  Sep- 
teiiilier.  It  is  not  observed  in  any 
portion  of  the  I'liited  Slates  after  the 
first  of  Xoveniber. 

The  hollows  of  decayiiif^  trees,  crev- 
ices in  rocks,  or  the  centre  of  meshes 
of  interlacinj,'  vines,  are  their  natural 
resorts.  These  they  readily  relin()uish 
for  the  facilities  ofl'ereil  in  the  .stM'iety 
of  man.  They  are  liold,  sociable,  contidiiij;  birds,  and  will  enter  into  the 
closest  relations  with  tlio.se  who  cultivate  their  aci|uaiiitance,  biiildiiiji 
their  nests  from  ]irefereiice  under  the  eaves  of  houses,  in  corners  of  the 
wood-shed,  a  clothes-line  liox,  olive-jars,  martin-lioxes,  open  ji'oiirds,  an 
old  hat,  thi^  skull  of  an  ox  placed  on  a  pole,  the  )iocket  of  a  <'ariia,uc, 
or  even  the  sleeve  of  an  old  coat  left  hanging-  in  an  oiit-buildint,'.  in  the 
spriiif;  of  IH.").""!  a  pair  of  these  Wrens  nested  within  the  house  and  over 
the  dooi'  of  tlic  room  of  the  late  llohert  !\ennic<itt,  where  they  raised 
their  liroods  in  .safety.  They  iaiilt  a  second  nest  on  a  shelf  in  the  .same 
room,  which  they  entered  throiiLili  a  knot-hole  in  the  iinceiled  wall.  At 
first  shy,  tiicy  soon  became  (|uite  tame,  and  did  not  regard  the  presence 
of  members  of  tht!  family.  Tlu'  male  bird  was  more  siiy  than  his  mate, 
and  though  ci|iially  indiwtrious  in  collecting  insects  would  rarely  iuiiig 
tliein    nearer  tliaii   the    knot-hole,   where   the   female    would   receive   them. 

The  female  ^ith   her  br I  was  destroyed  l)y  a  cat,  but  this  did  not  deter 

the  male  bird  from  appearing  the  following  season  wiili  another  male  ami 
building  llieir  nest  in  tlie  same  place.  Aiiolher  insiance  of  a  singular  selec- 
tion of  a  breeding-place  has  been  given  iiy  the  .same  authority.  Dr.  Keiini- 
cott,  the  father  of  ilobeit,  a  c(aintry  physician,  drove  an  old  twip-wheeh'd 
o]ien  gig,  in  the  baik  of  which  was  a  box,  a  foot  in  length  liv  three  inches 
in  width,  open  at  the  lop.      In  this  a  jiair  of  Wrens  insi-  ted,  limi'  alter  time, 


Tl!()(il,()I»VTll).K- TlIK  WUKNS.  l."»l 

in  l)iiil(liii,i;  tlu'ir  nest.  T1i(H1l;1i  removed  ciK'h  tiiue  tiie  vcliicle  was  ii.sed,  the 
pair  I'ur  ii  luiii;  wliih;  pursisted  in  tlieir  Hlleiiiiils  lo  make  nse  nl'  tliis  place,  at 
last  oven  depositin>f  tlieir  e<j;<>'.s  on  the  hare  liottom  of  the  l)ox.  It  was  two 
or  three  weeks  hefore  they  (iiially  desisted  I'rum  their  vain  attempts. 

Sometimes  tiiis  hird  will  build  a  nest  in  a  lar^e  cavity,  Iioldinj,'  ])erhai)s  a 
Itnshel.  Uet'ore  the  euj)  of  the  nest  is  completed,  the  birds  will  generally 
endeavor  lo  lill  tiie  entire  sjiace  with  sticks  and  vari(ais  other  convenient 
substances.  Where  tiie  entiancis  is  niMiecd.ssarily  large  they  will  generally 
contract  it  by  building  abiait  it  a  barricade  oi'  sticks,  leaving  only  a  small 
entrance,  in  the  midst  ol'  tiiese  ma.sses  ol'  material  they  construct  a  eom- 
piict,  cui)-slia]ied,  inner  nest,  lieniis|)lierical  in  sliape,  composed  of  tiner  ma- 
terials and  warndy  lined  with  the  Inr  of  >u\n]\  (piadru])e(ls,  and  witii  soft 
feathers.  If  tiie  eggs  are  taken  as  the  female  is  dejiositing  tlieni,  slie  will 
continue  to  lay  <|uite  a,  long  while.  In  one  instance  eighteen  were  taken, 
after  wliieh  tiie,  liirds  were  let  alone  and  raised  a  brood  of  seven. 

During  the  months  of  May  ami  dune  the  male  is  a  constant  and  remark- 
able singer.  His  song  is  Imid,  clear,  and  shrill,  given  with  great  animation 
and  vajiidity,  tlie  iierformer  evincing  great  jeahiusy  of  any  interruiition,  often 
leaving  off  aliruptly  in  the  midst  of  liis  song  to  literally  "  ])itcli  in"  u]ion 
any  rival  who  niay  presunu!  to  c<impete  witli  him. 

If  a  cat  or  any  unwelcome  visitor  apiiroiich  the  nest,  angry  vociferations 
suceeed  to  his  spriglilly  song,  and  he  will  swoop  in  raiiid  Higiits  across  the 
head  or  back  of  the  intruder,  even  at  the  apparent  risk  of  his  life. 

Where  several  pairs  occupy  tiie  nnw  garden,  their  contests  are  frei|Uent, 
noi.sy,  and  generally  iniite  amuMiig.  In  their  iigiits  with  other  liirds  for  the 
possession  of  a  coveted  hollow,  their  skill  at  barricading  treipieiitly  eiialiles 
the  AVreiis  to  keep  triiimiphanl  ]i()ssessiiiii  against  birds  niucli  more  ])oweiful 
than  them.'^elves. 

Their  food  is  exclusively  iiisecti\i)i(ais,  and  of  a  (dass  of  destriictne  in- 
sects that  render  them  great  iieiietactors  to  the  iiirmer.  Mr.  Ki^nnieott 
ascertained  that  a  singli;  ,,air  of  Wrens  carried  to  their  young  aliout  a  thou- 
sand in.si'cts  in  a  single  day. 

The  young,  when  they  leave  their  nest,  keep  together  for  some  time,  mov- 
ing about,  an  interesting,  suciable,  and  active  grouji,  under  tlii^  charge  of  their 
mother,  but  industriniis  in  supplying  their  own  wants. 

The  eggs  of  the  Wren,  usually  from  seven  to  niiu^  in  iimnber,  are  ol'  a 
rounded-oval  shape,  at  times  nearly  as  broad  as  long.  Their  ground-cnlur  is 
white,  but  they  are  ,s(i  thickly  stiidde(l  with  markings  and  line  spdts  n['  red- 
dish-bniwii,  with  a  few  occasidiial  jMiints  nf  ])iii|ilisli-slate,  as  to  conceal  their 
ground.  Tlieir  sliapi!  varies  fnnn  nearly  spherical  to  an  oblong-oval,  smue 
measuring  .(>(•  bv  .'>'>  nf  an  inch,  others  with  the  same  breadth  lia\  ing  a 
length  of  .()"  of  an   inch, 

I'mler  the  name  of  Trniilniliilis  iiiiiirifiiini-'<,  or  Wood  Wren,  Mr.  Aiidubiin 
figured  ami  descrilied  a.s  a  distinct  species  wiiat  is  pndialily  only  a  somewhat 


152  NORTH  AMJ'JRKJAX  IJIKDS. 

hu-er  and  .Inrk.-r  l\mn  of  the  i,resent  sjitvios,  hardly  distinct  enou-d.  to  lu, 

■'i^;;'''^,"'  "  ™''-  ^^'-  ^^"''"''""  •""*  ^^'^'^  ""  i"'livi.l..a.l  near  Kastport 
m  mi..  The  younj,^  were  tbllowin-  their  parents  through  the  tan-led  re- 
cesses ot  a  dark  forest,  in  search  of  food.  Others  were  ohtained  in  the  same 
par  of  Maine,  neai^  Dennisville,  where  Mr.  Lincoln  informed  Mr.  Auduhon 
that  this  bird  was  the  con.n.on  Wren  of  the  neighhorhood,  an.l  that  they  bred 
1.1  liollow  luys  in.the  woods,  but  seldom  ai)proached  farm-houses 

In  the  winter  following,  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  Mr.  Audul)on  again  met  indi- 
VKhials  of  tins  sui)i,o.sed  species,  .showing  the  .same  habits  as  in  Maine  re- 
maMHiig  111  thick  hedges,  along  .litciies  in  the  woo.ls,  not  far  from  plantations. 
Ihe  notc^s  are  described  as  differing  considerably  from  those  of  the  Hou.se 
N\ieii.  It  has  not  been  seen  by  Mr.  IJoardman,  th..ugh  residin.^  in  the 
region  where  it  is  said  to  be  the  common  Wren.  Professor  Verrill  mentions 
It  as  a  rare  lurd  in  Western  Maine. 

Mr.  Charles  S.  I'aine,  of  Randolph,  Vt.,  is  the  only  natumlist  who  has 
met  with  wliat  he  su,.po.ses  were  its  nest  and  eggs.  'tIic  following  is  his 
account,  communicated  by  letter. 

"  The  AVoo.1  Wren  comes  among  ns  in  the  spring  about  the  lOth  or  loth 
of  Apri  ,  and  siiig,s  habitually  a.s  it  .skips  among  the  brush  and  logs  an.l 
•nxb-r  the  roots  and  sti.in,,s  of  trees,  hi  one  instance  I  haye  known  it  to 
make  it^  apj-earance  in  midwinter,  and  to  be  about  the  hou.se  and  ban,  some 
time.  It  IS  only  occasionally  that  they  siu-nd  tlie  summer  here  (Central 
Verm..nt).  a  he  nest  from  which  I  obtained  the  egg  you  now  haye,  I  found 
about  tlie  hrst  of  duly,  just  as  the  young  were  about  to  fly.  There  were  tiye 
young  bir,l,s  and  one  egg.  The  nest  ^vas  built  on  the  hanging  bark  of  a  de- 
caying beech-log,  close  uiKh-r  the  l,.g.  A  great  quantity  of  m„,ss  and  rotten 
wood  had  been  collected  an.l  filled  inaroun.l  the  nest,  and  a  little  round  hole 
Mi  for  tlK.  ....trance.  Th.-  n,>st  was  lined  with  a  soft,  downy  substance  I 
liaye  no  doubt  that  they  .sometimes  commence  to  biwl  as  early  as  the  mid.lle 
of  iMay,  as  I  haye  seen  their  young  out  in  early  June." 

.Mr.  I'aine  .bscivlits  the  statement  that  they  buil.I  their  nests  in  iiolcs  in 
tlie  gimiKl.  The  ..gg  refenv,!  to  by  Mr.  i^.in..  is  „val  i„  shape,  slightly  nujre 
point.'.!  at  one  end,  measuring  .To  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .f.li  i„  brea.ith 
The  groun.l  ,s  a  d.-a.l  chall<y-white,  oyer  whicli  a.e  .sprinkled  a  few  ye.y  tine 
.Us  of  a  light  yidlowish-brnwii,  slightly  more  numerous  at  the  la.-er  en.l 
1  Ins  egg,  while  it  lu-ais  .s..nie  ivs..mbla.ice  to  that  of  the  Winter  Wren  i.s 
totally  unlike  (hat  of  the  House  Wren. 


TUOCtLODYTID.E  —  THE  WREN'S.  I53 

Troglodytes  sedon,  vai.  parkmanni,  Aud. 

FABKMAN'S  WHEN ;  WESTEBN  WOOD  WBEK. 

Troijhi!i/f,:i  jxd-kmnniii,  Aid.  Oni.  IJiog.  V,  1839,  310. —  lit.  Syiiop.si.s,  1830,  76.  —  In. 
Hinls  Am.  11,  1841,  133,  pi.  c.v.\ii.  —  15.viui>,  liirds  X.  Am.  1808,  31)7  ;  licv.  14n.  ~ 
Coni'i;u&  SrcKLKY,  1'.  K.  1!.  Kcp.  Xll,  11,  18i>0,  li)l  (lu'.st).  —  .Sci.atki!,  Ciital.  I8iil, 
23,  110.  l-K). — ('uDi'Kii,  Oiii.  ('ill.  I,  1870,  71.  Troijlodijics  sijh-cslri.i,  (l.VMiii;!,,  I'l'.  A. 
N.  Sc.  Ill,  181(>,  113  (California,  (juotv-s  unoneously  Aru.  T.  aineriaiiiKi). 

Had.  Western  and  Middle  I'rovinces  of  I'uiUMl  StaU.',-:.  East  to  the  Missouri  River. 
Western  .Xrizona.  Coi'ks. 

Althou<,'li  tlio  differences  between  the  ea.stem  and  western  House  Wrens, 
as  stated  in  the  lUrds  of  North  Anierica,  are  not  very  iippreciable,  yet 
a  conipari.son  of  an  extensive  seiies  shows  that  they  can  hardly  be  consid- 
ered as  identical.  The  j^'eneral  color  oi i)arkma)ini  above  is  jialer  and  grayer, 
and  there  is  little  or  none  of  the  rufous  of  the  lower  back  and  ruinp.  The 
bars  on  the  npjjcr  surface  are  rather  more  distinct.  The  under  parts  are 
more  alike,  as,  wiiile  adoii  sometimes  has  flanks  and  crissum  .strongly  tinged 
with  rufous,  otlier  specimens  are  as  pale  as  in  T.  pnrkmmini. 

Perhaps  the  niost  a])])reciable  differences  between  tlie  two  are  to  l)e  found 
in  the  size  and  projiortions  of  wing  and  tail.  The  wing  in  parhnnnni  is 
(piite  decidedly  longer  tlnm  in  advii,  measuring,  in  males,  2.12  to  2.1;"),  in 
stead  of  2.00  to  2.05.  This  is  due  not  so  much  to  a  larger  size  as  to  a  gi'eater 
develoiimeut  of  the  ]irimaries.  The  first  ([uill  is  ecjual  to  or  barely  more 
than  half  the  second  ni  puiinuinni ;  and  the  diiference  lietween  the  longest 
primary  and  the  tenth  amounts  to  ..■?2  of  an  inch,  instead  of  al)out  .20  in 
mlon,  where  the  first  (piill  is  nearly  haU'  the  length  of  the  third,  and  much 
more  than  half  the  lengtli  of  the  sect   'd. 

ILviiirs.  This  western  form,  liardly  distinguishable  from  the  connuon 
House  Wren  of  the  Eastern  States,  if  recognized  as  a  distinct  sjiecies, 
is  its  complete  analogue  in  regard  to  habits,  nest,  eggs,  etc.  It  was  first 
obtained  liy  Town.send  on  tlie  ('oluml>ia  l!iver,  and  described  by  Audulion  in 
liS.'ill.  It  ims  since  been  oiiservcd  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  from  the 
Mississip]ii  N'alley  to  tlie  racific  Coast,  and  from  Caiw  St.  Lucas  to  Oregon. 

J)r.  Cooper,  in  iiis  ISirds  of  Washington  Territory,  speaks  of  tliis  Wren  as 
common  about  Tuget  Sound,  where  it  appeared  to  lie  much  less  familiar  than 
our  conuuuF.  Wren,  tliough  its  liabitsand  .song  seemed  to  lie  very  similar.  It 
there  fretiuented  chieHy  the  vicinity  of  woods  and  piles  of  logs,  neitlier 
.seeking  nor  dwelling  in  the  vicinity  of  houses.  It  arrives  there  about  the 
20tii  of  A]iril.  As  observed  alioiit  Vancouver  in  IS.")."),  its  song  ajipeared  to 
Dr.  Cooper  diH'erent  from  tliat  of  the  T.  tnlon.  He  found  one  of  tiieir  nests 
built  in  a  horse's  skidl  that  hud  been  stuck  u])on  a  fence.  Dr.  Suckley,  who 
ob.served  tin'st>  l)irds  about  Fort  Steilacoom,  describes  their  voice  as  harsh 
and  unmusical. 


154  NOKTH  A.MEIUCAX  JHHp.S. 

Dr.  Cooper  lias  «iiK-e  olismcd  tlieiii  in  Caliluniia,  iiiid  in  the  whiter,  in 
tile  Colorado  N'allcy,  wliero  they  roo.steil  at  niyht  under  tlie  eaves  of  the  gar- 
rison I)uildin-s.  They  make  their  appearance  at  San  Francisc.  as  early 
as  March  10,  and  nest  at  San  Dii-o  in  April,  ile  has  fonnd  their  ne.sts 
in  hollow  trees  at  varions  hci-hts,  iroiii  five  to  i'oity  leet,  all  composed  of  a 
lloor  and  l)ai'ricade  of  long-  dry  twigs,  grass,  and  hark,  loosely  placed,  hut  so 
interwoven  as  to  leave  only, just  space  for  the  birds  to  scpieeze  in  over  them. 
They  are  warmly  lined  with  a  large  (juantity  of  leathers.  Their  eggs  he 
gives  as  from  five  to  nine  in  iiumher. 

The  Lite  ]Mr.  Hephurn  has  furnished  more  full  and  e.xact  information  in 
regard  to  this  species.     We  give  it  in  his  own  words. 

"The   T.parkminuii  is  the  conmion  wren  of  A'ancouver  Island,  far  more 
so  than  of  California,  where  1  have  ibund  the  P.ewick's  Wren  (7'.  hnriclii) 
nmch  more  numerous,     rarkman's  Wren  huilds  its  ne.st  in  li„ll„w  trees  in 
Vancouver  Lsland,  ahout  the  middle  of  Jhiy,  forming  it  of  small  sticks  laid 
at  the  bottom  of  the  hole,  neatly  and  comfortably  lining  it  on  the  inside  with 
feathei-s  that  arch  over  the  eggs.     It  will  also  rcailily  avail  itself  of  any 
similar  and  e(iually  convenient  cavity.     I  have  known  these  birds  to  build 
under  the  roof  of  a  frame  house,  entering  by  a   hole  between  the  tojunost 
board  and  the  shingles;  also  in  a  hole  in  a  gate-])ost,  through  which  gate 
peo])le  were  continually  passing;  and  also  over  a  doorway,  getting  in  by  a 
loose  board,  in  a  place  where  the  nest  could  be  reached  by  the  hand.     In 
IHol'  I  put  a  cigar-bo.x,  with  a  hole  .    t  in  one  end,  between  the  forks  of  a 
tree  in  a  garden  at  Victoria.     A  jiair  of  Wrens  sjieedily  took  jiossession  of 
It  and  formed  their  nest  therein,  hiving  .seven  eggs,  the  first  on  the  l.Sth  of 
]\Iay.     The  eggs  (jf  this  Wi'cn  are  white,  thickly  freckled  with  pink  sixit.s, 
so  much  so  in  some  s])eciniens  as  to  give  a  general  pink  a])pearance  to  the 
ogg  it.self,  but  forming  a  zone  of  a  darker  hue  near  the  larger  end.     They 
are  .<S1  df  an  inch  in  length  l)y  .."iO  in  wiiltli." 

Their  eggs  re.send.lc  those  of  the  T.  mJon  .so  as  to  be  hardly  distingui.sh- 
id.le,  yet  on  comparing  several  sets  of  each  there  ,scem  to  be  these  constant 
ditferciice.s.  The  sjiots  of  the  western  species  iire  finer,  less  marked,  more 
numeruus,  and  of  a  ])iiiker  shade  of  reddi.sh-lirown.  The  egg.s,  t(.o,  range  a 
little  smaller  in  size,  though  exhibiting  great  variations.  In  one  nest'the 
average  measurement  of  its  seven  eggs  is  .(10  by  .r.().  tjiat  of  another  set  of 
the  .same  number  .70  liy  .HO  of  an  inch. 

In  all  respects,  Iial)its,  manners,  and  notes,  Tarkman's  Wren  is  a  ])eifccl 
counterpart  of  the  eastern  Hoii.se  Wren.  In  the  country  east  of  the  Siena 
Nevada  it  almost  wholly  replaces  the  \\cstern  lUnvick'.s  Wren  (Thr>/ot/ion>s 
hririd-i:\\iiv..y>i/in-i's),nm\  inhabits  any  wooded  localities,  as  little  preference 
being  giveti  to  the  cottonwoods  of  tiie  river  valleys  as  to  the  aspen  grovc-s 
high  up  in  the  mountains. 


TRiXrLUDYTlDyE  — THE  WHENri.  150 

Troglodytes  parvulus,  \iu.  hyemalis,  \ivm.\.. 

WINTEE  WEEN. 

Si/hifi  trniiMii/r.i,  \Xu.sos,  Am.  Orii.  I,  l.Hd.S,  HiO,  \,\.  viii,  f.  (>.  TrDiihili/lr.'i  hiiemnlh, 
Vii:ii,i.ipr,  N'ouv.  Diet.  XXXIV,  ISl'.t,  T.U.  -Ain.  Oni.  liiog.  IV,  18:58,  4M),  pi. 
cirlx.  —  111.  lUnl.sAm.  II,  1841,  liS,  pi.  c.v.Ki.  —  lUllil.,  Hml.s  N.  Am.  18.-.8,  Jiti!' ; 
U.'V.  141.  —  S(M,.viKli,  1'.  Z.  S.  18r.(i,  -i'JO  (Coidovii,  ilcx.K  —  111.  Ciitiil.  18(11,  'I-i,  wi. 
V<i.  -^l),\i.i.  &  IUNNl.sTKU(Ala.skii).  —  Cool'Kl!,  (»ni.  Ciil.  I,  1870,  7:!. 

Sr.  CiiAU.  Bill  vc-ry  stnii^hl,  sIcimIit,  hikI  coniciil  ;  .-^borlcr  lliiiii  the  lirail.  Tail  coii- 
sidiM-iil.ly  .■^liinlcr  (liaii  ill./  wiii^-.s  which  ivach  lu  its  ini.ltllf.  L'l.piT  liarls  ivil.lish-browii ; 
IjcM-oiiiiiiff  liri*'hltM-  lu  the  niiiii)  iinil  tiiil ;  I'vcrywlifi-c,  i'-N(;cpt.  on  the-  hiNul  ami  iippur  part 
of  the  hack-,  with  Iraiisvcrsi'  bar.-;  of  iliislcy  ami  «>f  li.L'hk'r.  Si-ipiilais  ami  winj^^-i'ovcTt.s 
with  .spot.s  of  whiti'.  lii'iicalh  pale  rcildisli-limwii,  liam;(l  "ii  iho  po.^lcriui-  half  of  thu 
body  with  dusky  and  whitish,  and  spotted  wilh  white  nioiv  antwioi-ly ;  ontci-  web  of 
primaries  similarly  spotted  with  pale  browiii,sh-white.  An  indistinct  pale  line  over  the  eye. 
Length,  about -1  inelies;   wii'.-,-,  l.dli;  tail,  1.2(1. 

Hah.     North  America  ^;enerally.     South  t(5  (Jordova,  Mex. 

Western  specimens  intiy  be  seimrated  iis  ti  variety  [xwijinin  (Bairp,  Itev. 
Am.  Birds,  1SC.4,  145),  luised  oiitlie  miicli  dtirker  coIdi's  and  the  almost  entire 
absence  of  the  whitish  sjiots  amoii^-  the  dark  bars.  The  umler  parts  are  more 
rnt'ons  ;  the  ttirsi  are  shorter,  thi!  claws  hirger,  the  l)ill  straighter  and  more 
slender. 

The  Winter  Wren  is  very  clo.sely  reliited  to  the  common  Wren  {T.  parvu- 
liin,  Koch)  of  Europe,  so  mucli  so,  in  fact,  that  the  two  idmost  seem  to  be 
varieties  of  one  species.  The  dill'eiences,  as  shown  in  a  large  series  from 
both  continents,  are  the  following:  In  T.  jxtvvulm  there  is  a  tendency  to 
more  uniform  siiadi^s ;  and  the  prevailing  lint  iinteriorly,  beneath,  is  a  pale 
yellowish-iish,  almost  immaculate,  instead  of  brownish-ochraceous,  showing 
minute  specks  and  darker  edges  to  the  feathers.  In  extreme  specimens  of 
T.  pannliiA  the  Itars  even  on  the  tail  and  wings  (except  primtiries,  where 
they  are  always  distinct)  are  very  obsolete,  whik  m  the  lower  jiarts  they  are 
confined  to  the  flanks  and  crissum.  Sometimes,  however,  specimens  of  the 
two  are  found  which  are  almost  uudistiiiguishable  from  each  oilier.  In 
fact,  it  ip  only  by  taking  the  ]ilaiiier  European  l)irds  and  conqiaring  them 
with  the  darker  American  examples  from  the  northwest  coast,  that  the  dif- 
ference lietween  T.  pari-ti/ns  tind  7'.  /ii/niinlix  is  readily  aiiim-ciable. 

H.MUT.s.  The  Winter  Wren,  nowhere  very  aliiiiidant,  seems  to  be  dis- 
tributed over  the  whole  of  North  America.  Hiirdly  distinguishable  from 
the  common  Wren  of  Ivir(i]ie,  it  .an  scarcely  be  considered  as  distinct. 
The  habits  of  our  species  certainly  seem  to  be  very  different  from  those 
assigned  to  the  Eiiro]»ean  bird,  which  in  England  ajipears  to  lie  as  common 
and  as  familiar  a  bird  as  even  the  Uedbrea.sl.  The  small  size  and  retiring 
habits  of  our  species,  as  well  as  its  unfretpient  occurrence,  and  only  in  wild 
places,  combine  to  keep  its  history  in  doubt  anil  obscurity.     It  is  supposed 


15G  XOKTII  AMKKICAX  JJUiUS. 

to  be  northern  in  its  ,listril,„tion  .luri...  the  broe,lin^-.soason,  vet  only  u 
s.ny  e  «pecuaen  was  ohtau.ed  Uy  Sir  .John  Jfichur.lson,  and  ti^at  on  the 
northern  sliores  of  Laive  Iliii'on. 

Ou  tlie  I'aciKc  coast  Dr.  Cooper  reranle.!  the  Winter  Wren  as  the  most 
common,  speces  in  tlu3  Ibrests  of  Washington  Territory,  where  it  n.,,uented 
even  the  densest  portions,  an.l  where  its  lively  sun,,  was  alnn.st  the  only 
sound  to  be  heard.     It  was  >nost  connnonly  seen  in  winter,  retiring,  in  suni- 

Zlinrnl'Zr'"^  "  '^'''"  '''  ^'™'  '-'  '-''  -  ^'^  ^"- 
Dr.  Su.kley  also  states  that  this  Wren  was  tb,uul  at  Fort  Steilacoom  more 
a  mndantly  n.  the  wn.ter  than  any  other  .speeies.  It  was  very  nnsnspieious 
allow,,.,  a  very  near  approach.  The  dense  lir  forests,  anu,,.,-  fallen  h,..' 
were  ,ts  nsna  pkces  of  reso,^  durin,  the  h,,.,,  da,np,  and  d,.ary  wint^;^ 
o    0,e^,n.     I,,.  s,.ekley  rega.led  the  habits  of  this  species  and' tho.se  of 

m^is  h,  s!i^,      ''"  '''  "'^^^^  '''"'^''"'-     ^^'-  ^"''^'"""  "^^'""^^^  '''"^  «Pe^i- 

M,-.  Andubon  fonnd  this  species  at  Eastpo,-t,  on  the  9th  of  May,  in  full 

ong  a,.d  ciu,  e  abundant.     A  n,onth  late,,  he  lound  then,  e.p.ally'plentiful 

ni  the  Ayalen  Islands,  and  afterwards,  about  the  n.iddle  of  J,dy  in  Lab- 

raao,..     He  described  its  so,,,  as  excelling  that  of  any  bird  of  its  size  with 

t,  ,'  V  n  ,?•"",'  ';7''""^"''  ^'^'""  *■""  '•*•  •-■"•l^""--  ^'"ergy,  and  n,elody,  and  as 
t,uly  n,us.cal.     Its  power  of  continuance  is  .said  to  be  very  surprising 

Ihe  character,stics  of  the  Winter  Wren  are  those  of  the  whole "fa,„ily 
ll.ey  ,nove.s  w,th  rapidity  and  precision  fro,,,  place  to  place,  in  sho.t.  sudden 
hops  and  Ihghts,  bending  downwa,-d  and  keeping  their  tails  erect  They 
w,Il  ,-un  un.ler  a  large  root,  tln'ough  a  hollow  stu.np  or  log,  or  between  the 
interstices  ol  rocks,  more  in  the  ,nan„er  of  a  n.ouse  than  of  a  bird 

Ihe  w,-,ter  has  several  times  observed  the.se  Wrens  on  the  steep  sides  of 
Mount  \\  aslnngton,  in  the  nu.nth  of  June,  moving  about  in  active  unrest 
ilisappear,„g  and  ,.eappea,ing  among  the  b,oke„  n,asses  of  granite  with' 
which  these  s]o,.es  are  strewn.  This  was  even  in  the  most  thickly  wo-nled 
portions.  Ihough  they  evidently  ha.l  nests  i,i  the  neighborhood,  they  couhl 
not  be  discovered.  They  wei^e  unsuspiciou.s,  cmld  be  approached  within  a 
ew  teet,  but  uttered  .luorulous  coni,,Iai„ts  if  one  persisted  in  sea,rhing  too 
long  111  the  places  they  entei-ed. 

Tl.ls  W,v„  as  I  a,n  inforn,e.l  by  M,-.  P.oa,-d,ua,i,  is  a  connuon  summer  resi- 
uent  near  Calais,  Me. 

^  Mr.  Audul,on  met  with  its  ne.st  in  a  thick  forest  in  Tennsvlvania.  He 
jollowe.1  a  pa.r  of  these  birds  until  they  .lisappeared  in  the  hollow  of  a  protu- 
berance, covered  with  mo.ss  and  lichc.  resembling  the  excrescences  often 

een  on  lo,est  trees.  The  aperture  was  perfectly  nuinde.l  a,.d  .,uite  smooth. 
He  put  in  h,s  hnger  a„.l  felt  the  ,.eckiiig  of  the  bill's  bill  and  heard  its 
^luerulous  c,y.  He  was  obliged  to  remove  the  j.u-ent  bird  in  o,-der  to  see  the 
eggs,  wh„.h  weiv  six   in  nun,be,-.     The  parent  bir.ls  made  a  great  clamor  as 


TUOGLODYTID.K  — THE  WRENS.  I57 

he  was  exaiuiiiiiin'  tlieiii.  The  iiest  wsis  seven  inches  in  h-nj^tli  and  lour  and  a 
half  in  hreadtii.  Its  walls  were  coniposed  of  mosses  and  licliens,  and  were 
nearly  two  inches  in  tiiickness.  The  cavity  was  very  warndy  lined  with  the 
fur  of  the  iVnierican  iiaro  and  ii  few  sol't  feathers.  Another  nest  found  on 
the  ]Moiiawk-,  in  New  York,  was  similar,  hut  smaller,  and  huilt  against  the 
side  of  a  rock  near  its  liottom. 

Afr.  AVilliani  F.  [fall  met  with  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  at  Camp 
Sehois  in  the  central  eastern  ])ortion  of  ]\Iaine.  It  was  huilt  in  an  unoc(!U]iied 
log-hut,  among  tlie  fir-lenves  and  mosses  in  a  crevice  l)etween  the  logs.  It 
was  large  and  bulky,  conijio.sed  externally  of  mosses  and  lined  with  the  fur 
of  hedge-iiogs,  and  the  feathers  of  the  sjnuce  partridge  and  other  liirds.  It 
was  in  the  sliape  of  a  ]iouch,  and  the  entrance  was  neatly  framed  with  hue 
pine  stick.s.  The  eggs  were  six  in  nundtcr,  and  .somewhat  resemliled  those  of 
the  I'orufi  afriiitpillufi.     The  female  was  seen  and  fully  identified. 

In  this  nest,  wiiich  measured  live  and  three  tpiarters  inches  by  five  in 
breadth,  the  size,  solidity,  and  strength,  in  view  of  the  diminutive  jirojxjrtions 
of  its  tiny  architect,  are  (juite  remarkable  The  walls  were  two  inches  in 
thickness  .and  very  strongly  im])acted  and  interwovtui.  The  cavity  was  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  wide  and  four  inches  deep.  Its  heinhjck  framework  had 
been  made  of  green  materials,  and  their  strong  and  agreeable  odor  ])ervade(l 
the  structure.  The  eggs  measured  .(i")  by  .48  of  an  inch,  and  were  s])otted 
with  a  bright  reddish-brown  and  a  few  pale  markings  of  iJurjdish-slate,  on  a 
pure  white  ground.  Com])ared  with  the  eggs  of  the  European  Wren  their 
eggs  are  larger,  less  oval  in  sliape,  and  the  spots  mucii  more  marked  in 
their  character  and  distinctness. 


Troglodytes  parvulus,  var.  alascensis,  Uaiiui. 

ALASKA  WBEN. 

Tivglodi/lai  alasaitm's,   H.viiili,  Tiaiis.  <'lii(iif;o  Aiad.  Sc.  I,  ii,  31  "1,  ]>!.  xx.\,  tig.  3,  1809. — 
Dam.  &  lU.NNisTKit  (AliiskiO.  -fuiKscii,  Ornitii.  X.  W.  Aiiiwikas,  187-2,  30. 

Sp.  CiiAit.  ^  11(1.,  (;l,3-J!),  Aiiiiikiiiik  Isliiml,  riiiiliis.likii,  (ht.  21.  1S71  ;  W.  II.  DaU. 
Aliovc  iiinlit'r-lirowii,  more  nili'scciit  1111  tin'  wiujjs,  ruiii|i.  and  tail ;  si'cuMilarit's  ami  lail- 
featiit'rs  showinir  iiidistinct  Iraiisvui-se  dusky  liars:  |iviiuai-ics  alioiit  (M|ii:dly  liari'cd  with 
l)laokisli  and  dilntc^  iniil>i'i' of  lirnwnish-wliilc  ;  iniildli'-covcits  li|i|)('(I  \viili  a  small  white 
dot,  iireccilfd  liy  a  lilack  one.  Lowci'  pai't,  inrhuiiiiir  a  rather  distinct  .siipfrciliaiy  stripe, 
pale  oohniuoons-unilH'i' ;  sides.  Hanks,  alidonicn.  and  cii.ssnni  distini'tly  baircd  with  dusky 
and  whitish  on  a  rusty  ^'round ;  cii.ssuni  with  sa^'itlato  spots  of  white.  Wing,  2.20;  tail, 
1.00  ;  culiiuMi,  .05 ;  tarsus,  .7."). 

Had.     Aleutian  and  I'rihylow  Islands,  Alaska. 

The  specimen  above  described  represents  about  the  average  of  a  large 
series  obtained  on  Amaknak  Island  by  Mr.  Dall.  They  vary  .somewhat 
among  themselves  as  regards  dimensions,  but  all  are  very  mucli  larger  than 


158 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


any  specimens  of  T.  h>/nna/i%  from  whicli  it  also  clillers  in  longer,  strai«rliter, 
and  niore  subulate  bill  (the  gonys  slightly  ascemling).  The  type  s]...dnien' 
from  St.  (leorge'.s  Island  M-as  innnature,  and  we  embrace  the  ojJiiortunity  of 
giving  the  de.scription  of  an  adult  sent  down  with  several  otliers  in  tlie 
autumn  of  I.S71  by  Mr.  Dall  from  Unalasclika. 

This  form  bears  th^  same  relation  to  T.  /i,/n>ia/i.^  that  M,'lo^pizn  nna- 
UmM'cnxU  does  to  M.  mclodia ;  T.  iHinfi,n,>^,  like  M.  riifina,  being  an  inter- 
mediate form. 

Habits.  Of  this  new  variety,  tlic  Alaska  Wren,  but  little  is  as  yet 
known  as  to  its  i)ersonal  hi.story.  Air.  Dall  states  that  it  is  found  in  abun- 
dance all  the  year  round  on  St.  George's  Island,  and  that  it  breeds  in  Mav, 
building  a  nest  .)f  moss  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and,  according  to  the 
Aleuts,  lays  six  eggs.  Mr.  Dall  subse<iuently  found  it  quite  common  at 
Unalaschka  in  the  summer  of  l,S71. 


(Jknts  CISTOTHORUS,  Cahan. 

CiMhnnis,  Caham.s,  M„s.  Ilcin.  ^^M,  \s:,\,  "7.     (Tvi.o,   Tr,„i!vil„>.s  Mhn-is.) 
r,'hm,Miit,-s,  Caiianls,  J[„,s.  H..in.  ISnO,  :s-.],  78.     (Tjih',  t'aih:.,  i>ahi..lns.) 
Thniutlwrns,  Vikii.m.t,  Aiiiilyse,  1810,  iRvor.liiiK  to  (!.  K.  Cray. 

<!h:x.  Ciiau.  Rill  alxjut  as  loiip-  as  the  head  oi'  niudi 
slioitiT.  iiuicli  coiniiros.xcd,  not  notclicd,  ^'iitly  ilcciiivcd 
lioiii  lli(  middle;  the  jronys  sliujilly  concave  iii- striiiirlit. 
Tecs  rciicjiin'r  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  Tamis  hin,irer  than 
the  middle  toe.  Hind  toe  lonj,'cr  than  the  lateral,  shorter 
than  the  mid<lle.  Lateral  toes  alioiit  e(|nal.  Hind  toe 
al  S  lonjrer  than  or  eqnal  to  its  disrit.  Win^s  rather  lonirer 
than  the  t,.il.  all  tlie  fcatliors  of  which  are  nmch  gradn- 
ateil :  the  lateral  only  two  thirds  the  middle.  The 
(eathers  narrow.  Jiack  hlack,  conspicnonsly  streaked 
with  white. 


Cistolhnriis  iKihtstrix. 


Of  this  genus  there  are  two  sections,  (Jisfo/lmrxs  ]iroper  aiul  Tilmatoilnl,^, 
the  diagnoses  of  wliich  liave  alreiuly  been  given.  The  two  Xorlii  Ameriiiaii 
s])ecies  ])resent  tlie  feature,  uni(iue  among  our  Wrens,  of  white  streaks  on 
the  back. 


A.  CistothoruB.    Rill  liairienirili  ofhca.:.    No  white  snporciliary  streak.    Itcad 

and  rnm|,  and  Lack  streaked  with  white.     Tail  dusky,  harred  with  hrowii.     (\  MhiriK. 

B.  Telmatodytes.     Rill  h.nu-th  of  heail.     A  white  superciliary  .strii.e.     itack 

alune  streaked  wiih  white.     Tail-feathers  black,  barred  with  whitish       .       C.  pahistrh. 


THOGLDDYTID.K  — TJIE  WRENS.  150 

Cistothorus  stellaris,  cviiVN. 

SHOUT-BILLED  MABSH-WEEU. 

nn,ih.l,it,ss,.ll,n-is,  "Men.-."  Na.mann,  Vog.l  l)-uts,hlan,ls,    III,   1S23,   724  (Carolina). 

'  CMI,..:,.  s,,lhn-is,  Cau.   Mu.s.  lU'iu.   77.-r.AnM.,   liir.ls  N.  A,n.  185S,  3(i5  ;  Rev. 

Iti!.   ^Sci.ATKl!,  Catal.  22,  no.  H2  (in  i.iirt).      TroijUHhtlis  bnnnixln.s,  NriT.  Man.  1, 

18;!2,  4:i(i.    -.Ari..  Orn.  Hi..;,'.  II,  1834.  427,  1.1.  .Ixxv.  -  lu.  liinls  Am.  II,  1841,  138, 

pi.  c.x.xiv.     C.  ikijiins,  Sil.ATEU  &  Salvi.n,  ll)i.s,  IXjSt,  8. 

Sr.  CiiMi.  Tiill  v,.|-y  short.  .-.Mn-rlv  half  th.>  lon-lh  "f  th-  hca.l.  Winy  aii.l  tail  alxml 
...lual.  llin,l,.r  part  of  tin'  ,towm  aii.i  liic  s,-a|.iilar  au.l  ii.t,.rscapnlar  n-io.i  ol'  ti.o  l.a(.-k  and 
nnnp  almost  l.lack.  .-uvaUr,!  witii  wliito.  Tail  <lnsky,  the  H.illn-r.s  barred  thron-hout  with 
hrown  (tin-  .'olor  uravish  on  ihu  under  .nrfa.'e).  Heneath  white;  the  ..ides,  upper  part  ol 
hreast,  and  iiinler  tail-eoveits  reddish-hrown.  Uj.per  pajts,  with  the  exceptions  men- 
tioned, reddish-l.rown.     Leii-th,  4..".it;  win-.  1.7.'.;  tail,  1.75. 

IIaii.     Eastern  I'lcvinee  of  rnited  Slates,  west  t..  Loup  Fork  ol'  Platte. 

Tlieni  is  a  rlosoly  allied  vavii'ly  fvum  Mc.xieo  and  (Guatemala  (C.  chijnns, 
S(i..\Tr.K  &  S.vi.viN','pr.  Z.  S.,  ISr.'.i,  S;  wliicli  dille.v.s  in  the  characters  stated 
Ih'Iuw. 

White  dorsal  streaks  extendiiifT  lo  the  rump,  v.hieli  i.s  .•onspienously  Landed  with 
brown,  ami  somewhat  spotle.l  with  wliiiisli.  Heneath,  incindir.;,'  linin-,'  of 
winj;s.  liyht  cinnamon-brown;  throat  and  belly  paler,  almo-st  white;  sides  and 
eris,sMim  very  ol)s,.letely  barred  with  darker,  aii.l   faintly  .spotted  with  whitish. 

Feathers  of"  iu}r"lu"'  ''"''^'  »'''''•*.  ''"''  ^^■''''  ^'"'  "'"''"'  "'"^'■'"■'■''  ''>'  ""'  l'''''"'  ''''^"'■'• 

Tarsius,  .W  long.      //,//<.    Ea.stern  T'rovhiee  of  United  States    .  .  .  C. stellaris. 

Streaks  on  baek  eonliiied  lo  inter.seaiiiilar  region;   rump  and  upjier  lailrnv.^iis 

ahnost  plain  n'ddi.sli-brown.     nenealii  much  paler  than  in  .sli'lhiri.s,  without  any 

apprceiable  iiidieation  of  bars  or  s|iots  on  sides  and  erissmn,  (.r  of  the  fulvous 

of  th.'  jugular  feathers.      Inside   (.f   wings  snowy-white.      Tar.sii.s,  .72  long. 

y/<(/..   Mexico  and  Guatemala  ;  lira/.il? ('.  eh<i'n,s. 

The  diHereiices  between  these  two  varieties  are  just  l)arely  iiiti)recial>le 
when  specimens  of  tlie  two,  of  eorrespondino;  setisons,  iin;  cunijiared.  Two 
Mexican  e.xiiniples  {elqidns)  dilVer  ni«tre  Ironi  eacli  other  tliiiii  one  does 
from  North  Americiin  siiecimens;  hecause  one  (a  typictd  s]ieeiinen  received 
from  Salvin)  is  in  tiie  worn,  faded,  niidsiimmer  ]iliiniiioe,  and  the  other  in  the 
jierfect  autnnmiil  dre.ss.  I'.esides  the  hinder  tarsi  of  tiiese  Mexiciin  liirds, 
t  .>eir  tails,  and  even  their  hills,  are  h)njj;er  than  seen  in  Nortli  Amerietm  skins. 
Hut  while  these  dilfereuces  between  tiie  North  Amerii'an  tind  Mexican  birds 
iire  Just  ai.i.reciid)le,  there  is  one  from  I'.razil  (fiKOlT,  Sr.  Don  Fred.  Albu- 
•  lueniiie)  which  is  exactly  intermediate  between  these  two  varieties  in  color, 
while  in  size  it  is  even  smaller  tliiin  the  North  Aniericiin  ones,  measuring,'  as 
follows:  wino',  l.dd;  tiiil,  l.tiO;  culnien,  .4."),  tarsus,  .(11. 

Kven  if  recoonizable  as  lielonoino  to  diil'erent  varieties,  these  .specimens 
are  eerttiinly  all  referable  to  one  species. 

Hahits.     The  Siiort-billetl   Marsh   Wri'n  is    very  irreoidurly  distributed 
tlirouglunit  the    United    Stutes,  being   fmiud  from  lieorgia  to   the   Ihitish 


100 


N'OltTII   AMKIilCAX  HIUDS. 


Cistof/ion/s  pnfif^tris. 


I'liiviiicfs,  and  IVdiu  tlic  Atlantii;  to  the  ri)por  ^rissduri.  Ft  is  nowliero 
alimidaiit,  ami  in  many  large  portions  of  intervening  territory  has  never 
l)een  i'ound. 

It  is  exclusively  uu  inhabitant  of  low,  iV(>sli-water  marshes,  opi-n  swamps, 

and  meadows,  is  never  t'onnd  on  high 
•  ground,  and  is  very  shy  and  ditlicult  of 
ai)proaeh.  It  makes  its  first  appearance 
in  Massachusetts  early  in  May,  and  leaves 
early  in  Se]>tend)er.  In  winter  it  has 
heen  found  in  all  the  (iulf  Slates,  from 
Florida  to  Texas. 

A(^cording  to  Nuttall,  thisAVrcn  lias  a 
lively  and  quaint  song,  delivered  ear- 
nestly and  as  if  in  haste,  and  at  short 
intervals,  either  from  a  tuft  of  sedge  or 
from  a  low  hush  on  the  edge  of  a  marsh. 
When  ajiproached,  the  song  becomes 
harsher  and  more  hurried,  and  rises 
info  an  angry  and  petulant  cry.  In  the  early  p.art  of  the  .sea,son  the  male  is 
(luite  lively  and  nuisical.  These  Wrens  spend  their  time  chiefly  in  the  long, 
raidx  grass  of  the  swami)s  and  meadows  searching  for  insects,  their  favorite 
food. 

Their  nest  is  constructeil  in  th(>  midst  of  a  tiis.soek  of  coarse  high  grass, 
the  tops  of  which  are  ingeniously  interwoven  into  a  I'oarse  and  strong  cover- 
ing, s])herical  in  shape,  and  elo.sed  on  every  side,  except  one  snuill  aperturo 
left  for  an  entrance.  Thi;  strong  wiry  gra.>*s  of  tli  tussock  is  also  interwoven 
with  finer  matiM'ials,  making  the  whole  impervious  to  the  weather.  The 
iimer  nest  is  coniiiosed  of  grasses  and  finer  .sedges,  and  lim^d  with  soft,  vc'e- 
table  down.  The  eggs  are  nine  mi  numlpcr,  \m\v  white,  and  rather  small  for 
the  bird.  Tiiey  are  e.\ceedingly  delicate  and  fragile,  more  .so  than  is  usual 
even  in  the  eggs  of  Ilunnning-I!irds.  They  are  of  an  oval  shape,  and  measure 
.(ill  liy  A'l  of  an  inch. 

•Mr.  Nuttall  conjectured  that  occasionally  two  females  occupied  the  same 
nest,  and  states  that  he  has  known  the  male  binl  to  liu.sy  itself  in  construct- 
ing .several  nests,  not  more  than  one  of  which  would  be  used.  .\s  these  birds 
rear  a  second  brood,  ii  is  probable  that  these  nests  are  built  from  an  in- 
stinctive desire  to  have  a  new  one  in  readiness  for  the  second  brood.  This 
peculiarity  has  beiui  uotieed  in  otiier  Wrens,  where  the  female  sometimes 
takes  jKtssession  of  the  new  abode,  lays  and  sits  upon  her  second  set  of  eggs 

before  her  first   bi d  are  ready  to  fly,  which   are  left   to  the  charge  of  her 

mate. 

Mr.  .'.udnlion  found  this  Wren  breeding  in  Texa.s.  Dr.  Tnulean  met  them 
tm  the  marshes  of  tlu'  i)elaware  1  fiver,  and  their  nest  and  eggs  have  been 
sent  to  us  from  (he  Koskonong  marshes  (»f  Wisconsin.    It  has  also  been  foinid 


TltOGLODYTID.li  — THE  WUliNS.  101 

in  the  i.mrslu^s  of  Conuec  ticut  Uiver,  near  Hartford  ;  and  in  Illinois  Mr.  Ken- 
nicott  lound  it  anion-  the  loi.g  grasses  bordering  on  the  prairie  sloughs. 

In  Massachusetts  I  have  occasionally  met  with  tiieu'  nests,  but  only  late 
in  July,  when  the  rank  grass  of  tiie  low  meadows  lias  been  cut.  These 
were  probably  their  second  brood.  The  nest  being  built  close  to  the  ground, 
and  made  of  the  living  grasses  externally,  the>  are  n.jt  distinguishable  from 
tlie  unoccupied  tussocks  tiiat  surround  them. 


Cistothorus  palustris,  Bxum 

lONG-BILLED  MABSH  WREN. 

Vnr.  imlustris. 

Certhin  paluslris,  Wn..soN,  Am.  On..  11.  ISIO,  58,  pi.  -xii,  %.  4  (IVniia).  Troglodyk.  pn- 
hixtris,  Hon.  01.S.  Wils.  1S-24,  no.  (Hi.  —  .\ri).  Oiu.  lUoj;.  1,  1831,  5(10,  \A.  c.  —  lli. 
Hints  Am.  11,  1841,  1:!.'),  pi.  ixxiii.  ^  liKisiLMUvr,  Ibis,  18G1,  5  ((iodtliaab,  (iiwii- 
lan.l).  Thruothonix  i>'ihixtrh,  Nrrr.  Man.  1,  18:V.>,  i:i'.".  cishthnriix  (TdnwImiiikH) 
lMlustri.%  HaU!!),  Hinls  N.  A]i..  185S,  ;i(il  ;  li.'V.  147. -~  Sil-ATKU,  Catal.  1801,  -li. 
Thr>jotho,ns  ariai<luimr„s,  Vn-,|],i,..T,  X.mv.  Diet.  .\X.\1V,  1819,  58  (not  Tiy. 
nnimiiii'iiriix,  Vir.ll.l.oH.  Tlirnutliunix  i,ni,idimu;Ms,  Hon.  Consp.  185(1,  220.  Td- 
matodi/tcs  (iriiiiiliiiiictiis,  ('ah.  Mils,  llrin.  185(1;  78. 

Hah.      Ea.stiMii    ruitcl    Siatf.s    fiom    tlif    Mis.-oiiri    Rivur ;    (irLviilaiiciy    Rkinhaki.t  ; 
Mo.xico,  ami  (liuitt'iiuila  V     Conlova.  Sii.ATiat. 

Var.   iiiiliKlicoln. 

Cistothonis  i,„l„sMs,  var.  ,ml,i<liod.,,  Haiiu..  \U■^.  .\m.  H.  18(14,  148.  Tvn,,M„Us  ,,„lm. 
trh,  Nicwii.  1'.  K.  Ki'p.  VI  iv,  1H57,  80  (I'a.ili.-  ivf,'ioii).  CislnllwrKs  jm!i(sl,-h,  Coockr 
&  SiiKi.F.v,  r.  K.  IJi'P-  ^.  "•  '^'''•''  ^'•"'  *^^-  T.)-  Cooi'Kii,  (»in.  (-'al.  I.  1870,  75. 
Cailiin  /iiilii.slris,  l.oiiii,  I'r.  1!.  Art.  Inst.  IV,  117. 

Sp.  CiiAi!.  Hill  about  as  loni;  as  lit'ii.l.  Tail  an. 1  winj.' nearly  ciiual.  I'lipcr  pnrt.s  ol' .i, 
(lull  nMl.li.sb-browii,  cxci'pl  on  llic  crown,  inliMs.'ai)nlar  region,  out<M-  suHacc  of  terlial.s, 
and  tail-fcalluM-.s,  wliicli  arc  nlniost  black:  ibc  tirst  wilb  a  median  patch  like  llic  frromid- 
color  ;  liic  second  with  short  stronks  of  while,  extcndin^f  round  on  the  sides  of  the  ni'ck  ; 
the  third  indented  with  brown;  the  fourth  barred  with  whitish,  dcreasiui;-  in  lunount 
from  the  outer  feather,  which  is  marked  from  the  b.iM.  to  the  lifth.  where  it  is  coidined  to 
the  tips;  the  two  iniddle  feathers  above  like  the  back,  and  barred  tiiroiigiiont  with  dusky. 
Iteneath  ratlier  pure  white,  the  sides  and  under  tail-.'overls  of  a  liglitcr  shade  of  brown  than 
tlie  back  :  a  white  streak  over  the  eye.  I-cujrih,  'i.oO  ;  wim;',  '2.(18;  tail,  '2.(11).  (.1.  ••"'•<•) 
Hau.     I'acilic  Coa.st  and  .Mitldie  I'roviucc  of    'nited  Stales. 

In  comparing  a  series  of  Marsh  Wrens  of  eastern  North  America  with 
western,  we  iind  that  they  dilVer  very  apinvciably  in  certain  characteristics, 
which  may  be  expressed  by  the  following  diagnoses:  — 

Hill  lentJthened,  eipial  to  tarsus.  Tinl-covcrls  above  and  below  cuher  perfectly 
plain,  or  with  very  obsolete  bands,  reduced  to  obsim-c  spots  beneath.  Itauds 
on  tail  liroken  :  scarcely  iippreciabic  on  the  middle  f.'at hers    .  .      var.  /m  I  n  s  t  r  i s . 

Hill  shorter  llian  tarsus.    Tail-eoverts  distinctly  banded  all  acro.ss.     Hiuids  on  tail 

.piite  distinct  ;  appreciable  on  the  central  fci;thers  .  .         .  var.  ;>((/ 1(  (//c'>/(( . 

•21 


162  NORTH  AMi;iaCA.\  JJIHDS. 

Tliodiflereiicesbetwwii  tiu'se  two  riice,s  is  much  more  appreciable  than 
tliuso  between  Tro!,l<,di,ks  <nlon  mu\  T.  " pu rhiu, ,mi" ;  tiie  most  striking 
character  i«  the  mucii  k)nger  liili  of  the  var.  pulndris. 

Specimens  of  tlie  \iir.  jjaludico/a  Ironi  the  interior  are  paler  and  more 
grayish-brown  above,  and  liave  less  distinct  bars  on  the  tail-coverts  and  tail, 
than  in  Pacific  coast  spccinu-ns,  while  on  the  crown  the  brown,  instead  of 
the  black,  largely  predominates. 

Habits.  The  common  Alarsli  AVivn  api)ears  to  liave  a  nearly  unrestricted 
range  througliout  Xorfh  America.  It  occurs  on  the  Atlantic  coi'ist  from  ^las- 
saclaisetts  to  Florida,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  I'acili. ,  and  as  far  north 
as  Wasiiington  Territory  on  the  west  coast.  A  single  s])ecinn-n  was  procured 
in  (Ireenland.  It  is  not,  however,  at  all  common  in  these  more  northern 
latitudes.  Mr.  Drumniond,  of  Sir  Joini  IJichards.iii's  paity,  met  with  it  in 
the  r.5th  i)arallel  on  the  eastern  declivity  of  the  IJocky  Mountains  and  in  the 
Saskatchewan  Valley.  Dr.  Cooi)er  found  it  early  in  .Marcii  in  tlie  salt  marshes 
along  the  coast  of  Wasiiington  Teiritory,  and  thinks  it  winter.)  in  that  section. 
On  the  Eastern  coast  it  is  not  common  as  far  north  as  Massaciiu.setts  a  k'w 
being  found  at  Camljridge  and  in  I'.arnstable  County.  It  is  abuiulant  near 
Wa,sIiington,  I).  C,  and  throughout  tin,  country  in  all  suitable  locations  south 
and  west  from  Pennsylvania.     Mr.  liidgway  found  it  i.lentiful  in  I'tah. 

They  frefpient  low  marsliy  grounds,  wliether  near  the  sea  or  in  the  inte- 
rior, and  build  in  low  Ijuslies,  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  a  well-constructed 
glolndar  nest.  On  the  Potomac,  wliere  the  river  is  subject  to  irregular  tides, 
tliey  are  generally  not  less  than  five  feet  from  the  ground. 

These  nests  are  nearly  s])]ierical,  and  Ixitli  in  size  and  s]ia])e  rcsemlde  a 
eocoanut.  They  are  made  externally  of  coarse  sedges  firndy  interwi.ven, 
the  interstices  l)eing  cemented  with  cLiy  or  mud,  and  are  imj)ervi(uis  to 
the  weather.  A  small  round  orifice  is  left  on  one  si(h^  for  entrance,  the  up- 
per side  of  whicli  is  also  ])rotecteil  from  tlie  rain  by  a  ]irojectiiig  edge.  The 
inside  is  lined  with  fine  grasses,  featiier.s,  the  down  of  the  silk-weed,  and 
other  soft  and  warm  vegetable  sul)stances.  The.se  birds  arrive  in  tiie  :\Iiddle 
States  early  in  May  and  leave  early  in  Se|itcml)er.  They  have  two  broods 
in  the  season,  and  eacli  time  coii.struct  and  occupy  a  new  nest. 

Au(hd>on  describes  its  nest  as  built  antong  sedges,  anil  as  usually  partly 
constructed  of  the  sedges  among  which  the  ne.st  is  l)uilt.  fhis  is  tlu'  usual 
manner  in  which  the  ('.  ,s^/Arm  laiilds  its  ne.sf,  but  I  have  never  known 
(me  (.f  the  jirescnt  species  biulding  in  tins  manner,  and  in  the  locidities  in 
which  they  lireed,  near  the  coast,  being  subject  to  irregular  lieights  of  tides, 
it  could  not  lie  done  with  safety. 

'I"he  note  of  the  Marsh  AVren  is  a  low,  har.sli,  grating  cry,  neither  loud  nor 
nnisical,  and  more  resembling  the  noi.se  of  an  insect  tlian  tlie  vocal  utler- 
ances  of  a  bird. 

Their  food  consists  diielly  of  small  a(|Uatic  insects,  minute  nioUusk.s 
and  the  like,  and  these  Ihey  are  very  c.\pert  in  securing. 


TKOGLODVTID.K  — THE  WItKNS.  If)-] 

Tli(!  e-gs  .)(•  tills  spccli's  average  .Gr,  of  an  inch  in  lensth  and  .50  in 
biva.lth.  riicv  are,  In  coL.r,  in  striking  contrast  with  those  of  tiie  C.  stcl- 
larls,  being  so'thickly  marked  with  blotches  and  spots  of  a  deep  chocolate- 
brown  as  to  be  almost  of  one  nniform  color  in  appearance.  They  are  of  an 
oval  shape,  at  times  almost  spheroidal,  one  end  being  but  slightly  more 
pointed  than  the  other.     They  number  from  six  to  nine. 

In  a  few  instances  eggs  of  this  species  from  the  Mississii)pi  Valley  and 
from  California  are  of  a  light  ashy-gray  color,  the  markings  being  smaller 
and  of  a  nnicli  lighter  color. 


We  have  thus  completed  the  account  of  the  Oscine  Singing-Birds  with 
slender  bills  not  hooked  at  the  end,  and  which  have  ten  distinct  primaries  ; 
the  first  or  outer  one,  howevcir,  either  ([uite  small  or  else  considerably  shorter 
than  tlu!  second.  Wi;  now  c(uue  to  a  series  with  only  nine  primaries,  the 
first  being  entirely  wanting,  and  the  second,  now  the  outermost,  nearly  or 
cpiite  as  long  as  the  third.  In  the  prelinunary  tables  of  general  arrange- 
ment will  be  foinid  the  comparative  characters  of  the  dilferent  himilies 
oi'  (krinrs,  but  the  diagnosis  of  the  series  referred  to  is  presented  here,  as 
follows  :  — 

C0.MM0X  CitAU.U'TKKs.  Piiniaiii  s  iiiiii' :  tli.>  fir.«t  quill  nearly  as  lonjr  as  the  spcond  or 
thinl.  Tarsi  distinctly  wiitcllaif  liir  wlinic  Icnglli  anturiorly.  Bill  conical,  but  slender  or 
(Ifpr.'sscd,  usually,  ex.vpt  in  (WrMih;  half  tiic  loli-lh  of  the  head;  more  or  loss  bristled, 
or  not. •bed.  Nostrils  oval  or  roiuided.  Lateral  toes  nearly  or  .luite  equal,  and  shorter 
than  tiie  middle;  the  ba.sid  joint  of  the  ini.ldie  free  nearly  to  itrf  base  u.\.ternally,  united 
lor  aliont  half  internally. 

MotaciUid%.  iiill  slender.  Cnlnieii  sli;j;htly  coneave  at  liase.  Le,!,'s  lousr ;  daws  but 
little  curved.  Hind  toe  considerably  loiij:er  than  the  middle  one;  its  claw  nmeb  lon.uer 
(twice)  than  tlu-  middle  claw  ;  all  llie  claws  but  slightly  curved.  Innermost  seeondari.M 
(so-ealled  tertials)  eloiiijated,  luMch  lono-er  than  the  outer  .secondaries :  and  the  lilUi  ori- 
niarv  emarginated  at  end.     N'est  on  L'round. 

Sylvicolidee.     Mill  rather  slender,  eonieal,  or  depressed.     Culnien  straiuht  or  convex.. 
Iliud   toe  .shorter  than   the  middle:   the  claws  all  much  <Mnvcd.     Hind  claw  not  eons|iic- 
uously  loufj-er  than  the  middle  one.     When  the  hind  toe  is  leiit;thenod,  it  is  usually  in  the 
dij?it,  not  the  claw.     Tertials  j;-enerally  not   lon.j-er  than  the  sci'oiMlaries,  and  not  emargi- 
liated.     r,a|iewide;   loiifrue  slightly  .sjilit  at  end.      XesI  variously  l>la 1. 

Ceerebidse.  Similar  to  Si/lrinilida:  Iiill  j,'eiierally  lonu'cr :  e(|ual  to  heail  or  more, 
(lape  of  mouth  narrow  ;   toiiLHie  tfcncrally  much  IViug.'d  at  the  I'ud.     Xest  on  trees. 

The  TtiiKtifrii/n;  the  Frinnillido;  and  even  the  frlrrUlir,  come  very  near 
these  families,  as  will  be  exi)liiined  further  on,  all  agreeing  in  having  the 
nine  jtrimaries,  and  in  many  other  eliaiacters. 


164  NORTH   AMMKICAX  IURD><. 


Family  MOTACILLID-ffiJ.  — Tiik  AVA(iTAiLs. 

Char.  Bill  .slondiT.  conical,  noaily  as  high  as  wi.lo  at  iho  base,  with  slight  notch  at  the 
tip;  thu  eulmen  slightly  conravu  aln.vo  th."  anterior  extrcmitv  of  tho  nostrils;  short  bris- 
tles at  gape,  whieli,  howevc-r,  .lo  not  extend  Ibrwanl  to  nostrils.  Loral  Teatliers  soft  and 
d.Mise,  bnlwith  bristly  points;  nasal  groove  lille.l  with  naked  membrane,  with  the  elon- 
gato.l  n..stnls  n.  low.Tcdge;  the  frontal  feathers  eoming  n].  to  the  aportnre,  bnt  not  directed 
lorward  nor  overhangh.g  it.  Wings  l.-ngthen-.l  and  sharp-pointed;  the  primaries  nine 
(without  spimous  lirst).  of  which  the  lirst  three  to  live,  considerably  longer  than  the 
-succeedmg,  form  the  tip;  the  exterior  secondari,.s  generally  inwh  ..mar-inatcd  at  the 
ends;  the  inner  secondaries  (so-called  tertials)  nearly  e.pial  to  the  long.'st  primaries.  The 
tad  rather  nariw,  eniarginate.  Tarsi  l,.ngthei,e,l,  sentellate  anteriorly  only,  the  hind  ckuy 
nsnally  very  long,  acute,  and  b„t  slightly  cnrvd  (except  in  MoUmil,,).  Inner  toe  clell 
almost  to  the  very  base,  outer  adherent  Ibr  basal  joint  only. 

Tho  coi.ihiiiiititjn  of  naked  m.strils,  notclied  l)ill,  and  nine  primaries,  with 
tl.e  tarsi  sentellate  anteriorly  oidy,  will  t.t  once  .listinf,niish  the  Anthincv  of 
this  family  from  the  Alotulnhr,  which  tliey  so  closely  resemble  in  coloration, 
habit.s,  and  lenothened  hind  claw.  The  leii,!j;thened,  sljohtly  curved  hind 
claw,  nnich  ]»ointed  wings,  emarginated  secondtiries,  —  the  inner  ones  nearly 
as  long  as  the  primaries,  — distingnish  the  family  from  the  Si/loieulidw,  with 
which  also  it  has  near  relation  ;hij)s. 

Subfamilies  and  Genera. 
MotacilUnsB.    Tail  longer  than  <,r  ..i|ual  to  wings  :  th.'  two  ccTitral  feathers  rather 
I.Miger  than  lafral ;  the  llMthers  broadest  in  middle,  ^vhellce  they  taper  gradually 
to  the  rounded  tip.     Colors  unilbrm  :  gray,  lilack,  yellowish  ;  without  pale  edges 
to  feathers  aliove,  or  streaks  below. 

Tail  from  eo.ryx  eousi<lerably  longer  than  the  wings,  doubly  forked.    Iliud 
claw  .shorter  than  the  toe;  decidedly  (urvcd  .         .         .'        .         .  .]f„/„rill,t. 

Tail  from  (.'occyx  ecpial  to  the  wings,  slightly  graduale.l.     [liud  .'law  de- 
cidedly longer  than  the  toe,  .slightly  <Mnycd Biidyles. 

Anthinee.      f.-iil   shnrfer   than   the   wings,  emargiiiate   at    end,   the   two  central 
shorlcr  than  lateral  :   the  i;.athers  broad<'st  near  the  end,  and  roun.ling  rapidly  at 
end.    Almve  grayish-brown,  the  feathers  edged  with  pal.-r.    Under  i)arls  .streaked. 
Wings  much  (lointcd  and  lengthened. 

Hind  toe  and  cOaw  shorter  than  tarsus;  outstretched  toes  falling  .short 

"'■*'l'"'"'^'il \„II,H.. 

Illlid  toe  and  claw  longer  than  tarsus;  oiitslrctched  toes  cxlendin!.'- lie- 

..    y""'l  tip  "I' tail ■         A«w^,v. 

AViiigs  short  and  I'oundcd. 

I'oiiit   of    whigs    formed    by    outer    Ibur   primaries   of   nearly    e(|ual 

'^'•^^ff<''      •, ■    .      Xnliocorye 

I'omt   of  wing  formed  by  outer  live  primaries,  the  lirst  shorter  than 

""■"'■'•'' Pv,i:o,;,ni,} 

'  .V.  nif„,  li.viliK.     (.Ihii,?.,  nifii,  (i.MKi.ix,  Sy.st.  Xat.  I,  UMK,  7i)H.) 

"  J\  boijotrnsi.,,   li.vii.n.      i,h,l/n,s  l„„j„lr,„is,  Sa.,vrKll,  1'.  Z.  «.  1855,  !((!•,  p|.  ci. ) 


MOTACILLID.K       TIIK  WAUTAILS. 


165 


Subfamily  MOTACILLIN-aS. 

Ge\us  MOTACILLA,  Linn. 

Mofacilla,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.     (T\\»;  MotticilUi  alba.) 

The  diagiio.si.s  alreatly  j,nven  of  MotaciUa  will  serve  to  define  it.  The 
genus  is  an  Old  AVovld  one,  represented  by  several  species,  only  one  of  which 
{M.  alha)  is  entitled  to  a  place  here  from  occurring  in  Greenland. 


G 


^^..^ 


Motacilla  alba,  Linn. 

WHITE  WAGTAIL. 

Mutodlhi  idhi,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  l-2th  cd.  170li,  :!31.  —  Kkys.  k  Hi,.\s.  Will).  Europ.  1840, 
xlix,  ami  171.  —  Dwii-.vNi),  (»iii.  Kmoii.  1,  1811),  4;!3.  —  Hi:iNH.Mil>r,  Ibis,  l.Stil,  ti 
((.iivciilan.l).  —  Nkwton,  Haiing-OoiiM's  Ici'laiul,  18G3,  \\>\^.  (" rather  pli'Htiful"). — 
H.uiii),  l!cv.  Am.  R  ISiU,  1.52. 

Fij^uic  :  (icui.l).  Birds  KtiiDiic,  113. 

Sp.  Cii.M!.  (il,41()  $,  Niinilifr.u).  Forehead  a.s  far  hack  as  above  the  pyo.«,  with  s;i<h'S 
of  head  and  iioek,  white  ;  tlie  reinaiiiiiig;  portion  of  head  an  '  neek  above  and  below 
to  tliejnn;uluni,  black;  the  rest 
of  under  parts  white.  Up- 
per parts  ashy-gray,  inelu<ling 
rump ;  the  uppei'  tail-eoverts 
tinged  with  blaek.  Wing.s 
with  two  eonspieuous  Viands 
and  the  outer  edges  of  the  .see- 
onilaries  while.  Tail-feallier.s 
blaek;  the  outer  two  white, 
oilged  willi  Mai'k  internally. 
Hill  and  legs  blaek.  Tip  of 
wing  fornieil  by  outei'  three 
priniarie.s  ;  the  ilistauee  be- 
tween the  third  anil  fourth 
about  one  third  that  between 

the  fourth  and  lillh.  Tarsi  lengthened;  elaw  small  ;  hind  loi'  and  claw  shorter  than  tlie 
middle,  its  elaw  sliort,  eousiderably  curved,  less  than  the  toe  alone;  l.ileral  toes  nearly 
ecpial.  [A'uglh,  T.liO  ;  wing,  .1.4.') ;  tad.  ;!.!)0 ;  bill  li-oni  nostril,  .;J7  ;  tarsus,  .Hli;  hind  toe 
and  elaw,  ..")(>. 

lI.Mi.  ('(Uitinental  Kurope,  rarer  in  Kngland  ;  Iceland;  (Jrcenland  (only  two  specimens 
seen);  Siberia;  Syria;    Nidiia.  etc. 

Motdcillii  i/nnrl/i,  a  closely  allied  species,  hy  some  considered  a  variety 
only,  dill'ers  in  having  th.e  ninip  lilack,  tlie  asliy  of  the  back  glo.s.scd  with 
blackisli,  and  with  the  lilack  edging  of  the  kiteral  tail-featliers  broader. 

Habits.     Tlie  common  White  Wagtail  of  Kuuipe  claims  a  place  in  the 


Mnfnrilh  nlbn. 


UK)  XORTII  AMERICAN  lUIIDS. 

North  American  fauna  us  an  ..ccasi.uml  visitant  of  (hwnlan.l,  wi.ere  in  two 
instances  snioU,  specimens  liave  been  in'ocunal.     It  is  fcund  in  all  ]K)rti..ns 

ol  the  Eur()])ean  Continent,  from  the 
islands  of  tlie  Mediterranean  as  far  north 
as  the  Arctic  re<rions.  It  a]t|iears  in  Swe- 
den in  April,  and  leaves  there  in  October. 
Mr.  (Jonld  states  also  that  it  is  found  in 
the  northern  portions  of  Africa,  and  in 
the  highlands  of  India.  It  also  occurs, 
though  less  fretjuently,  in  England,  where 
-ta^  ""  '"^  '■''l'^'"'i^<l  hy  a  local  race,  or  an  allied 

-'   -.'  '  spwies,  J^/w///,/ //^,m7//of  (iould.     The 

Mniadiin  ,Mu.  MoliicUlu  cMu  is  Said  I )y  Temniinck  to  iii- 

hahit  meadows  in  the  vicinity  of  streams 
ot  water,  v.Uages,  an<l  -hi  houses.  Its  fo<.d  is  chieHy  insects  in  various  sta-^es 
and  of  ditl'erent  kinds. 

It  builds  its  nest  on  the  ground  among  the  grass  of  the  mi.adow,  in  fissures 
ui  rocks  or  dcviyeil  buihling.s,  among  the  r.ots  ..f  trees,  on  the  banks  of 
streams,  m  ])des  of  wood  and  fagots,  or  undei'  the  arch  of  a  l)iidge.  The 
nests  are  somewhat  coarsely  constructed  of  interw..\en  drv  bent  Ttems  of 
I.lants  and  reeds,  with  a  finer  lining  o[  the  same.  The  egg.s,  si.x  in  number, 
are  (.f  a  bluish-white  ground  thickly  sprinkled  with  line  dOttings,  which  are' 
most  usually  of  a.  Ijhickish-brown  color,  sometimes  ashy-grav  or  reddish- 
brown. 

The  T'ied  Wagtail,  J/.  ,y,ovr///,  Degland  and  (lerbe  regard  as  a  race,  and 
not  a  s])ecies.  It  has  a  limited  halutat,  confined  to  Norway,  Sweden'  and 
the  IJritisli  Mand.s,  in  the  latter  of  which  it  is  a  resident  throughout  the 
year.  IJesides  their  diHerence  in  i)lumage,  Mr.  Varrell  has  noticed  certain 
•hUerences  also  of  habit.  The  o/b„  is  said  not  to  be  so  partial  to  water  as 
tlu^  pied  si)ecies,  and  though  often  found  near  ploughed  land,  does  not,  like 
Its  kindred  species,  follow  the  i)h)ugh  in  search  of  in.sects.  Mr.  Hewitson  also 
states  that  it  has  a  hoarser  voice. 

Like  all  the  birds  of  this  family,  the  Wagtail  is  much  admire.I  for  the  ele- 
gance of  its  lorm,  its  activity,  and  the  airy  lightness  of  its  motion.s.  It  seems 
ever  on  the  move,  runs  with  great  rapidity  a  .piick  succession  of  stejis  in 
pursuit  of  its  food,  and  goes  from  ])hice  to  ].hic(^  in  short  undulating  Hi-hts. 
It  has  a  cheerful  ciiirping  note  which  it  utters  while  on  the  wing.  When  it 
alights,  it  gives  a  graceful  fanning  movement  with  its  tail,  from  which  it 
derives  its  name. 

Tlic  I'ied  Wagtail,  wlio.se  habits  have  been  more  closely  observed  by  Eng- 
lish naturali,sts,  has  freciuently  been  seen  to  wade  into  the  water  in  search  ol' 
aquatic  insects,  and  im.bably  also  of  small  fish,  as  in  confinement  they  have 
been  known  to  catch  and  feed  on  minnows  in  a  fountain  in  the  centre  of  their 
aviary.     It  is  jirobable  that  tlie  habits  ui  the  White  Wagtail  are  n.^t  dissimilar. 


MOTACILLID Ji  —  THE  WAGTAILS. 


167 


Tliey  leave  their  breediiig-pliic.es  in  October,  cuUooting  iuid  moving  iu 

Slllilll   tloclvS. 

Tlioir  cLigs  iiiensiire  .70  of  an  inch  in  longtli  and  .")'.»  in  tircadtli.  The 
ground-i'dlor  is  ol'  a  grayi.sh-white  si*  thickly  Uecked  witli  tine  ash-colnied 
and  black  dots  us  to  give  tiie  entire  egg  the  ellect  ol'  a  unil'oriu  dark  ashen 
hue. 


(!i;.\is  BUDYTBS,  Cuvieb. 

Bi'diite.i,  Ci'vii;!!,  K.  A.  1S17.     (T^l"''  i^Macilla  flava ,  LiXN.) 

The  recent  discovery  of  a  species 
of  yellow-bellied  Wagtail  iu  Xorton 
Sound,  liy  the  naturalists  of  the  IJus- 
sian  Telegraj)!!  Kxpedition,  adds  an- 
other member  of  an  Old  World  fam- 
ily to  the  list  of  American  birds. 
Much  confusion  exists  as  to  the  pre- 
cise numlier  of  species  in  the  genus, 
some  grouping  together  as  varieties 
what  others  consider  as  distinct  s])e- 
cies.  There  is  an  unusual  degree  of 
variation  with  age,  sex,  and  sea.son, 
and  this,  combined  with  stron<dv 
marked  geogra])hical  peculiarities, ren- 
ders the  prn].er  .solution  of  the  problem  impossible  to  any  but  those  hav- 
ing access  to  large  series. 


45012 

llttdyte.s  fluva. 


Budytes  flava,  Linn. 

YELLOW  WAGTAIL, 


Mntmilln  thro,  |,,nn.  SvsI.  \„t.  I  (U-im,  3:5.  F issni  &  IfAisTi.Arn,  Vi,-,.]  OslafVikas, 
208.  Hii.IiiIcs  Jhni,  I!,.n.  {1S:!S).  -  -  M,„i„.:ni..i|!|.i.-,  Sil.iiisfl,,.  l!,.i.sc,  U,  ii  (Is.Vi), 
1(!8. —  Dkcani.  &  (iKKiiK,  Oniitli.  Kuioi..  I  (l.sti7),  :t7(i.  -  I'.aom),  Tnins.  Cliirnfro 
.\i"i.l.  Sri.  I,  ii,  |,.  ;{12,  pi.  .vxx,  li^r.  ]  ;  ],s,i!i.  D.u.r,  k  ItAXMsiKii,  Tr.  Cli.  Ac.  1, 
LMiii,  1-27.       TiiisiiiAM,  |l,is,  1S71,  •.>:J1.  — KrxsrFi,  1872. 

Sp.  Cmau.  I)..s,Ti|.ti()ii  ,,!•  sp,...in„.i,  No.  4r,.!)ii>,  t:.k,.,i  „t  St.  Mi,nim-IX  Norton  Sound 
.Inn.,-  (i,  IStid,  l,y  II.  .M.  liiuuii.^ct.M-.  AIm.v...  jnclniiinfj  ,>.l-.-s  of  ui.]).-.-  tail-covert...  rwh 
olivc-^rrecM,  the  top  and  .-.ides  of  tho  head  and  ncek  i)nro  a.'.li-.irniy  ;  eliin  and  wrll-niarkcd 
.><trip.'  froninoslrilsovrth.M.yelo  li,e  nape,  wliitc;  all  und.M' parts  rieli  yellow,  tinged  with 
olivr  on  the  si,l<'s.  Strip.'  fnmi  .■orn.'r  of  Mi,)iitli  thnMigh  the  ey..;  nn.i  involving,'  tlu!  car- 
.'..v.Mt.s  hia.'kish-asli.  F..all„.rs  of  win-s  an.l  l.-ul  dark  lir.iwn  ;  the  .-ov.-rts  an.F.seeonda- 
ries  eds-cd  with  ..liv,'  (.^howini:  the  .)hs(Mnv  h,<rht  winjr-h.-ns),  the  loiiw.st  of  the  latter 
cdjre.l  e.\t.'rn»lly  witli  whit.-  inn.-nnost  .piills  .',ljr,.,l  ..xternaily  with  white.  Onter  three 
.inills  nearly  e.|nal  an.l  lon-.'st  (ll„.  proh.n.ir.MJ  ,<,M.)ndari..s  as  l.'.n.i:).  th.-  .others  ..'ra.lnatinp 
loss.     Outer  tail-fl'athers  and  .shaft   ,vhite  ;  the  inner  weh  e.lged  e.xternally  with  .husky. 


168  XOHTJI  A.MEK1CAN  JllKDa. 

wim.l,   bo^innin.  a,    ,1,..  l.ns...  ,.„„s  „,u  j^n.Umlly  to  .l.o  v.lgo,  al.o„t  Lalfa,,  i„cl,  fi-om  tip 
k.alhcTs;  s..c„nrl  leatluM-  will,  rather  less  wl.it.,,  an.l  will,  a  narrow  li,„,  of  brown  alonl 

till'  onlcr  t:iil,.  of  tlio  siialt  to  within  half 
an  inch  of  tlic  tip.  JijH  .„,<!  l(!j,-s  hlackish. 
I'nncnsions  (preparfd  specimen).  To- 
tal length,  (i.OO;  wing,  ;!.()();  tail,  .■i.t)0; 
exiiosed  poition  of  (Irst  ])riniary,  2.30. 
Hill:  length  (ioni  forehead,  (l.r,8 ;  f,-,,,,! 
nostril,  0.;j.-,;  along  gape,  0.r,7.  I^.gs : 
tarsns,  0.!)1  ;  middle  (oe  and  elaw,  (),7(t; 
daw  nlone,tt.l(J;  hind  too  and  claw,  (l.ti."),' 
claw  alone,  U..i(i. 

A  second  sjieeinien  (Xo.  4o,910)  diU'ers 
ni  having   ashy  color   oC  Ji^ad    obsenred 
Biiriuten  flara  with  olivai.'eons-brown  ;    and  the  yellow 

I-  .,„„.,  .  ,  ,  ">'  '"'cast  showing  brownish  liases.     The 

light  niarkmgs  .m  th,.  wnigs  more  distinct  and  whiter 

A,,other  bird  ,Xo.  4o,..l;i).  taken  on  shipboard,  abont  ninety  tniles  west  of  St    Mat- 
thc«s  Island,   Iiehrn,gs  Sea,   Angns.    1,),   18ti.;.  app,.ars  to  he  of   the  san.e  species    in 
a^unjnal, vss.    Here  the  npper  colors  are  n.ore  brown  ;  ,he  low..-  parts  -IwS     ^i 
t.t..a.l  w„h  l,row,nsh-(hlvous  across  the  breast  and  tlank.     Ka.ntscha  kan  ...ecinu.   of 
same  stage  ot  plnmage  are  very  sinnlir.  ' 

I  am  unable  to  distinouisl,  tliis  .si^ecies  iVoni  tl.e  Protean  Bm(,,te,  flava  of 
Europe  ttnd  Asia.  Mtmy  diderent  races  appear  to  he  fonnd  thrnnghottt  this 
wide  circle  of  distribution,  many  of  tl.em  more  or  less  l..cal,  bt.t  the  propor- 
tions and  ovneral  chttracter  are  the  stune  in  all,  tmd  the  general  tendency 
aj.pears  to  be  to  nnite  all  into  one  sj.ecies.  The  sexes  and  a-^es  of  all  the 
species  real  or  si.].,,osed,  vary  very  mud.,  t.nd,  in  the  absence  oi'  a  hir-^e 
series,  1  ct.n  throw  no  light  upon  the  obs.-urities  of  the  subject.  I  ci'te 
above  the  latest  general  work  on  the  birds  of  Europe,  in  wjiicli  will  be 
louiicl  the  i)rincipal  synonymes. 

The  specimens  from  Alaska  submitted  for  examination  to  Mr  II  B  Tris- 
tram were  identified  by  him  as  the  B.Jlava. 

H.vniTs.     The  Gray-hetuletl  Wagtail  of  Europe  finds  a  phice  in  the  fauna 
of  ISorth  xim.M'ica  as  a  bird  of  Alaska,  where  s,,ecimeiis  have  been  obtained 
and  where  it  ;s.  at  least,  an  occasioiml  visittmt.     It  is  not  a  common  bird  of' 
the  Brithsh  Islands,  where  it  is  rejdaced  by  a  closely  allied  spe.nes      Only 
.seven  or  eight  instances  of  its  .)ccurrence  were  known  to  Mr.  Yarrell 

On  the  continent  of  Euroi,e  it  is.,uite  an  abundant  .s].ecies,  inh,il)itin- wet 
sp-ingy  i.laces  m  moist  meadows,  an.l  frcptenting  the  vicinity  of  wtiter  and 
the  gravelly  edges  of  rivei-s.  It  is  numerous  in  all  the  central  portions  of 
l-^iirope.  It  has  also  t.n  extensive  northern  and  eastern  geograiihical  ran-e 
a,)pearing  in  Xorway  and  Sweden  as  early  as  April  and  remaining  tl.rre' 
until  Septemi)er.  Linim-us  met  with  it  in  Laphmd  on  the  2l><l  of  May  It 
occurs  in  Algeria,,  Xubia,  and  Egypt.  Mr.  (lould  has  received  it  from  the 
Himalayas,  and  Temminck  gives  it  as  a  bird  of  Jajian. 

According  to  iJegland,  this  bird  is  a  very  tibundant  species  in  France 


MOTACILLID.K  — TriK  WAOTAIIA  Hyj 

■wlirri!  it  iicsts  (in  llii'  j^nmiiil  in  tiic  (MjnilioUls,  in  oikmi  fiulds,  nii'iulows,  and 
)uiii<lst  till-  .stiindinLi;  uiuin.  It  lays  iVoni  inur  to  six  c.^^s,  ol'  u  lin»\\nisli-yul- 
knv  on  ii  riMldisli-wliito  <4ruMU(l,  piofiisfly  cnvcrcd  witii  finu  dots  of  reddisli- 
grny.  ■wiiicli  aro  more  or  less  confluent.  A  i'vw  ziyzag  lines  of  dark  brown 
or  lilaciv  an!  found  on  tiie  larger  end.  Tliiiy  measure  X>'.'>  of  an  inch  in  length 
and  ..").')  in  breadth.  Its  food  is  tlie.s,  moths,  small  green  eaterpillars,  and 
atjuatic  insects. 

Uay's  Wagtail,  recognized  by  some  autl  )rs  as  a  distinct  s])eeies,  is  proba- 
bly only  an  insular  race,  eliietly  fouml  in  tlie  Uritish  Islands  and  in  Western 
France.  In  the  latti-r  place  Ixith  birds  occur,  and  here  also  they  have  been 
known  to  mate  the  (uie  with  the  other.  Tlieir  nests  and  eggs  are  .so  alike 
as  not  to  l)e  distinguishable.  Tiie  former  are  constructed  of  line  fibnais 
roots  and  tine  stems  of  grasses,  and  are  lined  with  hair. 

These  bii'ds  are  remarkably  social,  collecting  in  small  Hocks  soon  after 
leaving  their  nests,  and  until  their  autumnal  migrations  following  the  older 
birds  in  (piest  of  food.  Tliey  have  two  call-notes  which  are  (juite  shrill,  and 
are  repeated  in  succession,  the  .second  being  lower  in  tone.  Xo  mention  is 
made  by  the  naturalists  of  the  Telegraph  Expedition  of  their  having  any  song 
other  than  these  notes. 

Mr.  Uannistcr  first  observed  thi.s  species  at  St.  Michael's,  on  tiie  0th  or  lOth 
of  June,  and  from  that  time  until  late  in  August  they  M-ere  among  the  mo.st 
abundant  of  the  land-birds.  During  the  month  of  June  he  observed  them 
in  flocks  of  twenty  or  thirty  individuals.  It  seemed  to  be  a  rather  shy  bird. 
He  described  its  fligiit  as  like  that  of  our  common  (ioldfincli,  rising  with  a 
few  strokes  of  its  wings,  then  closing  them  ,'uid  describing  a  sort  of  parabo- 
loidal  curve  in  the  air.  Tlu^  only  note  wiiieh  he  heard  and  identified  as 
uttered  by  this  species  was  a  kind  of  faint  chirp,  hardly  to  be  called  a  song. 
These  l)irds  seenu'd  to  prefer  the  open  country,  and  were  rarely  observed  in 
the  low  brush,  the  only  approach  to  woods  found  on  the  island. 


SfmwMiiv  ANTHINiE. 

The  characters  of  this  sul)fainily  liave  already  been  detailed.  The  Ameri- 
can sections  may  be  defined  as  follows,  although  Avhether  entitled  to  rank  as 
genera  may  be  ipiestioned  :  — 

Common  Cu.\r.\cti:i!S.  Tail  (li'i'iilcilly  shorter  thiin  the  wiiijj-s;  fes;.-;  than  hatrtiii; 
whole  fcULjih  of  hird  ;  .•^iiuply  cniiiriiiiialc  and  rouiidcd.  Hind  claw  loii<;thon('(l  ; 
only  slijihtly  curved.  Feath(M-s  of  liack  with  ])alor  cdfjes ;  Inrast  .streaked  with 
du.sl<y.  Nest  on  tlie  pi'ound  ;  0!ri;s  i'/nely  mottled  so  as  almost  to  be  tniilorm  dark 
brown  (hi  North  American  species). 

a.    Wiiii/s  iiinrh  puiiitcil.  (iml  li'iii/llifucd. 
Point  of  winpr  formed  by  four  onti'r  primaries,  of  wliich  tiie  fourth  some- 
times a  little  sh  uler  than  the  third.     Hind  toe  and  claw  as  lon^-  as  middle, 
shorter  than  tarsns,  the  claw  alone  usnally  a  little  lonprer  than  the  toe  itself, 


170 


KOKTIl  AMEi;i('AX  lilKDS, 


and  sliglitly  oiirvcl;  imuT  Um-  and  t-law  Nm-or  than  ti...  outer;  OMtstivtfhci 

toi's  liilliiijr  slioi-t  of  til.;  lip  „rtail  ;   liin.l  toe  au.l  claw  shoi-l,.,-  than  tarsus  Ai,f/,.,.s. 

I'oiiit  of  winjvs  foriiiud  liy  Iniir  mil.'r  primaries,  tlio  lirst  loiifjest,  or  as  lonir 
as  othors.  Lo-s  stout,  the  oi  i>  '.•IkmI  toos  rcaehjii,!,'  almost  to  tip  of  laiK 
Iliiid  toe  and  claw  lon-er  tliau  tarsus,  tliu  claw  very  Ion-  but  equal  to  the 

toe  iiroper        ....  ,, 

'■••••••         Aeocori/s. 

h.    Wiiii/s  sltiirt.  lOHiidvd. 
Point  of  wings  formed  by  lour  outer  primaries  of  nearly  ofpial  leufrth   .   Xotm-m-,ix.' 
Point  of  wiii-s  lormed   by   live  outer    primaries,    the-   lirst    shor'ter    than 

tliird       ....  ,,   ,. 

/  ('dwci)ri/s.- 


Gen-us  ANTHUS,  Hecilst. 

-t»t/n,s,  Bi:riisr.  (;,.,.i..in.  Xaturg.  l)..utschl.  ],S(.2.     (Typ,.,  Al„n,ia  spmokm.) 

Ci.AR.     Bill  .slender,  much  attenuated,  and  .listinefly  nofhed.     A  W^yy  short  bristles  at 

__.  the  base,  t'ulmeu  concave  at  the  base.  Tarsi 
quite  .listinclly  sculellate;  lonirer  than  the  middle 
toe  :  inner  lateral  toe  the  longer.  Hind  to<'  rather 
shorter  than  the  tarsus,  but  longer  than  the  mi.Mle 
toe,  owing  to  the  long,  attenuated,  and  moderately 
curved  hind  claw,  which  is  considerably  more 
than  half  the  total  length  of  the  toe.  Tail  rather 
long,  enuirginatc.  A\'iiig  very  long,  eonsidei-alily 
longer  than  the  lengthened  tail,  reaching  to  its 
-—-—  middle.  The  lirst  primary  nearly  eipial  to  the 
longest.     The  tertials  almost  as  long  as  tlii'  prima- 


-y'         lonj 
3  ries, 


i>tit  one  spui'ie.s  of  this  genu.s  beloiios 
in-opeily  to  Xoilh  Aiiierii:ii,  altlioiioli  a  .sec- 


Anihus  liit/orlrintnm. 

011(1  i.s  accidental  in  Greenland  and  ALiskn.     The  .liagnoses  tu'e  as  follows :  — 


Bill  and  feet  blaeki.sh.  Prevailing  color  above  olive-brown,  liencath  bull'.  Ed"o 
anil  inside  of  wings  whin>.     Sli.-.fts  of  nii.ldli'  tail-ti.athers  abov..  d.uk  brown" 

iidlandleet  du.sky  lle.sh-color.  Prevailing  color  above  olive-green:  more  dis- 
tinctly streaked.  Hciieath  greenish-white.  Edge  and  insid,^  of  wings  green- 
ish-yellow.    .Shafts  of  miihlle  tail-H.athers  above  whitish      .         .        ^.   ''     A. /,r,ife„.s,-s. 

Z.wnKi!  (Cal)anis  .Totmial,  Kxtiahert  I,  IS:.:!,  (14)  .stales  that  JufJnis  rrr- 
ritiHs,  Pallas,  is  found  in  the  Aleutian  Islands.     It  is  descrihed  as  haviiig 

The  f.'ct  yellowish-brown;  the  tw.,  longest  under  tail-coverls  with  a  bla.'kish  longitudi- 
nal spot;  the  longest  tertial  almost  ,.,p,al  lo  the  longest  primary  ;  the  .shaft  of  the  first 
tail-leather  mostly  white;  no  green  on  the  plumage;  the  throat  rust-color. 

1  A„fh,siX..tw,;.r;,s)  ,;</„.•,,  Rviim,  U,.v.  Am.  liinls,  18.11,  lad  ,.//„„,/„  ,»,;,,  (U,  )  //„/, 
Istlniius  (if  I'aniiiiin. 

••<  AuHn,ur,,/;,..nn,s)  l,„„„>,„.,\  li.viiii,,  i;,.v.  Am.  iiirds,  l,->(i4,  1.^  ^AMhx  ln,„„/ur.,\  SnA- 
■VKU).     Itith.    Ecuador,  t'oluillbia, 


MoTACILLin.E-  TIIK  WA(iTAII-S. 


171 


Baldamus  (Xaumainiia,  1857,  202)  says  he  has  received  Anthus  aqua- 
ticus  aiul  its  e-gs  from  Lalmalor.  Tliis  statement,  however,  requires  veri- 
fieation. 


Anthus  ludovicianus,  Lk m. 

TITLAKK ;   AMEEICAN  PIPIT. 

A!,ii„l„  Imlnvkiaim,  f)M.  S.  N.  I,  1788,  7!t3.  Aulhux  huknicwuiis,  LicUT.  Vcrz.  18215, 
:i7  ;  als,,  of  Ail.ruoN  k  r.oNAi'Aiiii:.  -  H.ui;!..  Uirds  N.  Am.  1858,  232  ;  Rev.  153.  - 
t'on:.s,  IV  A.  N.  S.  1801,  22ii  (Li'l'™'"'*- — '^'''■■^•'F'"'  ''•  '^'-  ^-  ^''•''"'  ^^fi  (<A"<lovii). 
—  111.  Catal.  18til,  21,  no.  153.  Sd,.  i^  Sai.v.  Ilii.s,  185!>,  »  ((iiialcniala).  —  ,K)Ni;s,  Nat. 
ill  IWiuu.la,  185!t,  2!»,  aiitmim.  —  Bl.AKl.sroN,  ll>is,  18ti2,  -4  (.SaskaUliuwaii).  —  Dai.i, 
&  I5annisii'.i;,  Tr.  Cliio.  Ac.  I,  ISGit,  277.  ^ ('o.MM;r:,  Oni.  Cal.  I,  187(i,  78.  Ahmhi 
ruhv,  (!.M.  ;  Altnuh  n'f",  Wn.s.  ;  AiMiis  siiiimhWi,  Bun.,  An..  ;  AhiuiUi  petinsiil- 
viinkii.  I5i;iss.  ;  /.//.'  'i  i)ani!<!ilciinkii,  l?i)N\.  Ivi.yrl.  Mvth.  1,  UiK),  il9.  I  ihilii- 
filhi  Inobniiici,  Lath.  ■■  1.  Om.  II,  17!>0,  5(i3.  -  Vikii.lot,  Em-yl.  SK-th.  II,  1823, 
447  Aii/Iinsjii'iiiisiilniiii'ii,  Zanuki!  ;  Anlhiixminiith-us,  .\ri).  ;  Aiilliii.-< /ujikiis,  An>. ; 
Aiitliiis  riibi'u.i,  Mi-.uiil-.M  ;  Anlliiis  i-nnhnrillil,  Hiii.iKil.l.,  l-'aiiua  Cnmlaiul.s  («1.  Paiil- 
sciiK  1840,  25  (r.mMiIamU. 

I'iKuves:  Aii>.  lUnls  Am.  Ill,  vl.  .xl.       In.  Oni.  Ww^.  I,  ]>!.  lx.x.\. -Wii.s.in,  V.  i.l.  l.\.\xi.\. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  (Fi'iiKilc.  m  siniii.ii.)  Above  olivo-Ui-own,  I'ac'h  foatlior  .^lijjlitly  darker  to- 
wards the  eeiitnil  iio-.-tidii  ;  lieiieatli  pale  duU-lmlV,  or  yellowish-lirowii.  with  a  maxillary 
series  of  dark-lirowii  spots  and  streaks  across  tlie  hivasl  and  alon^j  sides.  King  round  the 
eye,  and  superciliary  stripe,  yellowish.  Central  tail-feathers  like  the  haek,  others  dark 
biaeki.sh-hrowii  ;  the  external  one  white,  except  at  the  lia.se  within  ;  a  white  .spot  at  the 
end  of  the  second.  Primaries  edgeil  with  whitish,  other  quills  with  pale  hrownish. 
Length,  O.nO  ;  wing,  :iAr> ;  tnil,  '2.'X>. 

ITafi.  Whole  of  North  America;  (ireenland;  Bernuida  ;  .south  to  Orizalia.  <  iuateniala, 
and  even  Peru  ?     Heligoland,  Euroi>e.  ((iATKi.)     Nol  noted  in  West  Fiidics. 

Spriiio-  suecimeua  from  Labrador,  eollected  hy  Dr.  Cones,  liave  tlic  upper 
parts  ashy  without  any  tiiioc  of 
ohve,  ahnost  hhii.sli  on  tlie  liead ; 
the  lower  ])arts  deei)er  and  more 
reddish-bulV  than  in  autumnal 
anil  winter  sjieciuuMis.  Tarsi 
black  in  ajtrino;,  brown  in  win- 
ter; toes  always  black. 

llAliITS.  At  ditl'ereiit  seasons 
of  the  year  the  llrown  Titlark 
is  found  tln'ouo;hout  the  conti- 
nent, and  abundant  for  the  time 
in  the  seveml  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, chielly  freciuentini:  the  least 
cultivale.d  ]»ovtions  and   ap])ar- 

ently  preferring,'  tb.e  ste'-jle  and  least  attnu'tive  re{,'ions.      It  is  one  of  the 
most  oxtonsively  distributed  of  all  our  Xorth  American  birds,  beinj,'  found 


172  XORTH  AMKHICAX  151 RDS.- 

ill  ininieiisu  iiiniil)er.s  dver  tlit;  wliulc  Icii.i^th  luid  hroadtli  of  North  America. 
Gambol  met  tiiem  in  large  minilieiH  in  New  Mexico  and  Calit'ornia  ;  Jticli- 
ardsoii  found  tiiem  on  tlie  ])laiiis  of  the  Sa.skatehewan  ;  it  is  abundant  in 
tlie  Aretie.  regions  from  May  to  Uctoljer,  and  is  eiiually  common  on  tlio 
coast  of  Laljrador;  Mr.  Dall  found  it  universal  from  Uritish  ("olumhia  north. 
It  is  also  found  in  Florida,  ("ajjc  St.  Luca.s,  Mexico,  and  Central  America. 
Accidental  si)ecinieiis  have  occurretl  in  Kurope. 

This  lark  is  a  bird  of  easy  and  beautiful  Hight,  passing  and  rejiassing 
through  tlie  air  witli  graceful  evolutions,  and  when  moving  to  new  localities, 
sweeping  over  the  jjlace  several  times  before  alighting.  It  also  moves 
rajjidly  on  the  grounil  and  after  the  manner  of  the  true  larks,  jerking  the 
tail  like  our  Water-Tiirnshcs  and  the  Euro])eaii  Wagtails. 

When  feeding  on  the  open  ground  in  the  interior,  their  food  is  chiefly  in- 
sects and  small  seeds.  On  the  lianks  of  rivers  and  on  the  seashore  tliey  arc 
fond  of  running  along  the  edge  of  the  water,  searching  among  the  drift  for 
insects,  small  shells,  and  crustaceans.  Near  New  Orleans  and  Charleston,  in 
the  winter,  Mr.  Aiuhiboii  found  them  feeding,  in  com])any  with  tiie  Turkey 
Buzzard,  ui)on  garl)age. 

Dr.  Cones  found  tlie  Titlark  abundant  in  every  locality  visited  Ity  him  in 
Labrador,  giving  him  an  ample  opportunity  to  oliserve  its  habits  during  the 
breeding-season.  He  I'ound  thcni  on  .some  of  the  most  rocky  and  barren 
islands  along  the  coast.  They  i're([uented  only  the  ojieii,  bare,  and  exjiosed 
situations,  such  as  that  coast  everywhere  afforded,  and  were  never  found  in 
wooded  localities.  The  nests  of  this  s])ecies  found  by  him  were  identical  in 
situation,  form,  and  consfructioii,  ]ilaced  on  tlui  sides  of  fiteej),  ])reci]iitous 
chasms,  in  small  cavities  in  tlic  earth,  into  which  dry  nio.ss  had  been  intro- 
duced to  keep  the  nest  from  the  damp  ground.  They  vt-ere  composed  entirely 
of  coarse,  dry  grasses  loosely  ]int  together,  witlaait  any  lining.  Tlieir  exter- 
nal diameter  was  six  inches,  and  the  depth  of  tlie  cavity  two  inches. 

Dr.  Cones  describes  the  song  of  the  male  bird  as  very  sweet  and  ])lea.sant. 
j\Ir.  Audubon  sjieaks  of  it  as  consisting  of  a  few  dear  and  mellow  notes 
when  on  the  wing,  and  when  .standing  erect  cm  the  rocks  it  produces  a  clearer 
and  louder  song. 

Dr.  Cones  s])(!ak.s  of  their  flight  as  undulating  and  unsteady,  and  never  ])ro- 
tracted  to  any  great  distance.  They  never  alinht  on  bushes,  l)ut  always  on 
the  gnmnd,  where  lliey  run  with  great  ease  and  rapidity.  At  low  tides  they 
resorted  to  tlie  muddy  Hats,  where  tht'V  ran  about  upon  the  eel-grass,  .search- 
ing for  their  food  in  comi)any  with  the  small  SandpiiK^rs  and  in  a  similar 
maimer,  finding  there  an  abundance  of  food.  At  all  limes  they  exhibited  a 
heedless  familiarity  and  an  entini  want  of  fear  of  man,  feeding  unconcern- 
etlly  around  tlie  doors  of  the  houses,  and  .searching  for  their  in.sect  food  on 
the  roofs  of  the  shells  and  dwellings. 

Iloth  liirds  inculiate  and  sit  so  closely  that  they  lim.v  almost  be  trodden 
upon  liefore  they  are  willing  to  leave  tlieir  nest,  and  even  then  tinly  llutter 


MOTACILLIDJ';  — TIIK  WAUTAIIA  I73 

oir  to  a  sliort  distiince,  wit!-  hnu\  I'rit'S  of  ilistress  tliat  soon  Itring  tho  iiiato 
lUicl  other  iiairs  of  the  Siiiiie  Si<t'L'ii;.s  lu  join  in  tliu  laiiKMitatioiis.  Tlicy  liovor 
i>\v.v  the  heads  of  tho  iutrudei; ,  at  tiiiios  appniaohiiig  witiiiu  a  few  feet,  ex- 
picssiii"  their  distress  hy  tl>e  most  ])laintive  eries,  and  even  when  tlie  in- 
truders withdraw  following  tin  ni  to  a  considerable  distance. 

All  the  nests  of  this  lark  that  1  liave  seen  are  reniarkalile  for  the  thickness 
of  their  walls,  and  the  strength,  cnnipiictncss,  and  elaborate  care  with  which 
the  materials  are  [uit  together,  piirticnlarly  for  nests  built  on  the  ground. 
They  are  ^vell  suited  to  ])rotect  their  contents  from  tlie  cold,  damp  ground 
on  which  they  are  jdaced  ;  and  their  ujiper  portions  are  eoni])osed  of  stout 
vegetable  stems,  lichens,  and  grasses  strongly  interwoven,  and  forming  a 
strcjng  rim  around  the  upjjcr  part  of  the  nest. 

])r.  (V)ues  describes  their  eggs  as  nf  a  dark  chocolate-color,  indistinctly 
marked  with  numerous  .small  lines  and  streaks  of  l)lack.  Audul)on  describes 
them  as  having  a  ground-color  of  a  deep  reddish-chestnul,  darkened  by  nu- 
merous dots  of  dee])er  reddisii-brown  and  lines  of  \arious  sizes,  esi)ecially 
toward  the  larger  end.  Those  in  my  possession,  received  from  Laltrador  by 
Tliienemann,  measure  from  .7")  to  .7^^  of  an  ineii  in  lengtli,  and  from  .5!) 
to  A')2  in  Itreadth,  and  lia' e  a  ligiit-brown  or  clay-colored  ground,  .so  tiiickly 
covered  witli  .spots  as  to  be  almo.st  conceahul.  Tiu-sc  sjxits  are  of  a  jairplish 
chocolat(!-brown,  with  occasioniil  darker  lines  aliout  the  larger  end.  In 
others  the  markings  are  Ixdder  and  larger  and  of  lirighter  hues.  Like  tlie 
eggs  of  the  Anllias  iirborcKs  of  Kurope,  it  is  probable  that  those  of  this 
Titlark  exhiliit  great  variations,  both  in  ground-color  and  in  tho  shades  of 
their  markings. 

Anthus  pratensis,   Ib.disr. 

EUBOFEAN  PIPIT. 

AlamUi  imittiini.i,  Linn.  Syst.  Nut.  ITHii,  "287.  .Inllms  /h-uIi usi.s,  ll"(  iisr.  |)rii(sili.  Vii^cl, 
III,  Ifto",  7y.2.  —  Kkys.  it  Iti.As.  Willi.  Kiiropus,  isiii,  17'.i.  /.anukii,  l'iil>.  .li>iii-.  I, 
cxtiahcl't,  IS."):!,  lill.  r.\ri.si;N,  id.  Iliiliuil.l,,  l'':uili.  (lniiilnMcIs,  ISJli,  'Jl.  —  liKlN- 
liAiiiii-,  lliis,  l.stil,  li.  NiAviiiN,  llAiaN(i-(ii>ri.i)'s  lickml,  ls(i3.  —  liAlun,  Kov. 
Am.  li.  UHtit,  1."..'. 

Figures  :  (luii.irs  Itiiils  Kimipr,  pi.  cxxxvi. 

IIaii.  Ein'opc  fxciicriiliy  ;  ciiiiiiiKHi  in  iiii|il;iiMl ;  iirridciiliil  in  (irccnliiiKl ;  St.  Micliiicl's. 
Xoiioii  Soiiiiil. 

This  species  in  gtMieral  form  resembles  tlie  ..(.  hn/nrirlinnis,  tlie  til'th 
primary  in  both  being  abru[)tly  ami  considerably  shorter  than  the  outer  four; 
tlie  bill  and  legs  (piite  similar.  The  average  si/e  ap]iears  much  the  same. 
The  u]iper  jiarts  are,  however  (especially  the  head  ajid  back),  more  distinctly 
streaked  with  du.d;>  ;  tiie  edge  and  insidt!  of  wing  greenish-yellow,  not 
whito,  and  the  up]ier  ]ilumage  and  outer  edges  of  the  (piills  decidedly  olive- 
green.     The  shafts  of  the  miildle  tail-feathers  above  an^  whitish,  not  dark 


174  .NOIiTH  AMERICAN  JilltDS, 

blown  ;  tlie  midtn'  i.arts  oroeiiisli-wliito,  cdiispicuouslv  streaked  with  dark 
brown.  The  bill  is  dusky,  the  l)ase  aii.l  edges  ].aler;'the  k-s  dusky  llesh- 
color,  not  dark  brown. 

The  occurrenee  of  this  s]iecies  in  fJreenland  wa,s  noticed  in  the  Review  ■ 
and  since  the  publication  of  that  w.^'k  a.  specimen  has  been  obtained  at  St' 
Michael's,  m  Alaska,  by  Mr.  W.  H.  J)all,  and  is  now  in  the  Sn.ith.sonian 
collection.     The  specimen  in  .piestion  ap])ears  to  be  the  true  jm(/n,.sU 

H.viiiTs.     This  Kuropean  .s].ecies  claims  a  jdace  in  the  North  American 

fauna  on  the  -rouii.l  of  a  siu-le  .specimen  havino  been  f.mnd  in  Greenland 

111  ISb,,  and  one  at  St.  Michael'.s,  Xortmi  Sound.     In  the  Old  World  it  is' 

the  counterpart  of  our  huloindanm,  which,  in  all  resiiects,  it  closely  re.sem- 

ble.s.     It  !.'>  the  m.Kst  common  an.!  the  best  known  of  Euroi.ean  Titlarks     In 

(ireat  Britain,  where  it  is  found  throughout  the  year,  it  aj.pears  to  prefer  the 

uncultivated  districts,  inhabiting  commons  and  waste  hinds,  and  in  the  more 

northern  parts  frcpienting  the  moor.s.      It  is  also  found  in  meadows  and 

marsh  lands,  m  winter  seeking  more  sheltered  ])laces.      It  is  rarely  seen  to 

alight  on  a  branch  or  to  sit  on  a  rail.     Its  s..ng  is  soft  ami  musical,  an.l  is 

usually  uttered  when  on  the  wing  or  when  ^  ibiating  over  its  uest.     It  .seeks 

Its  food  altogether  on  the  ground,  running  nimbly  in  pursuit  of  in.sect.s,  slugs, 

and  worms.     According  to  Varrell  its  nest  is  built  on  the  ground,  generafly 

among  the  gra.ss.     If  is  conii.osed  externally  of  dried  sedges,  lined  with  finer 

materials  an.l  .some  hair.     The  eggs  are  si.x   in  number,  of  a  reddi.sh-brown 

color,  mottled  over  with  darker  sha.lcM  of  the  .same,  and  measure  .8(1  bv  .(iO 

of  an  inch. 

According  to  the  ob.servations  of  English  mituralists,  this  bird  roorts  to 
various  ingenious  .levies  to  conceal  its  nest,  or  to  <lrnw  asi.le  attenti..ii  fr.mi 
It,  such  as  feigning  laniene.ss  when  it  is  ai.proache.l,  and  ...iicealing  it  by 
artificial  covering  when  it  has  been  once  .liscovered. 

The  Mea.low  IM])it  is  common  during  the  summer  months  in  Denmark, 
Sweden,  an.l  Norway,  visiting  al.so  tiie  Faroe  Islands  an.l  Kvlaii.l.  It  in- 
habits the  wh.>le  cntinent  of  Kun.pe  as  far  .south  as  Spain,  Italy,  and  Sicilv. 
it  has  als..  been  f.mnd  in  X.irthern  Africa,  an.l.  aconling  t..  Coidd,  in  West- 
ern Asia.     Teinminck  als.)  states  it  t..  be  ani..ng  the  birds  of  Jajian. 

According  to  Deglan.l  these  larks,  after  the  bre.Mling-sea,s.in.  unite  in  small 
fl.)ck,s,  ])r..ba])ly  families,  and  fr.'.pient  l.)w  an.l  .lamp  h)calitie.s.  In  summer 
they  are  more  ..ften  foun.l  .m  high  an.l  .Iry  mountain  ]daiii.s.  Their  llesh  is 
snid  to  be  de]icil)iis. 


<ii:Ms   NEOCORYS,   S.i.Ari:n. 

Xa„;,ni..  Sri,.vr|.:i:,  I'r.  Zoul.  .S,,..  L„i„l.   IS.-Jr,  .'■..      (Typ,.,  .Il,u„h  s/w,,i„,.  Mu. 


t'ii.Ui.      liill  Imlf  as  Icn,,-  lu.  thr  I,,.,,! ;   ll, 1,,,,,,  ...mi.mv,.  at  the  base,  sl,.Hillv  .IcriuTcl 

tl'.'  tip.      RkMiis  witlmiit  l,n.stl,.s.     Legs  .stout;   tarsi  .lislmrtlv  .s,.nt..llat...   iJ.ii^w  than 
the  middle  toe.     Iliu.l  t,...  v.^y  loiipr.  e,|iinl  to  th<-  larsas,  niucl.  longer  than  th..  mid.lle  toe- 


at  t 


MUTACILl.l U.E  —  THE  WAGTAll-S. 


175 


its  daw  but  sliiiiitly  eiirvcd,  and  alxiut  liall'tlio  total  loii;j:tli.  Inner  laloval  too  rather  lon^vr 
than  outer.  Winf^'s  nnich  longer  tlian  tail;  liist.  quill  loii^'cst.  Tertials  eoiisideraMv  lohi.'er 
than  fx'condarie.s.     Tail  rathci'  short,  eniai-.uinate. 

But  one  si)ecies  of  this  gemis  is  known,  it  being  peculiar  to  the  Western 
plains. 


Neocorys  spraguei,  S(  r,.vT. 

MI8S0UBI  SKTLABK;   SFBAOUE'S  PIPIT 

AliiH(l<(  sjimgitn,  Avn.   Binls  Am.  VII,   li>-t:i,  li-i:,,  pi.  ccicl.x.x.wi.     Aijni(l„iii,i  siifdijnd. 

UaH!!),  Stansliury's  lit'p.  1S;V2,  329.     ycoairi/f!  sjmirjHci,  Si't.ATKli,  1'.  Z.  S.  1857,  H. 

liAllil),  Birds  N.  .\ni.  1858,  231.  — Hi.akiston,  Iliis,  18112,  4  (Saskatidicwan).  — (.'o();'iii;. 
Oni.  C'al.  I,  1871),  80.     Anthus  (Xeucurijs)  .sinvijitei,  liAlliD,  lii'V.  155. 

Sr.  CiiAH.  Ahove  wood-brown,  all  the  li'alher.s  ed.u'ed  with  paler,  espei-iallv  on  the 
noek,  where  there  i.s  a  browni.sh-yellow  ting;e.  Tiie  under  parts  are  dull  white,  with  a 
collar  of  sharply  ilelined  narrow  brown  .streaks  aeross  the  forepart  and  alonj;'  the  sides  of 
the  breast.  Lores  and  a  supereiliary  line  whitish.  Tail-feathers,  e.\eepl  the  middle  ones 
dark  brown;  the  outer  one  while,  the  .second  white,  with  the  inner  nitn-i,nn  brown.  The 
outer  primary  is  ecl'<ed  with  white,  and  there  are  two  dull  whitish  bands  aero.ss  the  winns. 
Rill  and  feet  yellow,  the  t'ormer  brown  aliove.  "  I,enf;th  (leinale),  5.".");  will"-,  3.35- 
tail,  2.50. 

Hab.     Plains  of  Yellowstone  and  Upper  .Missouri  to  Saskatehewan  ;  Nebraska. 

This  '.ittle-known  species  1ms  tlie  oenenil  iiiiiiearancu  of  a  Titlark,  Imt  is 
readily  distinouished  from  Anthm  lu- 
doviriannti  hy  the  jiurer  white  of  its 
under  parts,  the  much  darker  centres 
and  much  ptiler  maroins  to  the  fetitliers 
above,  the  entirely  white  external  tail- 
featiier,  iind  tlie  yellow  legs  and  bill,  as 
well  as  by  its  generic  peculiarities.  In 
its  song  and  general  habits  it  ajiproaches 
nearer  the  Kurojiean  Skylark  than  any 
bird  belonging  to  oin-  faiiiiii. 

Haiuts.  Tiiis  interesting  s]iec,ies  was 
first  described  by  AudulMPii,  in  the  suji- 
plementary  jKU'tion  of  his  ]Urdsi)f  Ameri- 
ca. It  was  obtained  by  the  jiarty  wliich 
accompanied  him  tn  the  I'pper  ]\lissouri  in  \M'.\.  It  was  first  met  with  on 
the  I'.lth  of  June  near  Kort  I'nion,  in  Dacotah  Territiny.  It  has  since  been 
found  on  the  Ibrk  of  the  Saskatchewan,  but  little  additional  information 
respectiiig  its  jialiits  litis  lieen  obtained  since  its  iirst  discovery. 

It  seems  to  more  nearly  appmacli,  in  its  haliits,  tlie  Kiiro])ean  Skvlark 
than  any  otlier  of  our  Nortii  American  liirds.  Mr.  Kdward  Harris  was  com- 
pletely misled,  at  tirsl,  by  the  .sound  of  their  song,  so  tliat  on  several  occa- 
sions he  sought  for  tlieiii  on  ijie  gmuud.     Their  voices  appeared  to  come  to 


Neontri/s  sitrtii:ntt. 


AVofory.T  s/>ragitei. 


176  NOHTH  AMEIUCAN   BJHDS. 

liiii.  from  tl.o  earth's  suifa.'...     Aftor  having  travdhMl  iu  ,,uo.st  of  tliom    to 
no  puriiose,  to  many  .li.stant  parts  of  the  prairies,  lie  at  last  discovered  tliat 

tliese  sounds  in'oeeedeil  from  si"\eral 
nf  these  birds  soaring  at  so  great  an 
elevation  as  to  make  them  diflieult  to 
dise(  ver  hy  tiie  eye,  even  in  tlie  trans- 
parent atmosi)liere  of  tliat  country. 

Tiiey  are  deseril)ed  as  rui.nin<'  grace- 
fully on  the  ground,  at  times  sipiat- 
tiug  to  oliserve  the  movements  of  the 
intruders,  and  again  elevating  their 
bodies  as  if  to  meet  their  a]iproacli 
Jusmg  from  the  groun.l,  they  lly  in  au  undulating  manner,  so  that  it  is 
extremely  ddlicult  to  shoot  them  on  the  wing.  Thev  continue  thus  to  fly 
m  mcreasmg  circles  until  nUnxi  a  hundred  yards  high,  when  they  begin  to 
S'ug  After  a  while,  suddenly  ch.sing  tlieir  wings,  thev  droj)  to  the  gn.und 
They  could  be  easily  a].proaehed  in  a  light  wagon,  and  in  this  manner 
several  specinuMis  were  obtained. 

Captain  IJlakiston  (Ibis,  V.  (II)  found  this  Skylark  c.mimon  on  the  prairies 
of  the  Saskatclu-wau  during  the  breeding-season.  He  first  met  with  it  on 
tlie  (ith  of  May,  near  Fort  Carlton.  When  disturbed  from  the  gi^ass,  its 
usual  haunt,  it  utters  a  single  chirp,  and  immediately  mounts  iu  the  air  by 
a  circuitous  course,  witli  a  very  undulating  flight,  to  a  great  height,  where 
with  outstretched  wings  it  soars  in  a  i)eculiar  manner,"  and  utters  a  very 
striking  song.  This  is  described  as  consi.sting  of  a  (luick  succession  of 
notes,  iu  a  descending  scale,  each  note  being  lower  than  the  preceding.  The 
bird  then  descends  to  the  ground  with  great  rapidity,  almost  like  a  stone, 
and  somewliat  in  the  manner  of  a  hawk  swooping  on  its  prey.  It  Mas' 
(hfiicult  of  approach,  and  not  easily  kille.l.  He  also  observed  thJse  birds  in 
Nortiiern  Minnesota,  ^[ay  4,  IS.")!). 

A  nest  of  this  bird  was  built  on  the  ground  and  i)laced  in  a  hollow.  It 
was  made  of  fine  grasses  interwoven  into  a  circular  form,  but  without  any 
Iniing  The  eggs  were  four  or  five  in  iiuud)er,  an  ol)long  oval  iu  shajK',  much 
pointed  at  one  end,  and  nu'asuring  .87  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .03  in  breadth. 
Their  ground-.'olor  was  a  dull  white,  ,so  miimtely  dotted  with  a  grayi.sh- 
].uri)le  as  to  give  the  whole  egg  a  homogeneous  appearance,  as  ^of' that 
unil'orm  color. 

The  young  larks,  ,soon  after  being  hatched,  followed  their  i)arents  on  the 
ground,  and  wen^  fed  with  .seeds  of  the  smaller  j.lants  an<l  with  insects. 
They  had  already  begun  to  a.s.sociate  in  small  floc^ks  of  from  eight  to  a  dozen 
before  tiio  ].arty  left,  and  on  Ih,-  IGth  of  Augu.st  had  commenced  their 
southern  migrations. 


SYLVirOLin.K  —  TIlK  WAKMLKKS.  177 


F.^.M^.Y   SYLVICOLIDiE.  —  Till.;  Wakhi-kks. 

The  Si/Iri(v/i(/w  are  essentially  cluiractorized  among  tlie  Oseines  with  niii(> 
primaries,  by  their  small  size,  Ihe  usually  sleiuler  and  conical  insectivorous 
l)ill,  shorter  than  the  head,  without  anj^le  in  the  yape  near  the  hasc  ;  the  toes 
deeply  cleft  so  as  to  leave  tiie  inner  one  tree  ah  -ost  to  its  very  liasc  (excejjt 
in  Mniotilticc),  etc.  The  siiaUow  notch  at  the  end  of  the  tongue,  instead  of 
a  deeply  fissured  tip,  distinguislies  the  family  from  the  dnrhidir,  to  siune  of 
which  tliere  is  otherwise  so  great  a  resend)lance.  The  abseiu'e  of  ahrujit 
hook  and  notch  in  both  mandibles  separates  it  from  such  of  the  rircuitidcv 
as  have  nine  ]trimaries. 

Tiie  American  Mofdrilliilw  are  distinguished  from  the  Si//rico/i(f(r  by 
the  emargination  of  the  outer  and  the  great  eh)ngation  of  the  inner  sec- 
ondaries, as  well  as  by  other  features  referred  to  undt'r  tliat  family. 
Anthiis,  in  particular,  difl'crs  in  the  lengtliened  and  slightly  curved  Iiind 
claw.  There  is  little  dilHculty  in  distinguislung  the  SiilrimUihr,  however, 
from  any  families  excepting  the  slender-liilled  forms  of  the  Tinuii/ridcr,  as 
Chlorospimjus,  Noiionia,  Vhlovoihriisn,  etc.,  anil  the  conirostral  Carchida: 
In  fact,  some  ornitludogists  are  inclined  to  include  all  three  of  the  families 
thus  mentioned  in  one,  from  the  dilliculty  of  marking  their  boundaries 
respectively. 

In  fact,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  no  \  icdeuce  would  be  dniu>  by  adopt- 
ing this  view,  and  would  even  include  witii  the  above-mentioned  families 
the  FriiKjillida-  also.  The  order  of  their  relation  to  one  anotlier  would  be 
thus:  Friiif/i/lida;  Tuiniijrida',  SjilvlcoUilw,  ('(rnbida  ;  there  being  scarcely 
any  break  in  the  transition  bi'tween  the  two  extremes,  unless  there  are 
many  genera  referred  to  the  wrong  family,  as  seems  very  likely  to  lie  the  case 
with  many  included  in  the  Tamii/n'da:  Tim /riji;/i//iif  forms  of  the  latter 
family  are  such  genera  as  B."nvrciiuiii  and  J /•/(•;/((*«,  they  being  so  closely 
related  to  Himie/riiii/il/iitc  genera  by  so  many  features  —  as  rounded  conca\e 
wing,  lax  plumage,  and  siiizine  cohiration  —  as  to  be  scarcely  .seiiarable. 
Either  tlie.se  two  families  are  connected  so  perfectly  by  intermediate  forms 
as  to  be  inseparable,  or  the  term  T(niii(fn'd(r  covers  too  great  a  diversity  of 
forms.  With  the  same  regularity  that  we  jirod'cd  from  the  Frimjillidtr  to 
the  typical  forms  of  the  Tdiiin/riihr  {/'i/ntiu/a,  Tdiiin/ni,  CidUsh,  etc.),  wo 
pass  down  the  scale  from  these  to  the  Si//ri<vlid(r ;  while  between  many 
genera  of  the  latter  family,  and  others  referred  to  the  Cinrhidir,  no  differ- 
ence in  external  anatomy  can  lie  discovered,  nuicii  less  expressed  in  a 
description. 

In  the  foHowing  synopsis  we  attempt  to  define  the  higher  grou])s  of  tlio 
Si/lvii-olidn;  although  in  the  large  number  of  sjietues  aim  their  close  ndation- 
siiips  it  is  very  dilticult  to  express  clearly  their  distinctive  features. 
23 


178  NORTH  AilEiUCAN  BIRDS. 


Subfamilies. 

A.  Rill  oonir'al,  its  bristles  vpit  woak,  or  wanting. 

a.  JJill  .sMl.-,onical,  iIr.  c.ilnien  and  coinnn-ssuro  nearly  straifrht 

iylvicolinae.  luM.t  weak,  not  reaehin-  near  the  .mkI  oHhe  tail  Wintr 
l.o.nt.nl,  ccnsxieral.lv  longer  than  the  nearly  even  or  slightly  eniar-i- 
nate,l  la,l.  Feet  .iark-eolore,l  (exeq.t  in  IMuHherns,  IMnaia,  ami 
J'iinil(i).     Aiboreal.  ' 

Geothlypinae.     Feet  str.mg,  reaching  nearly  to  en.l  of  the  tail      Win- 
roinided.     F.'et  i)inkit;h-while.     Tvrrp.vriul. 
h.  Bill  high  and  coinj)ressed,  the  oulnien  an.l  eommissuro  ninoh  enrved 

Ictenan*.  Bill  without  noteh  or  rietal  bristles  ;  wing  nn.eh  ronn.led 
shorter  than  the  tail.  ' 

B.  Bill  depressed,  its  bristles  strong. 

Setophaginae.  Bill,  turamnue^  considerably  broader  than  hi<di  the  tin 
"...re  or  less  hooked,  and  with  a  distinct  notch.  Rietal  bristles  reaching 
hall-way,  or  more,  to  the  tip. 

Sections  and  Genera. 

.SVI.VICOI.IN.K. 

1.  Jliddle  toe,  with  claw,  longer  than  tarsus. 

Mniotilteae.     Bill  much  compressed  lor  terminal  half,  the  lateral  outline 
dcMdedly  concave  ;  eulmen  and  gonvs  decidedly    convex  ;  connnissuro 
n.oderatcly  concave.     Rietal   bristles   very   inconspic.ons;    noteh  iust 
perceptible       .         .  ir  ■    -, 

2.  Mi<ldle  toe.  with  claw,  not  long.M-  than  taisu.s.  •■••••         ^^Imotdta. 
VermivorecB.    Bill  without  a  distinct  notch,  or  lacking  it  entirely  ;  rietal 
bristles  wanting,  or  very  nnnule;  eulmen  and  gonys  nearly  straight;  bill 
onl}'  very  moiierately  compres.><ed, 
".  Jliddle  toe  and  claw  al)out  equal  to  tarsus. 

Bill  not  acute;  eulmen  and  gonys  decidedly    convex;  notch  just 
perce,,tiblc  ;  bristles  apparent        .         .        .^        .        .         .     'Protonotaria. 

m\  moderately  acute,  I'obu.st ;  no  notch;  eulmen  straight,  its  base 
elevated  and  slightly  nn-lied  ;  bristles  not  appar(>nt        .      '  .         '    Ihll,„ii„ 
Bill  moderately  acute  ;   robust;  no  notch  ;  eulmen  conve.x,  its  ba^^e 

not  elevatpd;  bristles  apparent Helmitherm. 

t>.  Middle  toe  and  claw  considerably  shorter  than  tarsus. 

Bill  very  acute,  its  outlin.'s  nearly  straight ;  notch  not  perceptible  ; 
bristles  not  apparent  .  ir  i    ■  n     i 

Bill  very  acute,  its  outlines  nearly  straight;  notch  Just  perceptible; 
bristles  stronc:         .         .  '  '     />       , 

Sylvicole».     Bill   distinctly  notched;  rietal  bristles  .strong;  outlines 
generally  slightly  curved. 

Bill  acute,  gonys  .slightly  concave IWhsogkma. 

Bill  not  acute,  gonys  conve.x Dendnnea. 

OKOTIIt.Yl'IN.fl, 

3.   Wings  pointed,  longer  than  the  nearly  <'ven  tail. 
Seiureae. 

.\iiove  olive-brown  ;   beneath  white  with  dark  streaks  .  Seiurus. 

Above  olive-green;  beneath  yellow  without  streaks  .         .  Opornnm. 


SYLVICOLID.E  — THE   WARBLERS.  179 

4.  Wings  louiiiU'd,  sliortcM'  tliau  tlif  jjriuliiiitod  tail. 

Oeothlypeae. 

Above  o!iv(.'-i;ivi'ii;  bt'iit'iUli  yellow,  without  streaks     .         .        Genihhjpis. 

ICTKUIAX.i;. 

5.  Bill  very  (lee|>  and  eonipressed ;  tail  graduated  ;  outer  toe  deeply  eleft. 

Icterieae. 

Olive-green  above;  liiiglit  yellow  anteriorly  beneath.    Upperman- 

dible  deeper  than  the  lower Irteria. 

Phunbeou.^i-blue  above;    red,  blaek.  and   while  beneath.     I'pper 

niandiltle  not  so  deep  as  the  lower Oranatellus. 

C.  Bill  slend(!r,  sub-uonical.  l)ut  curved ;   tail  nearly  even ;    outer    toe    adherent 
for  basal  half. 

Teretristeae. 

Ab'jve  olive-gray  ;  beneath  whiti.sh  posteriorly,  and  yellow  an- 
teriorly    .  'J'eretrixtiii. 

SKTOIMI.VOIX.K. 

7.  Bill    Ujrnunine.     Tail   broad,   equal   to   or  longer  than  the  wing,  and  much 
rounded. 

Setopbageae.     Colors  mainly  l)lack,  red,  and  white. 

Tail  not  longer  than  the  wing.     Above  blaek,  wing  variegated     Setophitgn. 
Tail  longer  than  the  wing.   Above  pliunbeous,  wing  nnvariegated   Myioborus. 

8.  Bill  sylvicoUiie.     Tail  narrow,  almost  even  ;  shorter  than  the  wing. 

Myiodioctese.     Colors   yellow    beneath,    olive-green    or   ashy  above. 

Black  markings  aljout  the  head  in  the  ^         .         .         .         .     Myiodiocte.s. 

9.  Bill  t.omewhat  pnrine.     Tail  equal  to  the  wing,  almost  even. 

Cardellinese.     Colors  mainly  red,  or  red,  a.shy,  and  white. 

Bill  weak,  almost  cylindrical ;  wings  rounded,  the  quills  broad  and 
soft  at  ends.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  the  feathers  soft.  Cok)rs  mainly 
red. Ergaticus. 

Bill  stout,  the  culmen  and  gonys  veiy  convex;  wings  pointed, 
the  quills  emarginaliHl  and  hard  at  ends.  Tail  even,  the  feathers 
hard.  Color  ashy  above  ;  runqi  and  beneath  white.  Head  red  and 
black Cardellinn. 

Of  the  above,  Granafel/u,%  Mi/iohn>'ii>t,  ErcjntiruH,  and  Cardelliua  belong  li 
(."entral  and  South  America,  Teretristis  to  Cuba. 


Subfamily  SYLVICOLIN^. 
Skotion    MN  10  tilted. 

Char.  Bill  slightly  imtched  .some  distance  from  the  tip.  Rictal  bristles  minute.  Hind 
toe  considerably  developed,  longer  than  the  lateral  toe;  its  claw  decidedly  longer  than 
it.s  digit.  First  quill  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  the  second.  Wings  long,  pointed  ;  much 
longer  than  the  tail,  which  is  nearly  even.  Tail-feathers  with  white  spots.  Bill  much 
compressed  for  terminal  half,  the  eomiuissure  and  lateral  outlines  decidedly  concave;  the 
culmen  and  gonys  convex. 


180 


NORTH  AMKRKWN  JJIRU»J. 


(Jkms  mniotilta,  y 


iKii.i.or. 


Mnio/il/,,,  ViKu.L.rr,  Analys..,  Ksit!,  45.     (Type,  .\Mni//„  v,n-i„,  L.) 

ttKN.Cn.vn.  (i..M,.n,l  rorn,  sylvi,.„li,„. ;  l,ill  nulu...-  Ion-  .■oini.re.sed,  sliortor  than  the 
hoa.l,  with  v..,y  sh.„t  ,i,.|.l  l,ristl..s  and  a  shallow  notrh.  Wings  considcTahly  lon-rc..,-  tliun 
th.'  tail,  wind.  IS  sh^ditly  nMnulo.l ;  liist  qnill  shortor  than  s....ond  and  thinl.  '  Tarsi  ratluM- 
.short,;  t..os  long,, niddl..on.M..iual  loth.., arsns;  hind  too  marly  as  lonf,^  th.  Haw  ron- 
Md..ral  y  shorter  than  its  digit.  Color  white,  stroaUc-.l  with  bhick.  Nest  on  gronn.l;  ejfgs 
whitL',  hiolfhcd  with  rud.  °* 

Tliis  -emis  .lifr,M'.s  tVo.u  other  Sylvicolincs  in  tl,e  elongation  of  tlic  toes 
especittlly  tl.e  hinder  one,  by  means  of  which  the  sj.ecie.  is  eiuibletl  to  move 
11].  iui.l  ilown  the  trunks  of  trees,  like  the  true  Creepers.  But  one  species  is 
recoonized  as  Xorth  American,  altliough  Xuttall  describes  a  second 


Mniotilta  varia,  Viiii.l. 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  CEEEPING  WARBLEB. 

Molacilh,  v.,n„.  l.,xx.  s.  X.  I,  1  TOti.  ;m.     Va-lhu,  v,n-i„.  V.KO.t.or  ;  A,r,>n,oN.     Mui.til,., 
'•"'•"',  \l.:i....ov    (ial.   Ois.   1.   Ks3t,   27.i,  ,,1.  d.xix.     -  AfmmoN.  -  lUot..,   Rirds  N 
Am.  1N,,S,  -i.-i;    li..v.  l.;r.-.S..,.Ar.:K.   1'.  Z.  S.   1858,  -m  (Oaxaca,  Xala,.a)  ;    18,5<), 
M,S  (Aalapa)  ;    ]8.,.'i,  143  (Ilogota)  ;    18;.fi,  •».!  (Conlova)  ;   18(i4,  172  (City  of  M.-x  )   ~ 
n.rat"'-  l'"*"!'   -■''  "<••  It!^. -«'■■,.  &.<v,.v.  Ibis,  185!.,   1(,  (Cuatemaia).  -  -  NKWn.v 
Mns,  18;,!),  143  (.Santa  Vnu  ;   wintrr).  -  f.v,,.  .I..,,,..    |||,   475  (Cuba;  winter)  -  I'.kv- 
ANT,   I'r.   n,.st.  So...   185!.  (Ilahanms;  April  2(.). -Ooss..:,  Birds  Jam.  134  (.lamai.a  • 
wnit,.r).-.IoNj.;s,  Xat.   li..rmuda,   18.-,!..   2!.  ((..tolHT).  -  C.u..  .lour.   18tl(.,   328  (Costa 
Jura).--  LAWia;N.i.:,  Ann.   N.  Y.  I.yo.   18.J1,  322  (Panama  1{.  H,  :  winfr).  -     (irNot, 
Cah.  .Tourn.   18.i],  32.i  (Cuba;    v.tv  connnon).     Cn'/luu  m,„-ul„t„,   W,,,s.     M,hlil,., 
Imrcahs,   Xfir.     .Uinolilla  vnrw.  vai-.  /„u;,i,;,sfri.s;   llAiKn,   15irds  X.  Am.  1858    xx.vi 
no.  I(i7.  —  111.  fatal,  in  8vo,  18(i!).  no.  Itl7.  '  ' 

Figures:   Avi^.  t)rn.  liiog.  V,  ,.1.  xr  :    liirds  Am.   11,  ,,1.  cxiv.  -  Wn..soN,  Au>.  0,„.   m 
pi.  xix.  ' 

!=;.•.  TnAR.     Bill  with  the  npper  man.lihl,-  oonsidornl.ly   d.vnrvod.  the  l..w,-r  .straight. 

._  S.-  -^tC^HT-j Goncral  wilor  of  tho  male  lila.'k.  the  feathers  broadly 

edged  with  white;  the  head  all  ronnd  black,  with  a 
median  stripe  in  the  erown  and  neck  aliov.^,  a  .super- 
ciliary ami  a  nnixillary  om;  of  white.  AIid<lle  of  bellv, 
two  conspiennns  bamis  on  the  wing.s,  outer  edws  of 
lertials  and  inner  of  all  the  wing  and  tail  feather.s,  and 
a  spot  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  outer  two  tail-leathers, 
white.  Rnmp  and  upp.T  tail-coverts  blaek,  edged  e.\- 
ternally  with  white.  Fennde  .similar  ;  the  under  parts 
whit..,  obsol,.t..|y  .streak.-.l  with  black  on  the  si.l..s  an.l 
nniler  tail-covcrt.s.  Length,  S  in(die.s ;  wing.  2.85; 
t)iil.  2.1>r,. 
ITah.     Eastern  Province  of  North  Ameriea.  an.l  n..rth  to  Fort  Sin.pson.     Both  coasts 

01  Mex„.o  (as  far  north  as  Ma.atlan,  on  west  si.le).  and  southward  to  Bogota.     Whole 

ot  U  est  Indies  and  Bermuda. 


iNGhS 


Mmiililta  varia,  V'ml 


8Y lA'lCOLID.E  —  THE  WAIUJLEUS. 


181 


r,()raliliin  i/iiiiteil.      Biiliiinias ;    l!('iiniiil:i ;   Culiii;   .IiiiiiiiicM :   SiUilii  Ciiiz;   Wrsl    liulii's; 
Coiil<iv;i,  Xalapa,  OiiXiwa,  Mcx. ;  (iiiiiti'iiiala ;   I'aiiiiiiiii  II.  Ii. ;   lioL^uia. 

Specimens  bret'din^'  in  tlie  Soutliern  States  diilor  in  rather  lunjier  liill  uml 
less  amount  of  black,  Inil  are  otherwise  undistinguishable. 

IIaiui's.  Tiie  r>hicU  and  White  ('ree[ier,  nowiicri'  an  al)nndant  siummcs,  is 
met  with  in  various  sections  of  the  country.  It  occurs  in  all  i)arts  of  New 
En<,'land  and  Xew  Vork,  and  has  been  found  in  tlie  interim'  as  far  north  as 
Fort  Simpson.  It  has  been  met  with  on  the  I'acitic  coast  only  at  Mazat- 
lan,  is  conunon  in  the  liaiianias  and  most  of  the  West  India  Islands,  j^en- 
erally  as  a  nii<,frant.  It  has  also  been  found  in  Texas,  in  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory, and  in  Mexico,  and  tlirouj^hont  Central  America.  In  the  last-named 
region  Mr.  Salvin  states  it  to  be  pretty  iMpially  ami  generally  spread  over 
tlie  whole  country.  It  is  there  migratory,  leaving  in  spring.  It  was  also 
detected  in  Cobunbia,  South  Anu'rica,  l)y  iMr. 
C.  W.  Wyatt.  Mr.  Newton  also  met  with  it 
as  a  winter  visitant  in  St.  Croi.x,  leaving  tiiat 
island  at  the  end  of  Marcii.  He  regards  this 
species  as  almost  a  tliorougii  ("ret^piM'  in  iial>its. 
In  Jamaica  a  few  are  residi-nt  througiiout  tiie 
year,  according  to  the  observations  of  .Mr. 
Mandi,  and  though  its  nests  iiave  never  bei'n 
found  there,  a  son  of  Mr.  March  saw  a  pair 
carrying  materials  with  which  to  construct 
one. 

Dr.  Coues  states  that  this  Warbler  is  a  very 
common   summer  resident  near   Washington, 

but  is  nuire  abundant  there  in  the  spring  and  in  tlie  fall,  tiie  greater  number 
going  farther  mu'tii  to  breed.  Tiiey  arrive  in  Washington  during  tlie  tirst 
week  in  April,  and  are  exceedingly  nunu'rous  luitil  May.  Me  a(hls  that  tliey 
are  generally  found  in  iiigii  ojieii  woods,  and  tiiat  they  "breed  in  hoh's  in 
trees."  This  is  probably  an  error,  or,  if  ever  known  to  occur,  an  entirely 
exceptional  case. 

Our  bird  is  also  a  common  sununer  visitant  at  Calais,  arriving  tlu'ie  about 
the  1st  of  May,  and  by  the  lOtli  becoming  rather  aliunthint.  Mr.  IJoardman 
has  frequently  found  their  nests  there,  and  always  on  tlie  ground,  in  rocky 
places  and  usually  under  small  tret!s. 

It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  met  with  on  the  Pacific  coast  north  of 
Mazatlan,  nor  in  any  portion  of  Western  North  America,  beyond  the  valleys 
of  the  Missi.ssip])i  and  the  IJio  (Jrande. 

In  its  habits  this  bird  seems  to  be  ninie  of  a  Creejier  than  a  Warbler. 
It  is  an  expert  and  niinlile  climber,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  perches  on  the  branch 
of  a  tree  or  shrub.  In  the  manner  of  the  smaller  Woodpeckers,  the  Cree])- 
ers,  Nuthatches,  and  Titmice,  it  moves  rapidly  around  the  trunks  and  larger 
limbs  of  the  trees  of  the  forest  in  search  of  small  insects  and  their  larvie. 


Mniotiltn  varia 


]^2  NO.!  I'll   AMKKUAN    lilKDS.- 

Jt  is  ^riici't'ul  1111(1  rapid  in  iiKivfiiiciit,  iiiid  is  olli'ii  s(i  intent  niuiu  its  hunt 
us  to  lie  uniiiiiKirul  ut'  tlic  nciir  ]iivs('iicii  iif  niiin. 

It  is  I'liiind  cliii'tly  in  tliiekets,  but  tliis  is  iinibahly  owinjj;  to  the  I'liet  that  tluMv 
its  I'luid  is  |iriii('iiially  li>  hn  olitaiiifd.  It  is  ticcasionally  seen  in  niore  ojien 
etiuntry,  and  has  lieen  i<ii(i\vii  to  breed  in  the  iniiuediate  vicinity  of  a  (hvellinj,'. 

Wilson  rejjjarded  this  liinl  as  a  true  Creeper,  and  objected  to  its  beiiiji; 
classeil  as  a  Wariiler.  He  even  denied  to  it  the  possession  ot"  any  soii;^.  In 
this  he  was  (piite  mistaken.  Though  never  loud,  ]iroloiin('d,  or  ])o\vert'ul,  tlui 
song  of  this  Warbler  is  very  sweet  and  pleasing.  It  ln'gins  to  sing  t'roiii  its 
first  appearance  in  May,  ami  continues  to  repeat  its  brief  reirain  at  intervals 
almost  until  its  departure  in  August  and  Sejiteniber.  Xuttall  speaks  of  it 
as  lieing  at  first  a  monotonous  dittv,  and  as  utteri'd  in  a  stroiiy  but  shrill  and 
filing  tone.  These  notes,  he  adds,  as  the  season  advances,  become  more  mel- 
low and  warbling,  and,  though  feeble,  are  jileasing,  and  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  Kedstart.  Ihit  this  .statement  does  not  do  full  Justice  to  the  varied 
and  agreeable  notes  with  which,  in  early  spring,  these  liirds  accompany  their 
lively  hunt  for  food  among  the  tops  of  the  lorest  trees.  They  are  diver- 
sified and  sweet,  and  seem  suggestive  of  a  genial  and  hajipy  nature. 

Tlie.se  birds  make  their  appearance  in  New  Kngland  early  in  May,  and 
remain  there,  among  the  thick  wooils,  until  the  middle  of  October,  and  in  the 
Southern  States  until  the  verge  of  winti'r. 

Their  movements  in  search  of  food  aic  like  tho.se  of  the  Titmice,  keeping 
the  feet  together  and  moving  in  a  sui'cession  of  short  rapid  hops  uj)  the 
irunks  of  trt^es  and  along  the  limbs,  passing  again  to  the  bottom  by  longer 
flights  than  in  the  ascent.  They  make  but  short  flights  from  tree  to  tree, 
but  are  a])i)arently  not  incapable  of  more  prohmged  (uies. 

So  far  as  I  know,  these  birds  always  build  their  nests  on  the  ground.  Afr. 
Xuttall  found  one  in  Iioxbury  containing  young  about  a  week  old.  The  nest 
was  on  the  ground,  on  the  surface  of  a  shelving  rock,  made  of  coarse  strips 
of  the  inner  bark  of  the  Ahirs  nni(i(/r)isis  externally,  and  internally  of  soft 
decayed  leaves  and  dry  grasses,  and  lined  with  a  thin  layer  of  lilack  hair. 
The  parents  fcil  their  young  in  his  jn'cseuce  with  allectionate  attention,  and 
manifested  no  uneasiness,  creeping,  head  downward,  about  the  trunks  of  the 
neighboring  trees,  carrying  large  smooth  caterjiillars  to  their  young.  The 
nests  of  this  bird  are  strongly  and  com])actly  built,  externally  of  coarse  .strips 
of  various  kinds  of  bark,  and  lined  within  with  hair  and  tine  .stems  of  grasses. 
In  several  instances  I  have  known  them  to  be  roofed  over  at  the  top,  in  the 
manner  of  the  (iohlen-crowned  Thrush.  They  measure  about  three  inches 
in  their  external  diameter,  and  are  e(|Ually  deej). 

The  nests  ajipear  to  be  a  favorite  reci']itack'  for  the  parasitic  eggs  of  the 
Cow-Ihinting.  Mr.  Hubert  L'idgway  obtained  a  nest  at  Mt.  Cannel,  111., 
in  which  wen;  four  eggs  of  tli(>  MulothvuH  and  only  two  of  the  parent  birds  ; 
and  ^Ir.  T.  M.  Trijijie,  of  Orange,  N.  V.,  also  found  a  nest  of  this  Creeper 
in  which  were  but  three  of  its  own  and  five  of  the  parasite. 


SVl,VI('<tI,[l).K-  THK  WAIiMLKItS. 


18,'] 


TIio  eggs  vary  in  sliii|,(.  IV,,iii  „,  nMiiidiMl  |o  mii  nl.long  nviil,  iiml  in  si/o  In.ni 
.(i!t  t(.  .7.-.  or  an  inch  in  Icngtii,  and  Ironi  ,:)l  to  .:.:'.  (.r  an  inch  in  hiva.hh. 
Tlicirgn.nnil-cuh)!  is  a  cicaniy-wliiUMo  which  the  .U'ci.  ivil  marisings  ini|iait 
an  ai-paivntly  lankisii  tingn.  They  am  niaikc.l  na.iv  or  I.^ss  i.rofiiscly  wiih 
bright  ml  (hits,  jioints,  and  hh)tchcs.  Tlicsc  vary  in  iiunil).'r  and  in  distiilni- 
tion.  In  some  they  arc  very  tine,  and  arc  chiefly  cuidincd  to  the  hirgcr  end. 
In  others  they  are  largei ,  more  ditlused,  and  occasionally  there  are  inter- 
mingled marks  and  lihUchcs  of  .slale-color.  The  ellect  oi'  these  variations 
is,  at  times,  to  give;  tlu^  appeanuiee  of  greater  diffenMi-es  to  these  eggs  than 
really  exists,  the  gronnd-.'olor  and  the  shade  of  the  red  markings  really  pre- 
senting luit  little  niodilications. 

The  color  of  the  yonng  nestlings  is  closely  assimilated  to  that  of  the 
ohjects  that  usuidly  Hnrround  tht^  nest,  and  iieli)s  to  conceal  them.  Mr. 
I'.inroughs  once  came  accidentally  uj.on  a  nest  with  yonng  of  this  species. 
He  says:  "A  I'.laek  and  Wliilt,  Creeping  Warl.ler  smldenly  became  much 
alarmed  as  F  approached  a  crundtling  old  stump  in  a  dense  jiartof  the  forest. 
He  alighted  ujiim  it,  chirped  sharply,  ran  up  and  down  its  siih's,  and  linally 
left  it  with  nuieh  reluctance.  The  nest,  which  contaiiu>.l  thre.'  young  bird's 
nearly  fledg-d,  was  ].laced  uj.on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  the  slump,  and  in 
such  a  position  that  tlu;  coh.r  of  the  youug  harmonized  iHufeclly  with  tlu; 
bits  of  liark., sticks,  etc.,  lying  about.  My  eye  rested  npon  thein  for  the 
■second  time  before  I  made  them  out.  They  Imgged  (he  nest  very  elo.sely, 
but  as  I  put  down  my  hand  tliiiy  all  .scampered  olV  with  lond  cries  for  helis 
which  caused  the  parent  birds  to  i)laee  themselves  almost  within  my  reach." 


SixiioN    VERMIVORE>E, 


niM  s  PROTONOTARIA,  H 


AHin. 


Pro/n,m/„n„,  ;'..ui!l.,  I.ir.Ls  N.  Am.  1S:.S,  •.':!!1.     (Ty,„.,  .}/„/,„■!//„  dim,,  l!„i,„.) 

(!kn.  ("iiak.  ChanictiTi/cMl  i,v  iis  Ion-  disliiiclly  notdicil  bill,  and  lonj.-  wiii-s,  which  .qiv 
an  inch  lonj^cr  Ibau  tin  .slijihlly  j^iatliialcij  tail  (IIk; 
lalL'i-al  leathers  ali.mt  .12  of  an  inch  .-ijini'tfr).  The 
niider  tail-eovort.s  ai-e  very  loii.ir,  reaeliiiim  within  hall' 
an  ineli  nl'  the  tip  of  the  tail.  The  tarsi  and  hind  toe 
are  i)ro))ortionally  longer  thai;  in  the  tnie  Warblers. 
The  notch  and  frreat,  size  of  |]ie  bill  (listiii<rnisli  it 
from  the  Swamp  Warblers.  Nesi,  ni  hole..;  eir{i;s  nniuh 
blotched  with  reddish. 


The  oidy  North  American  s]iecies  belong- 
ing to  the  gronp  appears  to  be  the  old  Si/lvia 
protonotaria  of  (Jmelin. 


JViiloiiiil.iiiii  ritini,  lliiircl. 


184 


xNOUTil  AMKHICAN  liUiDH. 


Frotonotaria  citrea,  ISaikd. 

PROTHONOTABT  WABBLER ;  GOLDEN  8WAMF  WARBI^B. 

Motiiiilhi  cUriM,  lidDi).  Talil.  17M!  (I'l.  I'lil.  704,  lig.  2).  I'roluiwlnriu  eitno,  liAiiiii,  Hirils 
N.  Ai.i.  IS")!*,  1':!!);  \W\.  17;t.  Sii.atki!,  Ciital.  1861,  26,  no.  166.  —  GuMii,.  Cab. 
.lour.  IMil,  ;1'_'4  (Cul>a  ;  vi'iy  laicK  Ilihiniitliniilinijn  i-ilini,  Vah.  .lour.  liS61,  S.'i  ^('o.sta 
Hiia).  Miiliuilhi  prtildiiti/iin'ii.i,  (i.M.  Siiln'n  prul.  L.^iii.  —  Vir.ii.i,.  Ois.  Aui.  Scjit. 
II,  jil.  Ixxxiii.  -Wii.siiN,  Am.  Oru.  Ill,  [pI.  xiv.  lij,'.  2.  —  Arn.  Oin.  Hiog.  II,  ]•!. 
iii.  r<riitifiin(  pmt .  lioN".  Uitimiiti  prut.  Al'u.  Ilcliuit/uriis  prut.  Bon.  Caiiip- 
so/li/jipis  jiral.  ('.\li.  .lour.  Mutiicillii  lutrivitllis,  O.mki..  I,  1788,  984.  Sijlvia  mir. 
li.Mll.,  elf.  ^llasl■ll  ou  Ja-  (I'niiiil  Fiijiiitr  i/ii  ('diiiKtii,  IJltls.soN,  Oi.s.  Ill,  1760,  .^08,  pi. 
xxvi,  i\n.  I).     KiiuaW.     Siili-inilii  tiiii:  Nrri'.  .Man.  I,  1840,  431. 

Si'.  Cu.wt.  Itill  vciv  larj.'f;  a.<i  hwix  iis  the  licail,  'load  anil  lu'i'k  all  I'oinid,  with  tliu 
(.Milirc  uiiilcr  |i.iils,  iiiclmliiiLr  the  liliia',  liiii  yellow,  oxcopting  the  nniil  region  and  under 
tiiil-eovert.<,  wliieli  are  white.  Hack  dark  olive-ofreen,  with  a.  tinge  of  yellow  ;  rnnip, 
upper  tail-eovert.s  wings,  and  tail  above,  liliiish  a.-;ii-eolor.  luner  margin  of  (juill.-i  and  the 
tail-t'ealher.-:  (exeept  the  innermost)  white;  the  outer  webs  and  lips  like  the  back.  Length, 
5.4(1;  wing. 'J.!»i:  tail.  2.2."). 

II.Mi.  Kasiern  Province  of  I'nited  Stales  (Southern  region);  Cuba,  Costa  Rica,  and 
Panama  1!.  1!.  .Not  iceorded  t'rom  .Mexico  nr  (iuateuiala.  Aeeidental  in  New  Brunswick 
((i.  A.  lio.Mtn.MAN  in  letter).     Yuealau  (IjAWUknck). 

Tills  i.s  (iiie  of  tlii>  very  liiiiKlsomcst  of  Aim'i'ioiiii  Warbli'i's,  tlie  yellow  of  llio 
ht>a(l  mill  lower  parts  liciiio;  of  a  imrciicss  and  nicllowiicss  scarcely  apiiroacliod 
by  any  other  species.  In  a  lii.^lily  colored  male  from  Soutlierii  Illinois  (No. 
1(1,111,  .Mississippi  Hottoiii,  Union  Co..  Ajiril  '2o  ;  Ii.  Konnicoti)  it  is  stained 
in  sjKits,  particularly  over  the  eyes  and  on  the  neck,  with  a  beautiful  cad- 
luiuin-iiran.ne. 

Hauit.s.     Ill  reoanl  to  the  habits  of  ihi.s  beautiful  and  intcrestin<j;  Warbler 

wi!  receive  but  little  lioht  from  the  ob- 
.servatioiisof  olderornitholojrical  writens. 
Its  o;('oo;rapliical  distribution  i.s  some- 
what eriatic  and  irreo;ular.  It  does  not 
appear  to  be  distributed  over  a  very 
wide  ratline.  It  occurs  as  a  migrant  in 
the  West  Indies  and  in  Central  Ameri- 
ca. In  the  I'liited  States  it  is  found 
in  the  Southern  re<iion,  but  farther  west 
the  ranji;e  widens,  and  in  the  Missiosijjpi 
Valley  it  i.s  found  as  far  north  as  Kansas, 
Southern  and  Central  Illinois,  and  Missouri.  Accidental  specimens  have  been 
oblaiiieci  as  far  to  the  northeast  as  Calais,  though  unknown  to  all  the  Kastern 
States  as  far  south  as  .Siaitliern  Viroinia.  It  was  met  with  by  none  of  the  gov- 
ernment parties  except  by  I>r.  Woodhouse,  who  found  it  abundant  in  Texas. 
Mr.  Audulioii  ob.Herved  them,  near  Louisville,  Keiitutiky,  frctpienting  creeks 
an<l  lagoons  overshadowed  by  large  trees.     These  weri!  their  favorite  places 


Priitnn'>fiiritt  rilrrn 


SVLVICOLID.K       TllK  W  A  Klil.KKS.  JgS 

of  resiu't.  Tlii'V  iilso  |trcri'i'rt'(l  llic  lidrdcrs  ol'  sheets  (if  wiiler  to  tlie  iiiloiior 
III"  the.  tuvest.  Tliey  return  iii  s|niii,ii,'  tu  tlu^  Soiillierii  States  early  in  Maveh, 
l)iit  ti)  Ki-ntneky  not  lieinre  tlie  last  nf  A|iril.  'I'hey  leave,  in  Oilolier,  and 
raise  hut  a  sin.i^le  l)n>(Pil  in  a  seasun.  AiKhilmn  ilescrilK'S  their  nest,  liul  it 
it  (lillers  so  essentially  I'loni  their  known  mode  of  hivedin.L;,  that  he  was 
evidently  in  eiroi'  in  rej^aid  to  his  siipjiosed  identiiiealion  of  the  ne^l  of 
this  Rjiecies. 

Dr.  Iiaehnian,  who  often  met  them  on  tiie  honleis  of  small  streams  near 
Charleston,  was  <'ontident  that  they  breed  in  that  State,  ami  notieed  a  pair 
with  four  youi;;.;-  iiirds  as  early  as  .June  I,  in  iS.'Ki. 

lieeently  more  li'^ht  has  lieen  thrown  u|ion  theii'  hahits  hy  Mr.  I>.  K. 
(loss,  who,  in  May,  lS(i.".,  found  them  iireedini^  near  Neosho  Kails,  in  Kansas. 
The  nest  was  iaiilt  within  a  Woodpeeker's  hole  in  tiie  slump  of  a  tri'e, 
not  more  than  three  feet  hi,i;li.  The  nest  was  not  roundeil  in  shajH',  hu' 
made  to  eonfoini  to  the  irregular  cavity  in  which  it.  was  huilt.  ft  was 
of  ohloui;'  shape,  and  its  cavity  was  deepest,  not  in  the  centre,  hut  at  one 
end,  upon  a  closely  impacted  hasi^  ni,,de  up  of  IVii^'meiits  of  thied  loave.s, 
broken  bits  of  glasses,  stems,  mosses,  and  lichiMis,  decayed  wood,  and  other 
material,  tlu^  upper  ]>ortion  consist  Iul;  of  an  interwea\  iuL;  of  line  roots  of 
wooded  plants,  varyin.ii,  in  si/.e,  but  all  stroiij;',  wiry,  and  slender.  It  was 
lined  with  hair. 

Other  nests  since  <liscovered  are  of  more  uniform  I'oiins,  circular  in  shape, 
and  of  coarser  materials,  and  all  are  built  witii  unusual  strength  and  care  for 
a  nest  oceupyini;  a  sheltered  ca\  ity. 

In  ou"  instance  ilieir  nest  was  built  in  a  brace-hole  within  a  mill,  where 
the  birds  could  bi  closely  watched  as  they  carried  in  the  materials,  and  the 
parent  was  afterward  taken  by  hand  by  Mr.  tloss  from  its  nest.  It  was 
([iiite  tanu",  and  aiiproached  within  two  yards  of  him. 

Since  then  Mr.  IJid^way  has  obtained  a  nest  at  Ml.  Carmel,  III.  It  was 
built  in  a  hollow  snaj;',  about  \\\c  feet  from  the  ,i;round,  in  the  river  bot- 
tom. So  fai'  from  beiny  noisy  and  vociferous,  as  its  name  would  seem  to 
imply,  Mr.  Iiidj^w.iy  describes  it  as  one  of  the  shyest  and  most  silent  of  all 
the  Warblers. 

Tlit^  I'ligs  of  this  W'arblei'  haxc  an  aveia^i^  breadth  of  ..'i."i  of  an  inch  and  a 
lenjith  varyiii";:  from  .tl."t  to  .7"  of  an  inch.  They  are  of  a  rounded-oval  form, 
i;ne  end  heiii^f  but  slightly  less  rounded  than  the  other.  Their  ground-color 
is  a  yellowish  or  creamy  while,  more  or  h-.-^s  profusely  marked  ovi'r  their 
entire  surface  with  lilac,  ]iuiple,  and  a  dark  purplish-brown. 

Mr.  Kid^'way  states  that  it  is  idways  an  abundant  snmmei'  liird  in  the 
Wabash  bottoms,  where  it  inhabits  print'ipally  luishy  swamps  ami  the  wil- 
lows around  the  borders  of  stai^naiit  lagoons  or  "  ponds  "  near  the  river,  and 
in  such  hx'alities,  in  c',nipany  with  the  Wliite-bellietl  Swallow  {/liriiiii/o 
liiniftir],  takes  possession  of  the  holes  of  the  Downy  \Vood|>ecker  {J'icus 
/tiihrsi'fiis)  and  ('hick;idee  (/'urns  ((irn/iiii  nsis),  in  which  to  build  its  iiest. 
■J  I 


186 


XORTir  AMKRICAX  ]iIRDS. 


Mr.  Kidgway  adds  that  in  its  movements  tins  Warhhv  is  sl.nv  and  delib- 
erate, like  the  Hrlmitherm  va;,urori,s,  strikii.-ly  ditlerent  in  this  respect 
from  the  sprightly,  active  Dr.ulnHro'.  Its  common  note  is  a  sliarp  piJ  re- 
markably like  tlie  winter  note  of  the  Zonotrirhu,  olbiwllis. 

It  has  Deen  taken  as  far  north  as  l.'ock  Island,  111.,  and  Dr.  Cones  men- 
tions the  occurrence  of  one  individual  near  Washington,  D  C  seen  in  a 
swampy  brier-patch,  May  2,  1801.  This  was  j>erhaps  only  an'  accidental 
visitor.  If  regularly  found  there,  it  is  probably  exceedingly  rare.  It  has  not 
been  met  with  between  Washington  and  St.  Stephens,  Xew  Brunswick  where 
Its  occurrence  was  unquestionably  i)urely  accidental. 


Gekus  HBLMITHERtTS,  Raf. 


Okn.  Ciiau.     Bill  large  .in<l 


Hdmithrrus,  Raf.nksquk,  Journal  de  Pl.ysi,„c,  LXXXVIII,  181!.,  417.     (Type,  MoUuilla 

Vermivom,  Su-ai.ns,.n,  Zoiil.  .r,„>r.  IV.  us^;,  j;,,  („„t  „,■  j,,..^.,..,,   jj,oo) 
Helmnw,  Aru.  Synopsi.s,  1S3!.,  m.     (Tyiu.,  ,S>/n«  ,,r„hm„u,  Ai'm.) 

It,  rompro.'ised,  almost  tannfrrine;  nearly  or  quite  as  long 
as  the  head.  Cnliiieii  very  siiglitly  curved" 
gouys  straight;  no  ndfli  in  the  bill;  Wctal 
I'listles  wanting.  Tarsi  siioit,  but  little  longer, 
if  any,  than  the  uiid.ll,.  toe.  Tail  eonsiilora- 
lily  shorter  than  tlie  wings;  rather  rounded. 
U'ings  rather  long,  fh.^  lirst  (juill  a  little  shorter 
than  the  .second  and  tjiird. 

The  birds  of  this  division  are  very 
plain  ill  their  colors,  more  so  than  any 

'"""■*"'"•"■""■"""'■'•' '"•        other  American  Warblers.     There  are 

but  two  species  referable  to  the  geiiiKs,  of  which  the  //.  .v:ainsom  dillers 

Irom  the  type  in  having  a  considerably 

longer  and  more  compressed  bill,  the 

ridge  of  which  is  com])res.sed,  elevated, 

and  apjjcars  to  extend   backwards  on 

the   forehead,  as  well   as   to    be   in  a 

straiglit   line   with  the   upper  part  of 

the  liead.     The  wings  are  longer ;  tlie 

fail  Ibrked,  not  rounded;  the  feathers 

narrower  and  more  jioiiited;  the  tarsi 

shorter  than  in  the  type.     It  appears 

to  be  at  least  a  distinct  subgenus  to 

whieli  th(!  name  lldimUi,  Aun.,  is  to 

bo  ai)plied. 


Hrlniitlii riis  lermivorm. 


SYLVIU)LID.E  — TIFK  WARULERS.  jg^r 

Species. 

Common  Characters.     Colors  i.laiii.     Above  olivaceous,  beneath  nearly  white. 
Xo  .spots  or  bauds  on  win^f  or  tail. 

H.  vermivorus.  Abov  olive-green.  Head  yellowish,  with  a  black  stripe 
above  and  one  behind  each  eye.  Tail  ronuded.  ll,ih.  Jvistern  Provinee  oC 
United  States;  south  to  Cosia  Riea  ;  Cuba,  (/lehinf/icnis.) 
H.  swainsoni.  Above  dull  olive-given,  tinged  with  brown.  Stripes  on 
the  head  somewhat  as  iu  the  last,  but  reddish-b.-owu :  the  median  light 
stripe  on  the  .'rown  seareely  visible.  Tail  slightly  forked.  Uub.  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia;  Cuba  (very  rare).     (/le/inaia.) 


Helmitherus  vermivorus,  Bonap. 

WOBH-EATiao  SWAMP  WAKBLER. 

.  Afotcu:ma  vcrmivam,  Omki..  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17ti,s,  <..5l.  ' Siilvia  vermhvra,  Lath.  Ind  Orn 
II.  iryo,  49!).  -  W„.s.  Ill,  pi.  .xxiv,  fig.  -t.  -Ain.  Orn.  15iug.  I,  pi.  xxxiv.  .','ylvicola 
wnnu'ura,  Uien.  Ildiiun,,, venuivum,  Afi..  IJir.ls  Am.  II,  pi.  r.v.  —  Li;mim;yf,,  Av.  Cuba, 
18r)0,  3,-),  pi.  vi,  lig.  I.  Ihlmithenis  irrmironis,  n„s.  ;  Caii.  :  lUllil),  liiril.s  \  Am' 
18,08,  252;  l{,.v.  17!». -S,r,Ari:i!,  P.  Z.  tS.  ls,-,!»,  :(,;:;  (Xalapa).  -  In.  Catal.  1801,  28, 
no.  175.  —  Sci.ArKli  &  Sai.V[N,  Ibis,  I,  185!t,  11  (Cuatrmala) ;  .'ab.  Jour.  1800  a-'9 
(Co.sta  Ki.a);  lb.  185(i  (Cuba).  -  Ui-xuLAeu,  Cab.  .lour.  1801,  320  (Cuba ;  somewhat 
rare),  k  cniuuum  pniiLs-i/lvania,,  Box.,  GossK,  U.  Jumaiea,  1817,150.  Ildniithcrus 
vn,jr„tm-!us,  Kak.  .1.  de  Phys.  88.  1819,  417.  -  IIaRTLAUB  ;  Vermivom  fulclMpiUu, 
SwAiNsoN,  Uirds,  II,  1S37,  245. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  nearly  as  long  as  the  head  :  upper  parts  generally  rather  clear  olive- 
green.  Head  with  foiu-  black  stripes  an.l  three  brownish-yellow  ones^  namely,  a  black  one 
on  each  side  of  the  crown  and  nne  from  behind  the  eye  (extending,  in  fact,  a  little  anterior 
to  It),  a  broad.M-  nu-dian  yollov  one  on  the  crown,  and  a  superciliary  from  the  bill.  Under 
parts  pale  browid.sh-yellow,  tinged  with  bull'  across  the  breast  and  with  olivaceous  on  the 
.sides      Tail  unspotted.     Female  nearly  similar.     Length,  o.oO ;  w=ng,  3.0t) ;  tail   2  3o 

In  antinnnal  speeiiuciis  the  light  stripes  on  the  head  are  deeper  bulf  than  in  sprin-. 

IIab.  Eastern  Province  of  United  States  (rather  Southern);  Southeastern  Mexico^ina- 
teinala;  Cuba;  Costa  Rica;  V,  : agua ;  Oriiiaba  (winter,  Sr.MiciiiiAsT);  Yucatan  (Lawrkxck). 

Habits.  Much  reimiins  to  be  ascertained  iu  regard  to  the  history,  habits,  and 
distril)ution  of  this  iuterestiiifr  .species.  So  l:-v  as  is  now  known  it  is  hardly 
anywhere  very  coniiiion  (hiring  tiie  bn-edino-season.  Yet  its  abundance  anil 
wide  distribution  as  a  nuo;rant  (birin.ir  the  winter  months  in  various  extended 
localities  appear  to  warrant  the  belief  that  it  must  be  correspondingly  abun- 
dant in  summer  in  localities  tlitit  have  escaped  our  attentioti.  It  has" been  oc- 
casionally met  with  in  the  Ceiitrtil  and  Southern  States,  as  hir  west  as  Eastern 
Mexico,  and  as  far  to  the  north  as  Southetistern  Xew  Vork.  Specimens  have 
been  procured  fi'om  Cuba,  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  the  northern  portions 
of  South  America.  It  is  a,  regular  winter  visiti-t  of  Jamaica,  whither  it  goes 
in  tke  autumn  in  considtMiible  numbers,  and  is  \ery  widely  dilfused. 

It  reaches  IVniisylvania  about  the  middle  of  ^iay,  ami  leaves  in  Septeni- 
Iter.     Wilson  noticed  a  pair  feeding  their  young  about  the  iT.th  of  .Tune. 


1^8  xoimr  AMKiucAX  uinns. 

He  ^.pposed  tins  hi,..l  to  l.av.  a  n>ore  nortlu.rn  ,listnh„tinn  tl.an  hel-.n^s  to 
In  iH.  .ntc.no,.  they  a.c  n.et  with,  according  ,u  Au.h.hon,  as  far  nu.tl.  as 
t he  ,sn„tlu.,.u  ,sh.„v.s  ..i  Lake,  En.,  whcv  he  ha.n.l  the.n  in  tiu-  a„t„„n,.  Mr 
Au.h.lM,.!  ,.u,„l  the.u  more  nun.en.us  i„  Xew  Jersey  than  anvwhere  else  L, 
n^m,  an.l  Kentneky  th.-y  are  co.uparatively  rare.  Mr.  Kid^^.ay  i„,onns  „.e 
that  this  ,s  a  rather  e.nnn.nn  siKries  in  Southern  Illinois  in  the  thickest 
(laniji  Nv..n,ls  in  the  l...tt..n.-]a„.ls  aha.n  the  Wabash  ifiver 

Aeeenlh,,-  to  Wilson,  the.se  l.irds  are  anion,,  the  ninihlest  of  its  fanulv  an.l 
aj.  reniarl.jhly  fon.l  of  spi.lei.,  .lartin,  al.out  when-ver  there  is  a  prohahiH 
of  hndin,  these  ni.seet.s.     Where  branches  are  broken  and  the  leavi  withered 

seurehes  anion,  then,  in  prelerenee,  n.akin,  a  ,reat  rustlin,  as  it  In.nts  ,; 

lieselrds  are  arboreal  ui  their  prelerenees.  residing  in  the  interio,     ,f 
MOO,  sand  are  .seldom  seen  in   the  op.n  held.s.     Thev  resort  to  the  , round 
and  turn  over  the  d.y  leaves  in  ,,uest  of  inseets.     They  are  very  n^sn^^ 
cions  and  ea.sy  of  apjn'oacli.  -  '  ' 

Nnttall  describes  their  notes  and  their  hal,its  as  resenddin,  the  connnon 
Pa>.s  .....,.//.,  and  remarks  that  they  are  constantly  ntLrin,  a  e.  i" 
pki.  ing  call,  soundni,  like  fsh,-,le.,lr-. 

Until  .pute  recently,  nothing  has  been  j.ositively  known  in  regard  to  its 
n  st,n,.  Audubon  has  described  its  nest  as  made  of  dry  moss^  and  t^ 
ulk.n  bloom  of  the  hickory  and  the  chestnut,  and  as  built  in  bushes  .1^^ 
eet  from  the  .round.  Fie  describes  the  e,,s  as  cream-colored,  marked  al^ 
he  larger  end  with  reddi.sh-brown.     These  descriptions  have  not  been  e!    - 

firmed,  and  all  our  n.formation  has  led  us  to  look  for  its  nest  on  tl round 

Mr.  Tnppe  states  that  it  is  found,  but  is  not  at  all  ..ommon,  near  Oranne' 
A.  1     where  it  arrives  about  the  mi.l.lle  of  May.     It  ha.s,  at  that  time'^i 
rapid,  cliatterni,  note,  and  it  always,  he   siws,  keeps  near  the  .round,  ami 
besides  ,t.  clurtterin,  son,,  has  in  dune  a  series  of  odd  notes:  much  lik 
Lose  of   the  M,ite-breaste.l  Nuthatch,  i.ut  more  varied  and  musical      e 
liardly  entitled  to  be  called  a  s..ii,.  '  • 

Mr.  T.  H    Jack,son  of  Westchest.M-,  I'enn.,  in  the  American  Naturalist  for 
)eeember,  lS,;i^  mentions  finding  the  nest  ami  e,,s  of  this  bird.     w"l  ^ 
ns  aceonnt   m  his  o...  words:  •■  ,  .„  the  (Ith  of  dune,  IH.i!,,  I  ,W„nd  a  Lst 
ol  thi.s  species  containing  five  e,u,s.      It  was  placed  in  a  hoMow  on  the  .round 

"uch  like   he  nest,s  of  the  Oven-Mird  (Sn.r ,.y/...).  ,„,  ,,,;!  ,,       ' 

Irom  s,.ht  by  the  dry  leaves  that  lay  thickly  around      The  nest  was  cm 
posed  externally  ,.  d.d  leaves,  mostly  those  of  the  beech,  while        .         ! 
r  was  prettily  Imed  with  the  fine,  thread-lii<e   stalks  of  the  hair-moss 
/%(......).     Altogether  it  was  a  very  neat  structure,  an.l  looke  ^ 

tl.o-.g.   the  owner  was  habitually  a  gnaind  ne.ster.     The  e-..  most  n    u  v 

ma  kings  are  fewer  and  less  distinct.     So  close  .lid   (he  femah,  sit  Uiat  I 
captured  her  without  difficulty  by  ph.cing  my  hat  over  the  nest." 


s^VLncoLiDJ-;  —  the  warhlku.s. 


189 


The  same  observin-  ornithologist  informs  mc  tliat  this  WarLh-r  arrives  in 
rennsylvania  early  in  May,  and  makes  the  most  solitary  part  of  tlie  wo.kIs 
Its  home,  outsale  of  which  it  is  rar.-ly  seen.  True  to  its  name,  it  is  ever 
busy  hunting  out  and  devouring  the  worms  that  lurk  among  the  forest  foli- 
nge,  pursuing  its  avocation  in  .sil,,,ice,  with  tiie  excei.tion  of  a  faint  n.,te 
uttered  ocensionally.  This  species  is  not  as  shy  as  many  of  our  Warhh'rs  that 
ircpient  the  woo.ls.  Towar.ls  the  latter  part  of  .Afay  they  eminence  con- 
structing their  nests.  Uv.  Jackson  adds  that  the  nest  above  referred  to  was 
lound  on  a  thickly  woode.l  hillside,  a  few  yards  above  a  running  stream.  So 
neatly  was  it  embedded  in  the  ground  ami  covered  with  dry  leaves  that 
discovery  wouhl  have  been  impossible  ha.l  not  the  female"  betrayed  its 
position.  ]5utli  bii.ls  exhibited  the  greatest  alarm  at  his  presence,  but  on 
Ins  retiring  to  a  sla.rt  distance  the  female  returned  to  the  nest,  where  she 
^^•ils  easily  capture.I.  The  ba.se  ami  i)eriphery  of  the  nest  were  compo.sed 
0  dry  beech-leaves,  while  the  inner  lining  was  made  of  tine  hair-mosses 
{J  oljitrirlnniii). 

In  the  hitter  part  of  June,  1871,  Mr.  Jackson  f.aiml  another  iie.st  of  this 
species,  containing  five  young  birds  about  half  grown.  He  was  seated  on 
a  log  resting  after  a  hard  tramp,  when  a  A^^,rnl-eating  Warbler  alighted  near 
him,  luuing  a  large  green  worm  in  its  beak.  Ai'ter  at  first  manifesting  much 
uiieasine.ss,  ami  scohling  as  well  as  she  couhl,  she  suddeiilv  became  silent  and 
llew  to  the  ground.  On  his  going  to  the  spot  both  parents  ilew  from  the 
ne.st.  It  was  in  all  re.S].ects,  in  regard  to  materials,  manner  of  constiniction 
and  situation,  the  exact  counterpart  of  the  other.  Jioth  were  place.l  on  steepi 
M-ooded  hillsides,  facing  the  east. 

Two  of  the  eggs  of  this  Warbler  thus  identified  by  Mr.  Jack.son,  and  kindly 
loaned  to  me  by  him,  are  of  a  soiii.nvhat  rounded-oval  shape,  less  obtu.se  at 
one  en.l.  They  have  a  clear,  crystal-white  grouml,  and  are  spotted  with 
nunute  dottii.gs  of  a  bright  red-brown.  These  are  much  more  numerous  in 
one  than  in  the  other,  ii'id  i,.  both  are  conliuent  at  the  L.rger  end  where 
they  are  beautifully  inte  •mingled  with  cloudings  ..f  lih.c-brown.  These  e-s 
measure,  the  one  .78  by  .OH  of  an  inch  ;  the  ..tlier,  .70  by  .'.(i  of  an  inch  "" 
Aii..tiier  nest  of  this  s].ecies,  f.mnd  by  Mr.  Joseph  n'.  liiitty  of  \e\v  Y..rk 
on  the  side  of  a  hill  near  Montdair,  X.  J.,  was  also  built  on  the  oruun.l  in' 
a  part  ot  the  .-oods  where  there  was  no  underbrush,  and  was  phu.'.l  in  a 
slight  hollow,  with  .Iry  oak-leav,.s  collected  arouml  it,  and  partly  ..overing  it. 
Ihe  nest  was  made  of  dry  leaves,  and  lined  with  gras.ses  and  th.e  roots  It 
eontamed  h.ur  eggs,  alike  in  their  marking,  an.l  corresponding  exactly  with 
those  obtained  by  Mr.  Jackson.  Mr.  JSatty  nearly  stepped  on'  the  bird  with- 
out her  leaving  the  nest. 

I)r.  Coues  found  the  Wovm-enting  Warbler  a  rather  iinc<.mmon  summer 
resulent  near  Washington,  brw.hng  there  but  sparim-ly.  It  arrives  there 
tlunngthe  fir,stweek  in  May,  and  remains  until  the  third  week  in  .September. 
lie  describes  it  us  slow  and  sedate  in  its  movenu'iit.s. 


190  NORTH  AMERirAX  BIRDS. 

Helmitherus  swainsoni,  Aud. 

SWAINSON'S  SWAMP  WABBLER. 

Sylvia  swain.o>,i,  Ar...  Orn.  Hiofe^  II,  1834,  5(!3,  ,,I.  ...xoviii.  Sylvicola  sw.  Hun  Fen,,!- 
vara  s>r.  lios.  /A//.,,/,,  .„•  Au...  Hir.ls  A,„.  II.  1841,  pi.  civ  (t.ype  of  genus,.  //./- 
vul/icru,  sw.  I!„N.  ;  Cvn.  ;  B.uuu.  limhN.  An..  1858,  252;  Kev.  180. 

Sp.  Ci.AH  Rill  ,,s  lo„.  as  the  la.ul.  Uppor  parts  ,1„11  olivo-gro..,,.  tingo.l  with  reddish- 
W„  o„  the  .v,,,^,  and  .till  .no.c  on  tho  .....nvn  and  nape ;  a  ^npcx-ilia^y  ..tnpe  ".1  Z 
under  part,  ol  the  body  are  white,  tinged  witli  yellow,  but  palest  on  the  tail-eovert.  •  the 

H.vD.     Coast  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia ;  Cuba  (very  rare). 

A  youim^  bird  (No.  32,241  Liberty  Co.,  (ion,,na)  is  very  si..,ilar  to  the  adult 
described  bt.t  diHers  in  ti.e  followino-  respects:  the  lower  parts  have  a  de- 
cided soiled,  sulphur-yellow  tiuye,  while  the  brown  of  the  upper  parts  is 
nuich  more  reddish,  there  being-  no  dillerence  in  tint  between  the  crown 
and  back  ;  also  the  superciliaiy  stripe  is  more  sharplv  defined. 

IlAiiiTS.     Tliis  species  is  comparatively  rare,  a.i.l,  so  tar  as  is  known,  has  a 
very  restricted  distribution.     It  was  first  discovered  by  Rev.  J)r  Eachman 
n,  the  vicinity  of  Charleston,  S.  V.,  near  the  kmks  of  the  Edisto  Ifivor' 
This  was  m  the  spring  of  lH:\->.     He  was  first  attracted  by  the  novelty  of  its 
notes,  which  were  four  or  five  in  number  and  repeated  at  intervals  of  a  few 
numites.     These  notes  were  loud  and  dear,  and  more  like  a  whistle  than  a 
song.     Ihey  resembled  the  sounds  of  some  e.xtraordinarv  ventrihxpiist  -  so 
much  so  that  he  at  first  su])].osed  the  bird  to  be  imich  farther  oil'  tlian  it 
really  was.     He  was  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  it.     The  shape  of  the  bill  he 
at  once  noticed  as  being  dilferent  from  that  of  any  other  American  bird  then 
known  to  him.    In  the  course  of  that  season  he  obtained  two  other  sjiecimens 
Toward  the  close  of  the  same  setison  he  saw  an  old  female,  accompanied  by 
Its  four  young.     One  of  the  latter,  which  he  procured,  did  not  diller  n.ateri- 
iilly  from  the  old  birds. 

Ho  met  with  them  only  in  swampy  and  muddy  places,  and  when  o,.ened. 
he  always  found  their  stomachs  filled  with  fnigm.mts  of  coleopterous  insects 
as  well  as  small  green  wo.'ms,  such  as  are  common  on  water-plants  The' 
habits  of  this  species  most  resemble  those  of  the  Prothonotary  Warbler  ' 
as  the  latter  skij.s  a-i  ong  the  low  bushes  growing  about  ponds  or  in  marshy 
places.  It  IS  seldom  seen  on  high  trees.  Nothing  is  known  as  to  their 
nesting  or  eggs. 


SYLVrcOLID.E  —  THE  U'ARBLIOHS, 


191 


Genus  HELMINTHOPHAGA,  Cai.ax. 

Udminlhoplmun,  CAnAMs,  J[i,,s.  llcin.  ISr.O,  1851,  20.     (Tyi.P,  Sulria  ruficapiUa,  Wii.s.) 

Gen.  Char.  Bill  elongated,  cniciil,  very  acute;  the  outline.^  very  nearly  .slrai-lit, 
sometimes  slifrlitly  deeurved  ;  no  iraie  of  notcli  at 
the  til),  nor  of  hristle.s  on  the  rietus.  Win^^s  long  and 
pointed;  tiie  (list  (jnill  nearly  or  <|iiite  the  kin!,'e.-*t. 
Tail  nearly  even  or  slightly  eniai'ginale ;  short  and 
rather  slender.  Tarsi  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and 
elaw. 


Tlie  species  of  this  section  are  well  cliar- 
actcfizcd  by  tlu3  attomiation  and   aciiteness    /' 
of  the  bill,  and  the  absence  of  any  notch. 
There  are,  however,  eonsiderai)le  sidK)rdiiiate  '^''""■"'""M''v«  -/f™,,,//,,. 

differences  in  the  diilereut  species.  In  some  the  bill  is  larger  and  more 
acute  than  others  ;  in  one  species,  the  H.  pnr(/n'ii((,  the  wings  tire  uuusiially 
lengthened,  the  tail  being  only  about  seven  twelfths  as  hjng. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

Common  CnARACTKTis.     Iris  brown.     Length  about  u.OO.     Xest  on  the  ground, 
in  grass  or  dead  leaves.     Eggs  elear  white,  thiekest  at  end,  with  minute  dots  of 
brown  oF  various  shades  and  faint  ]>nri)le. 
Aa  Tail  with  a  eonspieuons  patch  of  white. 

a.  A  black  patch  covering  throat  and  breast. 

1.  chrysoptera.  Above  ash,  beneath  white.  Forehead  and  a  patch 
on  the  wing  yellow.  Jfith.  Eastern  Province  of  United  States,  south  to 
Bogota ;  Cuba. 

2.  baohmani.  Above  olive-green;  beneath,  with  forehead,  yellow; 
crown  ash,  bounded  anteriorly  with  a  black  bar.  No  yellow  oil  wincv. 
Hab.   South  Carolina  and  Georgia.     Cuba  in  winter. 

6.  No  black  on  throat  or  lireast. 

3.  pinus.  Above  olive-green;  beneath,  with  forehead,  yellow ;  wings 
nsh,  with  two  white  bands;  lores  black.  Ilah.  Eastern  Province  of 
United  States,  south  into  Guatemala. 

B.  Tail  without  a  conspicuous  while  patch. 

c.  Crown  with  a  concealed  pat(;h  of  rufous  (obsolete  in  9). 

4.  ruacapilla  Above  olive-green;  head  ashy;  beneath  continuous 
yellow  ;  a  light  orbital  ring.  Hah.  North  America  (very  rare  in  Mid.Uo 
and  Western  Provinces)  ;  Greenland.  Soutli  to  Southern  Mexico  (Oax- 
aca,  Cordova,  Oi'izaba). 

Yellow  of  thi-oat  spreading  over  cheeks,  ami  staining  lores  and 
eyelids.    Atlantic  States.     (Carlisle,  I'cnn.,  speiMincns.)     var.  r  iifi  r,t  p  ilh, . 

Yellow  of  throat  eontined  within  themaxillie;  lores  and  eyeliils 
clear  white.     M ississippi  Valley.     (Chicago  .specimens.)        var.  ocnl  <i  r  i s . 

Yellow  of  throat  restricted  to  a  nu'dial  stripe,  leaving  its  sides 
nshy.  Middle  Province.  (Sp(>ciincn  liom  Fort  Tejon,  Cat,  and 
East  Humboldt  Mountjiins,  Nevada.)        .         .        .         var,  (/ ii  tt  k  ru  I  in 


192 


NORTH  AMEIUCAN  IflRD.S. 


.").  virginiae.  Alici\c  msIi  Io  ilu'  riiniii.  Iiciiciilli  wliitc.  A  |i:iicli  on  llic 
jugiihiiii,  Willi  ihc  ii|i|ici-  tii](|  lower  liiil-o.vci  i.-,  yrllow.  Jlttb.  llocky 
MoiiuliiiiLs  of  I'liiicd  Status,  WL'st  t(i  Eiisl  IIiiiiilMililt  .Mmiiitiiiiis. 
(>.  luci%.  Aliovo  ash,  Ijfiicatli  (■(iiitiiiiioii.s  white,  ['ppei-  tiiil-coveits 
ohestiiiil.  //((/).  Coloi'ado  leyiiiii  of  Midille  rioviiicc. 
7.  celata.  Ahove  ediitiiiiioiis  olivu-giwu,  lielow  Loiiiiimoiiji  palo  yel- 
low.    (Oiaiige  on  ei-()wii  in  ^  only?) 

Aliove    ashy-olive,    lieiieath    yollowi.-ih    olivaeeons-white  ;    iinu'r 
webs  of  lail-leiilheis  liroailly  eilgcd  with  white.     (Middle  ivjrioiis 

of  Noitli  Aineiica  ;  JFexieo.) •  .     var.  celata. 

Abovo    gi-cenish-olive,    lienoath    l)i-i','ht    gieenish-yellow  ;    wliitu 
edjjes  to  iiniei-  webs  of  tail-l'eatheis   obsolete.     (I'aeilie    IVovinee 

of  North  Amei-iea. ) var.   I  ii  t  esrr  n  s. 

Similar  to  vaf.  irfufn.  lint   plumajje  darker  and  more  din^v.     Xo 
wliite  edfrinj,'s   to  tail-leathers,   and   apiiarenlly    no  ni/miH  on   the 
crown  in  either  .sex.     (lieorgia,  Florida,  etc.)         .         .        ww:  nbsr  n  r  <i . 
d.  No  rufons  on  <'rown. 

S.  peregriiid.  AboV(>  olive-green  ;  head  and  wv\<.  pme  ash:  beiieatli 
eoiitimion.s  white.  Jl'di.  Eastern  Province  of  North  Ameriea  north  to 
Fort  Simpson,  II.  1$.  T    .-iouth  to  Paiiama.     Cuba  (rare). 


Helminthopliaga  chrysoptera,  (  .\n.\x. 

GOLDEN-WINOED  WABBLEB. 

MiitiU'iUii  clint.ifij>/,r,>,  I.inn.  .s.  Sm.  1,  17titi,  :!:i;i.  Siih-in  ,l,i:  L.\tii.  -  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn. 
II,  pi.  XV.  tig.  .'). -Hon.  Sijlrknlti  t-lir.  Bon.  H.liniiiii  vlu:  Aid.  liinls  Am.  II,  pi. 
evii.  Ifdiiiilliynts  e/ir.  liox.  —  Sei..\  ri;i:,  1'.  /,.  8.  \Km,  113  iHegota).  lltlniinthophiKja 
chrysopUru,  V.\\\.  Mils,  llciii  ;  .bunii.  I.  Orn.  lisiid,  ;!2,s  (Costa  Kiia).  —  Haiim),  Birds 
N.  Am.  ISnS,  2,'),') ;  l!cv.  17;').  —  Sci..vri:K  .t  .S.m.vix,  lliis,  II,  IMid,  ai)7  (Clioetum, 
(iiiatcmala).  —  S.VI.VIN,  lSt)7,  135.  —  DuK.ssr.li,  Ibi.s,  ISli.'i,  477  (San  Antonio).  —  J.aw- 
KKSCK,  Ann.  X.  Y.  l.ye.  VII,  KStil,  :i!>3  (Panama).  —  (irxDi..  Cab.  .bmrii.  Ifli],  3-2i> 
(Cuba,  ran').     MoluciUii  Jhififrniin,  {\\\v.\As.     Siilvin  jUn-i/rouK,  l,.\ril. 

Sp.  CllAK.     Upper  parts  niiirorni  bliiish-gray  ;   the  head  above  and  a  large  i)ati;li  on  the 

wings   yellow.      A    broad    streak    from    the    bill 

throiigli    and    behind    the    eye,    with    the    ehin, 

throat,  and  forepart  of  the   breast,   blaek.      The 

I'Xteiiial   edge   of  the  yellow  crown    coiilinnoiis 

with   .a  broad  p.atcli   on   the  side  of  the  occiput 

abovt;   the   auricular.s,   ii   broad  maxillary  stripe 

widening  on  the  side  of  the  neck,  the  under  parts 

generally,   with   most   of  the  inner  webs  of  the 

outer  three  lail-leather.s,  wliite;  tin;  sides  of  the 

boily  pale  ash-color.     I'emdlc  similar,  but  duller. 

Length  alioiit  ">  inches;  wing,  "J.ti.") ;  tail,  '2.'_'."). 

IIah.     Kastern  Provineo  of  riiit(Ml  States,  San 

Antonio  (DiiKSifKi!):  Cnlia  (rare)  ;  (xuateinala;  Co.sta  Rica ;   I'anama;  Bogota.     Recorded 

ill  West  Indies  from  Cuba  only;  not  from  .Mexico.     Verngiia;  Chiri(iui  (Sai.vin). 

IlAiiiTs.     Sii  I'ar  lis  mil-  ])resent  kti()\vlc(l<,'i;  of  this  Warliler  o.xtend.s,  it  is 
nowhero  a  conuuon  spocics,  ami  i.s  distriltnted  over  a  coiu])aiativoly  small 


IfFlminthophns^fi  relnfn. 


SYTAICOLIDJ':  — THE  \VAUIiLEl{S.  1(J3 

extent  of  territoiy.  Wilson  met  witli  it  in  I'cnnsylvtiniii  durinj];  tlic  last  of 
A]ii'il  and  the  first  of  .May,  lielievini,'  it  to  he  only  a  niiLtrant  s|)e(!ies  on  its 
way  to  more  northern  regions.  Xuttall  was  sceptieal  of  tiiese  conelusions, 
as  he  never  met  with  the  speeies  in  the  Xew  Kngland  States.  Andul)oii 
observed  these  birds  in  their  migrations  through  Louisiana,  whieh  State  they 
entered  from  Texas  in  the  montii  of  A\m\.  He  procured  several  s]t(!vinu'ns 
in  Louisiana  and  Kentucky,  and  one  in  New  Jersey,  lie  knew  nothing  as 
to  its  breeding,  and  seems  to  have  accepted  Wilson's  inferences  in  regard  to 
its  northern  migrations.  He  never  met  with  this  bird  in  the  fall,  when,  if  a 
Xorthern  sjiecies,  it  shoukl  be  returning  south,  and  thence  inierred  that  it 
migrated  by  night. 

Professor  r>aird  has  obtained  this  binl  near  Carlisle,  Penn.,  in  duly, 
rendering  probal)le  its  breeding  in  that  vicinity.  W.  S.  Wood  met  with 
it  near  St.  Louis,  May  lo,  1S.")7,  and  two  days  previously  in  the  same 
year  jMr.  Kennicott  procured  an  individual  in  Souti'iern  Illinois.  Occa- 
sionally specimens  have  been  obtained  in  Alassaehu.setts,  and  of  late  these 
occurrences  have  Ijecome  more  freiiuent  or  more  ob.served.  It  was  first 
noticed  near  Poston  by  ,].  Eliot  Cabot,  Ks(|.,  who  shot  one  in  May,  \H:',H, 
near  Fresh  Poud.  This  was,  he  thinks,' on  the  2(tth  of  that  month.  Since 
then  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  has  known  of  several  si)ecimens  taken  within  the 
State.  Mr.  Jillson  has  ob.served  it  spending  the  sunnner  in  Polton,  and 
evidently  breeding,  as  has  also  'Sir.  Allen  at  Springiield,  and  Mr.  IJennett  at 
llolyoke.  In  the  summer  of  ISTt),  Mr.  ^laynard  obtainetl  its  nest  and  eggs 
in  Newton. 

The  late  Dr.  (ierhardt  found  it  breeding  among  the  high  grounds  of  North- 
ern Georgia.  It  has  also  Ijeen  taken  at  Pacine,  Wi.s.,  by  J)r.  Hoy,  and  in 
Ohio.  These  data  seem  to  show  that  it  is  sjjaringly  found  from  Oeorgia  to 
Massachusetts,  and  from  New  Jer.sey  to  Missouri  and  Wisconsin.  Its  west- 
ern limits  may  be  more  extended.  It  was  not  met  with  l)y  any  of  the  ex- 
jiloring  ]»arties  iHjyond  St.  Louis,  but  its  retiring  habits  and  its  spar.se  distri- 
bution may  account  for  this. 

])r.  Sajuuel  Cabot  was  the  fii-st  naturalist  to  meet  with  the  nest  and  ovaa 
of  this  bird.  This  was  in  May,  18.".7,  in  (ireenbrier  County,  ^'a.  The  nest 
was  con.stvucted  in  the  midst  of  a  low  bush  on  high  ground,  and  contained 
four  eggs. 

The  late  Dr.  Alexander  (lerhardt  ibund  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  Warbler 
in  the  sja'ing  of  IS;")!),  in  Whittield  County,  (!a.  It  contained  four  eggs,  and 
was  built  on  the  ground.  It  was  very  large  for  the  bird,  being  live  inches  in 
height  and  four  in  diameter.  The  cavity  was  also  quite  large  and  deep  for 
so  small  a  binl,  e.\ceeding  three  inches  both  in  depth  and  in  diameter.  The 
outer  and  under  jim-tions  of  this  nest  were  almost  entirely  com])osed  of  the 
dry  leaves  of  sevt^ral  kinds  of  deciduous  trees.  These  were  interwoven  with 
and  strongly  bound  together  by  black  vegetable  roots,  dry  sedges,  and  line 
stri])s  of  pliant  bark,  and  the  whole  lined  with  a  close  network  of  fine 
25 


194  NORTH  AXIEHICAX  liUWH. 

leaves,  dry  grasses,  and  fibrous  roots.  Dr.  (Jcrhardt  informed  me  tliat  tliesc 
birds  usually  budd  on  or  near  tlie  ground,  under  tussoclvs  of  grass  in  cIuu.ds 
of  buslics,  or  pinc-brusli,  and  tliat  they  lay  from  four  to  five  eggs,  from  the 
btii  to  the  ITitli  of  May. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  beautiful,  clear  crystal-white,  witli  a  few 
bright  reiUbsh-bnnvn  spots  around  the  larger  end.     Kggs  from  Ifacine  Wis 
and  from  Northern  (Jeorgia,  differ  greatly  in  their  relative  si/e      Tile  foi- 
nier  measure  .70  of  an  inch  in  lengtJi  and  .53  in  breadth  ;  the  latter    Gli 
by  .4!).  ' 

A  single  specimen  of  tliis  species  was  obtained  by  Mr.  Salvin,  at  Choctum 
in  Guatemala.  ' 


Helminthophaga  bachmani,  Cahan. 

BACHHAirS  WABBLEB. 

Sulvia  horhmnni.  An,.  Orn.  liiof;.  11,  18^4,  4,S3.  pi.  olxxxiii.     Sulvu'ola  b.  R.cn.     Vcrmi. 
vorah.  liox.     Jleluwin  I.   An..  Syu.   liinl«  Am.   II,  1841,  93,  ,,1.  cviii.  _  Lkmbfvr 
Av.   Cuba,  1850,  3(i.  ,,1.   vi.   n..   ].      IHnnlhm,.  I,    H„n.      IhUnMh.phaga  h.  Cvb" 
.lour.  Ill,  ]85.i,   475  (Culm,  iu  wiutn).  -  BAriJi.,  Minis  X.  An..  18.58,  2r,.';  •  Itev   175 
-GuNi.LAcu,  (.'ab.  Jour.  ISfil,  ;i2(i  (('ul,a,  rare)  ;  l{i.p,.,-t.  ,;r,,  232.  '      " 

Sp.  Char.  Above  olive-green,  as  also  are  tiie  si.le..  of  the  head  and  neck  Hind 
head  hnged  with  a.sh.  A  broad  patch  on  the  foreliead,  bordered  behind  by  black-  ehin 
stnpe  fronj  tin,,  along  the  si.lo  of  the  tln-oat,  and  the  entire  under  part..,  deep  j-'ellow' 
Tl.  ,at  and  forepart  of  brea,.t  black.  A  patch  on  the  inner  weh  of  the  outer  two  tail- 
feat..crs  near  the  en.l  white.  Length,  4.50;  wing,  IX.-  tail,  2.05.  Finale  with  merely 
a  patch  of  dusky  on  the  jugulum,  and  with  the  black  bar  on  vertex  obsolete. 

Hah.     Coast  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  ;  Cuba  in  winter. 

Habits.  Bacliman's  War)  .ler  is  a  comparatively  new  and  but  little  kno^v,l 
species  of  this  interesting  group.  It  was  first  discovered,  July,  1833,  by  Key 
Dr.  John  Bacliman,  ti  few  miles  from  ("harleston,  S.  C,  and  in  the  same  vi- 
cinity he  afterwards  discovered  a  few  others  of  l)oth  .sexes.  He  described  it 
as  a  lively,  active  bird,  gliding  among  the  l)ranches  of  the  thick  1)ushes,  occa- 
sionally mounting  on  tlie  wing  and  seizing  insects  in  the  air,  in  the  manner 
of  a  Flycfitclier.  The  individual  first  obtained  was  an  old  female  wliich 
had,  to  all  appearances,  just  reared  a  brooil  of  young.  With  tliis  partial  ex- 
ception, nothing  is  known  in  relation  to  its  liabits.  As  all  tlie  species  of  this 
genas,  without  rny  at  present  known  exception,  con,struct  their  nests  u])on 
the  ground,  it  is  a  natural  inference  that  it  probably  nests  in  a  similar  situa- 
tion. 

Tlie  Smithsonian  Institution  possesses  but  a  single  specimen  of  this  lurd 
obtained  near  Charleston,  S.  C.  It  was  not  observed  by  any  naturalist  of' 
tlie  several  governmental  ex].loring  expeditions,  and,  so  far  as  we  are  at 
present  informed,  its  only  known  ])laces  of  abode  are  Soutli  Carolina  and 
Cuba,  where  it  is  extremely  rare.     Its  nest  and  eggs  still  remain  unknown. 


8VLVI('0LII),K  — TIIK  WAHULKIfS.  ]p5 

Helminthophaga  pinus,  UAiiii). 

BLUE -WINGED  YELLOW  WABBLEK. 

C'erHiiii  iiiiiim,  Linn.  Sy.st.  Nat.  I,  17()0,  187.  S/ihiu  /liiiiis,  Laiii.,  Vikim,.  (not  of  M'ii,- 
SON).  /fc/iiiiiil/iiiiiliiKjd  /liiiiiH,  li.viitn,  IJirils  N.  Am.  1858,  25-t ;  Hcv.  174.  —  Sci,ai'i;i! 
it  Sai,\  IS,  lliis,  1,  IS;')!!,  11  ((iuatnimla).  -  Sil.ATKlt,  C'litiil.  1801,  •>»,  no.  170.  Sit/n'ii. 
sulitiiriii,  Wii.sciN,  Ami.  Oiii.  II,  pi.  .\v.  ^  Arn.  Oiii.  Hiog.  I,  |)1.  x.v.  Suhuailn  ml. 
lluil.  rermiciini  mil.  Sw.  lliliiKiia  sol.  \v\k  Miids  Am.  II,  pi.  i-.\i.  llihuithc 
ml.  Bun.  —  Sii.ATKii,  P.  Z.  S.  Isr.ti,  :2!il  (Coidovii).     Jhliiiin/liu/iliaijit  .sul.  C'aii. 


Itci  «.< 


Sp.  Ciiau.  Uppur  parts  iiiul  clifcks  olivc-<r|-ccii,  brigliU-st,  on  tlio  riiinp;  the  wiiijj.^,  tail, 
and  upper  tail-coverts,  in  part,  bliiisli-c.nay.  An  intensely  blaek  [lateii  Iroin  the  blue-black 
bill  to  the  eye,  continued  a  short  distance  liehiiid  it.  Crown,  e.\ec|)t  behind,  and  the  under 
parts  generally,  rich  oraiifre-yellow.  The  inner  win^  and  under  lail-c(]verts  white.  Eye- 
lids, and  a  short  line  above  and  behind  the  eye,  liri^diter  yellow.  Wiiii;  with  two  white 
bands.  Two  outer  tail-leathers  with  most  of  the  inner  weli,  thinl  one  with  a  spot  at  the 
end,  white.  Femitle  and  i/oiui;/  similar,  duller,  with  inori'  olivaceous  on  the  crown.  Length, 
4.r)0;  wiiifr,  2.40;  tail,  2.10. 

Hah.  Eastern  ITnited  States  and  Mexico  to  (Juatemala  (Cordova;  Cohan).  Not 
noted  i'roin  West  Indies. 

Habits.  Tlie  Bliio-wiiif^'nd  Yellow  Wiirlilor  is  not  known  so  far  to  the 
north  as  New  Eiioland,  and  i.s  rare  even  in  Eastern  and  Sontliern  New  York. 
Tt  seems  to  be  distriluited  throuoh  the  United  States  from  I'ennsylvania  to 
Floridii,  iind  from  the  Mississijipi  Valley  eastwavd.  It  has  also  lieen  taken 
in  Central  America.  Mr.  Trippe  states  that  it  breeds  in  the  vicinity  of 
Orange,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Andubon  fonnd  it  tibnndant  in  the  barrens  of  Ken- 
tucky, iiiid  as  i'iir  north  on  the  Mi.ssissippi  as  St.  (lenevicve. 

In  reo;ard  to  the  song  of  this  bird,  Mr.  Trippe  states  that  its  notes  are  very 
forcible  and  chanicteristic.  Once  hciU'd,  they  will  always  be  remembered. 
He  describes  them  as  a  rapid  chirrup  resendiling  chTiuehich,  k'-a-rc-r'r'r'r'r, 
uttered  very  tpiickly.  According  to  Mr.  Itidgwiiy,  they  are  wonderfully 
similar  to  the  rude  lisping  chirrup  of  the  CotiirmcHla!^  jMxst'vinux. 

Wilson  says  that  these  ^Varblers  come  from  the  South  early  in  May,  fre- 
([uenting  tiiickets  and  shrublieries  in  search  of  insects,  wiiich  they  seek  in 
the  branches.  They  are  also  fond  of  visiting  gardens  and  orchards,  gleaning 
for  insects  among  the  low  bushes.  They  generally  build  their  nests  on  the 
edge  of  se([uestered  woods.  These  ^Ir.  Wilson  states  to  have  been,  in  every 
instance  observed  by  him,  fixed  on  the  ground,  in  a  thick  tussock  of  long 
grass,  and  built  in  the  form  of  an  inverted  cone,  the  sides  being  formed 
of  the  dry  bark  of  strong  fibrous  weeds  lined  with  fine  dry  grasses.  These 
nuiteriids,  he  remarks,  are  not  arranged  in  the  usutil  circular  iniumer,  but 
shelve  downwiird  from  the  top,  the  mouth  being  wide  and  the  bottom  narrow. 
He  describes  the  eggs  as  five  in  number,  pure  white,  with  a  few  liiint  dots 
of  reddish  near  the  larger  end.  The  young  apjtear  the  first  week  in  June. 
The  nests  were  always  in  an  ojien  but  retired  ])art  of  the  woods,  and  were 
all  as  thus  described. 


196  NORTir  AMKRICAN  JHUDS. 

Accordiiijf  to  Mr.  Amlulxni  its  son;,'  consists  of  a  lew  weak  notes  that  are 
by  no  moans  inturestinjf.  His  deHcrii)ti(tn  of  its  nost  a^^rees  with  that  of 
Wilson.  Ho  statos  that  it  usually  has  two  lu'ootls  in  tho  .season,  one  in  May, 
tho  other  in  .Inly.  The  yoiuij,'  disiJorso  as  soon  as  they  are  able  to  provide  for 
themselves. 

He  describes  them  s-.s  of  solitary  habits,  and  adds  that  they  leave  Louisi- 
ana for  the  Soutii  early  in  Oettilier.  Its  tli<,dit  is  short,  undetermined,  and 
])erformod  in  zigzag  liue.s.  It  will  aseend  twenty  or  thirty  yards  in  the 
air  as  if  about  to  go  to  a  greater  di.stance,  when,  suddenly  turning  round,  it 
will  descend  to  the  i)la(e  from  which  it  set  out.  It  rarely  ]>ursues  insects 
on  the  wing,  feeding  chietly  on  the  smaller  kind  of  .s])idors,  and  seizing  other 
insects  as  they  come  within  its  roach. 

The  above  accounts  of  its  breeding,  and  especially  of  its  nest,  do  not  cor- 
ros]iond  with  the  observations  of  ^Ii'.  Ifidgway,  neai'  Mt.  Carmel,  III,  where 
the  bird  is  abundant.  A  nost  collected  l)y  him  is  a  very  loose  open  struc- 
ture, composed  chielly  of  broiid,  thin,  and  ilexilile  strips  of  the  inner  bark 
of  deciduous  trees,  chiefly  the  l)ass-W(jod.  It  contained  five  eggs,  and  was 
obtained  iMay  H.  It  was  first  di.scovored  by  noticing  tho  bird  with  mate- 
rials in  her  l)ill.  The  situation  of  tiiis  nost  "  was  in  no  wise,"  siiys  Mr.  Iii<'.g- 
way,  "as  described  by  \Vils(jn,  not  luiving  any  covered  entrance."  The  nost 
was  veiy  bulky,  and  so  loo.soly  made  tiiat  only  the  inner  portion  coidd  be 
secured.  "  I  have  Ibund  other  nests,"  adds  Mr.  Itiilgway,  "  all  correspond- 
ing with  this  one.  There  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  its  identity,  as  the  birds 
were  scon  building  the  nost,  and  were  closely  watched  in  their  movements. 
Both  male  and  female  were  seen  several  times."     (No.  1(),14U,  Smith.  Coll.) 

The  eggs  of  this  si)ecios  measure  .70  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .o?>  in  breadth. 
Their  ground-color  is  white,  s))rinkled  with  a  few  roddish-brown  spots. 


Helminthophaga  ruflcapilla,  Baird. 

KASHVILLE  WABBLEB. 

Syh-ia  ruficiipilla,  Wn.s.  Am.  Oiii.  Ill,  1811,  120,  pi.  xxvii,  lig.  3.  —  Akd.  Oni.  Biog.  I, 
18.32,  4.")0,  jil.  l.x.\xi.\.  Ihliniiifliophiioa  rvficdpilln,  HAiiin,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  256; 
li.v.  IT;').— Sci.ATKli,  r.  Z.  S.  IS.-.il,  37:i  (XalapiO.  — D1!1>ski:,  lliis,  ()5,  477  (Texas).— 
('<"M'i;i!,  Oni.  Cal.  I,  lS7(i,  82.  ,Siili-ia  nil'rir,i/ii//,i,  Wii,s.  Am.  Om.  VI,  1812,  !'>, 
(ii'iii'ial  liidi'x. — XriT.,  15ox.  Sijh-iaila.  nth.  Uhmi.  ]%rm intra  rub.  Hon.  —  Hki.n- 
llAltUT,  Vi.l.  Mi-<I.  for  1853,  185-J,  82  ((iicciiland).  —  liiii-.WKU,  Pr.  Bo.st.  Soc.  N.  H. 
VI,  1856,  4  (iifst  and  eggs).  Ifdiitnia  riili.  Arn.  Birds  Am.  II,  jd.  cxiii.  Ilihinthrits 
rub.  Bon.  —  Sci..  V.  A.  S.  ]S.".(i,  201  (Cordova)  ;  l8.''>i»,  3f;;i  (.Valapa).  Jfil,iiiii//i,i/ili(i(ja 
rub.  t'Ali.  —  Sn.ATKi;,  I'.  '/..  S.  IS'iS,  298  (Oaxaca  ;  Fid),  ami  Aug.).  Miiinlllttirnh. 
Ki;iMiAl!in-,  lliis,  186],  6  (r.rconland).  Siih-iu  huiu„i(,stni,  Shaw,  Gi'ii.  Zoul.  X,  il, 
1817,  622.     "  SiiliHii  mishvUlei,"  ViEiLLor. — Uhav.     Sylvia  mexicaiut,  Holboll. 

Sr.  CiiAH.  Hoal  and  neck  abovu  and  on  sides  asti-frray,  tlic  crown  with  a  patch  of 
conceali'd  daik  lirownish-oranfre  liiildcn  liy  asliy  tips  to  tilt'  f'catliur.s.  Upjior  ])art.s  olivo- 
gruLMi,  brightest  on  tlie  rump.     Under  parts  generally,  with  the  edge  of  the  wing,  deep 


SVLVICOLID.K  — TIIIO  WAUItLKUS.  j(,Y 

yellow;  tho  nnal  n'jrion  i.alor;  tiif  sides  tiiifrcd  with  olivo.  A  broml  yellowish-whiU. 
ring  i-oiiii(l  the  (•>■.,■ ;  tlic  loivs  ycil,,wisli ;  no  .siiiuTciliiiry  .stiij).'.  The  inner  .mI-cs  oI'  iIr. 
tail-foatiiiTs  mai-nincd  willi  dull  wiiilc.  FnunU:  similar,  l.nt  dnlicr;  llie  under  parts  paler, 
luid  with  niiMv  wliih-  I, lit  little  traee  of  the  red  ol'tlie  crown.  Length,  -{.(m  ;  wini;-,  'J.-l-J- 
tail,  'IM'i.  '  '    '  "' 

^  II.vii.  Eastern  Province  of  North  Aniericii;  rare  in  the  Middle  Province  (Fort  Tejon, 
('al.,  and  Hast  ILunholdt  Mountains,  Xev.) ;  Ureeuland  (RKiNiiAiiin) ;  Oaxaca  (F.^hiinuy 
and  August,  .Sci.atku)  ;  Xalapa  and  Cordova  (Scl.vtku;  ;  Urizaba  (winter,  Su.miciikastJ. 
Not  re(.'orde(l  IVoni  West  Indies. 

It  is  an  intoroHtino  fact,  tlitit,  in  this  specios,  we  fiml  in  tlio  yullow  ii  tun- 
(leiicy  to  liocmiio  moio  iind  moru  rustiictcd  its  wo  puss  wostwiird.  In  adult 
sprinjr  males  tVoin  the  Atlantic  Status  this  color  invades  the  cheeks,  ami 
oven  stains  the  lores  and  eyelids.  In  two  adtilt  sprinj,'  males  from  Chiciino 
it  is  coiiHned  within  the  maxilhe,  the  cheeks  l)eini>-  clear  iish,  and  the  h.nil 
streak  and  orbital  rin<i-  imre  white  ;  while  in  tm  adtilt  male  (iitittimnal,  how- 
ever) from  the  East  Httmlxddt  Mountains  (Nevada,  Xo.  o;!,:l,")4,  U.  S.'ceol. 
Plxpl,  40th  par.)  the  yellow  is  restricted  to  a  medial  strij),  even  the  sides 
of  the  throat  hein-v  ashy ;  the  ash  invades  the  back  too,  tilmost  to  the  rtiiiip, 
while  in  P^astern  specimens  it  extends  no  iarther  hack  than  the  nap'  A 
male  (No.  10,(ioG,  J.  Xantns)  from  Fort  Tejon,  Cal.,  is  niiicli  like  the  Xe- 
vada  specimen,  thouyh  the  peculiar  features  of  the  remote  Western  form  are 
less  exiiooerated  ;  it  is  ahotit  intermediate  hetweeii  the  other  si)ecimen  and 
the  specimens  from  ('hica-i'o.  As  there  is  not,  unfortunately,  a  sulliciuntly 
large  series  of  these  birds  Ijefore  us,  we  cannot  say  to  what  extent  these 
variations  with  lonoitude  tire  constant. 

Hahits.  The  Niishville  Wtirbler  iippi-ars  to  be  a  specios  of  somewhat 
irregular  occurrence ;  at  one  time  it  will  bo  rather  abundant,  thotigh  never 
very  numerous,  and  at  another  time  comparatively  rare.  For  a  long  while  otir 
older  naturalists  regtirtled  it  as  ii  very  rare  species,  and  knew  nothing  as  to 
its  habits  or  distribution.  Wilson,  who  first  met  witii  it  in  1811,  nevei^found 
more  tiiaii  three  specimens,  which  he  procured  near  Xashville,  Tenn.  Audu- 
bon only  met  with  three  or  four,  and  these  he  obtained  in  Louisiiina  ;ind 
Kentucky.  These  and  a  few  others  in  Titian  I'etile's  collection,  supposed  to 
have  been  obtained  in  rennsylvaniti,  were  all  he  ever  saw.  Mr.  Xuttall  at 
first  reganled  it  as  very  rare,  itiid  its  a  Southern  species.  In  that  writer's  later 
edition  he  speaks  of  it  as  a  bird  having-  a  Xorthern  distribution  as  far  as 
Labradt)r.  Dr.  Kichardson  records  the  occurrence  ol'a  single  straggler  in  the 
fur  country.  So  liir  as  known,  it  occurs  tis  ti  niignint  in  all  the  States 
east  of  the  Mis.souri,  and  is  a  summer  resident  north  of  tlie  4(lth  parallel. 
It  probably  breeds  in  the  high  ground  tjf  Pennsylvania,  though  this  ftict  is 
inferred  rather  than  known.  It  breeds  in  Connecticut  iind  Mti-ssachusetts, 
and  in  Maine  in  the  vicinity  of  Calais,  being  more  abundant  there  than  any- 
where else,  as  far  i.s  has  been  a.scertained. 

^  Two  individiuils  of  this  si)ecies  have  been  taken  in  (Jreenland:  one  at 
Gotltluiab,  iu  1835  ;  iind  the  other  at  Fiskentesset,  August  31,  1840. 


]J)S  NORTH  AMERKWX  KIRDS. 

In  jMassai'lmsctts  it  has  so  far  ln'i'ii  found  in  only  a  fi>\v  ri'stiutwl  locali- 
ties, Andovi'V,  Lynn,  and  Hudson,  tliouuli  it  unv'.oulttt'dly  occurs  clsewlicro. 
About  till'  time  Wilson  olitained  his  first  s|u'ciini'u,  a  livinj;  l)ird  of  tliis 
.s])ccii's  Hew  into  the  ])arlor  of  tlii'  late  Colonel  Tiiomas  II.  IVukins  of  IJrook- 
line,  and  is  n(t\v  in  tiie  lollection  of  his  <;randson,  Dr.  Caliot.  Tlie  latter 
{jentlenian  states  (liat  when  he  first  lieiian  niakinj;;  collections  this  AV^ar- 
l)ler  was  a  very  rare  visitaut  to  his  nei,nid)orhood,  but  has  of  late  become 
nuu'h  more  common,  tiiou!,di  varyinji'  greatly  in  this  respect  in  din'ercnt 
seasons.  Specimens  have  been  obtained  in  Western  Iowa  by  Mr.  II.  W. 
Parkt'r,  of  (Irinnell. 

A  few  instances  of  its  occin'rence  west  of  tiie  ]\Iissi.ssi])]ii  Valley  are  known. 
One  of  tiieso  was  by  Xantus  near  Kort  Tejoii ;  anotiier  near  Like  Talioe,  in  tiie 
Sit-rra  Nevada,  liy  Mr.  (Jruber;  and  in  the  Kast  Humboldt  Ah>untains,  Nevada, 
by  Mr.  IJidnway.  SiM-ciiniens  of  this  Warbh-r  were  obtained  in  tlu^  winter  by 
JM.  Uoucard  at  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

in  the  sunnuer  of  IH*)-!-,  Mr.  Charles  S.  Paine  fimnd  it  Itreeding  in  IJaii- 
dolph,  \t.,  but  was  unable  to  discover  tiu!  nest.  "  They  spend  the  sum- 
mer," he  wrote,  "  amonu  hiw  liuslies,  and  ]»roiial)ly  build  their  nests  anioiijf 
tiie  thickets.  I  have  watciied  their  movements  on  several  occasions.  Once 
1  detected  an  old  bird  witii  food  in  iier  iiill  about  to  feed  her  younj,'.  I  ciuild 
hear  tiie  younjj  binls,  yet  was  unalile  to  find  the  nest."  Two  years  later, 
Mr.  (}eor{,'e  O.  Welch,  of  Lynn,  found  the  nest  of  this  Warliler  on  the 
ground  in  a  small  tliicket.  It  contained  younn'  jiartially  Hedged,  and  t)ne 
egg  uiihatched.  Tiie  nest  was  built  in  a  slight  depression,  in  a  ilry  jtlace, 
among  fallen  leaves  and  in  the  siicltcr  of  a  thicket  of  young  ouk-trees. 
Tliis  egg  in  sliai>e  was  of  a  rounded  oval,  and  measured  ."I'.t  by  .oO  of  an  inch  ; 
one  end  was  sliglitly  more  pointed  than  the  other.  The  ground-color  was 
while,  slightly  tinged  with  pink,  and  marked  over  the  entire  surface  with 
purplisli-lirown  dots.  Around  tiie  Lirger  end  these  spots  form  a  beautiful 
wreath  of  eonlhient  markings.  Since  then  otiier  nests  have  been  found  in 
the  same  locality,  all  on  tiie  ground  and  built  in  like  situations.  Tliey  have 
a  diameter  of  four  and  a  hcigiil  of  two  inches  The  cavity  has  adiameter 
of  two  and  u  (le|tth  of  one  ami  a  tiuarler  inches.  Tlie  outer  portions  are 
built  of  dry  mosses,  intermingled  with  strijis  of  tlie  Itark  "  the  wild  grajie 
and  the  red  cedar  and  a  few  hcrbaceinis  twigs,  and  lined  with  a  thick  layer 
of  dried  carices,  small  haves  of  the  v.  Iiite  pine,  and  line  grasses.  The  whole 
structure  is  loosely  ]»ut  together.  'I'lii'  nests  are  generally  concealed  by  over- 
arching leaves,  which,  howi'ver,  form  no  ]iart  of  the  ni'sl  it.sclf. 

The  late  Klijali  I'.  Harrow,  of  Anilovcr,  Mass.,  a  young  natnrali.st  of  much 
jtromise,  found  several  nests  of  this  rare  Warbler,  all  of  which  were  con- 
cealed liy  grass.  The  eggs  he  found  varied  in  ItMigth  from  StU  tii  .(il  of  an 
in(!li,  and  in  breadth  from  ,."i(l  to  .."il  of  an  inch.  I»otli  jiarents,  as  observed 
by  Iiim,  were  entirely  silent. 

The    Nashville  Warbler  has  been  .said  to  be  a  comparatively  silent  and 


SYIA'ICOMD.K  — TUK  WAUni-KUS.  Ujjj 

sniijilcss  l)ir(l,  I'iiiely  j;iviii<^  Ibrtli  any  sounds,  !in<l  tliosn  art^  i't,nntiiii'il  liy  Dr. 
li'irlianlsoii  (o  l\\v.  creaking  nnist'  ur.uU'  liy  llie  whi'lting  of  ;i  saw.  Wilson 
conipiiri's  tlu'si!  soniiils  to  tlii>  crackin"'  of  dry  twigs  or  the  striking  togctlicr 
of  small  pi'hlilo.s.  Mr.  .1.  A.  Allen  sjieaks  of  its  song  us  being  similar  to  that 
of  the  ("liestnut-sided  Warbler,  which  hitter  hird,  as  is  well  known,  has  notes 
so  clo.scly  re.sendiling  those  of  the  Summer  VeUow-liird  that  it  is  dillicult  to 
distinguish  one  from  the  other  hy  their  notes.  Mr.  T.  M.  TripiH!  states,  also, 
that  this  Warliler  has  a  very  line  song,  rosemWing  that  of  the  Siunuiur  Ycl- 
low-I5ird  more  nearly  than  any  other. 

These  Warhlers  arrive  in  iMa.ssachusetts  alioiit  the  fir.st  of  iMay,  and  remain 
about  three  weeks,  wluui  tlu'  larger  ])ortion  move  farther  north. 

More  recently  Mr.  I'aiiie  writes  me  that  the  Nashville  Warbler  has  of 
lute  years  become  u  common  bird  in  certain  localities  in  Central  Vcninont. 
They  come  and  keep  com])any  with  the  Canada  Warliler,  but  are  moie  rest- 
less than  that  s])e(Mes  at  the  time  of  their  first  ajipcarance.  They  always 
in  the  breed ing-sea.son  take  up  their  abode  in  thickets,  where  there  are  also 
tall  trees.  My.  Paint;  adds  that  their  song  consists  of  repetitions  of  single 
notes,  the  hist  terminating  .siunewhat  abruptly.  Their  .song  ceases  by  the 
loth  of  June.  After  their  young  are  ready  to  lly,  they  di.sjierse  about  the 
woods  and  fields,  and  are  then  not  readily  discoviued. 


Helminthophaga  virginise,  IVmkd. 

BOCKT  MOUNTAIN  WARBLER;  VIRGINIA'S  WARBLER. 

.'      /(   il/i(i/i/iiiiiii   rinjiiiiir,    ll.Mlili,    llinis   N.    .\in.    uiiiIit  cxiiliiniitiiiii  dI'  platfs,   IStiO,   xi, 
pi.  l.wix,  li),'.  1  ^Koit  lUiinwyii,  N.  M.)  ;  Hrv.  177.    -  (-'imnai,  Uni.  i'A.  I,  ls7(i,  s.'i. 

Sr.  ("u.Mt.  Sniiu'wliiil  like  //.  rnlirnjiillii.  MkIc.  Top  mill  sides  of  iiciiil,  liacK 
wiii^T'*  lij;lil  iisliN -pliiiiilii'oiis  ;  ipiilis  ;iiiil  liiil-lriillicis  lirmvii,  imIm-,.,}  widi  pure  iisliy-plinn- 
lii'diis,  llic  iailcr  iiiilisliiiclly  iniil  iiiiiinwly  iiiiiruiiit'ij  wilii  wliilisli  iiilcniiilly  ainl  iil  liic  end. 
WiMi'p,  wilii  upper  iiiid  lower  liiil-eoverls,  liri},dit  yellow,  in  vivid  eonlriist  willi  the  rest  of 
the  liorly.  Crown  with  a  eoneeiiled  paleh  of  rieli  eheslnnl.  lies!  ol' under  parts  lirownish- 
while.  u  ith  a  paleh  of  rieli  yellow  on  tiie  in;;nhnn.  Inside  of  wini^s  mid  axiilars  ])nre  white. 
.\  white  rill),'  ro 1  the  eye.      Hill  mid  le<rs  dnsky.     The  colors  nnieli  duller  in  aniiiiiiii. 

Fritialv.  s/iriiii/.  Siiielar  to  the  male,  lint  eheslnnl  spot  on  erown  olisolele,  the  yellow 
jii^'iilar  paleh  less  dislinet,  the  upper  tail-i'overts  more  irreeiiish,  and  the  lower  le.ss  rii'h 
yellow. 

Leli^rlli,  "i.iH' ;  exieni,  7.'J."i:  wiiij.',  "J..")!)  whn  fresh.  Dried  skin;  lenjiUi,  tiXt;  wiii;:. 
•2.")(1;   tail,  ■-'.•JO;   tarsus,  .(17. 

II  Ml.  Southern  I!o<'ky  Monntains  (.Middle  I'rovinee  of  t'liited  Stales) ;  Kast  llninlioldl, 
Wahsali'h,  anil  lintah  Monntains. 

A  young  bird  (\o.  ."i.".,.">."i,'i,  Kast  Humboldt  Mountains,  Xevada,  Augtist  ."i) 
is  olive-gmy  above,  becoming  green  mi  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  ;  the 
miildle  and  seinindiiry  coverts  narrowly  tipped  with  pale  giiiyish-buff,  pro- 
ducing two  indistinct  bands.    The  lower  parts  are  jiale  dirty-buff,  cxcejit  the 


200  NORTH  AirEIiI('AX-]!IRDS. 

lower  tail-covcrts,  wliicli  arc  Ifiinni-yellow  ;  tliorc  is  scarcely  a  tiiif^e  of  yellow 
on  tiie  ju^uluin,  ami  not  a  trauo  of  chestnut  on  tlic  crown. 

Habits.  ISut  little  is  <a,s  yet  known  in  regard  to  the  habits  ami  di-slrihution 
of  this  somewhat  I'iire  and  recently  di.scovered  sjic-eies.  It  was  first  met  witii 
by  Dr.  AV.  W.  Ander.son,  at  Fort  Ihn'Lfwyn  in  New  Mexico,  and  described 
by  I'rofessor  llaird  in  ISGd,  in  a  note  to  the  ex])lanation  of  Vol.  II.  of  the 
I5irds  of  Nortli  America.  It  was  named  in  iionor  of  ^Nlrs.  Virjiiiiia  Ander- 
son, the  wife  of  its  discoverer.  An  innnature  individual  of  this  species  was 
obtained  August  l."i,  1804,  by  Dr.  ("ones,  at  Fort  Wliipple,  near  I*re.icott,  in 
the  Territory  of  Arizona.  As  it  bears  a  close  resendilance  to  the  Hehiiiii- 
(li(ij)li(ii/<i  riiJJcdpilla,  it  is  n(!t  improbable  that  its  habits  bear  a  ver\'  close 
resemblance  to  those  of  that  species. 

In  the  summer  of  ISliU,  ^Ir.  Iiobert  Ilidgway  was  so  fortunate  as  to  meet 
with  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  near  Salt  Lake,  I'tah  (Smith.  Coll. 
lo,2i)',>).  This  was  June  9.  The  nest  was  end)edded  in  tlie  depo.sits  of 
dead  or  decaying  leaves,  on  ground  covered  by  dense  oak-brush.  Its  rim 
was  just  even  with  the  surface.  It  was  built  on  the  side  of  a  narrow  ravine 
at  the  bottom  of  which  was  a  small  stri'am.  The  nest  itself  is  two  inches 
in  dejith  liy  three  and  a  half  in  dianu'ter.  It  consists  of  a  loo.se  but  intri- 
cate interweaving  of  tine  strijis  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  mountain  mahog- 
any, fine  .stems  of  grasses,  roots,  and  mosses,  and  is  lined  with  the  same 
with  the  addition  of  the  fur  and  hair  of  the  smaller  animals. 

The  eggs  were  four  in  numlier,  and  measure  .('4  by  .47  of  an  inch.  They 
arc  of  a  rounded-moid  shape,  have  a  white  ground  with  a  slightly  roseate 
tinge,  and  arc  profusely  si>otted  with  numerous  small  blotches  and  dots  of 
jiurplish-brown  and  lilac,  forming  a  crown  around  the  larger  cud. 

This  bird  was  first  oli.served  liy  Mr.  Itidgway  among  the  cedars  and  pines 
of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  in  duly  it  was  (piitc  common.  It 
was  very  abundant  in  the  Wah.satch  Mountains  near  Salt  Like  City,  through- 
out the  sunnner  chiefly  iidiabiting  tlie  thickets  of  scrub-oak  (m  the  slopes  of 
the  can()ns  in  which  they  nested,  and  where  tin  .  were  daily  seen,  but  where, 
owing  to  the  thickness  of  the  bushes,  they  were  with  diHiculty  o'ltained.  Ke 
descrilies  its  .song  as  almost  exactly  like  that  of  Dcinlruini  (r.sfird.  The 
usual  note  is  .»  soft  pit,  (piite  dilfcieut  from  the  sharp  c/iip  of  If.  nliita. 


Holminthophaga  luoiae,  Cooi>i:u. 

LUCTS  WABBLEB. 

•Iclmiiilhiijihiiijn  hiciii\  f'niii'Kl!,  Pr.  Cal.  Ai'iiil.  .Inly,  IStil,  l'.!0  (Fort  Mohiivc). -- U.vilii), 
Hcv.  Am.  II.  18(M,  17S.  —  Ki.i.Kii,  Illust.  Hiiils  N.  Am.  I,  v.  —  Cooi'kh.  Orn.  f'al.  I, 
1870,  84. 

f>r.  CiiAii.     (Ic'iicriil  loiiii  mid  size  tliiil  nl'  II.  rulh-niitlht.    Almvc  liirlil-i'iiit'iiMnis;  licneath 
wliiii',  linviug  u  .<oili'(l,  very  jpale  lintl',  aliiiti.-sl  white  liugo  on  tlio  ihront,  hroiisf,  unil  llHnk.i. 


'  SYLVICOLID.E  — THE  WAUIJLEUS.  201 

A  patch  on  the  vortox,  as  in  If.  rKjiai/iillii,  ami  the  iipv'r  tail-covorU,  dark  clicstnut- 
bro\\  II.  Lores  to  nostrils  and  rcfjion  round  llic  eye,  like  tlio  tiiroal,  in  ratliur  dcitidud  I'on- 
trast  to  the  ash  of  the  crown.  Quills  and  tail-t'oatlicrs  brown,  narrowly  cd},'t'd  externally 
with  g:ray.  An  obsolete^  terminal  white  paleh  on  the  iinier  weliol'  the  outer  I'eatiiei-;  this 
wt'b  in  most  of  the  other  tail-leathers  likewise  narrowly  edi,'eil  with  white.  Axillars  and 
inner  lace  of  wings  white.  Iris  brown.  Tarsi  blue.  Leny:th,  in  life,  4.40;  extent,  fl.ild; 
wiuf,',  2.40.  LeufTth  of  skin,  ;5.!)0 ;  wing,  'l.'.i',) ;  tail,  l.f<(j;  tarsus,  .04;  mi<ldle  too  and 
claw^.i'O  ;  bill  above.  .3") ;  pipe,  .")(».  " 

IIau.  Fort  Mohave,  Colorado  Kiver  (Middle  Province  of  rnited  .Slates) :  Fort  Wliipple, 
Arizona. 

Habits.  Thi.s  is  also  a  now  or  recently  discovered  species  of  this  interest- 
ing group  of  Warblers.  In  regard  to  its  iiest  and  eggs  nothing  is  positively 
ascertained,  yet  as  all  the  birds  of  tiiis  genus  luv  nown  to  build  on  llie 
ground,  and  to  have  a  great  unil'onnity  in  the  characteristics  of  their  eggs,  it 
seems  to  lie  a  matter  of  natural  inference  that  this  species  idso  is  a  ground 
builder,  anil  litis  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  Xashville  Warbler.  For  the 
little  we  know  in  regard  to  its  habits  and  distribution,  we  are  indebted  to 
the  observiitions  of  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper  of  Ciiliforniu,  who  first  discovered  it, 
and  to  Dr.  Cones,  who  litis  since  met  wiUi  it  in  Arizona. 

Dr.  Coo2)er  first  olwerved  this  sjiecies  nciir  Fort  ^Moliave,  where  it  matle  its 
a])pearance  about  the  last  of  Mtirch.  His  attention  was  ctiUed  to  it  liy  its 
peculiiir  notes,  resembling  those  of  some  Jhni/roinr,  but  fainter.  After  con- 
siderable watching  and  scrambling  througli  dense  mezipiite  thickets  in  its 
pursuit,  he  succeeded  in  shooting  one,  and  found  it  to  be  a  new  species. 
Afterwards  they  became  more  numerous,  frecpienting  the  tops  of  the  mez- 
ipiite-trees  in  jini'suit  of  insects,  and  constiiiitly  uttering  their  short  liitt 
pleasing  notes.  About  ten  days  after  tlie  iirst  apjuarance  of  the  males,  Dr. 
Coojier  obtained  the  first  female,  tind  thinks  tiiat  without  doubt  they  are 
much  later  in  their  mignitions,  as  is  the  case  witli  other  Warblers.  He, 
wa.s  not  able  to  discover  their  nest,  liaving  to  leave  the  Vidley  late  in 
^fay. 

Mr.  Holdeii  olitained  other  ,  pecimens  of  tliis  bird,  nc  ir  the  :54th  parallel, 
in  March  of  IHli;}. 

Dr.  Coues  met  with  tliree  individuids  of  this  sjiecies  near  Fort  AVliipple, 
where  it  is  a  summer  resident.  It  arrives  tiiere  between  the  J  "ith  and  the 
20tli  of  April,  and  remains  until  the  latter  ]>iU't  of  Septen.oer.  It  mates 
about  tjie  last  of  April,  and  the  young  birds  tippeiir  early  in  tf  tine. 

Dr.  Cotie..  regiirds  its  haliits  a.s  more  like  those  of  the  true  (iround  War- 
blers than  those  of  the  other  species  of  this  group.  It  shows  a  decidctl 
preference  for  thickets  and  copses,  ratlier  than  for  high  open  woods,  and  is 
also  an  exceedingly  shy  and  retiring  species.  To  the  extreme  difUcully  of 
observing  or  procuring  it  Dr.  Coues  attributes  its  having  so  hmg  remained 
unnoticed. 

It  is  described  as  exceedingly  active  in  all  its  motions,  and  quite  as  rest- 
less as  a  Polioptila,  to  which  class,  in  its  colors,  it  also  bears  a  ch)so  resem- 
2U 


202  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

blaiice.  The  only  note  Dr.  Coucs  ever  heard  it  utter  was  a  quick  and  often 
repeated  taij),  as  slender  and  as  wiry  as  that  of  a  Uiialratcher.  Dr.  Cooper, 
however,  has  described  its  song  as  rich  and  ])leasing,  the  little  performer  be- 
ing mounted  on  the  top  of  some  mezquite  or  other  bush.  Dr.  Cooper  supposes 
this  species  to  breed,  not  in  the  Colorado  Valley,  but  in  the  more  mountain- 
ous regions. 

Dr.  Cones  hazards  the  conjecture  that  this  bird  builds  in  low  bushes. 
Should  it  prove  so,  it  would  in  this  respect  difler  from  all  the  other  niend)ers 
of  this  well-marked  grouji,  and  from  the  other  Ground  Warblers,  whicli,  in  its 
general  habits,  it  so  nmch  resembles. 


Helminthophaga  celata,  var.  celata,  r>.viuD. 

OBANOE-CROWNED  WABBLEB. 

Sylvia  cclnfa,  Sav,  Lons's  Kxp.  U.  Mt.s.  I,  182:5,  Itl'.i.  —  Kus.  Am.  Orn.  I,  pi.  v,  tig.  2.  — 
Ari).  Orii.  liiog.  II,  pi.  d.xxviii.  Si/lvkuln  rt.l.  liiiii.  J'cntiii-oni  eel.  .Iai;i>.  lIcHniiia 
cd.  Arn.  Rirds  Am.  II,  jil.  c.vii.  /hhni/h'ru.i  eel.  Box.  —  Sci.atkk,  P.  Z.  S.  18,')7, 
212  ((liizalm).  Helmiii/liojilunja  eel.  Haiki),  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  aS?  ;  liev.  Am.  Birds, 
I,  18d5,  17()  (ill  imrtK  —  Dai.i.  k  IJannistkii  (AhiskiA.  —  Sclatki!,  P.  Z.  S.  18.-)8,  298 
(Oa.xiRii,  Dt'iciiilicr)  ;  li^Sit,  373  ;  1862,  111  (La  Puriula).  //.  ccUtIa,  var.  cdaUt,  KiDcw. 
Ui'l.t.  U.  S.  Geol.  Kxpl.  40tli  Par. 

Sp.  Char.  Above  <rrayisli  olivo-jjropn,  ratlior  l)riglit<»r  on  the  nmip.  Beni-ath  oiitiroly 
prcciii.-!!!  yollowi.sli-wliitf,  L'xcu[)t  a  little  wliili.sli  aljout  the  amis;  the  siiU'.s  tinged  with 
grayi.sh-olivaci'oii.'!.  A  coiireali'd  patch  of  palo  oraiigo-rufous  on  llio  crown,  hidden  hy 
the  grayish  tips  to  the  leathers.  Kyelids  and  an  ol)seure  snpi-reiliar}'  line  yellowish-white, 
a  (hisky  obsenre  streak  through  the  e3'e.  Inner  webs  of  tail-feat her.s  broadly  edged  with 
white.  Femiilf  with  little  or  none  of  the  orange  on  the  crown,  and  the  white  edging.s  to 
inner  webs  of  tail-feathers.  Vmnii/  lacking  the  orange  entirely,  and  with  two  fulvons- 
whitish  bands  on  tlie  wing.     Length,  4.70;  wing,  1!.2.");  tail,  2.(10. 

Had.  Mid<llu  I'rovineo  of  North  America;  Yukon  and  McKenzie  River  (listrict.  Very 
rare  in  the  Eastern  I'rovini'o  of  I'nited  States;  Mexico  in  winter;  Uuxaca,  La  I'arada, 
(Sei.ATKu)  ;  Oriz.iha,  winter  (SiMtenu.vsT). 

This  variety  inhabits  the  interior  regions  of  North  America,  from  the 
Yukon  .southward  into  Me.vico  ;  westwiird,  its  range  meets  that  of  tlie  var. 
iHtciicem  at  about  the  meridian  of  110°,  while  eastward  it  extends  beyond  the 
Mississi])])i,  though  rare  east  of  the  latter  region.  Specimens  i'rom  Soiitliern 
Illinois  (where  it  is  al)undant  in  its  migrations)  and  from  Wisconsin  are  pre- 
cisely like  Hooky  Mountain  exi»mi)les;  but  severid  in  the  collection  before  us 
from  tlie  South  Atlantic  States  (Florida,  (Jeorgia,  etc.)  arc  ,so  dilferent  as  almost 
to  warrant  their  sepaitition  as  a  diH'erent  variety.  Tlie.se  indiviibiids  are  most 
like  the  style  of  the  interior,  —  var.  cchtta,  —  but  tire  even  less  yellowish,  aiiti 
the  whole  plumagt!  is  very  dark  and  dingy  ;  all  of  them,  too,  lack  any  trace 
whatever  of  orange  on  the  crown.  Should  all  specimens  fntm  this  region 
agree  in  tiie  latter  resjicct,  the  .series  I'rom  tlie  Sonllieastern  States  is  certainly 
entitled  to  recognition  as  w  variety,  for  which  we  propose  the  name  vlm'uru. 


SYLVICOLID.E  —  THE  WARBLERS.  203 

Habits.  Tlie  <^cogTa]>Iiiciil  distribution  of  H.  ccUUa  is  involved  in  some 
doubt,  owinj,'  jn'obaljly  to  its  ir'jgulai'ity  of  niignition.  In  a  few  oceiU'^ional 
instances  this  species  has  been  oliserved  in  the  Atlantic  States.  Several  luive 
l)eeu  obtained  near  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Audubon  attinns  to  havin<?  .seen  it  in 
the  Middle  States  about  the  lUth  of  May,  and  in  Maine  later  in  the  montli. 
Beyond  tliat  he  did  not  trace  it.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  procured  one  specimen  of 
tliif.  bird  in  Si)ringHeld,  Mass.,  May  15,  18t)3.  There  were  quite  a  uuniljer 
among  the  fruit-trees  of  the  garden  and  orchard,  then  in  bloom,  and,  mis- 
taking them  for  Hclminthoplunja  rvjicfipilla,  he  at  first  neglected  to  slujot  any, 
until,  being  in  doulit,  lie  procured  one,  and  found  it  the  C)i'auge-(  "rown.  The 
group  passed  on,  and  one  was  all  he  ol)lained.  It  is  not  given  by  Mr. 
Turubull  as  one  of  the  birds  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  nor  by  Mr. 
IJoardnuin  or  I'rofessor  Verrill  as  occuriiug  in  Maine.  1  am  informed  Ity 
Mr.  Ridgway  that  it  is  a  regubir  s])ring  and  autunui  migrant  in  Southern 
Illinois,  and  in  some  seasons  is  ([uite  connuon. 

It  was  taken  as  a  migratory  species  at  Oaxaca,  Mexico,  during  the  winter 
montiis,  by  M.  A.  Boueard. 

Mr.  Aiulubon's  account  of  the  habits  iind  movements  of  this  species  must 
be  received  with  much  caution.  His  description  of  its  nest  is  entirely  inac- 
curate, and  much  that  lie  attril)utes  to  this  siHicies  we  have  reason  to  believe 
relates  to  the  habits  of  other  birds. 

On  the  Pacific  coa.st  it  seems  to  be  quite  abundant,  at  different  seasons, 
from  (.'ape  St.  Lucas  to  the  arctic  regions,  where  it  breeds.  Mr.  Kennicott 
obtained  several  sfwcimens  at  Fort  Yukon  and  at  Fort  Resolution,  and  Mr. 
lioss  met  with  them  at  Fort  Simjjson.  Xantus  obtained  these  birds  both  at 
Fort  Tejon  and  at  Cape  St.  Lucas.  It  is  common  in  Southern  ("alil'ornia 
during  the  wintt-r,  frequenting  low  l)usiies  and  tiie  margins  of  streams.  Dr. 
(}aml)el  met  with  it  in  early  spring  on  the  island  of  Santa  Catalina,  where 
he  had  an  o])portiuiity  of  listening  to  its  simple  and  lively  song.  Tiiis  lie 
describes  as  commencing  in  a  low,  sweet  trill,  and  ending  in  fsfic-iip.  It 
is  .sometimes  considerably  varied,  but  is  described  as  generally  reseml)ling 
i')'-i;r,r,r-ii/ie-iiii. 

Dr.  ("ooper  sjjcaks  of  this  Warbler  as  an  abundant  and  constant  resident 
of  California,  near  tiie  coast,  and  found  in  summer  througliout  the  Sierra 
Nevada.  In  March  they  begin  in  sing  their  sinqtle  trill,  which,  he  says,  is 
rather  nuisical,  and  audible  for  a  long  distance. 

Dr.  Coues  met  with  this  Warlder  in  Arizona,  at  Fort  Yuma,  Septemln^r  17, 
at  Fort  Mohave,  Octolter  1,  and  also  at  the  liead-waters  of  Bill  Williams 
liiver.  Lieutenant  Couch  found  it  at  Brownsville,  Te.x.,  seeking  its  food 
and  making  its  home  among  the  low  shrubbery. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  it  very  abundant  at  Fort  Steilacooni,  in  Washington 
Territory,  where  it  kept  in  shady  places  among  thick  brusli,  generally  in  the 
vicinity  of  watercourses.  Dr.  Heermann  i'ound  a  few  jtaii-s  incubating  near 
the  summits  of  the  highest  mountains  o'l  the  Ctdorado  River.     The  nests  of 


204  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

this  species,  seen  l>v  jNIr.  Kennicott,  were  unil'oi'iuly  on  the  ground,  generally 
among  cluiups  of  low  bushes,  olten  iu  the  side  of  a  bank,  and  usually  Iiiddon 
by  the  dry  leaves  among  which  tlioy  were  ])laced.  He  met  witli  t,li(!so  nests 
iu  the  middle  of  June  in  the  vicinity  of  (<reat  Shive  Lake.  They  were  large 
for  the  size  of  the  bird,  having  an  external  diameter  of  four  inches,  and  a 
height  of  two  and  a  lialf.  and  appearing  as  if  made  of  two  or  three  dis- 
tinct fabrics,  one  within  the  other,  of  nearly  the  same  materials.  The  ex- 
ternal portions  of  these  nests  were  compo.sed  almo.st  entirely  of  long,  coai-se 
strips  of  bark  loosely  interwo\en  with  a  few  dry  grasses  and  stems  of  jtlants. 
Within  it  is  a  more  elaborately  interwoven  structure  of  finer  dry  grasses  and 
mosses.  Tliese  are  soltly  and  warmly  lined  with  hair  and  fur  of  small 
animals. 

Nests  from  more  arctic  regions  are  of  a  different  style  of  structure,  homo- 
geneous in  materi.ds,  —  which  are  chiefly  stems  of  small  plants  and  the  finer 
grasses, — anil  are  of  a  more  comi)act  make  and  smaller  in  size. 

Their  eggs  are  from  four  to  six  in  num'oer,  and  vary  in  length  from  .70 
to  .()()  of  an  inch,  and  in  breadth  from  .50  to  .45  of  an  inch.  They  have 
a  clear  white  ground,  marked  with  spots  and  small  blotches  of  reddisli- 
brown  and  fainter  marking  of  purplish-slate.  The  numl)er  of  spots  varies 
greatly,  some  eggs  being  nearly  unspotted,  others  jjrofusely  covered. 

Mv.  Ifidgway  met  with  this  Warbler  in  great  abundance  during  its  autum- 
nal migration  among  the  shrubbery  along  the  streams  of  the  Sierm  Nevada, 
at  all  altitudes.  In  summer  it  was  only  seen  among  tlie  high  aspen  woods 
on  the  Walisatcli  Mountains.  Fully  Hedged  young  birds  were  numerous  iu 
July  and  August.     Their  usual  note  was  a  sharp  ihi^). 

This  bird  was  found  breetling  near  Fort  liesolution,  on  the  Yukon,  at 
Fort  IJae,  and  at  Fort  Anderson. 

The  notice  of  geogrii))hical  distribution  of  the  different  races,  at  tlie  begin- 
ning of  the  article,  will  serve  to  sliow  to  what  varieties  the  preceiUng  remarks 
severally  belong. 


Helminthophaga  celata,  var.  lutesceus,  Ridgway. 

PACTFIC  ORAKOE-CBOWNED  WABBLEB. 

/Mmiii/linplKKjii  ci'htia,  fooi-KR  &  Sl'PKI.F.Y,  V.  \\.  R.  XII,  ii,  185i>,  178.  —  Lolil),  I'r.  1!. 
Art.  Inst.  Woohvifli,  IV,  1804,  115.  —  I$.\iui),  Rev.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1805,  170  (in  imrt). 
—  r'ddi'Kii,  Oni.  ('ill.  I,  1870,  83.  //.  cclaUi,  var.  lukscens,  Uidoway,  Kt'|K)rt  U.  S. 
(i.ol.  KxipI.  -Idth  Pur. 

fp.  Cii.M!.  MitJe.  r'p])('r  surface  continuous  briprht  olivo-fjreen.  AVliolc  lower  parts, 
includiiij,'  supureiliary  siripi'  and  eyelids,  l)ri},dit  yellow,  almost  {jiinihofre ;  abdomen  soiiie- 
wliat  wliilish.  Inner  welis  of  tiiil-li'atliers  just  jierceptilily  edfreil  with  wliite.  Wliolo 
rniwn  lirijilit  oranpe-riifoiis,  sciirccly  concealed.  AVin^f,  2.40;  tail,  I.iH);  bill,  .40;  tarsus, 
.07 :  miildle  toe,  .45.  Winir-lonnula, '2,  3,  I,  4.  Female  Similar,  l)nt  ciranire  of  crown 
almost  oUsolete.     Wing,  2.;i(l ;  tail,  1.90.     Yoitnij  •>/ the  i/eiir.    Similar  to  adult,  but  with 


SYLVICOLID^-TIIE  WARBLERS.  205 

a  brownish  tinj^o  above ;  iiiidiUo  and  soeonilary  coverts  tipped  witli  dull  fulvous,  fuiTV,  in- 
conspiciKius  blinds.     No  tiaix-  of  onin;;e  on  tlie  crown. 

Hah.  Pacilic  Trovince  of  Noctii  Anieiiea,  from  Alaska  to  Capo  St,  Luuas.  Stray-ling 
eastward  to  about  tlie  IKith  nieiidian.     Not  found  in  Mexico ? 

Tlie  diflerences  between  the  I'.icific  coast  specimens  of  the  H.  cclufit  and 
those  from  the  interior  reo ions  —  first  iiointed  out  in  tiie  Ifeview  of  Ameri- 
can IJu'ds  — are  very  readily  appreciable  upon  a  comjjari.ion  of  si»ecimens. 
The  present  bird  is  a  coast  variety,  entirely  replacing-  the  true  cduta  (var. 
ccluta)  in  the  region  above  indicated. 

Helminthophaga  peregrina,  (a ban. 

TENNESSEE  WABBLEB. 

Sylvm  iieregriim,  AVii.s.  Aiii.  Orn.  IV,  1811,  83,  j)!.  xxv,  fiR.  2.— Aud.  Orn.  Biog.  II,  pi. 
cliv.  Si/lvicola /wr.  liwn.  Ferunvoni  pc:  \V,s.  lldiiwin  per.  Xvik  mn\^ \m.  \\, 
pi.  ex.  IhlmitkeniH  pa:  Bo.\.  Hrhnhithnplm.ja  per.  Cad.  Slus.  IKaii.  —  hi.  Jour! 
Oni.  1861,  85  (Costa  Hica).  -  lUuii),  Birds  N.  Am.  IS.W,  2.18;  Kov.  178.  —  Sclateu 
&  Salvin,  Ibis,  18(50,  31  (C.uiilciiiidii).  —  Sclateh,  P.  Z.  S.  185!),  373  (Oaxaea)  ;  Catal. 
1861,  29,  no.  180.  —  Lawuenci;,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  1861,  322  (Panama).  —  (!iNni,.un, 
Cab.  Jour.  1861,  326  (Cuba,  very  rare).  Siih-iii.  feiines.ivi,  ViKii.Lor,  Kncytd.  iletli. 
II,  1823,  452.     /Sijlria  ml&surieiisis,  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  VI,  1858,  117. 

Sp.  Chab!.  Top  and  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  asli-gray  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  olive- 
green,  brightest  on  the  runi]).  Beneath  .lull  white-,  faintly  tinge.l  in  places,  especially  on 
the  sides,  with  yellowish-olive.  Eycli.ls  and  a  stripe  over  the  eye  whitish  ;  a  dusky  line 
from  the  eye  to  the  bill.  Outer  tail-feather  with  a  white  spot  along  the  inner  edge  near 
the  tip.  Female  with  the  ash  of  the  head  less  conspicuous  ;  the  under  parts  more'' tinged 
with  olive-yellow.     Length,  4.00 ;  wing,  2.7a;  tail,  1.8."). 

IlAn.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America ;  Calais,  Me. ;  north  to  Fort  Simp.«on,  TL  B. 
T.;  Mexico;  Oaxac.i?  Guatemala;  Costa  Rica;  Panama  R.  R.  Very  rare  in  Cuba. 
Veragua  (Sai.vi.n).     Chiriiiui  (Lawkkxck). 

Autunnial  s])ccimens  and  young  birds  are  sometimes  so  strongly  tinged 
with  greenish-yellow  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguisliable  from  H.  cdata.  The 
wing  is,  however,  always  longer,  and  the  obscure  whitish  patch  on  the 
inner  edge  of  the  e.xterii.r  tail-feather,  near  its  ti]),  is  almost  always  aj)- 
preciable.  In  cdata  this  edge  is  very  narrowly  and  uniforndy  margined 
with  whitish. 

A  yoiuig  bird  of  the  year,  from  Fort  Simpson  (27,228),  has  two  distinct 
greenisli-white  bands  on  the  wings,  and  tlio  forehead  and  cheeks  greenisli- 
yellow.  A  corresponding  age  of  If.  vdain  has  the  wing-bands  more  reddish- 
brown,  the  wings  sliorter,  and  no  white  patch  on  the  outer  tail-featiier. 

Haihts.  Like  the  Nashville  Warbler  the  present  species  has  received  a 
name  inappropriate  to  one  witli  so  nortlicrn  a  distribution.  It  was  first  ob- 
tained on  the  banks  of  the  ('uinl)erland  Kiver  liy  Wilson,  and  has  since  been 
known  as  the  Tennessee  Warbler.  Ibit  two  specimens  were  ever  (tbtained 
by  him,  and  he  regarded  it  as  a  veiy  rare  species.     He  found  them  hunting 


206  NORTH  AMERICAN  UIRDS. 

nimbly  among  tlie  yoiing  leaves,  and  thought  they  possessed  many  of  the 
habits  of  the  Titmice.  Their  notes  he  descrilwd  as  few  and  weak,  and  in 
their  stomaclis  he  found,  upon  dissection,  small  green  caterpillai's  and  a  few 
winged  insects. 

Mr.  Audubon  nUo  regarded  it  as  a  rare  species,  and  only  three  specimens 
ever  fell  within  his  observations.  These  were  obtained  in  Louisiana  and  at 
Key  West.  He  describes  them  as  appearing  to  be  nimble,  active  birds,  ex- 
pert catcliers  of  tlies,  and  fond  of  hanging  to  the  extremities  of  branches, 
uttering  a  single  mellow  tweet  as  they  tly  from  branch  to  branch  in  search  of 
food,  or  while  on  the  wing. 

Mr.  Nuttall  a])pears  not  to  have  met  witli  it.  Dr.  Richardson  procured 
only  a  single  specimen  at  Cumberland  House,  in  the  latter  ])art  of  May. 
This  was  in  a  dense  thicket  of  small  trees,  and  was  flying  about  among  the 
lower  bmnches.  He  was  unable  to  discover  its  nest,  or  to  learn  anything  in 
regard  to  its  habits. 

A  little  more  light  has  since  then  been  given  both  as  to  its  geographical 
distribution  and  its  mode  of  nesting.  Specimens  of  this  species  have  been 
obtained  in  Costa  Eica,  Guatemala,  Oaxaca,  Mexico,  and  Panama.  A  speci- 
men of  this  species  was  also  taken  in  Colombia,  S.  A.,  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Wyatt. 
Dr.  Gundlach  mentions  it  as  occasionally  found  in  Cuba.  Mr.  Drexler 
secured  specimens  of  it  at  Moose  Factory  and  at  Fort  tJeorge  in  the  arctic 
regions.  Specimens  were  taken  by  Mr.  Bernard  II.  Eoss  at  Fort  Simpson. 
^Ir.  Kobert  Kennicott  met  witli  it  on  the  northern  shores  of  Lake  Winni- 
peg, June  G.  They  were  then  abundant,  and  had  already  mated.  He  again 
met  with  them  at  Fort  liesolution,  and  Mr.  Clarke  found  them  at  Fort  Kae, 
Mr.  W.  F.  Hall  in  Maine,  ^Ir.  Bell  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  and  Professor 
Baird  in  Penn-sylvania.  Mr.  Eidgway  lias  obtained  it  both  in  sjjring  and  in 
fall  in  Southern  Illinois,  where  it  is  abundant  in  some  seasons.  It  does  not 
appear  to  occur  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Mr.  Boardman  writes  that  the  Teiniessee  Warbler  is,  in  the  summer  time, 
cpiite  a  common  bird  in  St.  Stephens  and  vicinity.  Its  notes,  he  adds,  re- 
semble the  low,  subdued  whistle  of  tlie  common  Summer  Yellow-Bird. 

Mr.  Maynard  found  this  Warbler  very  connnon  near  Lake  Unduigog  dur- 
inji  the  breeding-season.  It  was  found  in  all  the  wooded  localities  in  tlie 
regions  north  of  the  neighboring  mountains.  Its  son!.',  he  states,  resembles 
that  of  H.  nijicapilln,  the  notes  of  the  first  part  lieing  more  divided,  while 
tlie  latter  part  is  shriller. 

A  nest  of  this  Warbler  (Smith.  Coll.,  347<)),  obtained  on  the  northern  shore 
of  Lake  Superior  by  Mr.  (»eorge  Barnston,  is  but  little  more  than  a  nearly  flat 
bed  of  dry,  matted  stems  of  giuss,  and  is  less  than  an  inch  in  tliickness,  with 
a  diameter  of  about  three  inclies.  It  is  not  circular  in  shape,  and  its  width 
is  not  uniform.  Its  position  must  have  been  on  some  flat  surface,  probably 
the  ground.  The  eggs  resemble  those  of  all  the  family  in  having  a  white 
gi'ound,  over  which  are  profusely  distributed  numerous  small  dots  and  points 


SYLVICOLID^E  — THE  WARBLERS.  207 

of  ,1  re(l(lisli-l)r()wn,  and  a  few  of  a  purplisli-slati;.     They  are  of  an  oblong- 
oval  sliapc!,  and  lucaHuro  .08  by  .HO  of  an  inch. 

A  nest  from  near  Sprinjrfidd,  :\ra8s.,  obtained  by  Professor  Ilorsford,  the 
l)arent  bird  liaving  been  secured,  was  built  in  a  low  cluini)  of  bushes,  just 
above  tlie  ground.  It  is  well  made,  woven  of  fine  lienipen  fibres  of  vege- 
tables, slender  stems  of  gras,s,  delicate  mosses,  and  other  like  materials,  and 
very  thoroughly  lined  with  liair.  It  measures  two  and  three  fourths  inches 
in  diameter' and  two  in  height.  The  cavity  is  two  inches-wide  and  one  and 
three  fourths  deep.  The  eggs  measure  .GO  by  .50  of  an  inch,  are  oblong- 
oval  in  sliape,  their  ground-color  a  ])early  wliite,  marked  in  a  corona,  about 
the  larger  end,  with  brown  and  purplish-brown  spots. 


Ge\us  FARULA,  IJoNAP. 

Chloric,  BoiE,  Isis,  182(i,  072  (not  of  Mocliriiift  1752).     (Type,  Pnrus  nmcricanus.) 
Sylvkulit,  SUAINS..X,  Zoiil.  ,I„uiii.   Ill,  July,  1827,  169.     (Not  of  Muiupliicy,  Mus.  Caloii- 

iiiamim,  1797,  CO  ;  (reiiiis  of  laud  luollusks.)     (Snino  type.) 
Parulii,  BoNAi'.  Oi'of,'.  &  (Vmip.  List,  1838.     (Saino  type.) 
Compsothlijins,  Cabanis,  Mu.s.  Ilciii.  1850,  1851,  20.     (Saiuo  type.) 

Gkv.  CirAH.  In  tlio  species  of  this  jrcnns  tlu>  hill  is  (30iiical  and  aoiito ;  tlio  cnlnicn 
very  gently  curved  from  the  liase ;  the  uoniiiiissure  .'^lifrhtly  conca\'e.  The  notch  when 
visible  is  further  from  tlu^  tip  than  in  Dcndroicn,  but  usually  is  either  obsolete  or  entirely 
wnntinp:.  IJristles  weak.  The  tarsi  are  longer  than  the  midille  toe.  The  tail  is  nearly 
even,  and  considerably  shorter  tlian  the  wing.  Color,  blue  above,  with  a  triangular  patch 
of  green  on  the  back  ;  ant(;rior  lower  parts  yellow. 

Two  species  —  one  with  thiee  varieties—  of  tliis  gemis,  as  lately  restricted, 
are  known  in  Amerii'a,  only  one,  however,  has  as  yet  been  detected  within 
the  limits  of  tlie  United  States.     They  may  be  distinguished  as  follows :  — 

P.  amerlcana.     Ey('li<ls  white.     Yellow  beneath  restri(;tcd  to  anterior  half. 

Two  white  bands  on  wing;  a  dusky  collar  across  the jugulum.    -Hah.    East- 
ern Province   of  United   States,  south  to   Guatemala;   IJahmnas;    Cuba; 
Jamaica;  St.  Croi.x  ;  St.  Thomas. 
P.  pitiayumi.     Eyelids  dusky.     Yellow  l)eneath,  extending  back  along  sides  to 
the  crissum. 

Tivo  white  hamh  on  iritKj. 

Above  plumbeous-liluo;  lores  and  eyelids  deep  black.     Abdomen  wholly 

yellow.     Wing,  '>:ii);  tail,   1."-).      Hah.     South  America  from  Bogota  to 

^"'■"^'"'y vm'.pitiayHmi} 

Above  ashy-blue;   lores  and  eyelids  scarcely  darker.     Abdomen  wholly 
white.     Wing,  2.3o ;  tail,  2.05.     Hab.   Tres  Marias  Islands,  Western  Alex- 

'*'° var.  insular  in? 

* 

1  fiuMn  pitiayumi,  ViKtu,.  Nouv.  Dirt.  II,  1816,  276.    Panda  mt.  Sct-AT.  Catal.  26,  no. 
165.  —  Baird,  liev.  Am.  Birds,  I,  1865,  170. 

Pnnila  inxularis,  Lawh.  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  X,  Feb.  1871. 


3 


208 


NOKTH  AMEKIOAN  151 HD^. 


Onhl  II  tntre  of  white  on  wiii;/.i,  or  none  at  till. 
Above  iiidigo-blue.     Wing,  2.10;  tail,  1.70.     Ilab.   Cot;ta  Kioa  and  Gua- 
^<-'""'''' var.  inornata^ 

Compxuthlypis  fjvttiiralis,  Cabants  {Purula  (pit.,  r.AiRD,  IJev.  Am.  1).),  and 

Coil irosfni III  siijiari/io.wiii,  Hakti.auii  {Ponila 
siqiarilkmi,  J'.Aiiii),  J{ev.),  luive  Iwoii  roferroil 
by  latur  systumatists  to  this  ■'omis ;  but  tlioy 
aro  iimcli  more  closely  related  to  Conirostrum, 
—  a  jj;oims  usually  assigned  to  tlio  Ucnrhidn: 
The  "  I\"  {iiiihtrolia  is  confined  to  Costa  Ifieu; 
but  "/'."  fiiipeiTilumi  is  a  sjiceies  of  the 
table-lauds  of  Mexico,  and  likely  to  bo  de- 
tected  in  Arizona  or  New  Mexico.  The  char- 
acters of  this  species  are  as  follows  :  — 

Comrnstnim  .wpemliosiiw,  UAun.  R.  Z.  1844,  21").  Wiiolc  dorsi,]  ropion,  incltiding 
riiiii|),  olivi-necMi ;  ivst  of  ii|.i)ci-  part.^  asli.v.  Aiitorior  half  Itonoatli  yellow,  with  a  ci-cs'- 
ceiitic  bar  ofuhcstnut-bi-owii  across  th,.  jiii;iilimi ;  jiostovioi'  lower  parts  white,  ashy  later- 
ally.   A  uouspiuuous  supereiliary  stripe  ol' white.     Wing,  2.G0;  tail,  2.10. 


Farula  americana,  Boxap. 

BLTJE  TELLOW-BACKEO  WABBIEB. 

Parus  nmcricanns,  Lisx.  Syst.  Xat.  10th  cd.  I,  17.>S,  100.  .}r„t,H-illa  am.  Cmklik  Siilvia 
am.  Lath.,  Aid.  .Si/h-icola  am.  lii.ii.,  .\vi). — Ionks,  Xat.  in  licriiiuda,  183!>,  .5!). 
Parulaam.  Ron.  List  ISirds  X.  Am.  183f<.  •- Cossi;,  Kirds  .lam.  1847,  l-.M'hunaicaK — 
PiAllili,  P.irds  X.  Am.  18.^)8,  -.'lis  ;  lic.v.  l(ii>.  -  .S,-,.ati:i!,  P.  Z.  S.  18,'i7,  20:>  (.Xalapa).  - 
In.  Ibis,  18jl>,  10((!uatemala).  —  In.  fatal.  18t!l,  2ti,  1(1;).  —  Xkwton,  Ibi.s,  I8r.!),  143 
(.Santa  Cruz  ;  winter).  -  Ca.ssin,  Pr.  A.  X.  S.  1800,  ar(i  (St.  Thomas).  —  Gitndi.ach, 
Cab.  .lour.  18(jl,  32(i  (Cuba;  very  connnon).  Vuinpsatldiipis  am.  Cau.  Mus.  Ilcin. 
18r)0,  20.  —  In.  Jour.  Ill,  lS;o,  476  (Cuba).  Fkcdida  hidocichnn,  P.itis.soN.  Muta- 
cilUi  lud.  G.M.  MotiniUu  cqua,  lioDD.  Sijlviu  lorqiHita,  Vikill.  r/in/uthorus  turq. 
SrKPiiKN.s.     Stilvid  jmsiUa,  Viihii.     Siilviroln  pus.  Swxisn. 

Figures  :  AuD.  Orn.  liiog.  I,  pi.  xv.  -  In.  nirds  Am.  II,  pi.  xcl.  —  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  II, 
pi.  xei.x.  —  Wii,s.  Am.  Crn.  IV,  pi.  xxviii.  —  lUrFFo.N,  pi.  enl.  dcexx.xi,  lij,'.  1  ;  dceix. 
lig.  1. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Above  blue,  the  middle  of  tlie  back  with  a  pateli  of  yellowitih-green.  Be- 
neath yellow  anteriorly,  white  behind.  A  reddish-brown  tinge  across  the  brea.st.  Lores 
and  space  round  the  eye  dusky  ;  a  sm.ill  white  spot  on  either  eyelid  ;  sides  of  head  and 
neck  hke  the  crown.  Two  conspicuous  white  b.ands  on  the  wing.s.  Outer  two  tail-f(!ath- 
ers  with  a  conspicuous  .spot  of  white.  Feimile  similar,  with  le.ss  brown  on  the  breast. 
Length,  4.75  ;  wing,  2.;?4  ;  tail,  1.90.     Xest  of  long  moss. 

Hab.  E.istern  Province  of  United  Slates,  north  to  tin-  Lakes  ("  Greenland  "),  west  to 
the  Mi.ssouri  Valley  ;  in  winter,  south  to  Guatemala  (not  s.-en  on  the  west  coast  of  Mexico). 
West  Indies;  Bahamas;  Cuba;  .laumica ;  St.  Croix;  St.  Thomas;  J.alapa,  G.iatemala 
(Sci.ATKR)  ;  Orizaba,  winter  (Sl-.micurast)  ;  Yucatan  (Lawhkxck)  ;  Porto  Rico  and  Ina^ua 
(Bryant).  " 

1  Parii/d  hwrwito,  Hamm),  Ucv.  Am.  Hird.s,  I,  ISO.";,  171. 


SYLVICOLID.E  — THE  WAHHLER8.  209 

Autumnal  males  are  browner  on  the  chin,  yellower  on  the  throat  and 
juguluni.  Head  tinfi;ed  with  greenish  ;  secondaries  edged  with  greenish-yel- 
low. Autumnal  females  are  light  green- 
ish-olive above,  dirty-white  beneath. 

In  very  brightly  colored  spring  males, 
there  is  frequently  (as  in  "iH,!!:?"),  Phila- 
delphia) a  well-defined,  broad  blackish 
band  across  tlie  jiigulum,  anterior  to  an 
equally  distinct  and  rather  broader  one 
across  the  breast,  of  a  brown  tint,  spotted 
with   black,  while   the   siiles   are   much 

.  ,     J         '1.1         1        J.        i.  1  i.1         11  Pnruin  americnna. 

spotted  with  chestnut-brown ;  the    blue 

above  is  very  pure,  and  the  green  patch  on  the  back  very  sharp'y  de- 
fined. 

Habits.  Tiie  Blue  Yellow-P.ack  is  one  of  our  most  interesting  and  attrac- 
tive Warblers.  Nowhere  very  abundant,  it  luus  x  well-marked  anil  restricted 
area  within  which  it  is  sparingly  distributed.  It  is  found  from  tlie  Missis- 
sippi Valley  to  the  Atliintic,  and  from  Canada  southward.  In  its  winter 
migrations  it  visits  the  West  Indies,  the  Bahamas,  and  Central  and  South 
America.  Hidifa.v  on  the  east,  and  Platte  River  on  the  west,  appear  to  be 
the  northern  limit  of  its  distribution.  Dr.  Woodhouse  met  witli  it  in  the 
Indian  Territory  during  tlic  breeding-season.  Mr.  Alfred  Newton  found  this 
species,  apparently  only  a  winter  visitant,  in  tlie  island  of  St.  Croix.  Most 
of  the  birds  left  about  the  middle  of  March,  though  a  few  renuiined  until 
early  in  May. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  s])ecies  was  taken  at  South  Greenland  in 
1857. 

This  Warbler  has  been  found  breeding  as  far  to  the  south  as  Tuckertown, 
N.  J.,  by  Mr.  W.  S.  Wood ;  and  at  Cape  May,  in  tiie  same  State,  by  ]\Ir. 
John  Krider.  At  Washington,  Dr.  Cones  found  it  oidy  a  spring  and  autumn 
visitant,  exceedingly  abundant  from  Ajn'il  '1')  to  May  ITt.  Po.ssil)ly  a 
few  remained  to  breed,  as  he  met  with  them  in  the  fu'st  week  of  August. 
In  the  fall  they  were  again  abundant  from  August  25  to  the  second  week  in 
October.  He  found  them  inhabiting  exclusively  high  open  woods,  and 
usually  seen  in  the  tops  of  the  trees,  or  at  the  extremities  of  the  branches, 
in  the  tufts  of  leaves  and  blossoms. 

Even  where  most  common  it  is  not  an  abundant  species,  and  is  to  be  found 
only  in  certain  localities,  somewhat  open  and  swami)y  thickets,  usually  not 
of  great  extent,  and  prefers  those  well  covered  with  the  long  giay  lichens 
known  as  Spanish  moss.  In  such  localities  only,  so  far  as  I  know,  do  they 
breed. 

This  Warbler  has  also  been  ascertained  to  breed  in  Southern  Illinois,  where 
Mr.  Pidgway  found  it  in  July,  engaged  in  feeding  fully  Hedged  young  birds. 
It  is  there  most  common  in  spring  and  fall. 
27 


210  NOltTir  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

A  true  Warbler  in  most  of  its  attriltutes,  this  l»ird  has  many  of  tlie  liabits  of 
Titmice.  Liko  tiicso  it  IVet^iu'uts  the  tojjs  of  the  taller  trees,  feeding  on  the 
small  winged  insects  ..nd  caterpillars  that  abound  among  the  young  leaves 
and  blossoms.  It  has  no  song,  i)roi»erly  so  called,  its  notes  are  feeble  and 
few,  and  can  be  heard  only  a  short  distance. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  said  by  Mr.  Trii)i)e,  of  Orange,  N.  Y.,  to 
be  a  somewhat  sharp  and  lisping,  yet  unite  varied  and  pleasing,  series  of 
..otes. 

^Ir.  Auduljon  sj)eaks  of  this  species  as  breeding  iji  Louisiana,  but  his 
description  of  the  nest  ditl'ei-s  so  entirely  from  such  as  are  met  with  in  Mas- 
sachusetts as  to  suggest  doubts  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  identification. 
Jle  describes  them  as  Hitting  over  dani])  i)laces,  the  edges  of  jionds  and 
streams,  and  pursuing  tiieir  })rey  with  great  activity.  They  resort  to  the 
woods  as  soon  as  the  foliage  appears  on  the  forest  trees,  and  glean  among  the 
leaves  for  the  smaller  winged  insects. 

The  nests  of  this  Warbl':r,  so  far  as  has  fallen  luuler  my  observation,  have 
always  been  made  of  li  .ig  gray  lichens  still  attached  to  the  trees  on  which 
they  grow.  With  great  skill  do  these  tiny  architects  gather  up,  fasten 
together,  and  interweave,  one  with  the  other,  the  hanging  ends  and  longer 
branches.  Dy  an  elaborate  intertwining  of  these  h)ng  fibres  they  form  the 
principal  part,  sometimes  the  whole,  of  their  nests.  These  struetiu'es  are  at 
once  simple,  beautiful,  ingenious,  and  skilfully  wrought.  When  first  made, 
they  are  somewhat  rude  and  unfinished,  Imt  as  their  family  are  gathered, 
the  eggs  deposited,  incubated,  and  hatched,  a  change  has  been  going  on.  Lit- 
tle by  little  has  the  male  bird  busied  himself,  when  not  procuring  food  for 
his  mate,  in  improving,  strengthening,  and  eidarging  the  nest.  These  same 
acts  of  improvement  upon  the  original  nests  are  noticed  with  llumming- 
Birds,  Yireos,  and  a  few  other  birds. 

The  nests  are  sometimes  constructed  on  the  sides  of  trunks  of  trees,  when 
covered  with  the  long  gray  lichens,  but  are  more  fre([uently  found  hanging 
from  branches  usually  not  more  than  six  or  eight  feijt  from  the  ground. 
Thus  surrounded  by  long  hanging  mos.ses  in  clumps  not  distinguishable  from 
the  nests  themselves,  they  would  not  be  readily  recognized  were  it  not  that 
those  familiar  with  the  habits  of  the  bird  may  be  readily  guided  to  the  spot 
by  the  artless  movements  of  the  unsuspecting  parents. 

These  birds  are  confiding,  easily  approached,  and  rarely  exhibit  any  signs  of 
alarm.  Even  when  their  nest  is  disturbed  they  make  but  little  complaint,  and 
do  not  manii'est  any  very  great  signs  of  emotion.  When  built  against  a  trunk 
these  nests  consist  only  of  an  interweaving  of  the  moss  above  and  below  a 
very  small  o]iening,  within  whi(di  a  small  cu])-sha])ed  Hooring  has  been  nuide 
of  the  same  material,  and  usually  cannot  be  removed  without  destroying  all 
semblance  of  a  nest.  When  pensile  they  are  imperfectly  circular  in  sha])e, 
with  an  entrance  on  one  side,  and  rarely  with  any  lining.  Occiisionally  they 
are  models  of  synnnetrv  <ind  beauty. 


HYLYICOLWA']  —  THE  WAKBfiKRS. 


211 


Tlie  eggs,  four  or  fivo  in  iniinhoi',  have  a  clear  wliito  ground,  and  uro  s])ar- 
ingly  .spotted  witli  markings  of  rwldisii-la'own,  slate,  jturplc,  and  lilac.  Jn 
some  the  first  predominate,  in  otho'-s  the  last  three  shades  are  more  ahnn.lant, 
and  usually  form  a  eontiuent  ring  arcuid  the  larger  end.  They  measure  from 
.62  to  .6.")  of  au  iuch  in  length,  and  from  .-ill  to  .50  in  breadth. 


Section  SYLVIC0LE>E. 

This  section  has  been  already  characterized  as  having  a  distinctly  notched 
bill,  well  provided  with  bristles.  Of  tlie  two  genera  one,  FrrLs.so<//o.sx,i,  has 
the  bill  slender,  acute,  something  like  Hdmintlwphiuja,  and  with  the  tongue 
lengthened  and  much  lacerated  at  end ;  the  other,  Umdroiva,  with  less  acute 
bill  and  tongue  shorter,  merely  notched  at  tip,  and  a  little  fringed  only. 


Genus  FERISSOQLOSSA,  Uaird. 
Perismjlnssa,  Baiki.,  Rev.  Am.  Birds,  1864,  181.    (Type,  Motacilla  tigrhw,  Gm.) 

Gkn.  Ciiai!.  Form  of  Deiidroira,  but  liill  .slender,  acute,  with  very  obsolete  notdi ;  the 
coniiiiis.siiro  gently  nrelied  or  curved  from  the  base  ; 
the  gony.s  .-.Iso  .straight,  or  even  .slightly  concave. 
Tongue  lengthen.-d,  narrow,  deeply  bilid  (for  one 
third),  and  deeply  lacerated  or  fringed  externally 
at  the  end  ;  the  edge  along  tlie  median  ])ortion  folded 
over  on  the  upper  surface,  but  n-.t  adherent. 

The  curvature  of  the  bill  in  Pcrii^sm/lonsa 
tigrina  is  quite  peculiar  among  the  ^i/hi- 
eoHifw  with   notched  bills.     Some  Helniin- 

thophagas  (without  notch)  approximate  this  PrrhsonhM,  nt-rina,  iiaira. 

character,  though  in  none,  excepting  H.  hnchmmu,  is  it  in  e(iual  amount,— 
all  the  others  having  the  gonys  very  slightly  convex,  instead  of  straigh  '  oi 
even  slightly  concave. 

It  is  most  probable  tliat  the  Hclinnia  mrhonntn  of  Aiululion  belongs  litre, 
as  it  appears  very  closely  allied  to  the  type  of  this  genus.  The  two"species 
may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Common  CnARACTERS.  Mnh.  Top  of  head  black.  Above  olive,  becoming  yel- 
lowi.sh  on  rump.  Head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  bright  yellow,  becominsr  whi'tish 
posteriorly.  Dorsal  feathers  with  black  centres ;  breast  and  sides  sti-eaked  with 
black.     ,\.  black  streak  through  the  eye. 

P.  tigrina.     Large  white  patches  on  inner  webs  of  tail-feathers. 

Sides  of  head  and  middle  of  throat  tinged  with  chestnut.  One  large 
white  patch  on  wing,  covering  both  rows  of  coverts.  Outer  web  of 
lateral  tail-feather  blackish. 


212  NORTH  AMERICA:>r  IflUDS. 

p.  oarbonata.     No  white  piitclios  on  tail-t'oailiiTs. 

No  clifstiiut  about  lu'ail.     Two  bands  on  the  winp,  llic  anterior  one 
white,  the  (wsterior  yellow.     Outer  web  of  hiteral  tail-leather  wliili.sh. 


Ferissoglossa  tigrina,  ]>aiki). 

CAFE  HAT  WABBLEB. 

Mulncilhi  tigrina,  OMr.t.rx,  Syn.  Nat.  I,  1788,  !>85.  Sijlria  tiij.  Lath.  Pnidroim  liij.  IJAiitn, 
Hhd.s  N.  Am.  18ri8,  280.  —  S(l,.vn;ii,  fatal.  18(il,  :i:l,  nn.  I!t8  ;  P.  Z.  S.  IStil,  71 
(Jaiiuiiea,  April).  —  Maki  ll,  I'r.  An.  ise.  18(ia,  •_'!•:(  (.lainaii'a ;  lirced.s).  —  A.  &  K.  Nkw- 
ToN,  Ibis,  IS;')!*,  Mi  (St.  ("roi.x.  Notrs  on  anatomy  of  toii;,'iic).  —  (Jrxni.Aeii,  Cab. 
.lour.  18til,  y'2G  (Cuba  ;  not  rare).  —  SamI'KI.s,  •J4(I.  /'<  rixKixjiossii  tiijrivti,  Uaikd,  Kev. 
Am.  Birds,  1804,  181.  Si/lvia  vuin'liinti,  Wilson,  Am.  Urn.  Yl,  1812,  9i>,  jd.  liv, 
fig.  3.  —  Hon.  ;  Nfir.  ;  At'D.  Oru.  IHog.  V,  jd.  cecfxiv.  —  D'Ouii.  La  Sagra's  Cub. 
1840,  70,  pi.  .\.  Si/lcivola  luni:  Jaku.,  Bos.,  Am.  Binls  Ain.  II,  pi.  Ixxxv.  Ccrlhi- 
Ola  mar.  (Sossk,  Birds  Jam.  1847,  81.  —  In.  lUust.  lihimamphus  mar.  Cah.  Jour. 
Ill,  1855,  474  ^Cuba.) 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  very  aente,  conioal,  aiul  decidedly  eurved.  Rill  and  feet  black.  II])pcr 
part  of  head  dull  black,  some  of  the  feather.s  liiintly  inari;ine<l  with  li<j;ht  yello\vish-l>rown. 
Collar  .scarcely  meeting  behind  ;  rump  and  under  parts  jienerally  rich  yellow.  Throat,  fore- 
part of  lireast,  and  sides,  streaked  with  bhu'k.  Abdomen  and  lower  tail-coverts  j)nle  yel- 
low, brighter  about  the  vent.  Dar-coverts  light  reddish-chestnut.  Back  part  of  a  yellow 
line  from  nostrils  over  the  eye  <d'  this  same  color  ;  chin  and  throat  tinged  also  with  it..  A 
black  line  from  eonnnissm'c  through  the  eye,  and  running  into  the  chestnut  of  the  ear- 
coverts.  Back,  .shoulder,  edges  of  the  wing  and  tail,  ycllowi.sli-(dive ;  the  former  spotted 
with  dusky.  One  row  of  small  coverts,  and  outer  ba.scs  of  the  secondary  coverts,  form  a 
large  patch  of  white,  tinged  with  jjalc  yellow.  Tcrtials  rather  broadly  cdge(l  with  brown- 
ish-white. Quills  ami  tail  dark  brown,  the  three  outer  lealhcrs  of  the  latter  largely  marked 
with  white  on  the  inner  web;  edge  of  the  outer  wel)  of  the  outer  feathers  while,  more 
perceptible  towards  the  base.     Length,  ").'_'.") ;  wing,  'l.M  ;  tail,  2.15. 

Female.  Above  olivaceous-ash,  most  yellowish  on  nnn]) ;  no  black  nor  chestnut  on 
head.  Wing-coverts  inconspicuously  eilgcd  with  whitish.  Tail-spots  vciy  inconspicuous. 
Beneath  didl  white  tinged  with  yellowish  on  the  breast,  and  streaked  a.s  in  the  mali', 
but  witli  dusky  grayish  instead  of  black. 

IlAn.  Eastern  Province  of  I'liited  States,  north  to  Lake  Wimiipi>g  and  Moos(>  Kactory  ; 
all  the  West  Indies  to  St.  Croix.  Breeds  in  Jamaica.  .Not  recorded  from  Mexico  or  Cen- 
tral America. 

Tliu  chostnut  iibout  llic  Iicnd  in  adult  males  varies  in  amount  with  tlio 
iiRliviihial;  suiuotinios  (a.s  in  20,0;'):?,  Afay,  M<io,se  Factory,  II udsuns  Hay  Ter- 
ritory) tliero  is  ai>  oblong  s))ot  oi'  cliestiiut  in  the  middle  of  the  crown,  but 
generally  tliis  ia  absent.  Very  fretiuently  the  chestnut  tinges  the  throat.  All 
variations  in  tiiese  resjtects  api)ear,  however,  to  be  individutil,  iind  not  dts- 
pendent  at  idl  on  locality.  West  Indian  specimens  a])pear  to  be  abse.ately 
identicid  witli  tlio.se  from  Xorlli  America. 

Aut     iiial  specimens  are  browner,  the  chestiuit  markings  much  obscm-ed. 

ir.u..Ts.  Tiiis  sotnewhat  rare  species,  so  far  as  its  history  and  dislrilmtion 
are  known  with  certainty,  is  migratory  in  the  ]»rinciiial  portions  of  the  I'nited 


SYLVICOLID-E  — THE  WARBLERS.  213 

States,  in  tlio  spriii<4  and  tall  passinjj;  to  the  north  of  the  4'2d  pamllel  to 
breed.  The  iirnt  specimen  was  obtained  near  tlie  extreme  sonthern  jH)int  of 
New  Jersey  by  Cleorjfe  Ord,  in  1811,  and  described  and  figured  l)y  Wilson. 
From  this  accidental  eireumstanee  it  derives  its  inapjiropriate  name  of  ('a])e 
^lay  Warl)ler.  Wilson  never  met  witli  a  secontl  sijecimen,  and  Mr.  Nuttall 
Wiis  wlioUy  nnaciiiiainted  with  it.  Mr.  Audubon  also  never  met  witli  a  speci- 
men in  all  his  wanderings,  and  was  able  to  aild  notiiing  to  its  history.  Those 
figured  by  him  were  ])rocured  by  Mr.  Edward  Harris,  near  IMiiladeljiIiia, 
through  which  region  tliese  birds  appear  to  pass  rapidly  in  their  northern 
migrations. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  obtained  a  specimen  near  Springfield,  Mass.,  May  15, 
1803,  and  specimens  have  also  lietui  procureii  at  Kast  Windsor  Hill,  t'onn., 
by  Dr.  Wood.  It  was  not  met  witli  in  Western  Maine  by  Mr.  Verrill,  but  in 
Eastern  Maine  and  in  New  Hrunswiciv  Mv.  IJoardman  lias  lonnd  it  a  not  un- 
common summer  visitant,  though  of  irregular  frequency.  He  has  no  doubt 
tliat  they  remain  there  to  breed.  They  reach  Calais  as  early  as  the  .second 
week  in  May,  or  as  early  as  tlunr  ai)]iearance  usually  in  the  neigldiorhood  of 
I'iiiladelphia  has  been  noticetl  Mr.  Kuinlien  has  also  obtained  sjjecimens 
from  year  to  year,  about  tlie  middle  of  May,  in  Soutliern  Wisconsin,  where 
they  do  not  remain  to  lireed,  and  Mr.  Uidgway  has  taken  them  in  the 
beginning  of  May  in  Soutliern  Illinois. 

It  is  also  l>y  no  means  uncommon  in  Cuba;  was  met  by  the  Newtons  as 
a  migrant  in  St.  Croi.v,  and  is  not  only  one  of  the  birds  of  Jamaica,  l)nt  is 
resident  and  breeds  in  the  highlands  of  that  island.  It  is  not  known  to 
occur  in  Central  America,  Mt^xico,  or  west  of  the  Mississippi  lliver.  S]teci- 
niens  were  procured  at  Moose  Factory  about  May  -8. 

Its  nests  and  eggs  have  not  been,  with  certainty,  obtained  in  the  Ignited 
States,  though  an  egg  olttained  in  Coventry,  Vt.,  in  ISIid,  and  attributed  at 
tlie  time  to  this  liird,  closely  resenililes  its  identified  eggs  from  Jainaii'a. 
Specimens  of  the  bird,  as  well  as  its  nests  and  eggs,  jiave  also  been  received 
from  St.  Domingo  by  Mr.  Turnbull  of  I'iiiladelphia.  In  the  summer  of 
1S71  a  nest  of  this  sjieeies  was  found  by  Mr.  II.  H.  Hailey  on  the  ifichard- 
son  Lakes,  in  the  extreme  north  western  part  of  Maine.  The  nest  was  in  a 
low  spruce-tree,  less  than  five  feet  from  the  ground,  ami  wiieii  found  con- 
tained only  a  single  egg.  Unfortunately  it  was  left  until  more  eggs  were 
deposited,  and  in  the  moan  while  the  tree  was  cut,  and  the  nest  and  eggs  were 
destroyed. 

Mr.  W.  T.  Marcii  of  Jamaica,  in  Ids  notes  mi  the  liirds  of  that  island, 
states  that  this  species  may  always  be  found,  in  its  various  changes  of  plu- 
mage, abcait  the  mangrove  swamps  antl  river-banks.  During  the  summer 
months  it  was  common  abmit  Healthshire  and  (ireat  Salt  Pond,  ami  at  other 
times  very  generally  distrilmted  over  the  island,  lie  also  met  with  several 
specimens  of  its  nests  and  eggs,  but  their  ])osition  was  not  stated.  The  nests 
liiul  apparently  been  taken  from  a  bush  tu'  tree,  were  three  and  one  fourth 


214  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

inches  in  diameter  by  two  and  one  half  in  height,  with  cavities  unusually 
large  anil  deep  for  the  size  of  the  uests.  They  were  wrought  almost  entirely 
of  long  strips  of  tliin  flexible  bark,  strongly  and  firmly  interwoven.  The 
outer  portions  consisted  of  coarser  and  longer  strips,  the  inner  being  much 
finer  and  more  delicate.  Witli  the  outer  portions  were  also  interwoven  bits 
of  mosses,  lichens,  and  the  outer  bark  of  deciduous  trees.  The  entire  fabric 
was  a  remarkable  one. 

The  eggs  measure  .70  by  .55  of  an  inch,  have  a  pinkish-white  ground, 
blotched  with  jnnple  and  brown  of  various  shades  and  tints.  They  are  dis- 
jiosed  chiefly  about  the  larger  end,  usually  in  a  ring.  The  eggs  are  oval  iu 
shape  and  slightly  pointed  at  one  end. 


Ferissoglossa  carbonata,  Baikd. 

CABBONATED  WABBIEB. 

Sijlviu  carbonaUi,  Arii.  Oiii.  IJio},'.  I,  1831,  308,  \A.  Ix  (Ivfiitucky).  —  Xi'tt.  Ifcliiiaia 
cnrhmata,  Aun.  Syii.  ■ — In.  I!ii(l.s  Am.  II,  1841,  9;'),  jil.  eL\.  Ikiidroiw  carbonala, 
Bauid,  Birds  N.  Am.  ISr.S,  287  ;  Kev.  Am.  Bivds,  207. 

Rp.  Char.  IJill  l)ro\vnisli-l)Iack  nliovo,  liplit  blue  boncath.  Iris  h:\zol.  Foct  light  (losli- 
color.  l'|i])ei'  |iart  ol'  tiie  lieail  black.  Forepart  ol'  tlio  back,  lessor  wiiiir-covcrts,  and 
sides  dni!k_,,  spotted  with  black.  Lower  back  <hill  yellowisli-frreeii,  as  is  the  tail,  of 
which  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  feather  is  whitish.  Tip  of  the  .second  row  of  coverts 
white,  of  the  lirst  row  yellow  ;  tpiills  tlusky,  their  outer  webs  tinged  with  yellow.  A  line 
from  the  lore  over  the  eye ;  sides  of  the  neck  and  the  throat  bright  yellow,  .\  dusky  line 
behind  the  eye.  The  rest  of  the  under  parts  dull  yellow,  excepting  the  sides.  Length,  4.7;"! 
inches  ;  bill  above,  4.42  ;  tarsus,  .75.    (Auuuuo.v). 

Hau.     Kentucky. 

This  sjjecies  continues  to  be  known  only  by  the  description  and  figure  of 
Audubon. 

Judging  from  tlie  description,  tliis  species  is  closely  related  to  /'.  Ilip-inn, 
but  .seems  to  be  distinct  in  tlie  jjure  bltick  of  the  top  of  the  licad,  tlie  ab.senoe 
of  omnge-brown  on  the  cheeks,  tlie  white  of  the  wing  being  on  tlie  middle 
coverts  instead  of  the  greater,  i\nd  the  tail-feathers  being  yeUowish-grtu'n ; 
the  outer  web  of  outer  feather  white,  instead  of  a  large  spot  on  the  inner 
web,  etc.     The  back  ajtpears  more  distinctly  .streaked. 

llAItiTS.  Two  .sjiecimens  of  this  Warbler,  obtained  near  Heiider.son,  Ky., 
May,  1811,  by  Mr.  Audubon,  are  all  its  chiim  to  be  recognized  lus  ii  good 
s]H'cies.  N(mc  have  since  been  seen.  These  birds  are  descrilu'il  as  having 
been  busily  engaged  in  collecting  insects  among  the  branches  of  a  dogwood 
tree.  Tlieir  motions  were  like  tiiose  of  other  Warblers.  Tliis  is  all  we  its 
yet  know  as  to  the  history  of  this  species,  and  its  claims  to  be  regiirded  as 
a  good  and  distinct  species  are  involved  in  doubt. 


SYLVICOLID.t;  —  THE  WARBLERS. 


215 


Dentlroica  rornnala. 


Genus  DENDROICA,  Gray. 

Sj/hicri/n,  OuAV,  (Icnciii  Birds,  2(1  eil.  1841,  32.     (Xot  of  Iluiinilircys  nor  Swaiusou.) 
Dcnilriiicd,  (iiiAY,  (iciicia  IJiiils,  ApjH'iulix,  1842,  8. 

Ithiinam/ihufi,  Hauti.auii,  Hi'v.  Zool.  184."),  342.     (Not  of  l{aliiR'.siiiU",  Am.  Monthly  Mng. 
1818,  and  Jour,  de  l'liy.s.  1819.) 

Gen.  Char.  JJill  conical,  attoiiiuitcd,  doprossod  at  the  ba.se,  where  it  is,  however,  scarcely 
lu'oader  than  hij^h,  (.'onipressed  from  the  mid- 
dle. Culincn  .straif^ht  for  the  ha.sal  half,  then 
rather  rapidly  curving,  the  lower  edge  of  up- 
per mandible  al.so  concave.  Gonys  slightly 
con  ve.K  and  asccMding.  A  distin!;t  notch  near 
till  end  of  the  bill.  Bristles,  though  short, 
gcncally  quite  distinct  at  the  base  ol'  the  bill. 
Tarsi  long;  decidedly  longer  than  middle 
toe,  which  is  longer  than  the  hinder  one  ; 
the  claws  rather  small  and  much  curved ; 
the  hind  claw  nearly  as  long  as  its  digit. 
Tli(^  wings  long  and  pointed ;  the  second  quill 
usually  a  very  little  longer  than  the  first.     The  tail  slightly  rounded  and  eniarginatc. 

Colors.  Tail  always  with  a  white  or  yellow  spot;  its  ground-color  never  clear  olive- 
green.     In  D.  O'stivd  edged  internally  with  yellow. 

Eggs  iisually  with  a  white  or  a  bluish-wliite  ground,  marked  with  purplish-brown  and 
obscure  lilac;  in  some,  mingled  with  varying  shailcs  of  sienna-brown.  Nest,  so  far  as 
known,  in  bushes  and  trees,  except  D.  ijalmarum,  which  is  on  the  ground. 

The  genus  Dcndroica  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  as  to  species  of  any  in 
North  America,  and  scarcely  admits  of  any  subdivision.  There  is  a  little  vari- 
ation in  the  bill,  wings,  etc.,  the  chief  peculiarities  being  in  D.  cantvnca  and 
pcnntujlvanim,  in  whicli  the  bill  is  broader,  and  more  depressed,  with  longer 
bristles  ;  in  D.  striitfn,  where  the  bill  is  narrow  with  scarcely  any  bristles  ;  and 
in  D.  palmaram  and  kirtlnndi,  where  the  wings  are  very  short,  scarcely 

longer  tlian  the  tail.  D.  pnliiiantm  has 
the  tarsus  unusually  long.  Tiie  colors 
in  all  are  strongly  marked,  and  the  spe- 
cies are  among  the  most  beautiful  of 
all  belonging  to  our  fauna,  and  an;  the 
most  conspicuous  for  their  numbers  and 
in  tlieir  migrations. 

The  dini'rence  in  manners  between 
certain  members  of  this  genus  is  re- 
markable ;  tints,  the  J),  pnlinnriim  is 
very  torre.striul  in  its  Imliits,  walking 
up  n  the  ground  with  (lie  (Mise  and 
gnice  of  ii  Titlark  {Jiit/ms),  and,  like 
these  birds,  it  has  a  wagging  motion 
On  the  other  hand,  tiie  Ikmh-oivti  dominim  is  as  much   a 


Vfnilinirii  niiftitbfltti. 


of  the  tail. 


216  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Creeper  as  is  tlie  Miiiofiff/i  rtirio ;  creeping  not  only  along  the  branches,  but 
the  cornices  ami  lattices  of  buildings,  with  the  facility  of  a  Nuthatch  (Sitfn). 
Both  these  species,  however,  may  often  be  seen  hop))ing  ixmong  the  ioliagt; 
of  tile  trees,  now  and  then  snapping  an  insect  on  the  wing,  in  the  manner 
of  others  of  the  family. 

Species  and  Varieties. 
Inner  wclis  of  t.iil-foathors  with  ii  hirj;;o  p.itoli,  or  broad  cilgo,  of  yellow      .         Guot'P  A. 
Inner  wel)s  of  tail-feathers  with  a  larpe  patch,  or  broad  edj^e,  of  while. 

Wings  with  conspienons  white  niarkinjjrs Ghoit  H. 

Wings  without  conspicuous  white  markings' Guoup  C 


Oroup  A.  —  (lohhii  Warhlcm. 

Rump  and  crissnm  without  rufous  markings Sm'rs  I. 

Riuiip  and  crissuni  with  rufous  markings Scries  [I. 

Series  I. 

Previiiling  color  rich  yellow,  shaded  on  npper  parts  with  olive-green.  $  with 
streaks  of  chestnut  across  the  breast  and  along  the  sides,  and  with  or  without 
a  greater  or  less  tinge  of  the  same  on  the  crown.  9  with  the  streaks  beneath 
obsolete  or  entirely  wanting;  no  rufous  on  crown.  Jnv.  paler  and  duller  than 
the  9i  '  ometinies  fpiite  ashy. 

A«  Tarsus  less  than  .G5  of  an  inch.     Outer  webs  of  tail-feathers  with  yellow  pre- 
dominating. 

1.  D.  aestiva.  ("rown  generally  pure  yellow,  sometimes  with  only  a 
tinge  of  rufous;  lower  webs  of  wing-coverts  and  tertials  pure  yellow  ; 
rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  much  mi.xed  with  the  same.  Wing- 
fornnda,'  I  =  2,  3 ;  wing,  'i.liO;  tail,  '2.0r>;  bill,  from  nostril,  ..'iO ;  tarsus, 
(I'i.  Ilah.  Entire  contiiu'Ut  of  North  America;  in  winter  .south  to 
Bogota  and  Cayenne;  Trinidad  (only  locality  in  West  Indies). 

B«   Tarsus  not  less  than  .70  of  an  inch.     Outer  wubs  of  tail-fcailiers  with  dusky 
predominating. 

(/.  Cn.wn  withoM'  any  rufous,  or  with  only  a  tinge. 

2.  D.  petechia.      Xn/ir  Dlirr-i/rern  (e.vi'C])t  in  /")■.)  ^  side^^  slretiheil  (cx; 
*cept  in  jiir.).     Crown  greenish,  sometimes  tingeil   with  oiange-rufous 

nntt-riorly  ;  lower  webs  of  wing-coverts,  etc.,  not  i>urc  yellow,  and  rum|) 
and  ii|)per  tail-coverts  without  any  adniixtun^  of  yellow.  I/ub.  West 
Indies  (e.xeept  Barbadocs  and  Trinidad) ;  not  on  the  Continent. 

Lower  part   of  throat    streakeil ;    outer   webs    of    wing-coverts 

liardly    appreciably    dilferent    from    the   general    surface.      Above 

golden  yelliiwish-olive;  crown  generally  without  a  trace  of  rufous. 

Wing-formula,  2  =  a,  4,  1,  5;    wing.  2..V) ;  tail,  2.10;   l)ill,   .:10 ; 

tnr.sus.  .80.     //<//>.     Cuba  and  the  Bahamas       .         .        var.  n  ini  ill  a  r  li  i .' 
Lower  |)art  of  throat  not  streaked;  outer  webs  of  wing-coverts 

decidcilly  yellowish,  nn<l  ijuite  dilferent   from  the  general  surface. 
'        Aliove  greenish  ydlow-olivc  ;  crown  almost  always  strongly  tinged 

1  Or  if  with  wliitc  markings,  the  lacviiiliiig  coliu'  yi'lluw,  ns  in  J>.  piiiiis,  in  which  oidy  lln' 
ndtdt  (J  has  the  wiiig-hinids  asliywliitc. 

'■*  Till'  wiiig-fnrnmlii,  though  varying  among  individuals,  is  ncvcrthidi'ss  in  u  measure  cliarin- 
tcristii'.     .\ii  avcrngi'  s|H'(iiiM'U  is  in  cjuh  ciisi'  cluisi'ii. 

■  J>.  gumlliuhi,  It.vilin,  H.vicw  Am.  H.  I,  b'Mlf),  197. 


SVLVICOLID.K  —  THE  WARBLERS. 


217 


with  rufous.      Wiug-lbrniula,  4,  3,  2,  o,   1,  G;    wiii},',  2.70;    tail, 

2.2o;   bill,  .35  ;  tarsus,  .7!).     Ihtb.   Jamaica  and  llayti  y      \-m:  pet  ech  i it  } 

e.  Whole  throat  soinutimcs  streaked;    bauk  also  soiiietiuuis  witii 

streaks  of  dark  eastaneoiis;  <^reeu  above  lighter  than  in  var.  jieterhid , 

the  rump  snmetiuies  tinged  with  yellow.     Wing-formula,  2,  3,  and 

4  equal,  5=1;  wing,  2.50 ;  tail,  2.00 ;  bill,  .34  ;  tarsus,  .78.     link. 

Porto  Rico,  St.  Thomas,  St.  Croix,  and  St.  ui..  holomew. 

var.  r  iifirup  ilia.'' 

3.  D.  aureola.'  N^ape  uliiuti/.i  ashy ;  sides  never  strenhed.  Abdomen,  anal 
region,  and  axillars  iieaily  white;  forehead  and  crown  strongly  tinged 
with  rufous;  nape  dark  ashy.  Wing-lbrnnda,  2,  3,  and  4  eciual,  5,  1=0; 
wing,  2..55 ;   tail,  2.00  ;  bill,  .32 ;  tarsus,  .75.     Jluh.    Galapagos  Islands. 

6.  Crown  witii  only  a  sharply  dehned  ovate  patch  of  dark  purjilish-rulbus. 

4.  D.  capitalis.*  A  bioad  superciliary  stripe  of  pure  yellow ;  wing- 
formula,  3  =  4,  2,  1  =  5;  wing,  2.30;  tail,  2.00;  l)ill,  .30;  tarsus,  .70. 
(9  distinguishal)le  from  that  of  the  varieties  of  pelediiii  by  the  dis- 
tinctly yellow  ujiper  eyelid,  and  considerably  shorter  tarsus.)  Ilab.  Bar- 
badoes  Island,  West  Indies. 

c.  Head  all  round  rufous. 

5.  D.  vieilloti.  (9  not  distinguishable  from  that  of  other  species.) 
//(//).   Continental  Middle  America. 

Breast  and  sides  with  hrnad  streaks  of  rufous ;   outer  webs  of   wing- 
eoverts  and  tertial.i  pure  yellow. 

Rufous  of  the  throat  with  the  jmsterior  outline  sharply  defined 
against  yellow  of  jugulum.  Wing-fornmla,  3,  4,  2,  1,  5;  wing, 
2.75;  tail,  2.10;  bill,  .34;  tar.sus,  .75.  /lab.  New  Gr.-mmia  (Car- 
thagena,  etc.) v^y.  vieilloti.' 

Rufous  of  the  throat  covering  the  jugulum  and  blemliug  with 
the  streaks  of  the  breast.  Wing-lbrnnda,  3,  2,  4,  1,  5;^wing, 
2.45  ;  tail,  2.05  ;  bill,  .27  ;  tarsus,  .04.     Hub.    Istluniis  of  Panama'. 

var.  rn/igula.* 


• 


1  Dendrniea  petechia,  BAinn,  Review,  100.     {.U<ilacilla  pelceliia,  Lixn.  17(i(5.) 

A  specimen  from  Port  an  Prince  is  smaller,  measuring,  wing,  a.-IO  ;  tail,  2.10;  bill,  .,11  ; 
tar.sus,  .71.  It  is  perhaps  lighter  green  above  than  Jamaieau  specimens.  These  features  may 
only  be  cliaracteristic  of  the  jiartieular  individual. 

'■'  J),  ruficiipillii,  B.vii!i>,  Kev.  -2(11. 

A  single  specimen  from  Porto  liico  dillers  in  some  r.'speets  from  the  .nvrag.'  of  a  seri.'S  from 
the  other  islands  named.  The  chief  diHeren.es  are,  less  thieklv  streakcl  throat,  and  distinct 
shuft-streaks  of  dark  chestnut  on  the  back.  However,  one  or  two  specim.ms  of  tru.'  r„Heu/,ilU 
from  St.  Thomas  liav,.  tli.'  .ipper  jmrt  of  the  throat  .stnNike.I,  an.l  one  of  them  has  the  streaks  on 
the  back.  In  all  probability  other  sj.ecimens  from  Porto  Uico  would  be  more  like  typical  .species 
of  this  race  as  seen  in  the  maj(Hity  of  tho.se  from  St.  Thomas  ami  St.  IJartholomew. 

«  IK  (uireoln,  H.uiin,  l!ev.  101.     {Sijlvlcohi  a.  V,uv\,\t,  Voyage  lleagle,  1811,  80.) 

♦  1).  ea/ii/alis,  I,.uvii.  Pr.  I'hila.  .\,Mid.  IStiS,  X,H.     Harba'does.      /V»,/,v„V,/,' li.viim,  Kev.  201. 

6  JK  vi.ilhti,  Cassin,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  May,  bsiiii,  lyo.     ,|'a„„,„„,  Cirthagena.)  —  lUiitn,  Kev. 


203 


A  rufi.juhi,  RaiI!!.,  liev.  p.  201.  The  habitat  as  Martinique,  W.  I.,  was  tlu'rc  .pu'ried,  but 
without  any  reason  for  .so  doing  other  than  that  this  was  the  locality  of  Vieillot's  .species,  with 
which  til."  typ.'  described  in  It.'view  nearly  agreed.  Should  I'iiilht's  .spe.'i.^s  1k'  really  from  Marti- 
nicpie,  in  all  probability  the  prtseut  bird  will  be  found  to  he  dilfer.'ut,  an.l  theivfore  not  entitled  to 
thi.  name  here  given.  Provi.h'd  such  is  tli«  ease,  the  munu  " rujiaps,"  Cabanis,  cannot  with 
29 


218  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

lireast  and  Mes  u-iti,  ouhj  venj  unrrow  or  mnrc/y  appreciable  streaki  of 
ruJo,i»;  outer  tu-ebx  of  ir!n,j-,-orerls,  etc.,  scarcely  (liferent  from  general 
surface. 

Rufous  of  the  liuad  confmod  to  it,  and  abnijitlv  (Iclinod  all  round. 
Wiug-Cornuila,  ;{.  2  =  4,  1,  5;  wiiifr,  2.70;  tail,  2.25;  bill,  .;ii  ; 
tar,sii6.,  .72.     JIab.   .Mexico  (Imiii  Ilouduia.s  and  Yucatan  to  Ma- 

zathui)  ;  ,  .  , 

'  var.  b  rya  u  tt.^ 

Series  IT. 
Prevailing  color  yellow;  crown,  rump,  and  cris.suin  with  spots  of  infou..-  a 
band  of  the  same  on  the  side  of  the  head,  from  bill  (meeting  both  on  forehead 
and  on  chin)  aroinid  eye  and  over  ear-coverts. 
C.  D.  eoa."    Hub.   Jamaica  (Gossk). 


Series  I. 
Series  II. 


Group  B. 

Base  of  primaries  with  white  patch. 
Two  white  bands  on  wine 

No  white  bands  on  wing 

Base  of  primaries  without  wliite  jjatch. 
Rumji  yellow. 

Crown  with  a  yellow  spot ,;>p,.,p,  jjj 

Crown  witiiout  a  yellow  .spot Series  IV 

Rump  not  yellow. 

Throat  white  (with  black  streaks  in  .ilrinta  and  phnretra)  .         .       Series  V. 

Throat  yellow  or  orange 

Throat  black,  or  mixed  with  black     .... 


Series  VI. 
Series  VII. 


Series  I. 

7.  D.  oUvacea.  $.  Ileiid  and  neck,  all  round,  fine  light  orange- 
rnfons;  a  broa^l  blac^k  "  .^pcclacie  ".along  siil.,,'  of  ^the  Ijead.  9.  IT.^l 
yellowi.sh,.TlM.sky  on  toj^  spectacle  obsolete.  Ilab.  Wliole  of  Eastern 
Me.xici);  Guatemala. 

Series  II. 

8.  D.  caBrulescens.  $.  Head  dark  blue  above  and  black  underneath; 
a  black  patch  covering  wh.ilc  I;iteral  and  under  side  of  head  and  lateral 
lower  parts.  Rest  of  ui)])er  ]>arts  dark  blue;  ba.ses  of  primaries  and 
abdomen  pure  white.  9.  Above  olive,  with  a  light  superciliary  stripe  ; 
beneath  wholly  light  green ish-bu If;  base  of  primaries  wliite.  Hah. 
Ea.stern  Province  of  United  States;  in  winter  south  into  Cuba,  Jamaica, 
and  St.  Domingo. 

propriety  Im  ,isod,  ns  under  tliat  hrad  \w  i.idudes  s] iineas  from  Carthagena  (true  ci,'ilh>ti\ 

Costa  Uioa,  and  Mcxieo  (tlii^  latter  hri/nitti). 

*  I>.  viciUiiti,  var.  bri/aiili,  Uidowav. 

«  Syiiieola  coa,  GossE,  Birds  of  .bnnai.'a,  1847,  US  ;  Illustrations  Birds  .Tnin.      Dcw/roica  cm, 

BAtlti),  K.-v.  lO.-i.     Tho  true  positio this  si.cmcs  is  very  unccrtniii,  owing  to  the  itnin'rCrt 

description,  or  rather  the  iM(oinpI..t,.  phniiage.  of  the  types.  Tlic-re  is  no  .loubt.  however,  that  it 
IS  entirely  dillerent  from  any  other,  an<l  in  its  having,  as  e.xpiv.ssly  stated,  the  inner  webs  yellow, 
thus  briiigiiig  It  into  close  relation  with  the  "(icldeii  Warblers." 


SYLVICOLID.'E  — THE  WARBLERS.  oiQ 

Sericn  III. 

9.  D.  coronata.  A  yellow  patcli  on  each  side  of  the  breast;  above 
ashy  sti-cakcd  with  black  ;  l)elly  white.  $.  Breast  more  or  less  ..k  ; 
upper  parts  ash  with  a  bluish  tinge.  ? .  JSreast  only  streaked  with  biaek ; 
ash  ofiip[)cr  part  grayish  or  brownisii. 

Tiiroat  white;  a  white  superciliary  streak;  two  white  bands  on 
wing.  Huh.  Eastern  Province  of  North  Anierii'a,  north  to  Alaska 
and  Greenland;  in  winter  south  to  Panama  and  West  Indies  (resi- 
dent in  Jamaica!)     X!iy.  coronata. 

Throat  yellow;  no  wiiite  superciliary  streak;  one  white  patch 
formed  by  the  fusion  of  the  two  l)ands  on  the  wing.  Hab.  Western 
Provincte  of  North  Amoiica  from  British  Columbia,  .«outh  to  Cape 
St.  Lucas  and  Jalisco,  Western  Mexico  ;  east  to  Uocky  ilountains. 

var.  a  m  d  u  b  o  it  i . 
Serien  IV. 

10.  D.  maculosa.  Whole  lower  parts  liright  yellow ;  black  streaks 
across  breast  and  along  sides;  crown  ash;  lores,  amiculars,  and  back 
black.  9  scarcely  dillercnt.  Ilab.  Eastern  Province  of  North  Amer- 
ica, from  Fort  Simpson  to  Panama ;  Cuba  and  Bahamas. 

f>erieH   V. 

A.  Above  ashy-blue,  or  .soft  bluish-green. 

11.  D.  caerulea.  Lo\\cr  parts  pun^  white  or  greenish-white;  with  or 
without  a  narrow  band  across  the  breast;  above  line  ashy-blue,  or  soil 
bluish-green;  if  blue  (^),  the  back  and  crown  streaked  with  black; 
if  green  (9  and  >i'.),  these  streaks  obsolete.  Hub.  Eastern  Province 
of  United  States  (rare  northwar.l  except  in  Mississippi  Valley),  south  to 
Bogota  in  winter ;  Cuba. 

B.  Al)ove    not  asiiy-bhie  noi-  l)luish-green,   but  streaked  with  black  upon  an 
ashy  greeuish-dlive  or  yellowish  ground,  or  else  bright  olive-green. 

a.  Sides  more  or  less  rufous,  and  without  black  or  dusky  streaks  on  under 
surfa(,'e|. 

12.  D.  penndylvanica'.  *  <?.  Crown  pure  yellow;'  throat  and  auriculars 
pure  white  ;  ^  a,l.  similar,  but  crown  greenish,  and  more  or  less  streaked. 
Jiir.  Above  bright  olive-green,  nearly  grass-green,  without  .ifreaks  except 
on  the  back;  side  of  heail,  and  sides,  clear  ashy,  the  latter  with  or  without 
a  trace  of  chestnut;  eyelids  and  medial  lower  parts  pine  while,  //ab. 
Eastern  Province  of  I'nited  States,  south  to  Panama;   Bahamas. 

13.  D.  oastanea.  ^.  Crown  reddish-chestnut ;  throat  and  sides  rufous ; 
auri<'ulars  black.  9  similar,  but  crown  thickly  streaked,  sometimes  with- 
out a  trace  of  rufous ;  Jugulum  and  throat  only  tinged  with  rufous.  Jkv. 
Above  greenish-olive,  streaks  obsolete  ;  beneath,  hicliuliiiy  lower  lail- 
rovrrfs,  pale  green ish-bn If,  or  whitish-bnH;  and  without  any  trace  of 
streaks  on  the  sides  (<listinction  from  9  of  D.  .itriatn)  the  sides  usually 
with  a  tinge  of  chestnut.  I/ab.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America, 
from  Hudson's  Bay  Territory  to  Xcw  Cnanada. 

b.  Sides  without  any  rulbus,  and  with  black  or  dusky  streaks. 

Medial  lower  parts  not  streaked ;  inner  w,-b.i  of  tail-feathers  with  broad 

pateh  of  white, 

14.  D.  striata.  ^.  Crown  deep  bku'k  ;  auriculars  and  lower  parts 
white;  throat  with  two  series  of  black  streaks,  converging  and  forinin" 
an  angle  on   the  chin.     Above  ashy  streaked  with  black.     9  similar^ 


220  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

but  crown  greenish  sti-eaked  with  black  ;  lower  parts  tinged  with  green- 
ish. Juv.  Above  greenish-olive,  the  streaks  obsolete ;  beneath  pale 
greenish-yellow ;  the  lower  Uiil-coverts  pure  white.  Hub.  Eastern  Prov- 
ince of  North  Anieriea,  north  to  Greenland  and  Kodiak,  south  to  Bogota, 
Cuba,  and  Bahamas. 

Medial  lower  parts  streaked  loith  hlack ;  inner  webs  of  tail-feathers  merely 

edged  with  white. 
15.   D.  pharetra.'      ^.   Above  grayish-whito,  with  broad  streaks  of 
black  ;  pusteiiorly,  })lain  brownish-gray  ;  lower  j)arts  with  cuneate  spots 
of  black.     Hub.  Jamaica. 

Series  VI. 

A.  A  black  "  mask  "  around  the  eye  and  on  am-icnlars,  and  extending  down  the 
side  of  the  throat;  a  light  sn^)erciliary  stripe  continued  back  into  a  large  space,  of 
similar  color,  on  side  of  neck. 

10.  D.  blackburniae.  Crown  with  an  orange  or  yellowish  spot  (ex- 
posed or  eoneealed)  ;  superciliary  stripe,  side  of  neck  and  throat,  intense 
orange-red  {^  ad.),  or  varying  from  this  to  pale  bull'  (jni'.).  ^  intense 
black  above;  back  streaked  with  white  or  yellowish.  9  olive-gray  above, 
streaked  with  black.  Juv.  olive-gray  above  without  distinct  streaks. 
Hub.  Eastern  Province  of  I'nited  8tate.<,  south  to  Ecuador;  Bahamas. 
17.  D.  dominica.  Crown  without  an  orange  or  yellowish  spot;  super- 
ciliary stripe  and  side  of  neck  June  white;  throat  gamboge-yellow; 
above  ash,  without  streaks. 

Superciliary  stripe  l)right  yellow  anterior  to  the  eye.  Bill,  .45 ; 
tarsus,  .GO ;  wing,  2.G(J ;   tail,  2.00.     JIab.    Atlantic  United  States 

and  West  Indies var.  dominica. 

Superciliary  stripe  pure  white  anterior  to  the  eye.     Bill,  .;J5; 

tarsus,  .00 ;  wing,  2.70 ;   tail,  2.2t).      //((//.  ^Mississippi   region   of 

United  States;  Mexico  (Yucatan  on  e;ist  coiust,  andColiniaon  west 

coast);  Guatemala  and  Honduras  ....         var.  al  bilor  a  . 

B«   No  black  "  mask."     Superciliary  stri)ie    scarcely,  reaching  bchini..   the  eye. 

Sides  of  neck  ashy  like  the  l)ack. 

IS.  D.  graciae.  .\uriculars,  neck,  crown,  and  upper  parts  genei-ally, 
ashy  ;  a  sui)ra-loral  sti'ipe,  a  crescent  on  the  lower  eyelid,  and  the  anterior 
lower  parts  gamboge-yellow.     Crissum  while. 

Hack  and  sides  streaked  ivith  black;  abdomen  white. 

Yellow  of  throat  terminating  abruptly  at  the  jngnlum ;  supra- 
loral  stiij)e  extending  about  .20  of  an  inih  past  the  eyi',  this  portion 
of  it  while;  dorsal  streaks  bioad.  Wing,  2.C0;  tail,  2.20.  Jlub. 
Arizona  (Fort  Whipple) var.  (/raciw. 

Yellow  of  thi'oat  covering  whole  juguhnn,  and  not  ending  abrupt- 
1}';  supra-loral  stripe  .scarcely  i)ii.ssing  the  eye,  and  wholly  yellow; 
dor.s.il  streaks  narrow.  Wing,  2.20  ;  tail,  l.Oo.  Hub.  British  Hon- 
dunis  (Belize) var.  decora . 

Hack  and  sides  not  streaked  with  black  ;  abdomen  yellow. 
Yellow  of  throat   extending   back    to   the  crissum  ;   .supra-loral 
stripe  as  in  the  last ;  dorsal  streaks  wanting.   Wing,  2.10  ;  tail,  l.'Jo. 
Uttb.    Porto  Rico var.  adelaida} 

1  D.pliaretra,  Baikd,  Kcv.  192.     {Syl cicala  pharetra,  OossE,  Birds  .Tarn.  1847,  163.) 
■■'  l>.  adclaiike,  Uaiku,  Rev.  April,  1805,  212. 


SYLVICOIJD/K  — THE  WAKIiLKUS. 

S'eries   VII. 
Throat  black  in  $,  mixer]  with  hlaek  in  ?. 

A.   Siiius  stroakod;  bhifk  ol'  throat  witli  its  posterior  oiithne  concave. 
a.  Side  of  head  wliite  and  bhick. 

19.  D.  nigrescens.  A  small  yellow  spot  over  the  lore  ;  above  ash ;  be- 
neath, white,  jj.  Whole  crown,  nnilbrni  glossy  black;  back  streaked 
with  black.  ? .  Crown  ash  streake<l  with  black  ;  throat  mixed  with  white 
anteriorly.  Jnv.  Crown  and  cheeks  a.^hy;  throat  mostly  white;  back 
withont  streaks.  Ilah.  Western  and  Middle  Province  of  United  States, 
south,  in  winter,  into  Western  Mexico  (Oaxaca). 
h.  Side  of  head  yellow  and  black,  oi'  yellow  and  olive. 

Blade  of  throat  coveriucjjuyuhim  ;  a  hidden  lyiow  spot  in  middle  of  forehead. 

20.  D.  chrysopareia  Elack  above,  pure  wlnte  below  ;  no  tinge  of  yel- 
lo,v  behind  the  black  jugular  patch.  II„b.  Eastern  .Aliddle  America 
from  Guatemala  to  Texas  (San  Antonio). 

21.  D.  virens.  Olive-green  .above,  the  crown  and  b.ack  withont  streaks ; 
beneath  white,  the  breast  and  anal  region  tinged  with  black.  Ilali. 
Eastern  I'lovincc  of  North  America,  from  Greenland  to  Panama;  Cuba; 
Oaxaca;  Heligoland,  Europe! 

Black  of  throat  confined  anteriorly  to  thejmjnJum  ;  no  yellow  spot  on  forehead. 

22.  D.  townsendi.  Above  olive-green,  the  crown  and  back  with  con- 
spicuous black  streaks ;  beneath  yellow  anteriorly,  and  white  posteriorly. 
9,  black  of  throat  mixed  with  yellow  ;  y«y.,  no  black  on  throat,  and 

streaks  on  back  obsolete.      Hub.    North  and  Middle  Province  of  United 
States,  .south,  in  winter,  into  Guatcuuala. 
B.   Sides  not  streaked;  black  of  thvoat  with  its  ])osterior  outline  convex. 

2;j.  D.  occidentaliB.  Above  ash  tinged  with  ohve ;  beneath  white 
Head  nearly  all  yellow.  ^.  Top  of  head  yellow  with  a  few  small 
black  spots;  nape  black;  back  streaked  with  black ;  sides  pure  white. 
(9  not  seen.)  Jiw.  Yellow  of  crown  overlaid  by  olive  ;  above  green- 
ish-plnmbeou.-<,  without  any  black  on  nape  or  back  ;  throat  yellowisli- 
wlntLsh  ;  sides  tinged  with  ashy.  Ilab.  Western  and  Middl..  Province 
of  United  States,  south  to  Guatemala. 


221 


Oroup  C. 

A.   Above  .ish  ;  no  supra-loral  stripe  ;  eyelids  not  yellow. 

24.  D.  kirtlaadi.  Above,  including  side  of  head  and  neck,  bluish-ash; 
crown  an.l  back  streaked  with  black  ;  beneath  (except  crissum)  j.ale  yel- 
low; breast  .spccklc.l,  and  sides  si rcakc.l  with  lilack  ;  lores  and  orr.ital 
region,  black  ;  eyelids  white.  Hah.  Eastern  Province  of  United  States 
(Cleveland,  Ohio),  and  IJaliamas. 

2.\  D.  pityophila.'  Above,  inchuling  side  of  head  and  neck,  dull  a.^ih; 
the  forehead  and  crown  olive-green;  crown  and  liack  not  stre.iked • 
beneath  white  ;  the  throat  and  jugnlum  yellow  ;  sides  ashy  ;  no  specks 
on  breast,  nor  streaks  on  sides,  but  a  few  along  side  ef  neck,  between  the 
ash  and  yellow.  Ilab.  Cuba. 
B.  Olive-green  or  brown  above;  a  snpra-loral  stripe  of  yellow  ;  ey-lids  yellow. 

a.  Above  olive-green,  without  streaks ;  crissum  white ;  sides  of  breiust  with 

obsolete  grayish  streaks. 

«  l>.    Hl!/o/,lulu,  BAUti),  Rev.  208.     (Sylvicola  p.  (irNUl,.  Ann.  is.  Y.  Lye.  Oct.  1855,  KiO. 


222  XOHTIl  A.MKHICAN  IMHDS. 

■Ji(.  D.  pinuB.  Forclicai]  iiinl  car-oovortsolivt^;  nlHlomcii  whilt- ;  yellow 
siiiira-ltinil  stripe  not  eoiiliiiiieil  lioliiiid  llie  eye.  9  '"oie  f,'i'uyisli ;  Jui'. 
iibovo  uiiibef,  benoatli  lif,'ht  i,'iayisli-biowii,  tinjjoil  witli  yellow.  JItdi. 
Eastern  Province  oll'iiited  Slates;  Jialiainas. 

?  27.  D.  moutana.  lAneliead  ami  eai-covei-ts  j'ellow  ;  ahdoiiieii  yellow; 
yellow  sii[iia-!(iiid  stiipe  coiitiiiiied  past  the  eye  into  the  yellow  ol'  the 
aurieulai-s.  (9  and  other  stajres  niiknowu.)  Il(tb.  "  Dliio  Mountains  of 
Virginia." 

h.  Above  olive-green,   the  back  streaked  with  chestnut;  crissiun  yellow; 

streaks  of  black  on  sides. 

'28.  D.  discolor.  Bright  gamboge-yellow  beneath ;  streak  on  lores 
and  along  side  ol'  neek,  as  well  as  along  sides  and  Hanks,  deep  black ; 
dorsal  feathers  ehestinit  medially.  9  'I'lller,  but  similar;  ./"■'.  not  seen. 
Ilab.  Eastern  Province  of  United  States:  in  winter,  throughout  West 
Indies. 

e.  Above  olive-brown,  the   back  not  streaked ;  crissiiin  gamboge-yellow  ; 

streaks  of  reddisli-eheslinit  on  sides. 

29.  D.  palmarum.  A<I.  Porehead  and  crown  deep  rufous;  suiiereiliary 
stripe  bright  j'ellow,  continued  back  over  ainiculars;  sexes  alike.  Jiii: 
and  rt(7.  in  winter.  Crown  brownish,  streaked  with  dusky;  streaks  on 
sides  more  dusky.  Ilah.  Eastern  I'lovinee  of  North  America,  north 
to  Port  Simpson  and  Hudson's  Uay ;  liahumas;  Cuba,  St.  Domingo, 
and  Jamaica,  in  winter. 


Dendroica  aestiva,  Baird. 

YELLOW  WASBLEB;  BITUHEB  TELLOW-BISD. 

MotnciUa  ns/ini,  (!m.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1788,  996.  — Hiilfin  irsfion,  I,.\ril.  ;  Vii'.it.I..  II,  pi.  xcv. 
—  At'd.  Orti.  Hiog.  I,  |il.  XXXV.  93.  fiiilrirnht  nvl.  Sw.mns. — .Vi  n.  liirds.  Ami.  II,  pi. 
Ixxxviii.  llltitiKihiiiliitu  irxt.  Wts.  ;  I'All.  .Ii)ur.  Ill,  472  (Cuba).  Ikmiroifn  tent.  H.Mi!l>, 
Birds  N.  Am.  18,'.ti,  282;  Hcv.  19.5.  —  .Sci,.AT|-.l!,  fatal.  1801,  32,  no.  194  (K.cuiidor, 
Cayonno,  N.  Granada).  —  T.wi.oii,  Ibis,  18ti4,  81  (Trinidad).  —fooi'Kli  &  Sicki.ky, 
P.  1!.  K.  XII,  II,  18,59,  181  (N.  W.  coast).  —  SAMUias,  237.  —  D.m.i-  k  lUxxisrKii, 
(.Maska).  —  CooPKi!,  Oni.  Cal.  1,  1870,  87.  Si/Zn'ti  ciiniliiicusis,  L.vni.  Iiid.  Orii.  II, 
1790,  5,51.  f  Syh-iti  Jl'ii-'i,  ViKli.l.or,  II,  1807,  31,  pi.  Ixxxi.  .S'l/lvin  cifriinlla,  Wll.s. 
II,  pi.  XV,  lig.  5.  Siih-iit  flii/i/iriii,  All).  Orn.  Biog.  I,  1831,  pi.  xxxv  (yi)Uiig).  !  Sifl- 
rid  ivthhiiiiid,  Afl).  Oiii.  liiog.  I,  1831,  i>l.  Ixv.  .'iiiln'ccitt  r.  All).  I'.inls  .\iii.  II,  pi. 
Ixxxix.  .Mdtitcilhi  rubiijiiiom,  P.vi.i.A.s,  Zoi)g.  l{o.sso-.\.siat.  I,  1831,  49(i  (Kodiak).  I!hi- 
iiinmplius  cliri/ncnliis,  Box.  Bull.  Soc.  biini.  Caen,  II,  18.51,  32  {/>.  as/icn,  froia  South 
America  ;  t'aycniic). 

Other  localities:  Xnhipn,  .Sci.aiki!,  P.  Z.  .S.  18,59,303.  Oiitikmiiln,  .Sci.ArKU  k  Sai.vi.n, 
Ibis,  1859,  page  11.  Pawnini,  winter.  Lawk.  Aim.  N.  Y.  Lye.  1801,  322.  TnrlHi, 
N.  Gmnaihi,  Ca.ss.  I'r.  A.  N.  8e.  1800,  191.  UdiihUi,  Sclatku,  Pr.  1855,  143.  Vitji 
of  Me.rko,  In.  1804,  172. 

Sp.  CiiAit.  TJill  lead-coloi'.  Head  all  loinid,  and  under  parts  generally,  bright  yellow  ; 
lest  of  upper  p.arts  yellow-olivaceous,  brightest  on  the  rump.  Pack  with  obsolete  .streaks 
of  dusky  reddish-lirown.  Fore  breast  and  sides  of  the  l)ody  streaked  with  brownish-red. 
Tail-feathers  bright  yellow  ;  the  outer  webs  and  tip.s,  with  the  whole  ui)per  surfaces  of  tht! 
innermost  one,  brown  ;  extreme  outer  edges  of  wing  and  tail-feathers  olivaceous  like  the 
back;  the  middle  and  greater  coverts  and  tertials  edgc-d  with  yellow,  forming  two  bands 
on  the  wings.     Female  similar,  with  the  crown  olivaceous  like  the  back,  and  the  streaks 


SVLVICOLID.K  — THE  WAUBLEItS. 


223 


wantiiifT  on  the  bnrk,  and  much  ivstriutiMl  on  tlie  under  parts.  Tail  witli  moro  lirown. 
Lcn},'lli  of  mail",  o.^r,  ■  winy:,  2.00;  tail,  2.2r».  (Xo.  'J40.)  Yo„f,;,.  Dull  l,ro\viiisli-oliv.* 
above;  palo  ochraecous-yullow  beiieatli,  with  tiiu  throat  more  whitish;  the  yellow  of  tail 
rcstrietod  to  iimi'r  half  of  inner  wehs.  The  latter  feature  will  serve  to  di.stiii},'uish  it  from 
any  other  Xoith  American  spi^eics. 

IIaii.  Entire  iVorth  Amciica,  and  in  winter  into  South  America  as  liu-  as  Ecuador 
Cayenne,  and  Trinidad.     Not,  recorded  from  West  Indies,  where  replaced  by  allied  species'. 

Ill  tlie  great  abuiKlance  of  this  species  ami  its  wide  range  of  distribution, 
tliei'c  are  many  variations  in  size  and  color,  thouoji  none  tiiiit  are  not  readily 
understood.  In  yoting  l)irds  tlie  yellow  of  tiie  tail-l'eatli<n's  is  more  restricted, 
sometimes  contiiied  to  the  edge  of  the  inner  wehs.  la  adults  tjiere  is  occa- 
sion.dly  ti  tinge  of  orange  in  the  foreliead. 

Si/hia  rdthbunia  of  Auduhon  is  described  with  even  tail,  and  tlie  tail-feath- 
ers brown,  edged  extermilly  witli  yellow ;  the  reverse  of  cvdicu.  It  is  gene- 
rally, however,  consideretl  u  synonynie. 

Birds  of  this  type  ("(Golden  Warblers")  of  six  or  eight  additional  species 
are  known  to  occur  in  the  West  Indies,  the  Galapagos,  and  in  Middle  America; 
one  of  them,  D.  hrjimiti,  possibly  to  be  met  with  in  Southern  Arizona.  (See 
Baird,  Keview  Am.  Dirds,  Hi;*,.) 

After  comparing  a  series  of  about  one  hundre<l  and  twenty  North  and 
Central  American  specimens  (tiie  latter  being  winter  visitors  to  the  region 
where  uV)taineil),  nothing  really  characteristic  of  any  particular  region  "can 
be  detected.  Specimens  from  the  I'acilic  coast  of  tlie  United  States  are  per- 
fectly identical  in  colors  with  those  from  the  Atlantic  States ;  and  they  agree 
in  size  and  proiwrtions,  exceiit  of  the  bill,  which  is  iippreciably  longer  and 
Itroader  in  the  Eiistern  than  in  the  Western  birds.  The  mo.st  highly  col- 
ored examples  are  from  the  interior  regions,  along  the  Mississippi  Valley  from 
Louisiaiiii  to  Northern  Illinois,  and  over  the  plains  north  to  Fort  Simpson. 
The  majority  of  the  specimens  from  this  region  are  just  appreciably  diflerent 
from  others,  in  having  the  yellow  more  intense  and  prevalent,  almost  sub- 
duing the  olive  .shades  above  ;  the  crown  more  tinged  with  orange.  Some- 
times (as  in  No.  4,a01,  Calcasieu  Pass,  La.)  the  runi]i  and  upper  tail-coverts 
are  aij.3olutely  ^;/^/y^  yellow,  only  a  medial  stripe  on  the  feathers  being  oliva- 
ceous like  the  back.  Tiie  orange-rufous  tinge  on  the  crown  is  deei)est  in 
Nos.  4,600,  Fort  Lookout,  and  4,:!()(),  Calcasieu  Pass. 

Three  adult  summer  males  from  Alaska  (Xos.  54,420,  Kodiak ;  54,42."'., 
Yukon  liiver;  and  27,207,  Fort  Yukon),  as  well  as  one  from  Maine  (52,378^ 
Caliiis),  differ  from  others  in  having  the  olive  pervading  the  whole  surface 
above,  even  to  the  bill,  the  forehead  being  only  tinged  with  yellow,  and  the 
edges  of  wing-coverts  merely  inclining  to  this  color.  The  lower  parts  are 
much  as  in  Southern  s])eciineiis,  thougii  the  yellow  is  less  intense. 

Females  from  Arizona  (as  4!l,712,  Camp  (Jrant,  May  ;  40,004,  Fort  Whip- 
ple, May ;  and  34,:M0,  Los  Pinos,  New  JMexico,  June)  differ  from  others  in 
very  bleached  plumage,  the  lower  ])arts  being  almost  white,  and  the  upper 


224  NURTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

surface  (inite  asliy.  15iit  this  is,  in  I'lict,  an  actual  lilcacliing,  IVeiiuently  to  be 
seen  in  birds  truni  tliat  region. 

HAmT.s.  The  geographical  range  of  tlie  connnon  Summer  Yellow-Bird  is 
very  nearly  coextensive  with  North  America.  In  its  northern  distriliution 
it  is  found  as  far  toward  the  arctic  sliores  as  any  of  our  land  birds.  Iiiciiard- 
son  speaks  of  it  as  well  known  throughout  the  fur  countries  as  far  as  tlie 
woods  extend,  and  mentions  meeting  with  it  among  tlie  earliest  arrivals  in 
spring,  coming  in  company  with  tlie  cipially  well-known  llobin  and  the 
(.Jrakle.  At  Fort  Franklin,  latitude  W>\  he  saw  it  the  lotli  of  ^lay,  about 
the  time  of  its  first  appeamnce  in  New  England.  Tliis  was  supjtosed  to  be 
the  limit  of  its  nortliern  range,  but  more  recent  observations  give  abundant 
evidence  of  its  ]>resence,  in  considerable  numbers,  to  tlie  very  shores  of  tlie 
Arctic  Ocean.  The  late  ^Ir.  Heiiburn,  in  manuscript  notes,  states  it  to  be  a 
connnon  summer  visitant  botli  of  California  and  Vancouver's  Island,  and  that 
along  the  coast  he  has  traced  it  as  far  north  as  tlie  frontier  line  of  54°  40', 
wliere  it  arrives  at  the  beginning  of  May,  but  does  not  nest  until  the  end  of 
the  month. 

^Ir.  Dull,  in  his  notes  on  the  birds  of  Ala.ska,  states  that  this  AVarbler  is  a 
rather  common  bird  all  through  that  territory,  and  gives  its  arrival  as  about 
the  lOtli  of  May. 

Its  extreme  southern  limit  is  not  .so  distinctly  traced,  but  is  at  least  as  far 
as  tlie  northern  portions  of  South  Anu'rioa,  inclusive  of  Cayenne  and  Ecuiador. 
In  .'ill  of  the  West  Iiulies  except  Trinidad  it  is  rei)laced  by  .several  closely 
allied  species  or  h)cal  races.  In  Trinidad,  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  states  that  he 
found  this  species  common,  and  could  perceive  no  difference  from  North 
American  specimens.     In  Guatemala  it  is  abundant  in  the  wintei". 

Dr.  Cones  Ibund  this  Warbler  abundant  in  Arizona,  where  it  is  a  summer 
resident,  from  April  25  to  the  middle  of  September.  There,  as  elsewhere, 
its  i)ref(!rence  for  Avatercourses  was  noticed.  Wherever  found,  it  is  alwiiys 
most  abund.ant  in  alluvial  meadows,  and  more  rare  in  other  localities. 

Dr.  Samuel  Cal)ot  found  this  Warbler  connnon  in  Central  America,  and 
Dr.  Cragin,  of  Surinam,  sent  the  Boston  Society  several  specimens  from 
Guiana.  Dr.  Woodhouse  found  it  abundant  in  Texas  and  New  Mexico, 
as  did  Drs.  Suckley  and  Cooper  in  Wasliingtou  Territory  and  California.  It 
breeds  over  the  whole  area  of  North  America,  from  (ieorgia  on  the  southeast 
and  from  Mexico,  northward.  Dr.  Sumichiast  found  it,  only  as  a  migratory 
bird,  abundant  on  the  ]tlains  of  Mexico. 

The  notes  of  ]Mr.  Kennicott  ami  the  memoranda  of  Messrs.  McFarlane, 
Iioss,  and  Lockhart  attest  the  extreme  abundance  of  this  species  in  the  I'arthest 
Arctic  regions.  In  nearly  every  instance  the  nests  were  placed  in  willows 
from  two  to  five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  near  water.  In  one  instance  Mr. 
Iioss  found  the  eggs  of  this  sjieeies  in  the  nest  of  Tiirdii.^  sirninaoni,  which 
had  either  been  deserted  or  the  parent  killed,  as  the  eggs  were  in  it,  and  would 
probably  have  been  hatched  by  the  Warbler  with  her  own. 


.SVI.VICOLIIXK  — THE  WAUHLEHS.  225 

Dr.  Cooper  found  tliis  Wnrlilcr  very  iilmiulaiit  in  Wiisliinjfton  Territory, 
and  notici'd  tlioir  arrival  in  large  numbers  al  the  Straits  of  Vww  as  early 
as  April  8. 

The  Sununer  Vello\v-l>ird  ariives  in  New  England  with  great  unil'oruiity 
from  the  lirst  to  the  middle  of  May.  Its  eonung  is  usually  the  harhinger  <it' 
the  ojiening  summer  and  expanding  leaves.  I'ldike  most  oi'  its  family,  it  is 
confiding  and  familiar,  easily  encouraged,  liy  attention  to  its  wants,  to  eultivate 
the  society  of  man.  It  eontidingly  Imilds  its  nest  in  gardens,  often  in  elo.se 
vieinity  to  dwellings,  an<l  in  the  midst  of  large  villages  and  cities,  auKJUg  the 
shrubbery  of  fre(|uented  parks.  This  Warbler,  .soon  after  its  arrival,  begins 
*lie  construction  of  its  nest.  It  is  usually  placed  in  hiw  bushes,  three  or  four 
feet  from  the  ground.  Occasionally  very  ditl'erent  positions  are  chosen. 
Hedges  of  Imckthnrn  and  hawthorn,  liarlierrv-liushes,  ami  other  low  sliruit.s, 
are  their  favorite  ])laces  of  resort.  On  one  occasion  the  nest  was  jilaced 
some  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  in  the  top  of  a  horse-chestnut  tree  over- 
hanging the  main  street  of  a  village.  Such  high  positions  are,  however, 
not  very  common. 

The  nest  is  invarialily  fastened  to  .several  twigs  with  gre;it  tirmness,  and 
with  a  remarkabh>  neatness  and  skill.  A  great  variety  of  materials  is  em- 
])loved  in  the  construction  of  their  nests,  though  not  often  in  the  same  ne.st, 
'  hich  is  usually  quite  hoinogeneou.s.  The  more  connnon  materials  are  the 
hempen  fibres  of  jtlants,  librous  strips  of  bark,  slender  stems  of  plants  and 
leaves,  and  down  of  a.sdejiias.  Interwoven  with  these,  forming  the  iimer 
materials,  are  tlu^  down  from  willow  catkins,  the  woolly  furze  from  fern-stalks 
and  the  Kriophnrnin.  ri.ri/iiiicinii,  arid  similar  substances.  These  are  lined  with 
soft,  fine  gras.ses,  hair,  feathers,  and  other  warm  materials.  Cotton,  where 
procural>le,  is  a  favorite  material;  as  al.so  is  wool,  where  abundant.  I  have 
known  instances  where  nests  were  laiilt  almost  exclusively  of  one  or  the 
other  material.  A  pair  of  these  liirds,  in  ISIKi,  liuilt  their  nest  under  a  par- 
lor window  in  lioxltury,  wiiere  all  their  operations  coidd  be  chisely  watched. 
When  discovered,  only  the  framework,  the  fastening  to  the  su])])orting  twigs, 
had  l)een  erected.  The  work  of  compliition  was  sim])le  and  rai)id.  The 
female  was  the  chief  builder,  taking  her  jxisition  in  the  centre  of  the  nest 
and  arranging  the  materials  in  their  jjlaces  as  her  mate  brought  Miem  to  her. 
Occasionally,  with  outstretched  wings  and  exi)anded  tail,  she  would  whirl 
herself  round,  giving  to  the  soft  and  yielding  materials  their  liemis]iherical 
form.  At  intervals  she  arrested  her  revolutions  to  stop  and  regulate  with 
her  bill  .some  unyielding  i»(irtion.  When  her  mate  was  dilatory,  .she  made 
brief  excursions  and  collected  material  for  her.self,  and  when  the  materials 
brought  her  were  deemed  nnsuital>le,  they  were  rejected  in  a  most  summary 
and  amusing  manner.  Tiie  im])ortant  part  >;  the  tail-feathers  in  shaping  the 
nest  and  jdacing  the  materials  in  position  was  a  striking  feature  in  this  in- 
teresting i)ertormance.  The  greater  portion  of  the  nest  was  thus  constructed 
in  a  single  day. 

29 


226  NORTH  AMERICAN  IHRDS. 

The  woiuU'vt'ul  sagacity  displiiyi'il  by  this  Warhkn-  in  avoiding  the  disa- 
ureoahk!  ahrinativo  of  I'ithcr  iiavinu;  to  ahandon  its  own  lu'st  or  of  vcarinij; 
tlic  yinnij;  of  the  intnisivo  Cow  r)iai'l\l)iiil,  wht'n  oni'  of  liii'si'  I'gij.s  is  drui)]ied 
in  hor  nest,  was  liisl  notiied  liy  Mr.  Niittall.  Tiit;  ogg  ol' tiie  parasite,  heing 
too  hirge  lor  ejeetnient,  is  ingeniously  incareerati'd  in  the  hottoni  of  the  nest, 
and  a  new  lining  liuilt  over  il.  Oceasionally,  either  hy  aeeident  or  design, 
the  intrusive  egg  has  been  fractured.  Mr.  Xuttall  states  that  where  the 
])arasitie  egg  is  laid  after  her  own.  tlie  Summer  Vellow-liird  acts  faithfully 
the])artofa  foster-parent.  This,  however,  is  not  aeeording  to  my  oiwrva- 
tions.  lu  several  instances  I  have  known  the  Summer  Vellow-l>ird  utterly 
refu.se  to  act  the  part  of  a  foster-jiarent,  and,  rather  than  do  so,  saeritice  iier 
own  eggs.  So  far  as  I  know,  this  \\  arhler  will  never  it  upon  or  hatch  out 
the  egg  of  the  Cowliird,  under  any  circumstances.  Some  ])owerful  instinct, 
bordering  closely  upon  reason,  seems  to  teach  the.se  intelligent  Warblers  the 
character  of  the  iutnuler,  and  they  sacritii'e  their  own  eggs  rather  than  rear 
the  ]iarasite.  In  this  dilennna  they  will  always,  so  far  as  1  know,  iiu-arcer- 
ate  their  own  eggs  with  the  ('o\\bird's  and  reconstiuct  the  ni'st  alnive  them. 
In  oni?  instance  the  sanu'  jtair  of  VeUow-Uirds  twice,  in  the  .same  nest,  cov- 
ered u])  alien  eggs  in  tiiis  manner,  liuildiug,  in  fact,  three  nests  one  above 
the  other,  between  the  walls  of  which  iiad  been  successively  included  two 
eggs  of  the  ("owbird.  Tiiis  ihree-storied  nest  measured  seven  inches  in 
lengtJi,  and  was  built  almost  exclusively  of  raw  cotton.  The  covering  of  the 
imju'isniied  eggs  was  about  two  thirds  of  an  inch  thick.  In  both  instances 
the  Cowliird's  eggs  had  been  broken,  a]i]iarently  iiy  design. 

So  far  as  I  am  aware  this  \Vari>ler  rai.ses  but  one  brood  in  IMassachusetts 
in  a  season.  In  rennsylvania  it  is  said  to  raise  ^wo,  and  even  three.  The 
eggs  are  usually  live  and  (H'casionally  si.\  in  numlier. 

This  Warbler  is  conspicuous  in  its  devotion  to  its  yiaiiig,  evincing  a  strong 
attachment  ami  an  anxiety  in  regard  even  to  an  unoccupied  nest,  and  be- 
traying the  site  by  this  solicitude.  They  will  also  resort  to  various  exi>edi- 
ents  to  draw  one  away  from  their  nest,  by  feigned  lameness  and  other  strata- 
gems aiul  mano'uvres. 

The  song  of  the  Sumnu'r  Ycllow-Iiird  is  simple  but  |ilensiiig,  and  is  easily 
'•ecogni/ed  when  once  known,  though  liable  to  be  ciuifoiuidi'd  with  that  of  the 
Maryland  ^'ellow-Tllroat,  and  also  said  (o  resemble  the  son,g  of  seveial  other 
Warblers, 

In  conliuement  they  usually  beconu'  very  tauu>,  fMuiliding,  and  reconciled 
to  their  imprisoinueiit,  and  have  been  known  to  perch  on  an  outstretched 
linger,  and  to  catch  Hies  in  a  room. 

Their  eggs  vary  in  length  from  .01  to  .7"  of  an  inch,  and  in  Ipivadth  from 
.4'.)  to  .oL'.  They  have  a  ground-color  of  a  light  green.  Their  dots  and 
bhttches  vary  greatly  in  nundicr,  si/e.  and  maimer  of  distribution.  Their 
colors  are  light  purple,  ilarki'r  pui'iilish-brnwu,  and  other  shades  of  brown 
and   lilac. 


SYLVICOUD.E  — TllK  WAHHl.KliS.  227 

Dendroica  corcT»'.;i,  <!ray. 

YELLOW-EUMP  WABBLEB;  MYETLE  WAEBLEE. 

Mot'icil/ii  C'liviKilii,  l,iNN.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  ITilti,  :!:!:!.  X/z/c/-'  ,;,ri<iiiif,i.  Lath.  ;  ViKii.i.nr  ; 
Wll,s.  ;  NriT.  ;  All).  Urn.  liio-,'.  II,  pi.  cliii.  S;//rioi/(i  o<i-iHi<it,i,  Sw.mns.  ;  lio.N.  ;  Acn. 
Hinls,  Am.  11,  |il.  Ix.wi.- -.Ionks,  Nut.  liiTimiila,  ,"i!t  (abmi.liuil  in  Apiil).  /ifiiilivini 
coi;)ii(ihi,  (iiiAY,  (JriiiTa.  IStii.  -1.  Maiim),  liircls  N.  Am.  IS.Vs,  -rii;  \W\.  IS7.  - 
Ma1!C11,  1'.  .\.  N.  Sc.  lM!:i,  -.".fJ  v'i"":'i''''.  in  .siininii'V  ;  lircnlinf,'*.  (iiNin,.  I'ali.  ,limi. 
1S()1,  ;i2i)  (t'lilia  :  iM.mnioii).  —  Coni'i;!!  &  Sn  ki.ky,  1'.  I!.  H.  .\11.  ii,  IS.V.i,  IHCHl'iiKct 
Soumh.  SAMIKI..S,  •J'iii.  -  Dai. I,  &  Mannisiki!  (Ala.skaK  -  ('ooi'Dil,  (hii.  Cal.  I, 
1870,  M).  Uliiiiciii/illiis  iny.  ('All,  .lour.  IN.'i."),  17.1  (< 'illia).  Muldi'ilhi  rnniiilin.ii.i,  LlNN. 
l-2tli  cil.  17lili,  :i:!t  (Fitrdii/d  ciihulnisis  ,i,h  rm.  Wv.  Ill,  .".-J  1,  pi.  .x.wii,  li^'.  1).  I'linix 
■viriiiiiiiiiiiin,  Linn.  12th  ri\.  Sysl.  Xal.  1,  17iiii,  :U2.  .\/u/,i,i//,i  iiuihrid,  viiu-Ui,  iiiinjiiis, 
(1m.     Si/IpIh  ,viiii/lni/iii(ii'i,  Vii.ii.i..     Sjih-iii  .riiiiflii.i-ini,  Vii:il,i.. 

Localitcs  ([uoti'il  :  .V.  (IivciiIkii.I,  ItriNilAlilir,  Itii.s,  ISiil,  "i.  Ctii-itoni,  Scl..  1'.  Z.  S. 
ISi'itJ,  "Jul.  Xii/diM,  111.  1S.'>!I,  ;li);!.  duii/iniiilii,  Scl..  .'i;  Sai.v.  IN.MI,  11.  I'antima, 
I.AWi!.  Ann.  N.  Y.  I.yc.  Vlll,  li:!.  C(il«i,  winlrr,  ('ah.  .Idui'.  Ill,  17:3.  /tuliumtis, 
winter,  UllVANr,  Most.  I'l.  VII,  IS.V.'.  ./,n,iiihi.  {\o~.sv.,  liircls  ,1am.  l,"..->.  SI.  Dnniiit- 
qo,  Sai.i.k,  r.  /.  S.  lt<,")7,  iM.     r.i.ilii  lHai,  Lawi;.     n,i:'ili,i,  winti'i-,  Simii  iiitAsr. 

Si'.  CilAU.  AImivc  liliiisii-a.-;li,  slivakcil  Willi  Hark.  I'liiliT  parts  wliili'.  The  I'lircpart 
of  lircast  anil  lin'  ■■<iili'.-<  lilark.  lin'  Irallicis  iimslly  i'(lj;rcl  narruwiy  willi  wliili'.  CidWii, 
ruiiip,  and  .sidi's  of  lirra.-it  vi'llow.  Clicrks  ami  lures  Mack.  'I'lii'  I'Vi'liils  and  a  siipriviliai  v 
stripe,  Iwi)  liands  on  llie  win;/  and  spnis  on  llie  oiiler  lliiee  tail-reiilliei>.  while,  l-'nuiili: 
of  duller  phinia.ii'e  and  hrowner  aliove.      l,en;4lli,  ").(>.");  wiii'r,  .'(.OH;   tail,  'l.')^\. 

IIaii.  lOasleiii  I'lovinee  of  North  America,  iiiid  iiorlliward,  extemliii^'  .sparsely  aloiii,' 
L'nited  Stales  lioiiiidary  to  PiicMlic^  Oc'eaii ;  Denver  City,  Colorado;  Korl  Yukon  ;  (Ireeiilaiid  ; 
Eastern  Mexic'o  to  I'aminia  !!.  II.;  \Vc\stein  West  Indies  and  Ueiinnda.   l!iH'eds  in  .liuiiaieal 

Autuiiiiiiil  and  winter  liinl.s  nrc  very  iimcli  ihillci'  mid  more  olwciiri'ly  col- 
oivd,  tlu'  ii|ijH'i'  ]iurls  111'  an  uinlicr  cast  with  llio  sti'i'iik.s  alniiist  (ilisiili'to  ;  tlio 
black  of  till'  lii'ca.st  wantini,'  <>i'  but  jn.st  indicated,  and  tlio  yoUow  i)at('h('s  du 
crown  abiKist  t'nnccalcd  by  tbi;  brown  tip.s  to  the  I'eatliors,  and  tho.so  on  side 
of  breast  (iiiitc  dull. 

A  siirin,L!;  male  (r)L',:,'.S."))  rroin  Wasiiinoicm  i.s  remarkable  in  liaviii,!,'  tlie 
adjoinino  series  tit'  I'eatiiers  down  tlie  middle  oi'  the  back  \vilii  tlieir  inner 
welis  broadly  edj-eil  wilii  yellow.  In  this  resiiect  it  diilers  i'roni  all  others 
that  we  Iiave  noticed. 

Il.^lill's.  The  Vellow-cinwned  Wood  Wariiler  is  one  nfthe  most  common 
species  of  this  melius,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  widely  distriiuited.  It  is 
found,  at  dill'ereiit  seasons,  tliidi|o;lioiit  the  east(>rn  ]iart  of  the  continent,  as 
far  west  as  the  (ileal  Plains,  extending  at  Ihe  far  noiih  to  tiie  raciiic  Ocean. 
It  has  been  found  in  (ireeiilaiid,  tliree  specimens  havinu  been  taken  witiiin 
twenty  vesirs,  and  on  the  shores  of  tlie  Arctic  Ocean,  and  duriiii;  the  winter 
in  the  West  India  islands,  Mexico,  and  Central  America,  Specimens  from 
Klorida  and  Korl  Slcilacoom,  I'tiiiaiiia,  ( iiiatemala.and  damaica,  and  from  Kort 
Uaiv  Anderson  lliver,  and  the  Viiknn.in  ihe  colleclion  of  llie  Smitlisoiiian  In- 
stitution, iiltest,  ils  wide  distribution.      In  daiiiaica,  in  the  neiohliorhood  of 


228  NORTH  AMERICAN  151 RD8. 

Spiinislitowii,  this  s]n'cies  lias  Uioii  kiiuwii  to  breed.  In  view  of  the  faet  that 
tliis  bird  is  rejj;arded,  witli  <food  reason,  as  one  ot"  our  most  northern  speeies, 
breedinji'  to  tiie  very  shores  of  the  frozen  seas,  the  ocenrrence  seems  erratic 
and  remarkable.  Yet  it  is  not  without  eorrespdudin^  vaj^aries  in  other  sjje- 
eie.s,  the  cara/cacnui  breeding  in  Cuba  and  the  tiyrinu  in  St.  Dominjfo  and 
Jamaica. 

Afr.  I'aine,  of  East  Ifandoljili,  Vt,  .states  that  these  AVarblers  arrive  in  his 
vicinity  about  tiie  first  of  .May,  and  remain  tluic  nearly  two  weeks,  and  then 
all  i)ass  north.  They  do  nut  return  on  their  southern  lli;j;ht  until  the  la.st 
of  S('])teniber,  when  tiiey  remain  aboiit  three  weeks.  It  is  a  very  active,  rest- 
less bird,  chiri)ing  eoutiuually  and  very  sharply  as  it  tlies  around  in  search 
of  insect.s,  but  has  not,  so  far  as  he  knows,  any  sonj,'. 

In  Southern  Illinois,  as  Mr.  IJid^way  inbirms  nie,  this  l)ird  is  a  common 
winter  sojourner,  remaining-  late  in  sjning  with  the  migratory  s])ecies.  It  is 
very  abundant  throughout  the  winter  in  woods,  orchards,  and  door-yards. 

^Ir.  Salvin  found  this  species  l're(|Uenting  the  more  ojien  districts  aliout 
Duenas,  (iuatemala,  apparently  jn'eferring  scattered  bushes  to  the  denser  un- 
derwood, and  was  an  abundant  sjiecies  there  thnuighout  the  Avinter  sca.s(Ui. 

It  is  but  tpiite  recently  that  we  have  known  with  ci'rtainty  its  place  and 
manner  of  breeding.  Neither  Wilson,  Xuttall,  noi'  Audubon  a])])ear  to  have 
met  with  its  nest,  though  the  lutter  received  one  from  Professor  McCuUoch 
of  Halifax. 

In  the  suuMiier  of  IS.");"),  early  in  July,  I  obtained  a  nest  of  this  species 
in  Tarsboro',  Nova  Scotia.  It  was  built  in  a  low  bush,  in  the  midst  of  a 
small  village,  and  contained  six  eggs,  flie  parents  were  very  shy,  ami  it 
was  with  great  dilliculty  tlia)  one  of  tlicni  Mas  secured  i'or  identilieation. 
Tiiougli  late  in  llu^  season,  inculmlion  had  Imt  just  conunenced. 

The  nest  was  built  on  a  horizontal  brancii,  the  smaller  t\\  igs  of  which  were 
so  interlaced  as  to  admit  of  its  being  built  upon  them,  though  their  extremi- 
ties were  interwoven  into  its  rim.  The  nest  was  small  for  the  bird,  being 
only  two  iiK'hes  in  depth  and  fmii'  and  a  half  in  diameter.  The  cavity 
is  one  and  a  half  inches  deep  and  two  and  a  half  wide.  Its  base  and  exter- 
nal ])orti<Mis  consist  of  fine,  light,  dry  stalks  of  wild  grasses,  and  slender 
twigs  and  roots.  Of  the  last  the  firm,  .strong  rim  of  tlu'  nest  is  exclu- 
sively woven,  ^''•"thin,  the  ne.st  is  compo.sed  of  soft,  fine  gra.sses,  downy 
feathers,  and  the  fine  hair  of  the  smaller  mammals. 

^Ir.  Audubon,  who  observed  very  closely  tlie  haliits  of  these  birds  during  a 
vinter  in  Kioiida,  descrilies  thi'in  as  very  social  among  themselves,  skipping 
along  the  jiia/./a,  lialaiicing  theniseh cs  in  the  air  opposite  the  sides  of  the 
house  in  search  of  sjiideis  and  insects,  diving  through  the  low  bushes  of  the 
garden  after  larva'  and  worms,  and  at  nig'ii  roosting  among  the  orange- 
triics.  In  his  visit  to  Maine  Ih^  found  the  i;  very  aliumlant  in  early  May. 
The  woods  seemed  alive  witii  them,  and  wiierever  he  landed,  on  his  way  to 
Labrador,  he  found  them  in  great  numbers. 


.SYLVR'OLID.K  — THE  WAKBLEIW.  229 

This  Warbler  is  an  expert  Hycatcher,  feeds  eliieHy  on  insects,  and  is  a  great 
(levourer  of  small  caterpillars;  !)Ut  in  tlie  winter  its  food  is  larj^ely  (•i>mi»)setl 
of  herries,  especially  llujse  of  the  Mi/riin  vii-l/tni.  It  will  also  feed  on  grass- 
seeds.  In  the  warmer  wintry  days  in  Florida,  when  insects  are  aliundant, 
Mr.  Audubon  states  that  these  birds  are  particularly  active  in  their  pursuit, 
and  the  trees  seem  full  of  them.  At  this  time  they  endt,  at  each  movement, 
a  single  note,  ticeet,  so  very  jieculiar  that  they  may  be  at  once  recognized  by 
the  cry. 

Wilson  states  that  these  Warblers  a])pear  in  Pennsylvania,  from  the  North, 
early  in  October,  and  stay  there  s(!veral  weeks.  Some  of  \.\\v.n\  lemain  in 
the  Southern  States  all  winter.  They  feed  witli  great  avidity  upon  the  ber- 
ries of  the  red  cedar. 

In  Western  Mas.sacinisetts  it  is  a  very  al»undant  spring  and  autumn  visit- 
ant, making  but  a  brief  stay  in  sjiring,  Imt  pa.ssing  northward  in  large  num- 
bers. In  autumn  it  remains  longer,  and  passes  south  more  leisurely.  Mr. 
1>.  P.  Mann  found  its  nest  and  eggs  in  Coiicord,  but  this  was  jirolialily  an  ex- 
ceptional instance.  In  Eastern  Maine  it  arrives  May  Ho,  and,  as  Mr.  ]>oard- 
man  thiidss,  remains  to  breed.  Both  Dr.  Suckley  and  Dr.  Cooper  met  with 
this  .sp(icies  in  Washington  Territory,  where  it  is  very  rare. 

No  writers  have  observed  or  noted  tlie  song  of  this  l)ird,  except  Mr.  T.  ^I. 
Trippe  (American  Nat.,  II.  [).  171),  who  states  that  iluring  its  si)ring  migra- 
tions it  lias  a  verv  sweet  song  or  warl)le,  uttered  at  siiort  intervals. 

It  reaches  the  high  northern  latitudes  hiti'  in  May,  and  leaves  that  region 
in  September.  The  observations  tif  Mr.  McKarlane  show  tiiat  the  nests  of 
this  bird  are  moderately  common  at  Anderson  lliver,  and  are  generally  liuilt 
in  low  spruce-trees  four  or  five  feet  from  the  ground.  In  one  or  two 
instances  it  was  placed  on  the  ground. 

Tlie  eggs  of  tliis  AVarbler  vary  from  .71'  to  .SO  of  an  inch  in  lengtli,  and 
from  .no  to  ..").")  in  breadth.  Their  ground-color  is  wiiite,  often  tinged  witii  a 
blui.sh  shade,  and  lilotched  and  s]iotte(l  with  reddisji-ln'own,  puri)le,  and  darker 
shades  of  brown.     They  are  of  a  ro.'ided  oval  shape. 


Dendroica  auduboni,  P>.\ii!i). 

AUOTTBON'S  WABBLER  ;  WESTERN  YELLOW- RUMP. 

Sijlrln  iiiiihihniii,  Tii\vnsi:nii,  .1.  \.  X.  Sc.  VII,  ii.  \)i:\7.  -  III.  Xarmtivi-,  l.<(:iO,  34-2.— 
All).  Oiii.  liio;;.  V,  1s:i!l,  :,•>.  |i|.  I'ccxcv.  Sii/riciihi  ini<liil«iiii,  llnN.  I,i>t.  ls;!,>*.  — .\ri>. 
liiiil.s  .\iii.  II,  1,S41,  'Jil.  )il.  Iwvii.  Ihiiili'iiii-i,  iiii.hilmiii,  ll.\iia>.  Minis  N.  .\iii.  l.s.-.s, 
27;l  ;  Itrv.  188.  -  S(l,.vn.li,  I',  /,.  .S.  \X',H,  '.'".IS  (Oiixm-i  ;  Ocldlici)  ;  1  Still,  •.>,"ill  lt»ll/aliiO. 
.^clAi'iai  «:  S.M.viN,  lliis,  IMId,  -J":*  (f^iiii 'ii'iiiiiiiii'i.  'iiial.V  <'ihi|'|;ii  *;  Sn  ki.kv, 
I'.  I!.  Ii.  I.'.'p.  XII,  II,  IH.V.i.  IM.      Sii,.Mi.ii,   I'.  /.  S.  l.stil,  17-_'(('il,v  (if  Mixli(p).  — 

ClIOI'KIl,  Hill.   I'lil.    I,   1S7(I,   ,S,H. 

Si'.  ClI.MI.      Al")Vi>    hlllisli-asli.    sllCiiki:il    Willi    Mark,  iiiii-l   liiarki'il  i>ll  llic  liliiiijli'  cil'  llic 
liiiek  ;  on  llie  licail  ami  neck  liliii>li-a>li.     .Miildli'  iil'  iTuwii.  niiiiii.  rhiii,  mid  tliioal.  ami  a 


230  NoltTJJ  AMEIUCAX  liJUDS. 

patch  on  tlic  siiic  ol'  tlii'  Ijicast,  L'iiiiilMii^i'-yt'llow  ;  space  Ix'iicatli  and  anterior  to  llic  I'Vi'S, 
foicpart  ot"  breast  anil  sides,  l)iai-k  ;  this  color  extending;  licliind  on  the  sides  in  streaks. 
Middle  of  belly,  luider  tail-coverts,  a  porlion  of  upper  and  lower  eyelids,  and  a  broad  band 
on  the  wings,  with  ii  spot  on  each  of  llie  four  or  five  cxlerior  tail-leathers,  white;  rest, 
of  tail-fealhcrs  bli'ck.  Fiiniile  brown  aliove:  the  other  niarkiMirs  less  coiis])iciioiis  and  less 
black.  Leny:tli,  5.:;.');  \vi'.ii,'s.  Ji.'JO  ;  tail,  "J.i;").  Yoiukj.  tirst  pluniauf,  whole  Ijody,  inehid- 
ing  head  all  roinid  and  rump,  i()ns[)icuoi;sly  streaked  with  slaly-black  upon  an  ashy  ground 
above  and  while  below,  ^.'o  yellow  on  crown,  rnnip,  breast,  or  thioat.  AVings  an<l  tail  as 
in  autunnial  adull. 

Wxa.  Western  an<l  Middle  Provinces  of  the  I'nited  States;  Cape  St.  l/ucas;  Western 
Mexico  and  Orizaba?     Oaxaca  (cold  regions,  October,  yci..\Tt:ii) ;  (iuatemala  (Salvix). 

This  bird  is  very  closely  allied  to  D.  coroiudd,  but  is  distiiiouished  by  the 
yellow  (not  white)  throat ;  the  absence  of  a  superciliary  white  stripe  (the 
eyelitls  ^vhite,  however);  the  restriction  of  the  black  of  the  face  to  the  lores, 
and  to  a  suffusion  round  the  eye  ;  and  the  presence  of  ont;  broad  band  on  tiie 
uinjis,  instead  of  two  narrow  ones. 

Habits.  This  betiutifiil  Warbler,  .so  strikinoly  simulating;  the  J),  mronula 
in  the  character  of  its  niarkinos,  and  now  so  Well  known  as  a  common  sj)ecies 
on  the  Pacific  cotist,  wiis  first  met  with  by  Mr.  Townsend  near  the  C"oluinbi!i 
Iiiver,  wiiere  he  found  it  very  alnindant.  Mis  account  of  its  haliits  is  incon- 
sistent, and  probalily  not  rclialik*.  Mr.  Niittall,  who  \tas  willi  Mr.  Town.send, 
dilfers,  also,  essentially  in  his  account,  lie  states  that  lie  lirst  saw  them  about 
the  middle  of  Ajjril,  and  that  their  song  bore  a  very  close  resemblance  to  that 
of  tlie  J>.  asficK,  but  was  delivered  in  a  much  su]ierior  style.  They  remained 
his  sunnner  comi)anion.s,  breeding  amono'  the  siiady  tiis  on  the  liorders  of 
prairie  openings^  where  there  was  an  abundant  siijiiily  of  insect  food.  ]^>y  the 
8tli  of -lune  he  fouiul  their  youno;  already  out,  in  small  and  busy  Hocks,  so- 
licitcmsly  attended  by  their  jiarents.  They  oreatly  resembled  tlie  youiio  of 
the  ivronaht.  These  liirds  fi('(|ueiilcd  large  trees,  particuhirly  the  water-oaks, 
and  the  lower  branches  of  gigantic  lirs. 

Dr.  Cooper  ibund  this  Warbler  one  of  the  most  al)undant  sjiecies  of  Wiisli- 
ingtnn  Territory,  and  lielieved  tlicm  to  be,  to  some  extent,  a  rcsiiU'ut  s])ecies, 
as  he  mot  tiiem  aliout  the  Straits  of  Fuca  in  March.  He  s]ieaks  of  its  song 
as  lively,  and  heard  everywlicre  on  the  liorders  of  the  woods,  even  near  the 
coast,  where  k'w  of  the  smaller  s]iecios  excr  visit.  I:i  the  fall  he  noticed 
straggling  flocks  of  the  yiuing  wandering  about  She  low  shruliliery  in  large 
niindjcrs.  Tiie  same  writer  also  states  that  this  species  is  in  winter  a  \fry 
abundant  liird  in  the  southern  part  (d'  ( 'alifornia,  Hitting  abcait  among  tiie 
Imshes  and  low  trees.  The  males  are  then  in  the  dull  plumage  of  the  females, 
and  do  md  ]iiit  on  their  richer  hues  until  ^larcli  or  .\piil.  He  saw  none 
south  of  San  Franci.sco  after  May  1,  but  tiiey  liegan  to  reappear  in  September. 
As  lie  found  newly  Hedged  young  near  Like  Tahoe,  he  thinks  they  breed 
throughout  the  higher  Sierra  Xevaila.  At  the  sea  level  in  latitude  .">7°  they 
a])j)ear  lute  in  Se]itember,  and  remain  until  March  L'd. 

Dr.  iSuckley  regarded  this  bird  as  the  most  abundant  species  visiting  Uie 


SYLVICOLID.R  — TIIK  WAItHLKIIS.  281 

western  portion  of  Wasliiiij^ton   Territory.     Near   Kort   Stcilacoom   it  was 
found  principally  anions  tlie  oak-trees  on  the  plains. 

Dr.  AVoodlioii.se  found  it  alaualant  in  New  Afe.Kico,  eontininj;'  itself  to  tlie 
timbered  and  mountainous  districts,  and  es])ecially  plentiful  amon^'  the  San 
Francisco  Mountains,  foedinj,'  anionj,'  the  tall  i)ines.  Dr.  ("oiies  found  it  ex- 
ceedingly common  in  Arizona,  wiiere  some  spend  the  winter,  and  a  few  pos- 
sibly remain  in  tiie  suninuir  to  Ineed. 

Dr.  Heermann  found  them  remaining  in  the  Sacramento  Valley  throughout 
the  winter,  and  (piotes  Dr.  Kenncrly  as  finding  these  birds  on  the  lioca 
(Irande  and  at  (HiVerent  points  in  Sonora.  Mr.  (lanibel  found  these  AVarblers 
on  all  his  roatt;  from  Xew  Me.xico  to  California  in  great  alumdance,  tlieir 
habits  greatly  ntsemlding  those  of  the  D.  coruniitn.  Tiiey  disjilay  a  gn^at  deal 
of  familiarity,  entering  the  towns,  resorting  to  the  gardens  ami  hedge-rows, 
and  even  the  corrals  of  the  houses,  descending  also  to  the  ground  in  company 
with  IJlackliirds  and  Sparrows. 

This  Warbler  is  thus  shown  to  have  a  very  extended  distribution.  It  is 
now  known  to  be  found,  at  ditferent  seasons,  from  Central  America  to  British 
Columbia,  and  from  New  Mexico  to  the  I'acitic. 

We  are  indelited  to  the  lat(!  Air.  IIe[)burn  for  all  the  knowledge  we  possess 
in  reference  to  ils  nests,  eggs,  and  breeding-habits.  He  procured  their  nests 
and  eggs  in  Vancouver's  Island.  They  were  built  in  the  forked  branches  of 
small  shrulis.  Around  these  the  materials  of  which  they  were  Ituilt  were 
strongly  bouml,  and  to  it  tiie  nests  were  thus  sccundy  fastened.  They  were 
quite  long  and  large  for  the  l)ir(l,  being  four  inclies  in  height,  and  three  and 
a  half  in  diameter.  The  cavity  is  small,  lait  deep.  The  external  peri- 
]thery  of  tiie  nest  is  made  of  coarsci  strips  of  liark,  long  dry  leaves  of  wild 
grasses,  ami  strong  stalks  of  plants,  intermingled  with  hner  grasses,  pieces  of 
cotton  cloth,  and  otiier  materials.  Tiie  inner  iiest  is  also  a  singular  coniliina- 
tion  of  various  materials,  yet  carefully  and  elaborately  put  together.  It  is 
made  u|)  of  fine  gra.s.ses,  feathers,  lichens,  mosses,  line  roots,  etc.,  all  felted  to- 
g(?tlier  and  lined  with  a  warm  l)edding  of  fur  and  ftiathers.  Mr.  Ileplaun's 
ob.servations,  so  far  as  they  go,  seem  to  show  that  this  liird  does  not  usually 
build  in  such  lofty  positions  as  Xiittall  and  otliers  conjectured. 

According  to  .Mr.  I leplmrn,  they  arrive  in  VaiKuaiver's  Island  in  the  middle 
of  April,  and  generally  freiiuent  liigii  trees,  constructing  their  nests  in  the 
upper  branches,  though  also  frei|iienlly  buihling  in  low  bushes,  a  few  feet 
from  tlie  ground.  The  uumlier  of  their  eggs  is  fiair.  These,  lie  states,  havi' 
a  jture  white  gnamd,  and  are  sjiotted,  usually  chielly  about  the  larger  cud, 
with  red  markings. 

Mr.  Salvin  met  with  botii  tiiis  species  and  the  A  coroiiiilii  at  San  (leroni- 
nio,  Novemlier,  1S."'.».  Tiiey  congregated  together  on  the  ground,  where  they 
principally  obtained  tlieir  food. 

Dr.  (!oo])er,  in  his  paper  (Ui  the  fauna  of  Montana,  mentions  this  Warbler 
as  the  only  one  of  tlie  genus  .seen  l>y  him  lietween   Fort    Meiiton  and   Fort 


282  NORTH  AMERICAN  RIHD.^. 

Viiiicouvcr.  It  was  vciy  cominoii  tlirouoliout  tlio  momilniiis,  and  lie  Ibuiid  it 
m  every  p.irtion  of  tlie  co.ntiy  west  of  them,  even  where  seurcely  a  busli 
was  to  be  se(;n. 

According  to  tlie  careful  oliservations  of  IVfr.  T^olx^rt  I{idi,nvay,  this  War- 
bler, during  the  summer  montlis,  in  the  (Jreat  IJasin,  chietlv  inhabits  the 
pines  of  tiu3  high  mountain  ranges,  as  well  as  the  cedar  and  j.^inon  woods  of 
the  desert  mountains.  In  winter  it  descends  to  the  lower  portions  bein- 
then  found  among  the  wiUows,  or,  in  small  roving  comi-anies,  hoppin--  amon-- 
the  tree-tops  in  the  river  valleys.  In  manners  it  is  said  by  him  to  i^semble 
the  armwta,  but  in  their  notes  they  differ  very  widely.  A  nest,  containing 
throe  young,  was  found  by  Mr.  Itidgway  near  the  extremity  of  a  liorizontal 
branch  of  a  lune-trce,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground. 

The  eggs  of  the  Audubon  Warljler  do  not  ivsemble'tho.se  of  any  Drvdroica 
with  which  I  am  ac.]uainted,  but  are  most  like  those  of  the  Hooded  AVar- 
bler.  They  measure  .70  by  .r.O  of  an  inch,  have  a  reddish  or  pinki.sh  white 
ground,  and  are  sparingly  marked  ^itli  fine  brown  markings,  tinted  with  a 
cnm.son  shading. 

Dendroica  maculosa,  IIukd. 

BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WARBLEB. 

.1/,./^//;^  wanih^n,  (Iv.  S.v^t.  \„t.  I,  178,H,  984.  S„Mn  m.  Laiii.  ;  Vn-M .  •  15.,N  • 
NriT.  ;  An..  On,.  liio«.  I,  II,  V,  ,,1.  I.  ].:i.  ^,!n.-o,,.  ■„,.  Sw.v,ns.  ,  |i„x:  ;  Am: 
Hinls  Am.  1 1,  1,1.  .x,vi.  I!him„„pl,„s  m.  Cm,.  .I„„-.  )  1 1,  ]«.-,-,,  474  ,,.„|,,,)  i,,„in,i,;,  m 
n.vinn,  nii.ls  X.  Am.  I.'^.kS,  2S4  ;  l!,.vi,.w,  l'.m;.  -  S.x.vti.:,!,  I>.  Z.  S  iS;Vt  ytit  'Wi 
(Xnlapa).  I?nvAXT,  Vv.  l!„.t.  Sue.  VII.  IS.V.l  (lialiaiims).  -  S.i.Ari:!!  k  Sm'.vin  'll,is 
IS.,!.,  11  (finat.MMala).  -  Lawuks.k,  Ann.  X.  Y.  I.yc.  US.il,  :!2-2  (I'ananm  ;  winJ.i).  - 
..•.Ni.i.A.„,Cal...I,nu-.  lS.n,;rJ.UCuba;  very  rare). -Samikls,  238.  S,ilcia  nw,,n„li„, 
A\ii,s.  in,  ]>1.  .\xiii,  li^'.  ;!.  •  .  . 

Pp.  Ciiak.     .IA,/r,  h,  s/,ri„,,.      liill  ,iark  l.liiisl,-l,]ack.  rallM-r  li-litcr  liriiealli.     Tail  ilii^kv 

I''"'' '■^"'  ''■-'"  ,iri-i'.vi^l'-l'ln.'.   I-Vout,  ioro,  .•l,..,.|c,  a,„l  a  ,.rri,„ !,,■  tl„.  t-v,  Mark,  runnin.r 

into  a  lai-..  inan.irular  |.at,-l,  01.  ll,,.  l.a.'k  liotw.M.n  tl».  winus.  wiiirh  i.<  al.so  Mack  Kvcli.U 
nii.l  a. .trip..  IW.mi  tli,.  ,.y..  aionj,-  ll...  ],ca,|  wl.iu..  r,,,,,,-  |ail-,-ov,.r.s  l,la.-k  .mw.i..  of  l|„. 
f.^atJuTs  t.pp,..I  with  urayisi,.  A1i.1o„m.|.  and  hnwr  tail-,..,v..,ts  whit,..  I!,„np  an.l  .m.l..,- 
part.s  ..N,...pt  as  ,l,.s,Tih,.,i,  yMJow.  [,ow..|-  thr,.al,  l.iva.st,  aii.l  ,s|,K..s  .^tivakcl  with  hhi.'k  • 
th..  ..tivaks  .■l„s..|-  „„  ||„.  !,,w,.r  ihi-oat  an.!  ll.rc  l.ivast.     I,....,.,.,-  wi„^.-,.„v,.||s.  an.l  ..,!..vs  „l' 

the  wiM.o-  an.l  tail,  hluisl,-.;Tay.  ih..  fonn...-  ,«polt,..l  with  1, k.    (.tiiills  an.l  tail  aln.osl  hla.'k  ; 

th..  lattrr  w.ih  a  s,|nan.  patch  ..C  uhii,.  „„  il,,.  in •  w,.l,s  .,r  all  th,.  tail-li.alh,.is  (Iml   ij,,: 

Uxo  nni,.,)  I„.y„n,l  th,.  n,i,l,||,.  of  th,.  tail.     Tu,.  whit,-  han.l,.  a,.,-„.s,s  ih,-  win;...  (s„n„.|in„.s 

f...al..,.,.,.,|  MiK,  ,.!„.)   f„r I   by  ,|„.  ,„„|,ll,,   ,„„|  s,.,.,m,larv  roM-vt^.     fart  „r  th,.  ,.,|..v  „r 

th..    linu.i- uvhs   ort|„.,|„i||s   whit,..      l.\.alh,.rs    iMai-inin'i;-  th,.   I,|a,.k   pat,.|,  ,m   nu''\:>rk 
Muw\  nntl  „„   ih,.  si,l,..s  tin-,..l  with  ,.,  .,.„ish.     I„.„oth,  ;".  in,.|„..s  win..-.  2..^,() ;  tail   •'".-. 

A.uiu.n.al  M,al,.s  ,liir,.,.  in  ahs,.n,. '  l,la,  k  „r  had.,  Inn,!.  ,.i,l,.s  „r  i„.a,|,  an,l  t,.  u  c.n.si,!..,'- 

nhlo  ,Ii.jr|-,.,.  l„.n,.ath,  mill  in  nHi,-li  l,.sy  whit,.  ,>ii  ih,.  win;:-'  ami  h,.a,l. 

Female  in  s,.rh,,,.     Similar.  I,nl  all  th..  c..l„r,.  .hill,.r.    ^I!la,-k   „r  (l„.  I,a,.k  ro,.tri..t..,l  t..  a 
i'..iitral  triniif,'iilar  ]iatch. 

IfA...     Kast..n,  Pn.viM,.,.  ,X  Savth  Anu.ri.'a  t,.  lA.rt  Siinp..,,., ;  f.^a-.torn  Mexico  t,.  (i.iatc- 
rnalii  and  rananiii;   Ifahainas  ;  Cuha  (v,.iy  rare). 


SVI.VICOLID.E  — THE  WAliULKliS.  233 

Habits.  The  lilack  iind  Yellow  WavMei',  one  of  the  most  boiiutit'iil  of  this 
attnu'tive  family,  was  siip})osc(l  l)y  our  earlier  writers  to  be  exceedingly  rare. 
Wilson  never  met  with  more  than  two  specimens,  —  one  in  Ohio,  the  other 
on  the  Missi.ssij)j)i,  —  and  spoke  of  it  as  a  very  scarce  species.  In  regard  to 
its  song  he  was  quite  at  fault,  denying  to  it  any  notes  deserving  the  name 
of  song.  Niittall,  who  had  only  seen  it  occasionally  in  ^^as.sachusetts,  in 
the  middle  of  ^lay,  regarded  it  as  rare,  and  was  unacquainted  with  its 
notes.  Its  history  is  now  much  better  known,  and  neither  its  great  rarity 
nor  its  deficiency  ,is  to  melody  can  any  longer  l)e  admitted. 

At  certain  seasons  and  in  i)arti(uilar  ])laces  it  is  a  very  common  species. 
It  may  be  found  during  the  breeding-season  throughout  Xorth  America  east 
of  the  Great  i'lains,  between  latitude  44°  and  Fort  Simpson  in  the  fur 
country.  During  its  migrations  it  may  be  met  with  in  most  of  the  Eastern 
States,  in  Eastern  Mexico,  and  the  northern  portions  of  South  America.  It 
has  been  found  in  the  liaiiamas,  and  also  in  (.'ul)a,  wlien;  it  is  not  connnon. 
Specimens  ha\e  been  received  from  Mexico,  Guatemala,  and  ranama,  and 
from  P\irt  liesolution,  llupert  Housi',  and  Fort  Simpson,  in  iVrctic  America, 
and  as  far  to  the  west  as  the  mouth  of  Vermilion  River.  Dr.  Ih-yant 
met  Avitli  it  in  the  Bahamas  as  early  as  .the  loth  of  March,  where  it  was 
(juite  common.  M.  IJoucard  found  it  at  I'laya  Vicente,  in  the  hot  portion 
of  the  State  of  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

In  "N'estern  Massachusetts,  Mr.  Allen  found  it  a  common  spring  and 
autumn  visitor,  occurring  in  its  nortliern  llights  from  the  middle  of  ^May  to 
the  first  of  June,  and  in  the  autunm  as  late  as  Sejjtember  20.  Professor 
Verrill  ibund  it  in  Western  ^laini',  but  not  common,  both  in  s])ring  and  fall, 
but  had  no  reason  to  beli(!\-e  that  it  l)red  there.  Mr.  Uoardman  does  not 
include  it  in  his  list  of  Calais  birds,  and  1  did  not  iind  it  among  the  islands 
in  th(^  I5ay  of  Fundy.  In  the  vicinity  of  Halifax,  during  the  months  of 
June  and  July,  it  is  one;  of  the  most  common  of  the  Warblers,  occurring  in 
ever}'  ilircction. 

Mr.  Audubon  o1)served  these  Warlilers  in  Louisiana,  in  their  migmtions,  as 
early  a.s  the  middle  of  Mantii ;  luit  its  appearance  there,  as  well  as  in  Kentucky 
and  Ohio,  a])peared  to  be  occasional  and  accidental.  In  autumn  he  has  met 
with  tiiem  in  large  nundiers  among  the  mountains  of  Northern  Pennsylvania. 
Tlu^y  were  jjassing  soutiiward  with  their  young.  AVhile  on  his  way  to  Lali- 
rador  he  noticed  them  in  Maine,  near  Eastport,  in  May,  very  abundant  along 
the  roads,  the  fields,  and  the  low  woods,  as  well  as  in  the  orchards  and  gar- 
den.s.  The  season  was  thi'n  not  advanceil,  the  weatiier  cohl ;  and  these  birds 
sheltered  themselves  by  night  among  tlu^  evergreens,  and  were  often  so  chilled 
as  to  be  readily  taken  l)y  tiu'  hand.  He  also  met  them  wherever  ho  landed 
in  the  neighltoring  islands  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy  and  at  Labrador. 

The  song  of  this  Warblci'  is  clear  and  sweetly  modulated,  and  surpasses 
that  of  most  of  this  family.  It  seems  to  ju'efer  the  interior  of  low  woods, 
where  its  notes  may  chielly  Ix;  heard  during  the  early  summer,  as  it  sings 


234  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

while  it  is  soarciiing  for  its  food  uinoiig  the  hriuichos,  in  the  manner  of  the 
Vircos. 

Like  nearly  all  tlio  members  of  this  family,  in  its  search  for  food  it  blends 
the  hal)its  of  the  C"roei)ers  with  tliose  of  the  Flyeatcliers,  feeding  upon 
insects  in  their  every  form,  running  up  and  down  the  trunks  for  the  ova, 
lar'\T,  and  pupfe,  expertly  catcliing  the  insect  on  the  wing,  and  equally 
skilful  in  hovering  over  the  expanded  bud  and  searching  the  o])eniug  leaves. 

Mr.  Audubon  I'ouud  its  nest  placed  deep  iiong  the  branches  of  h)w  fir- 
trees,  su)i])orted  by  horizontal  twigs,  constr\icted  of  moss  and  lichens,  and 
lined  with  fibrous  roots  and  feathers.  One  found  in  Labrador,  in  the  Itegin- 
ning  of  July,  contained  five  eggs,  small  and  rather  more  elongated  than  is 
common  in  tliis  genus.  They  were  wliite,  and  sprinkled  witii  reddisii  dots  at 
the  Lirger  end.  The  female  fluttered  among  tlie  brandies,  si>rcading  her 
wings  and  tail  in  great  distress,  and  returning  to  her  nest  as  soon  as  the  in- 
truders were  a  few  yards  olf.  In  August  he  saw  a  number  of  tiieir  young 
already  I'ollowing  their  ]iarents  and  moving  southward.  In  his  expedition 
to  T(!xas,  ]\Ir.  Audubon  again  met  this  bird,  in  considerable  nuniliers,  early 
in  Ajwil.  Their  eggs,  he  states,  measure  tiiree  fourths  of  an  inch  in  length 
by  nine  sixteenths  in  breadth.  In  some  the  ground-color,  in.stead  of  pure 
white,  is  of  a  yeUowish  tinge. 

The  writer  found  this  AVarbler  abundant  near  Halifax  in  the  early  sum- 
mer of  1850,  freipienting  the  tliick  hendock  woods,  confiding  in  its  habits, 
unsuspicious,  and  easily  approached.  Tlie  distress,  as  described  by  Audulton, 
manifested  in  behalf  of  its  own  young,  it  is  as  ready  t«i  exhibit  when  the 
nest  of  a  feathered  neighbor  is  disturl)eil.  A  pair  of  Hudson's  Hay  Titmice, 
protesting  against  tlie  invasion  of  their  home,  by  their  outcries  brouglit  a  jiair 
of  these  Warblers  to  t]ieir,symi)athetic  assistance  ;  and  tlus  latter  manifested, 
in  a  more  gentle  way,  ipiite  as  much  distress  and  anxiety  as  tiie  leal  i)arents. 
"With  exjmuded  tail  and  lialf-extended  wings  tliey  iUittered  overhe.id  among 
the  branches,  approaching  us  almost  within  reach,  uttering  the  most  piteous 
outcries. 

Sir  Jolin  Eichardson  found  this  Warbler  as  connuon  and  as  fiuuiliar  as 
the  D.  ajstiva  on  the  Saskatchewan,  and  greatly  resembling  it  in  habits, 
though  giftetl  witli  a  nmch  more  varied  and  agreeable  song. 

!Mr.  Kennicott  met  this  Wail)ler  on  (Jreat  Slave  Lake,  June  12,  1800, 
wliere  he  obtained  a  i'emale,  nest,  and  five  eggs.  Tlie  nest,  lodsely  built,  was 
l)laced  in  a  small  spruce  about  two  feet  from  the  ground,  and  in  thick 
woods.  The  bird  was  rather  bold,  coming  to  her  nest  wliile  he  stood  by  it. 
This  nest  was  only  one  and  a  lialf  indies  deep,  with  a  (b'ameter  of  three  and 
a  half  indies ;  the  cavity  only  one  indi  deeji,  with  a  diamcler  of  two  and  a 
half  inches.  It  was  mad(!  almost  entirely  of  fine  stems  of  jilants  and  slender 
grasses,  and  a  lew  mosses.  The  cavity  was  lineil  with  finer  stems,  ami  fine 
black  roots  of  herbaceous  ])lants. 

The  eggs  of  this  Warbler  are,  in  shape,  a  rounded  oval,  one  end  being  but 


SYLVICULID.K  —  THE  WAU15LEK8. 


235 


slinjhtly  more  pointed  than  the  otlier.  They  measnre  .62  of  an  incli  in 
len^tli  and  .411  in  breadth.  Tlieir  yround-color  is  a  li^iit  ashen  hne,  or  a 
dull  wliite,  anil  tiiis  is  more  or  less  si)rinUled  witii  tine  dots  and  blotciies 
of  a  lij^ht  l)r()\vn.  I'or  the  most  part  these  are  grouped  in  a  ring  about 
the  larger  end. 

Mr.  Ii.  Deane,  of  ('ambridgc,  found  this  l)ird  breeding  near  Lake  I'mba- 
gog.  Its  nest  was  in  tiie  lork  of  a  low  spruce  about  three  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  nest  contained  four  eggs,  and  was  made  of  dry  gras.ses,  spruce 
twig.s,  and  rootlets.  Tt  was  lined  witli  tine  black  roots,  being  a  rather  coarse 
structure  for  a  Warbler.  Tlie  eggs  were  nearly  spherical,  averaging  .62  by 
.51  of  an  inch.  Their  ground-color  was  a  creamy-white,  sparsely  marked 
with  a  few  large  blotciies  of  lilac  and  umber. 


Dendroica  cserulea,  R.vinn. 

CSBULEAN  WABBLEB;  WHITE-THBOATED  BLUE  WABBLEB. 

Sylvia cm-ithu,  Wii.s.  Am.  C\\\\.  II,  1810,  141,  i.l.  .xvii,  tij?.  .">.    Siih-kohi  c.  Swaixs.  ;  ,T.\i!n.  ; 

Uiuii. ;  Hon.  ;  .Vri>.  Oiii.  liioj;.  1,  [il.  .\li.K  ^  Xrrr.     Demlmka  c.  Bamid,  Hiids  N.  Am. 

1858,  280  ;  IWv.  191.  —  GuxDi,.  Call.  Jour.  18til,  32(5  ^('uba  ;  very  rare).  — .Sa.mitei.s, 

57!l.     Sylvia  vmv,  Wo.stiN,  II,  pi.  x.vvii,  lig.  2.  —  HiiN.  ;  All).  Orii.  IJioi;.  I,  [il.  .\lix. 

Salvia  (tMrai,  Stkimi.  .Sliaw,  Zuiil.  X,  1817.  —  Box.  .Vm.  0\i\.  II,  1828,  pi.  .\xvii  (9). 

—  All).  Oni.  Bioi;.  I,  |il.  xlviii,  xlix  :  Nrrr.     Sylvia  bifuxclala.  Say,   Long'.s  Exped. 

I,  182:!,  170.     Sylvia  itaj)iilta-ai,i,  ViKii.i,.  Kiicye.  Jleth.   II,   1823,   449  (from  Wilson). 
Otlier  loi'iilities  :  Jlarinfa,  Sllatkk,   1'.  Z.  S.   1857,  18.     Panama  It.  11.,  Lawhknck,  Aim. 

N.  Y.  Lye.  18til,  322.     Yucalan,  Lawu.      Vcratjua,  Sai,v. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Mnlo.  Above  briglit  blue,  <larkost  on  tlie  ciowu,  tinged  with  ash  on  the 
rniiip;  middle  of  back,  seapnhnv,  upper  tail-eoverts,  an<l  side.s  oftliu  crown,  streaked  with 
black.  Beneath  whit<" ;  a  (;i)ilai'  across  the  brea.st,  and  .streaks  on  the  sides,  dusky-blue. 
Lores,  and  a  K  .e  throiijih  and  behind  the  eye  (where  it  is  bordered  above  by  whiti.sh), 
dusky-bliie;  paler  on  the  cheeks.  Two  white  bands  on  the  wing,s.  All  the  tail-leathers 
except  the  iinicrniost  with  a  white  patch  on  the  inner  weli  near  the  end.  Female,  green- 
ish-blue above,  brightest  on  the  crown  ;  beneath  white,  tinged  with  greenish-yellow,  and 
obsoletely  streaked  on  the  sides  ;  eyelids  and  a  superciliary  line  greenish-white.  Length, 
4.25;  wing,  2.0.");   tail,  !.!)(». 

ILvii.  Eastern  I'nitcd  Stales,  north  to  Xiagara  Falls;  Cuba  (very  rare);  Guatemala; 
Veragua,  Panama,  and  Bogota.  Not  recorded  Ironi  Mexico  (except  Yucatan),  or  West 
Indies  (except  Cuba), 

Tiie  autumnal  adult  idumage  of  both  .sexes  is,  in  every  re.spect,  exactly 
like  the  spring  dress.  Young  males  in  Lite  summer  are  very  similar  to  adult 
females,  but  are  purer  white  l)elow,  and  less  uniform  greenish-blue  al)ove,  the 
dark  stri]»es  on  sides  of  the  crown  and  bhick  centres  to  scapulars  being  (piite 
conspicuous ;  the  young  fismale,  at  the  same  season,  is  similar  in  pattern  to 
the  adidt,  but  is  dull  green  above,  witliout  any  tinge  of  blue,  and  light  bully- 
yellow  below. 

Tiiere  is  considerable  variation  in  adult  males,  especially  in  the  width  of 


280  NOHTH  AMKKU'AN   lilKDS. 

the  pectoral  collar;  one  (No.  (id.XTT,  ]\lt.  Carinel,  Wabash  ("o.,  111.,  Aug.  9) 
has  tliis  entirely  interriiiiteil.  In  tliis  imlividiial  lliere  is  no  trace  oi"  a 
wiiitish  suitra-iuiricular  streak;  while  others  i'rnni  the  same  locality,  and 
obtained  at  tiie  same  date,  have  tlie  band  across  tiie  juguhmi  continuous,  and 
a  (juite  distinct  white  streak  over  the  ear-coverts. 

H.MilTS.  Of  this  somewhat  rare  Warbler  very  little  is  as  yet  well  known. 
Its  habits  and  distribution  during  tlie  breediiig-sea.son  need  more  liglit  than 
we  now  ])()ssess  to  enalile  us  to  give  its  story  with  any  degree  of  exactness. 
Its  appeiirance  in  I'ennsylvania,  Oiiio,  llHnois,  and  Missouri  early  in  May, 
when  Warblers  that  go  north  to  breed  are  on  their  way,  at  first  suggested  its 
belonging  to  that  class.  It  is  not  known  to  proceed  any  farther  north,  e.x- 
cejit  in  accidental  instances;  though  the  writer  has  been  a.ssured, and  lias  no 
rea.son  to  doubt  the  fact,  tiiat  it  abounds  and  Ineeds  in  the  neighliorhood 
of  Niagara  Falls.  I  can  find  no  good  evidence  that  it  ever  o(!curs  in  Massa- 
chusetts. Individuals  have  been  ol)tained  in  northern  South  America,  Pana- 
ma, and  ('ul)a.  Dr.  Woodhou.se  dcscrilics  it  as  ([uite  common  in  Texas  and 
in  the  Indian  Territory,  wliere  it  breed.s,  as  lie  obtained  l)oth  tiie  ohl  and  tlie 
young  birds.  It  was  also  abundant  among  the  timbered  hinds  of  the  Arkan- 
sas and  its  tril)utaries.  It  was  not  obtained  in  any  other  of  the  government 
e.xpeditions,  nor  was  it  found  in  Arizona  by  Dr.  ("(uie.s.  Mr.  T.  M.  Trii)pe 
noticed  a  single  individual  near  Orange,  N.  Y.  Wilson  sujijiosed  tliem  to 
breed  in  I'ennsylvania,  though  he  was  never  able  to  find  their  nests.  He 
usually  met  with  these  birds  in  marshes  or  on  the  borders  of  streams  among 
the  branches  of  poplars.  Their  haliits  were  those  of  the  Klycatciiers.  He 
saw  none  later  than  the  L'Otli  t>f  August.  Describing  this  species  as  the  Uliie- 
green  W^irbler,  as  met  with  by  him  on  the  banks  of  tiie  ("umberland  early  in 
April,  he  mentions  its  gleaning  for  food  among  tiie  upper  brandies  of  the 
■  tallest  trees,  rendering  it  dillicult  to  lie  pruciiied.  Its  resemblance,  in  liabits, 
to  Flycatchers,  he  again  remarks.     Its  only  note  was  a  feeble  chirp. 

According  to  Audulton,  this  Warbler  ajipears  in  I^ouisiana,  where  it  also 
breeds  early  in  s])ring,  and  leaves  the  tirst  of  Oi'tober.  Lil<e  all  its  family,  it 
is  (piite  lively,  has  a  similar  flight,  moves  sideways  up  and  down  the  liranches, 
and  hangs  from  the  ends  of  the  twigs  in  its  .search  for  insects. 

^Ir.  Audul)on  also  states  that  the  liveliness  of  the  notes  of  this  WarUer 
renders  it  cons])icuous  in  the  forests,  the  .skirts  of  which  it  i're(iuents.  Its 
.song,  tiiough  neitiier  loud  nor  of  long  continuance,  lie  speaks  of  as  extremely 
sweet  and  mellow.  He  found  it  as  nunu'rous  in  the  State  of  Louisiana  as 
any  other  Warbler,  so  that  he  could  sometimes  obtain  tive  or  six  in  a  single 
walk. 

The  nest  he  descrilM's  as  placed  in  the  I'orks  of  a  low  tree  or  bush,  partly 
jiensile,  ])rojecting  a  little  above  the  twigs  to  which  it  is  attached,  and  ex- 
tending below  them  nearly  two  inches.  Tlie  outer  i)art  is  composed  of  the 
iilires  of  vines  and  the  stalks  of  herbaceous  ])lants,  with  slender  roots  ar- 
ranged in  a  circular  manner.     Tlie  nest  is  lined  with  iiua  dry  fibres  ol  the 


SVLVICOLID.K  -  Til H  \VA  liBLHRS.  287 

Spanisli  moss.  The  o-o-s  are  five  in  nuinlwr,  of  a  pure  wliite  with  a  few  led- 
(hsh  siM.ts  about  tho  lar-or  end.     WIum.  distuihe.l  duiiu-  iucuhation    the 

kMiiahi  IS  .said  to  trail  aloii-  tin;  Lrauchcs  witii  .h' .in-  wiiins  and  i.h.intivo 

notes,  m  tlie  manner  of  1).  uslim.  After  the  young  iia\e  left  the  nest,  they 
move  and  hunt  (o,i,'ether,  in  company  with  their  parents,  eviueiny  great  iietiv- 
ity  m  the  pursuit  of  insects.  They  are  also  said  to  have  a  great  ])artiality 
for  trees  the  toj.s  of  whiidi  are  thickly  covered  with  grapevines,  and  to  occa- 
sionally alight  on  tall  weeds,  feeding  upon  their  seeds. 

In  his  visit  t(.  Te.xas,  Mr.  Aiidul.on  met  a  largo  number  of  these  birds 
apparently  coming  IVom  .Mexico.  Un  one  occasion  he  encountered  a  lar-e 
tioek  on  a  small  island. 

Mr.  Xuttall  mentions  fiiuling  these  birds  very  abundant  in  Tennessee  and 
also  in  West  Florida. 

In  only  a  single  instance  has  the  writer  met  witli  this  Warbler  This  was 
about  the  mid.lle  of  Ju.e,  at  the  Fairmount  Water  Works  in  the  city  of  I'liila- 
<lelphia,  where,  among  the  tops  of  the  trees,  a  single  individual  was  busily 
engaged  ,n  hunting  insects,  undisturbed  by  the  largo  numbers  and  vicinity 
ot  visitors  to  the  grounds.  It  kept  in  the  tops  of  the  trees,  movin-  about 
with  groat  agility.  " 

Mr.  Ifidgway  gives  the  CaM-ulean  Warbler  as  the  most  abundant  species 
ot  Its  genus  in  the  Lower  Wabash  Valley,  not  only  during  the  spring  and 
all  migratmns,  but  also  in  the  summer,  when  it  breeds  more  plentifully  even 
han  the  R  astlra.  It  inhabits,  however,  only  the  deep  woods  of  the  bot- 
toni  laiKls,  where  it  is  seldom  seen,  and  only  to  be  distinguished  by  the  nat- 
nvalist.  Inhabiting,  mostly,  the  tree-top.s,  it  is  an  inconspicuous  bird  and 
thus  one  that  easily  escapes  notice.  In  its  habits  it  is  j.erhaps  less  inte'ivst- 
mg  than  others  of  its  genus,  being  so  retired,  and  possessing  only  the  most 
feeble  notes.  o        j 

Dendroica  blackburniae,  r.viiu). 

BLACKBUBNIAN  WARBLER;  OBANGE-THROATED  WABBLEB 

MoU,a/!„  MMrnia,  li.M,,,.,s-.  Syst.  Xat.  I,  1788,  -.77.     S,/ri„  W.  Latk.  ;  Wir.sov    III 
V.  xxin.       N,nT  ;  Ar...  .„„.   liio,.  I.,  V,  ,,1.  .xxxv.  ..vxnx.     S,Mn,.  U.  .rl.a.   • 
/       •  '•,';■     '  "■  "'  •'••  '•''■'^■"-     /■''"■'"""/''"-  '''■  <'A".  .Mms.    Il,.in.   1S.^„    1, 

J  "1  n';,  ,  '7!'  "'■'''  ^-  ^""-  ''''•  -"'  ■'  '''■^•-  '**"•  -«'  '.vrKU  ^  S.v,v,N,  Il,is; 
18.,!.,  .,„aU.n,ala).  -  .S.-,,.vn.;i,.  V.  Z.  S.  18^-..,  :iU;i  ,Xala,m)  ;  II..  ]8,m,  04  ,K,.„a,l,M> 
--In.  Catal.  1801,  m,  no.  187  (I'allatun.a  an.l   Xa-u.^al,  Wna.!,.,).  -  .^  ^m,-,-,  s    007 

MM.1N,  I,  1-88,  !i,l  0;.nn,r  ,„:n.,i  ,7  /'.  ,7.,n,„..,  HuFF.  V.  313,  ,.1.  Iviii,  ti..  3, 
..M,ana.     .sy. .,,„...,  W„.s.  V,  ,1.   .xliv,  ,i..   3.  -  Am.  0,„.  !«.«    ,1,  pi.  .xtxiv 

\   uu..  Nouv.    )ut.  \I.  1817,  180  (.MaitiMi,,,,,.).  -  In.  Kueycl.  MOth.  II,  iU. 
Loca  .t,..s  ,, noted  :  Ji,„j,„„,  s..,..vr,.:ii,   V.  Z.  S.   18r,.s   143.     />„„„„„,  l.,,vh.   An,,    N    V 

f ,  ^  ,';  ^^-   "f  '''■'■"'  *'^"-  'f'""--  I'^'i''.  ='^'^-    /^/""""v,  unvAN,',  no.st.  vv.  vn, 

lSi.y.      ycra!/u„,  hMAis.     Ci/o-i,,  (wintur  ;  ia,v),  Sc.Miaii!  vs,- 


238  NORTH  AMKHICAX  IlIRDS. 

Sp,  Ciiah.  rppcr  |iarts  lU'iiily  uiiiHniii  lilin'k-,  witli  u  wljitisli  scapular  stiipc  ami  n  laifri! 
wliitu  i)atc'U  ill  tlio  iiiiddlo  of  tlic  \viiii.'-coV(M'ls.  An  oliloiif;  paluli  in  liic  iiiidilU'  of  tlit' 
(i-owii,  anil  the  i-iiliiT  siil''  <>l'  llii'  lii/ad  ami  iicciv  (iiiciiidiiii;  a  .siipcrciliaiy  stript-  lioin  tlic 
iKKstrils),  till'  L'liiti,  tliroal,  and  liiicpait  nl'  tlie  luvast,  lirijriit  ovaiifrc-ri'd.  A  liiiick  stripo 
Crdin  llic  coininissuri.'  passinir  amiind  tiic  lnwcr  liail'dfthc  eye,  and  inclndiiif;  liic  I'ar-i'DVcrts; 
wilii,  liowcvcr,  an  (pranj.'t'  iit's<'cnl  in  it,  jnst  ladow  ihc  cvf,  tlio  cxticnii'  lid  licinj;  lihwik. 
Ui'st  of  inidi'i'  parts  wliite,  strciiifrly  tiii^'fd  witii  yi'llowisli-oraiif.'-c  on  tlic  liiuast  and  liuily, 
and  slivaki'd  witli  black  on  I  hi' sides.  Oiitur  tlircc  tail-t'catlicrs  wliilc,  tlic  slialls  and  tijif 
dark  liidWii ;  tlio  I'onrlli  and  lil'lli  spotted  nineli  willi  wliite  ;  llie  oilier  lail-featliei's  and 
(|iiills  almost  lilaek.  J-'iiKtilf  similar;  the  colors  dniler;  the  leathers  ol' the  upper  parts 
with  olivaceous  cdfTcs.     Len^'tli,  ").")(• ;  wiiiir,  2.8.'J ;  tail,  '2.2ij. 

ll.vu.  Eastern  Province  ol'  United  States;  Eastern  Mexico,  and  south  to  Uogota  and 
Ecuador;  Uuhuuius  alone  ol'  West  Indies  with  certainty. 

Atituiiiiml  males  resenilile  tlic  feinalos.  They  have  two  wliite  bands  in- 
stead ol'  one ;  tlie  black  stiijies  on  tlie  sides  are  lai'oer ;  under  parts  yellowish  ; 
tlie  throat  yellowisli,  imssing  into  purer  yellow  behind. 

Autumnal  young  liirds  have  the  same  jiatteni  of  coloration,  but  the  dark 
portions  are  ihill  orayish-uiiilier,  with  the  streaks  very  obsolete, and  the  light 
parts  dull  buHy-wIiite,  tinged  with  yellow  on  the  jugidum  ;  there  is  neither 
clear  black,  brigiit  yellow,  nor  jiure  white  on  the  plumage,  except  the  latter 
on  the  wing-bands  and  tail-patches. 

Habits.  This  soniewluit  rare  and  very  beautiful  Warbler  requires  addi- 
tional investigation  into  its  habits  before  its  history  can  be  regarded  as  satis- 
fiictorily  known.  Save  in  reference  to  its  wider  distribution  during  its  south- 
ern migrations,  little  more  is  known  as  to  its  habits  than  where  Audubon 
left  its  history  nearly  thirty  years  since.  The  Smithsonian  collection  has 
specimens  from  Pennsylvania,  t)hio,  Wisconsin,  Missouri,  Illinois,  and  from 
Central  America.  Mr.  Sclater  has  received  specimens  from  Mexico,  and  i'roni 
Ecuador  in  South  America.  Other  writers  mention  iiaving  s[ieciniens  from 
Guiana,  ^lartinitpie,  and  ranaina,  and  Dr.  Ihyant  loiiiul  it  in  the  JJahamas. 
It  is  thus  known  to  have  a  wide  distribution  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Mis- 
sissip[ti  Itiver,  as  far  to  tlie  north  probably  as  Labrador.  Its  area  of  repro- 
duction is  not  known  with  exactness,  but  the  .southern  limit  is  supposed  to 
be  the  high  wooded  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  iind  New  England. 
A  young  bird  was  taken  by  HolbiiU,  October  10,  1845,  at  Frederikshaal;, 
Greenland.  In  1837  an  egg  was  sent  me  from  Covciiitry,  Vt,  which  pur- 
ported to  belong  to  this  bird  ;  iind  in  the  following  stiiiinier  its  nest  and  eggs 
were  procured  in  a  wilil,  .secluded  ])art  of  Itoxbury,  Mass.  In  neither  case 
was  the  identification  entirely  free  from  doubt. 

Dr.  Pachman  states  that  when  a  resident  of  Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1833, 
he  saw  a  pair  of  these  biuls  in  the  iict  of  constructing  their  nest.  j\Ir.  Allen 
has  no  doubt  that  a  few  breed  in  the  vicinity  of  Springfield,  ^lass.,  as  he  has 
obtained  them  as  late  as  June  24.  He  found  it  most  coinmou  in  mixed  or 
hard-wood  forests.  It  arrives  about  the  middle  of  May.  Professor  Verrill 
gi\es  it  as  a  summer  resident  of  Western  Maine,  though  rarely  seen  on 


SVLVICOLinj':  —  THE  WAHBI-EHS. 


239 


nccniinfc  of  its  habit  of  kve]m<i  .•(.iu'0iil(3(l  among  tlie  douse  loliu^ro,  Air. 
ISoiinlinan  givos  tli(f  saiue  uccouiit  of  its  lesiduiico  in  siiiiiiuur  in  tiu.  noi^h- 
liorliood  of  ( 'alais. 

Mr.  Audubon  did  not  rogard  this  bird  and  his  "  Ilcmloek  Warbiur  "  as  tiu! 
same  spccii-s,  but  gavo  distiiu^t  and  diirorcnt  accounts  of  their  habits.  We 
liavc  therefore,  to  receive  witli  caution  these  records  of  peculiarities.  He 
found  the  I'.lackburnian  WaHder  breeding  in  Xortlieastern  ^biine,  in  Xew 
I'muiswick,  in  the  .^raj,'(hdeine  Islands,  and  in  Labrador  and  Xewfoundiand. 
He  states,  correctly,  that  it  has  a,  very  sweet  son,i;  of  five  or  si.x  notes,  nnu;h 
louder  than  .seemed  jwssilde  from  the  size  of  the  bird.  It  pursues  its 
insect  prey  among  the  branches  of  the  fir-trees,  moving  along  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  common  Ifedstart. 

Mr.  ^rc(  "ulloch,  of  Ilalifa.x,  gave  Mr.  Audubon  a  nest  of  this  bird  with 
three  eggs.  The  nest  was  formed  externally  of  ditlerent  textures,  lined 
with  fine  delicate  strips  of  I,ark  and  a  thick  bed  of  feather.s  and  horse-hair. 
The  eggs  were  small,  conical,  with  a  white  gromid  spotted  with  light-  red 
at  the  larger  end.  The  nest  was  in  the  small  fork  of  a  tree  five  feet  from 
the  ground,  and  near  a  brook. 

The  nest  obtained  in  IJoxbury  was  in  a  bu.sh,  a  few  feot  from  the  ground, 
in  a  very  wild  region  of  ibrest  and  rocks.  Externally,  except  in  its  length,' 
which  M'as  less,  it  resend.lcd  a  nest  of  the  (,'.  trir/im,  being  made  of  coarse! 
dry  grasses.  Fnternally  it  was  uuu'ii  more  warndy  lined  with  leathers  and 
soft  fur  than  is  the  case  in  ne;4s  of  the  Yellow-Throat.  The  eggs  were  of 
a  crystal  whiteness,  marked  at  their  larger  end  with  dark  purple,  and  but 
for  their  smaller  size  might  have  been  mistaken  for  those  of  (/.  tnchus. 
The  position  of  the  nest,  however,  was  conclusive  in  regard  to  this  ]>oint. 
The  egg  from  Coventry  was  substantially  similar,  except  that  reddish-bmwn 
dots  were  mingled  with  the  purple  markings,  in  the  form  of  a  wreath  around 
the  larger  end. 

Wilson  describes  this  Warl)ler  as  .songless,  but  attri1)utes  to  its  counter- 
part, the  Hemlock  Warbler,  a  very  sweet  song  of  a  i'ew  low  notes,  — a  \ery 
different  account  from  that  given  by  Audubon  of  the  song  of  the  Black- 
burnian. 

Mr.  I'aine  states  that  this  species  is  resident  during  the  summer  months  in 
Randolph,  Vt.  It  is,  h(.  says,  a  very  close  com])anion  of  the  D.  viirn.%  arriv- 
ing at  the  same  time  with  it  even  to  a  day,  or  about  the  Kith  of  :^ray.  Its 
dry  eliiri)ing  song  may  th(in  be  heard  in  striking  contrast  with  the  sweet 
notes  of  the  rircm.     He  was  not  able  to  find  its  nest. 

Mr.  C.  W.  VVyatt  met  with  this  species  as  a  winter  resident  at  Alto,  in  Co- 
lombia, South  America.  Its  upward  range  seemed  to  be  terminated  oidy  by 
the  ])aramos.  Among  the  oaks  on  the  I'amiilona  road  he  found  it  very  coni- 
mon  just  under  the  paramo,  the  bright  orange  throat  of  the  male  making  it 
a  v(>ry  conspicuous  bird.  He  was  led  to  believe  that  they  were  nut  found 
then;  at  a  lower  elevation  than  five  thousand  feet. 


240  NORTH  AMEIilCAX  I!||{DS. 

Dendroica  dominica,  I'.viia). 

YELLOW-THBOATED  GRAT  WARBLEB. 

II  ,  ..JO.  ,,|    xxvn    1,,.  .-..      /„„,,„,,,„  ,,,„.„.,„_  .    ">  - 

;:ii:-::':-:;;.^j:sr'v::t-,^:^;:'-r^^^     "■- 

n:,,.,,.  (St.  |,o,„i„..,).    .  ,i,„.  ;  ,,,,  o,.,;.  I!i,«.  I.  ,  i  ;.v, •■:••;  V  /'•     '""■  ' 

l/io,„nij>/u,,j,u,s.  Caii.  ,|„„|.  Ill,   ^J^  ^,.„,,.,,  *'-  '•'•'(■'.'iM.ii,..). 

Otlier  localities  :  r,/;vAi,vf,  S.  i  \  i .  r     1'    /    si    m-,.    .„.,  ...     ,. 

K-*.)/,  UMl.     J,inmu;t,  (Icssi:,  llii.ls  ,);,„,.  i,-„;.  ''  '  '  '•  ^-  '  ' 

Sp.  Cnxn.     I-ppor  pails  „„ilon„,,T;,yi>li-l.l,„..     Chii,  ;mi,1  ihnni  l,ri..l,i   ,■  ii 

i-;is  whi,,..    F.,,,.|,,„,,  ,,„,  „„,„,,„„;  ,„.,^,  ,„.  ;;     '  .^  ^J'  •     ""-•  ;""i-- 

^'">1  nM>M..r,„is  s.ivaks  on  .1,..  si,i..s  oCI,,.  I,,,-,.,  l,l..,|.  ,  •  ,'  ■^"''"  '"   ""■"■■"• 

;:::r::;;::;::::;-;;;;: ;;:;;-:;:;£^^^^^^^ 

An   nmnmni.l   nu.l.    rx...   I,,M.S,  Wasl,i„.,„n,   D.  ( -.)   l,„s      ,.   ,,,„i,,,,„. 

iH  ..t  ...ks  n„  t,.n.  „.ad  wii,.„n,  ;  .li.  .vllnu-  ,,i.|..,  an.l  .lull..,.,  ini.i  th..  wl.ilo 
licia.iitli  .s,.ili.,|  with  ],m\viiisli. 

I..  jr.-.K.n.l  ,,i„t<.n,  ..f  ,.ul„n.ti.,n  this  s,,..,.i,.s  ivsemlih^s  two  u(h..,.s  •  .,„e 
"'"'"  '^^•'^'"""'  *' "'^■''  '■'•-'"   ''"'•tn  111..,,.      Tiu.  ,liMo„,.s,.s  .,,.  ,,  ,„ll.,ws'  - 

,    '';'^'^'-- ;'"^;'-Ti:'-     r r -.s  „sl,-,,.v,  „,.,  ,;„,„|,„,„|  „„,  ,•,,.,  „, 

-•l<.     -V    MM.  Ii„i„nns,nil„  al,„v,.,. v..  ,p„sM,,.   i,„„u|,i.,.   Lrliiml,,  ..1„„    ,„„1 

"'":'•  ^'r'''^  "'^"- I  '""-iiy  wi.i.  i.h.,.i.si, ;  ,.,.,..11,,.  i„H |.  „.i,„s,  „.;ii,.,. 

.•ll,ll    two   hiindsdl,    \\-i||ns,    wl,ilc. 

SM,,,.,.,.ili,„..v    III,,.   ..Xh.„.li„.   ,n    ,1,..    „„,„,,  |„.|,i......x,...|,|,i,. ,|i„,..s 

"'";'■""■  """■'r,*' l-''l-l^.s..p,M.„„.,|,n,i„,| sl,„r,l„.   ,„.ai,v 

jw    ,,.|,„„.|,        Kv,.li,lsa„,|i,„i.„.,„.„,,,  ,,,,„.„,„   „,,;„.,     , ,,  ,„„  ,„,„,,,^,„| 

niii  k'ii,L'ili,.|„.il,  iri.iiys  ii,M,i>si  „.ii\,.. 

V,.|l„w    ..,„,(i,,,.,l    ,„J„.„i,„„;    ,.,.s,    „|.   „,„|,.,.   ,„,,s    ul„„.;    ,|„.   si,l,.s 
S,|.,.ilU,.,|   w,(l,   Miirk 

"'"     '""   '""■''"'•"'    ""  •^''"•""' "-i<   I...1 1   l,.v  whi....      Kv..|i.ls  ,„„1   i„r,.a- 

-•'■Im'  '.n.s,...nl  ,v..il.,w.     n,u.k  str..,>k.M|.     iiiH  sh,„.,,  j^onys  sIIkI.iIv ,v..x. 


SVIA  ICOLID.K  — TIIK  \VAI{liI-Ei:S.  241 

Vcllinv  (if  nndi'i- parts  cunrmcil  l<>  jutriiluiu  ;   losl  of  mikIit  iiarls  wlii;,' ; 
till' sides  sli-i'akcd  willi  lilaclv  ........     iinu-in. 

Yi'llow  ol'uildi'i-  paits  uxt'.'lidiiig'  to  cfissiiiii.     Sides  scan'eiy  streaked. 

tith  Itni/ti .  ^ 

111  the  Koviow  (]>.  209)  .•^c'vcriil  variations  in  tliis  species  are  noted;  luit  at 
that  time  tiiere  was  not  a  sutlicicnt  niinilter  of  s|)eciiiiens  to  warrant  our 
coiiiin,L?  to  a  couehisioii  as  to  their  vtiliie.  Now,  however,  we  hiive  Itelter 
material  bcibre  us,  and  ujion  tlie  exaniiiiatioii  of  about  thirty  s|)eeimeiis,  in- 
cluding two  series  of  nearly  ecjual  nund)ers, — ^  one  from  tlie  Allantie  Sttites 
and  tiie  West  Indies,  the  other  from  tiie  Miswissipjii  region  and  Middle 
America, — ^  find  thtit  there  are  two  tippreciahly  diitert"  raees,  to  lie  dislin- 
guisheil  from  eiicii  other  l»y  itoinls  of  constant  difference.  All  liirds  of  the 
first  series  have  the  iiill  longer  tliiin  any  of  the  Litter,  the  diiference  in  a 
majority  of  tlit!  s|)ecimens  lieini;  very  consideralile  ;  tiiey  also  iiave  the  sujier- 
ciliary  stripe  l)ri!.;iil  yelhiw  anteriorly,  while  amoii^  the  latter  there  is  never 
more  than  a  trace  of  yellow  over  the  lores,  and  even  this  miiiinnim  amount 
is  discernible  only  in  one  or  two  individuals.  Tlie  West  Iiidiiin  form  is,  of 
course,  the  true  (loiiiinlcn.  and  to  be  distin,Li;uisln;d  as  var.  (/oniiiiirii  ;  as  none 
of  th(!  syi'.onymes  of  litis  species  wi're  i'oitiided  upon  tl  (!  Mexican  one,  how- 
ever, it  will  be  necessiiiy  to  propose  a  new  nattte  ;  iiccordin.LjIy,  the  teriti  \ar. 
nlbl/ard  is  selected  as  beiiti;  most  descri])tive  of  its  peculiar  fiMttures. 

'liu!  followiitj;  .syno]isis,  taketi  from  tyjtical  specimeits,  shows  the  dilVer- 
ences  between  the.se  two  races  :  — 

(No.  .'!,:!'J'J.  (J.  i.ilieity  Ciiiiniy,  ( ieoi'jiia.)  liill  fli'oiu  nostril).  .t."i;  lafsiis.  .tiO  ; 
willfT,  '-'.(lit:  tail,  'J.I  HI.  Sii|ie|-eiliMry  stripe,  aiiti'lioi- to  eye.  wholly  liri;,;lit  yellow  ; 
yellow  of  eliiii  ami  maxilla'  exleiidiiii;'  to  tln'  liill.  /lah.  In  siiiiiiuer.  .\tlaiitie 
States  ot'l'iiiteii  Stati'.s,  noilli  ti>  \Vasliiiii.'loii.  In  wintef,  atid  possibly  all 
the  yeai',  in   < 'iilia.  Santo  DoniiiiLio,  and  .laiuai"a  .  .  vaf.  d o  iii  i  n  ir  n  . 

(No.  ()I,l.'iii.  jj,  lieli/.e,  IIoudnia>.l  Kill  (t'foni  Host  i  ill,  ..'l."! ;  lai-u-,  ,110;  wiiii;-, 
2.70;  tail,  'J. 'JO,  Supeiviliai-y  siripi'  wholly  while;  yi'llow  ot'rliin  ami  niaxilhe 
lioi'deied  nntrowly  next  the  hill  with  while,  //nh.  In  snnnner,  the  Mi>sis>ippi 
rejiioli  of  rnited  States,  north  to  Lake  I'aie ;  I'oiiniiou  in  South  Illinois,  In 
winter,  ami  possihly  all  the  ye,. r,  in  .Mexico,  south  to  (iualeinala,  ^'uealali  on 
the  ,\llantie,  and  Coliuia  on  the  I'aeilie  side    .....  \  at.  ((/'</ /n  ck  . 

II Alius.  Tiie  histi.iy  of  the  Vcllnw -throated  AN'arblcr  is  very  imperfectly 
known,  lis  m.| iota ji ileal  distiibtitioii  is  iifcoiiliif  and  appa'.'cittly  eccentric, 
FiMitid  occiisioiially,  rat  Iter  than  lVc(|tictitly,  in  the  Si  ml  hern  Allaittic  atid  (lull' 
Slates,  it  occurs  irreoiilaily  as  liii'  tun  I  It  as  Wasbinoton,  Mew  York  City, 
Clevelaui',  ' ),,  rniiai  County,  111.,  iind  Kansas,  In  the  last  ]>lace  il  is  sitp- 
posed  idso  occiisionally  to  breed.  West  of  this  it  has  not  been  traced  in  any 
portion  of  the  rnited  Stntcs.  il  was  obtained  in  Tantatilipas,  Mexico,  by 
laeutciiaiit  Couch,  and  on  the  wcstciit  ccmst  Mf,  .Xaitttis  lotiiid  it  at  Cnlima. 
Mr.  Scliiter  has  jtlso  pinciiicd  it  ffntu  other  jiortions  of  Mcxicn,  and  M.  l>ou- 

'  Ihiiilri'ifii  :ii/,l,(i,lii.  IIa,i;ii,   I!c\  .   iMi;,,  'JI'J.      //„/..    Pmtu  [[ire. 


242  NOimi  AMERICAN  lilKDS. 

ciinl  took  it  iit  Oaxaca.  Ft  luis  Ikh'ii  oblained  in  (Juatemala  and  Jamaica.  In 
tlio  latter  j)lace  it  is  t'oiuul  the  I'litiir  .season.  In  ("nba,  in  tlie  winter,  it  is 
(juite  coninuai.  It  has  also  been  i'unnd  in  St.  Doniinf^^o,  and  jn'obal)!}'  in  tlie 
other  West  India  Islands  Mr.  (Josse  states  that  these  birds  do  not  ajipear  in 
-laniaiea  before  the  Kitli  of  Auyusl,  and  that  they  leave  by  the  tirst  of  Ajiril. 
On  tlie  other  hand,  ilr.  March,  in  hi.s  notes  on  the  birds  of  that  island,  states 
that  on  the  Sth  ol'  Anpist  he  olilained  an  old  binl  and  two  yonn<j:,  the  latter 
of  whieli  he  was  confident  had  l)een  liatched  on  the  island,  and  his  son  had 
met  witli  the  birds  all  lhrouj,'li  the  snnnaer,  and  had  i)rocured  a  S2)ecimen  on 
the  4tli  of  -Inne. 

AVilsdii  states  tliat  the  habits  of  tiii-*  s]iecies  jiartake  nioi'c  of  those  of  the 
Croejier  than  of  tlie  trne  Warbler.  He  met  witli  it  in  (ieor^ia  in  the  month 
of  Febrnary.  He  s])eaks  of  its  notes  as  loud,  and  as  re.senddin.y  those  of  the 
Indij^o-Bird.  It  remained  some  time  ereei»ing  around  the  brandies  of  the 
same  pine,  in  tlie  manner  of  a  I'uri's,  utterinj,'  its  sony  every  few  minutes. 
Wiien  it  Hew  to  anotiier  tree,  it  wmild  alij;ht  on  the  trunk  and  run  nimbly 
up  and  down  in  search  of  in.scct.s.  Tliey  are  said  to  arrive  in  (leorgia  in 
February,  aft  ;•  an  al)sence  of  only  three  month.s.  Wilson  states  that  tiiey 
occur  as  far  north  as  reiinsylvaiiia,  lait  (h)es  not  ,uive  his  autliority.  'I'lic 
food  of  this  species  ajijiears  to  lie  larva'  and  l>n)>a',  rather  than  winj^ed  insects. 
Tho.se  dis.seeted  by  ^Ir.  (iosse  in  Jamaica  were  found  to  have  (piite  lar;^e 
stomaclis,  containing'  caterpillars  of  various  kinds. 

Xuttall  and  Audubdii  are  very  cunliadictorv  in  their  statiMiieiits  toui'liinf; 
its  nestinj;',  and  it  is  iKjt  jirnbulile  that  ihi'  accuunts  yi\cii  by  eitlier  are 
founded  ujion  any  reliable  authorities.  The  former  di'scribes  a  nest  ri'imirk- 
alile  liotli  f(ir  structure  and  situation,  .siid  to  have  liceii  Inimd  in  West  Flor- 
ida, suspemleil  by  a  kind  of  rojie  from  the  end  of  bianciies  ovi'r  a  stream 
or  a  ravine.  Tiiis  nest,  entirely  peiisih',  is  im]M'r\i(iiis  to  rain,  and  witli  an 
entrance  at  tlie  iMittuin.  Me  >/]\{'s  a  \i'\y  full  and  iiiiiiule  description  of  i',  is 
nest,  but  jiives  no  autliority  and  no  data  to  establish  its  aulheiiticity.  Wr 
can  therefore  only  <lismiss  it  as  jirobubly  erroiUMMis. 

<  )ii  the  other  hand,  Mr.  Audubon  claims  to  liaxc  seen  its  nest,  ol' which  he 
jiives  a  very  dillercnt  acciaint.  He  describes  it  as  very  jpicttily  constructed, 
like  the  nests  of  any  other  of  this  f^cnns,  its  outer  parts  n.ide  of  dry  lichens 
and  soft  mosses,  the  inner  of  silky  substancrs  and  tibres  of  the  Spiinish  moss. 
The  ci:,L(s  are  said  to  be  ibiir  in  number,  with  a  white  jinaind-color  mid  u  fiw 
)iuiple  (lots  near  the  larj^er  cinl.  lie  thinks  they  raise  two  iiroods  in  a  sea- 
son in  Louisiana.  These  nests  are  not  pensili',  but  are  |ilaced  on  the  liorixoii- 
tal  branch  of  the  typrcss,  fi(Mii  twenty  to  lifly  feet  abo\e  the  eiouiid.  il 
closely  resembles  a  knot  or  a  tiifl  of  nios.s,  and  therefore  is  not  easily  discov- 
ered from  below. 

A  iie-<t  coiit.iiuiiiL:  a  siii<,de  ejii,',  found  by  Mr.  <ios-i(>  near  Neosho  Falls,  and 
supposed  to  beloiiji'  to  this  speeies,  but  not  fully  idi'iitilied,  was  built  in  a  low 
.sajilinj;  a  few  feet  from  the  yroiind,  and  is  a  very  neat  structure,  such  as  is 


SVLVlCOLUhK  — THE  WAIUJLKHS.  24;J 

ik'scrihed  liy  Audulion.  TIic  ct^'Lt  is  piiro  crystal-white,  olilniijj;  and  jiointoil, 
and  marked  willi  pui'iile  and  ln'uwii. 

Mr.  lJidjj;\vay  iiddniis  mc  tluu  in  Suiitliern  Illinnis,  at  h-ast  in  tlie  valley 
of  the  Ixjwer  Wabasli,  the  Yellow-throated  Warbler  may  lie  .said  to  lie  at  least 
11  regular,  though  not  eouinion,  .sununer  .sojourner.  Though  it  inhalnts  eluelly 
the  swampy  ])ortions  of  the  liottoni-lands,  it  makes  IVe(|nent  visits  to  the  or- 
chards and  door-yards,  less  often,  howt-vrr,  in  the  breeding  than  in  the  nu- 
grating  season.  In  its  mamu'rs  it  is  almost  as  much  of  a  Creeper  as  the 
Mniiitiltti  nirlii,  being  freipicntly  seen  ereepinu-  not  only  along  the  branches 
u'i  trees,  but  over  the  eaves  and  cornices  of  lauldings,  with  all  the  facility 
of  a  Nuthatch. 

Kggs  .sn])posed  to  be  of  this  sjiccies,  taken  near  Wihnington,  N.  ('.,  by 
Mr.  Norwood  (!iles  (1(1.1  it'.l,  Smith.  < 'oil.  i,  have  a  uround-color  of  dull  ashy- 
white,  with  a  livid  tinge.  They  are  thiikly  speckled,  chiefly  around  the 
laiger  end,  Mith  irregular  markings  of  ridbns,  and  fainter  ones  of  lilac  in- 
terspersed with  a  very  few  miimte  specks  of  black.  They  are  broadly  ovate 
in  form,  and  measure  .T"  by  .-").■")  of  an  iucli. 


Dendroica  gracise,  ('nii> 

ABIZOKA  WABBLER, 

Lfiii/rdini  (jravia:  (Voyv.s),  HAMiii,  lii'V.  Am.  liinls,  1,  .\|iiil,  ISti'i  ;  \<.  21ii.  —  Kl.I.InT,  Illnst. 
liinl.s  X.  Am.  1,  vi.  —  ('noi'i.i!.  Urn.  Ciii.  1,  IbTu,  .'itW  (Aiiiiomli.x). 

Si'.  CiiAii.  Aihili  iiikIi-  I  Xc).  4(i.(iS0,  .M:iy  I.  ISd."),  Dr.  !•;.  ('(nies).  WIidIc  iipper  parts, 
iiicliiiliiiLi'  I'lU-cdvcT'ts  1111(1  siilfs  of  iii'rk,  :i-.|i-L;r;iy  ;  small  ciinrali'  sircaks  'er  the  crown. 
coalcsciMl  lali'i'ally  iiili)  a  luciail  sliipi'  niicacli  side,  with  laijjcr  cmicate streaks  on  tlieinlcr- 
.>i('apnlar  rcLiion,  anil  ini'onspieiiniis  linear  sli'i'aks  on  upper  tail-eovei'ls.  lilai-k.  Two  eon- 
spicuon.i  wliile  liamls  acr<i>s  ilie  wiiii;.  Innneil  liy  ilic  lips  orniiilille  ami  secomlary  coveiMs; 
swoniiarii's  passing.;-  eNlernally  inln  liulil  a-li.  Laleral  lail-li'allier  enliidy  w''in'.  exci'pt 
about,  tlie  liasal  lli'iil  ol'  ihe  iniK'r  wcii  dhe  dusky  rnnninj.'  .some  ilislanc'e  louard  llie  end 
aloiijr  llie  edj.'e),  and  a  liroad  streak  eoveriliu'  ino.st  ol'tlie  terminal  I'onrlli  o|' the  outer  Well, 
which  are  ele.-ir  dusky  ;  the  next  leather  has  the  outer  weh  exactly  the  same,  hut  almost 
the  hasal  hall' ol'  tin'  inner  is  dusky  :  on  llie  next  llii'  while  is  (■(inHiied  to  mi  ohloiiL' spot  (not 
tonehiiii;-  the  inner  edi;-e)  on  ahnul  Ihe  terminal  third,  while  the  outer  wet)  is  only  e(|ire<l 
with  while;  the  rest  have  no  while  at  all.  .V  siipereiliary  stripe  exiendini.'  aliout  .'JO  of 
an  iiiih  hehind  the  eye  (that  portion  liehind  tlu'  cyr  wlelei,  ihe  lower  eyelid,  maxilla', 
chin,  throat,  and  jiejiilinii  pure  i;aiiihoi;e-yellow.  Kest  of  lower  parts,  iiielndini;'  linini;'  of 
winy,  pure  while  ;  ihe  sides  eoiispienoiisly  .streaked  with  hiaek  ;  lores,  and  a  i'vw  olisolete 
streaks  aloii},'  the  Jnnetion  of  the  ash  and  yllow,  chisky.  Wintr,  '_'.(iU  ;  tail,  'J. "JO :  liill  (from 
nostril),  ..'tO;  tarsus.  .(ID.  .\ihill  /fimih-  ( lO.tiS."),  .\[ay  '.'I).  Similar  to  the  male,  imt  colors 
iliillcr,  and  markiiiL's  less  sharply  delined.  Wiuj:.  2.4."i  ;  tail.  'J.nit.  Yoinitj  {M\,'.W1.  Aii'.'iist 
II).  .VIiDVe  lirowiiish-f.''ray  iril/mn/  slrcnl.-s.  lii'iiealii  ochraciMius-white,  ohsolelely  streaked 
aloiii;  the  sides.  Yellow  superciliary  stripi'  not  well  deHned,  ami  only  a  tiiifre  of  yellow 
on  ihe  ju^'uhun,  llie  throat  heiiii;  ,1,'ray ish-«  hile.  Wines  and  tail  nearly  as  in  llii'  adult. 
The  youii}.'  ill  ailtui.nial  plimiaee  is  similar,  lull  llii'  yelluw  oecupies  its  usual  area;  it  is, 
however,  miien  duller,  as  well  as  liirhler,  than  in  the  adult, 

Hah.      foil  Whipple,  near  I'rescotl.  Arizona.     Iteli/.e.  Ilrilish  llondinas  (var,  ihrnrti). 


244  NORTH  AMEHICAN  BlIiDS. 

This  S]>ecie.s  is  most  closely  roliitud  to  //  lulrlniiUr,  from  I'orto  Hico  ;  but 
ill  the  latter  the  yellow  beueatli  extends  back  to  tlie  crissum,  coveriii<f  even 
tlie  sides  ;  there  are  also  no  streaks  on  the  sides  or  back  ;  the  |iroportioiis, 
too,  are  ([uite  diflereiit,  tiie  wings  and  tail  beinji'  scarcely  tliree  fourths  as  long, 
wiiile  the  liill  and  feet  arc  nuich  tlu^  same  size,  the  tarsi  even  inucli  shorter. 
A  sitecinien  (Xo.  41,8U8  <J)  from  l>elize,  Hoiuluras,  differs  so  essentially  from 
the  Fort  Whijpple  s))ecimens,  tiiat  it  is,  beyond  doubt,  entitled  to  a  distinc- 
tive name.  The  iHfl'ereiices  between  tiiese  two  very  well  marked  races  can 
best  be  expressed  in  a  table,  as  follows;  — 

(4(l.(iS0.  1^.  lAirt  Wliipplc.  Arizona).  Hill  (iioiii  nosliil).  ..'!(•;  tarsus.  .00;  wiiij;-, 
'J.fiO;  tail.  'J.litt.  SiipcriMliary  slrijic  i.'Xtt'iiiliiij,'  ."-'O  lii'liiiid  the  vyv,  that  purtioii 
licliiiul  the  t'Vi' wliitc  ;  yi'llow  of  jii^iiilMm  not  sprcailiiij,'  over  lircast  (ciKliiig 
1.35  lium  the  iiill).  Streaks  (if  rrowii  coali'sccil  inti)  ;i  lirnad  siripo  on  each 
siilo  ;  tlioso  of  back  broad,  ami  llio.so  on  nppcr  tail-iovcrts  almost  obsolclt'. 
Wing-bands,  .20  wido.  Lore  duskv-grayisli.  lltih,  Knit  Wliipple,  near  I'ro.s- 
cott,  Arizona  ;  ahniidant,  brcc'dintr  (Cot'Ks) mw.  ij  lU  <■  1  n  . 

(4],W8,  ^,  iiclizf).  Mill.  .;!0:  larsii.s,  .(;0;  win;;.  •-'.'JO ;  tail,  1.!).").  Snpi'rciliar\ 
.stripe  .scarci'lv  passinjr  the  cVf,  wholly  yellow;  yellow  of  jugnlmn  spreading;' 
over  breast  (emliiie;  ].(iO  from  the  bill).  Streaks  of  the  eiown  seareely  eoalesi.'cd 
alotiL'  its  sides;  those  on  liai.'k  not  loiiirer  than  those  on  crown,  and  those  on 
nppei'  lail-roverts  very  eons|iienons.  AVinf,'-bands,  .10  \\  ide.  Lore  deep  black. 
Hull.    Uelize,  Ilondnras,  roidelil?       .......  var.  drrora. 

Habits.  Wc  tire  indebted  to  Dr.  Klliott  Cones  for  all  tliat  we  at  i)resent 
know  ill  reference  to  this  recently  discovered  species.  lie  first  met  witli  it 
.Tilly  2,  lS(i4,  in  the  Territory  of  Arizona.  I>r.  ("ones  fir.sl  noticed  this 
bird  iininiio  tlie  pine  woo  Is  covering  tlie  summit  of  Whipjile's  I'ti.ss  of  the 
liocky  Mountains.  He  saw  no  more  in  his  journey  into  Centiiil  Arizona 
until  he  was  aoain  aiiioiio  the  ]iiiies  til  Fort  Whijijile.  There  he  iigain 
found  it,  and  it  proved  to  be  a  very  eoninion  bird.  Dr.  Cones  anticipates 
tliiit  this  s])ecies  will  yet  be  found  to  oc(Mir  in  the  forests  of  the  San  Fran- 
cisco .Mountains,  and  llint  its  range  will  lie  a.scertained  to  include  all  the 
]iiii('  ti'iicts  of  New  Mexico  and  \ii/oiia,  from  the  \ alley  of  the  IJio  (Iraiuk' 
to  that  of  the  (Ireat  Colorado  Kiver.  lie  idso  has  no  doubt  that  it  breeds 
near  and  around  Fort  Whipple. 

Specimens  Ibiind  at  lielize,  first  believeil  to  be  identical  with  those  from 
Arizona,  arc  now  refcired  to  a   race  called  i/narn. 

.Aceurdiiig  to  I  >r.  Ciaics's  (dpser\iilioiis,  the  AN'arliler  arrives  ai  l''ort  Wliip- 
]ile  about  the  L'dth  of  .\|iril.  and  ri'iiiaiiis  in  that  neighliorhood  until  the  third 
week  in  .September.  It  is  jbiiiid  almost  exclusively  in  pine  woods,  is  active, 
industrious,  and  noisy,  and  possesses  very  marked  llycatching  haliits,  flying 
out  li'oiii  ils  jieivh  In  catch  passing  insects.  It  has  been, so  far,  found  almost 
exclusively  among  tlic  tallest  trees. 

In  regard  to  the  song  of  this  spi^cies,  Dr.  Cones  states  tliiit  it  n|iitears  to 
lia\('  scNcral  dilferciit  notes.  One  of  these  is  the  ordinary  /s//i,  gi\i'n  out  at. 
all  limes  liv  both  old  and  voiiiig  of  all   kiiuls  of  smiill  in.sectivorons  birds. 


SYLVICULI1)J.J  —  THE  WARBLERS.  o  ,  - 

Its  true  son.  honnl  only  in  spring,  consists  of  two  or  tl.ree  lou.l  sweet  wlns- 
t  OS,  sometHues  sl.uTe.l.  tollowed  l.y  .several  continuou.s  notes,  re.sen.l.lin..- 
.  ...-r-.  in  a  w„y  but  dear  tone.  Their  notes  are  of  great  power  for  tl.: 
s,.e„t  he  b,r.l.  it  .Is..  Uas  another  and  cp.ite  dilferent  .son.,  whieh  Dr 
Coues  thought  greatly  re.send,led  the  notes  of  the  eon.n.on  An.urican  JJecU 
sttirt. 

As  all  the  birds  he  noticed  had  n.ated  by  the  fir.st  of  May,  he  has  no  doubt 
t  .at  they  raise  two  broods  in  a  season;  and  the  faet  that  ho  found  newlv 
«e.^ed  ymmg  as  late  as  .he  nuddle  of  August  seen.s  to  eorrobontte  the  eo;. 
u.  n^s  ot  Ins  su,>position.  In  regard  to  the  eggs,  nest,  or  breeding-habits 
ot  this  species,  we  have  as  yet  no  inforniati..n. 


Dendroica  pennsylvanica,  Hvii.i). 

CHZSTNUT-SIDED  WARBLEB 

\\  H-N,  I,  pi.  XU-,  (,..  :V    /.„,/,„,,„„  ^, ,,  ,,„„^  „,,,,^  ^.  ■       '      ™  . 

-^  S^XAJKU.  S...v,s,  l,,is  ,s...  n  ,  ,s.;.,,  ,::ur,Mn,  ,;„at.  ;  Xov;.„.L;._s.vm': 

M.,,         1.       s,//,v„    >r>rr,„r/,M,>,    I..vi„.    l,„r.    (),„.     II,    UiXl,    538    -Vu-MI     ■    l?„s    ■ 

isiii)  ■!..«     ,>  '■■'^^  <  II.  i!„.st.  So,..  \  II,  ]8r,i).    cwte  /lVt■,^  cmi.  ,r„„r 

1801),  ,iJ8.     /V/w//m,  Willi,.,-,    Laul,  Ann.   N.  V    l,,,-    isiii     ■<...)       ,-    '"'•'"""• 


Si'.  Oii.Mi.     J/r,/,..    r|,p,.r  parts  stn.Ml<,.,I  „■ 


111!    I'l.l'li    illl,|    p,..l:.    IlIllisll-uTMy,   U-!,i,.l,    l,L.,.,.m,.S 


...a,ly  win,,,  on  ,1,..  i;„...p.,.,  ,„■  ,1,.,  |,„.|,  .  „.„  ,„;,,, ,       ,:      "■    ■■■-'■"^■■'.^  •  »  ,   .i,  i,.,..,,,,.. 
y-llow.    Tlioc,wnis,..:M,iMiioasv.ll,.v  ,,  V    Vr    7    "     -r'''"''''''"'^' 

another  h..|..w  it.     ELr-c.vrts  n,„l  l,.v    v  "i  ',       "  '"'"  """'  ""'  "'"■ '"" 

|.lish-clu.s,„nt  stripe   s„.r, ,    . '  |  :  '  "'""T  ";"'"'-  ''^"'^  I"""  "'''"••  "  I""- 

,.v,.,.nl  ll„.        .   Ml      ■       ■       ,  .■'""''•'""  '~'''"l^    '"""Ii.imIm-.mI    will,  l,l,iisl,-,r,.„v 

.....,■  I .1  ..,■  ,i„. ,„;,:: ""'-■ '■  ■"■'-'•■»""■"  "'<>■ » ■!"■- 

sp.  ng.     Jhe  entne  „p,„.,.  p„,,s  are   of  a  eoMtinuous  li,ht  olive...Teen  •  the 

.   se...l.l>    into  and  tingeing  the  whi,..  ..f  ,he  eiiin  and   .I,,...,,    '  X„  blaeU 

.tmks  are  visible  ab.,v..  „r  on   the  ch.-i.U  and  .he  eye  i.  surrounded   I,; 
-  't,n.,..us  ring  o,   whi.e  nn.  se,.n  in  :,,ring.     lu  this  plu.nage  it  has  il.:^ 

'l"''"tl.V  been  isplere.l  as  a  dis.Jnr)  spe,i,.s. 

The  .nuh,  in  tliis  plumage  may  usually  be  distinguished  from  the  le.nale 


246  NoltTII   A.MIOUICAX  lUHDS. 

liy  ])(issessiii;4'  a  Inu-e,  or  a  ilistiiict  stiijie,  of  cliostuut  on  the  Hanks,  the 
y(Hiii;f  I't'iaale  al  least  lackiii",'  it. 

Ji.viilTs.  riie  j.'eo.yTapIiii  ill  (listriluition  oi"  this  coininon  w]>ecies  duriiii;  its 
season  of  re]ii(i(hictiiin  is  inferivd  rather  than  positively  known.  So  far 
as  1  am  aware,  it  is  not  known  to  hreed  farther  south  than  Massaelnisetts. 
Yet  it  is  proliahit'  tliat,  when  we  know  its  histoiy  luore  e.xaetly,  it  will  he 
found  during  the  lireedinu-.season  in  different  suitalile  h)ealities  from  I'eini- 
sylvania  to  Canada.  JNIr.  H.  W.  i'arker,  of  (irinnell,  Jowa,  mentions  tliis 
bird  as  connnon  in  that  neijihhorhood. 

Tntil  reeently  it  was  regarded  as  a  rather  rare  sjiecies,  and  to  a  large  e.x- 
tent  it  had  eseaped  the  notiee  of  our  <dder  oriiithologieal  writers.  Wilson 
could  give  hut  little  aeeonnt  of  its  haliils.  It  jiassed  rajiidly  hy  him  in  its 
sjii'iug  migrations.  He  did  not  regard  it  as  common,  ]iresumcd  that  it  has 
no  song,  and  nearly  all  tiiat  he  says  in  regard  to  it  is  conjectural.  Air.  Au- 
dulion  met  with  this  sjiecies  lait  once,  and  knew  notldng  as  to  its  habits 
or  distribution.  Mr.  Nuttall,  who  observed  it  in  ^Massachusetts,  where  it  is 
now  known  to  be  not  unt'ommon  in  certain  localities,  also  regarded  it  as  very 
rare.  His  acoount  of  it  is  .somewhat  Iiy])oth(!tical  and  ine.xact.  Its  .song  he 
very  aecurattdy  describes  as  similar  to  that  of  the  />.  nsfirti,  only  less  of  a 
whistle  and  somcwiiat  louder.  He  re]>re.sents  it  as  e.\]ire.ssed  by  t^h-hh-tslt- 
tsln/iii,  \{\\ii\\  at  intervals  of  iialf  a  nnnute,  and  often  answered  by  its  mate 
from  lier  nest.  Its  lay  is  characterized  as  sini])le  and  lively.  Late  in  June, 
IS.'UJie  observed  a  ]iair  'ollecting  food  for  their  young  on  the  margin  of  the 
Kresli  I'oiid  swamps  in  ( 'amluidge. 

Mr.  .Mien  has  found  tiiis  species  y\\\\{v  connnon  in  Wcjstern  ^ras.sachusetts, 
arriving  there  about  tlie  IKli  of  May,  and  remaining  through  the  summer  to 
breed.  He  states — -and  his  observations  in  this  respect  correspond  with  my 
own  —  tliat  during  the  lireediug-season  they  I'reipU'Ut  low  woods  and  swamjn" 
thickets,  nesting  in  laishes,  and  adds  tliat  thev  are  rarely  fouial  amonj"'  hijfh 
trees.     They  leave  there  early  in  Septemlier. 

l'rofes.sor  Verrill  found  this  Wariiler  a  common  summer  visitant  in  West- 
ern Ahuue,  arri\  ing  about  the  second  week  in  May,  and  remaining  there  to 
bri'cd.  Mr.  iioardman  thiidss  it  reaches  Mastern  ]\laine  abiait  the  middle 
of  .May,  and  is  a  couiUKin  summer  resident.  I  did  not  meet  this  sjiecies 
citiier  in  New  l>iuuswi(k  or  Nova  Scotia,  nor  was  Dr.  I'ryant  more  for- 
tunate, but  Lieutenant  illand  gives  it  in  his  manuscript  list  of  the  birds 
found  in  the  neighborhood  of  Halifax. 

Mr.  Ii'idgway  iidbrnis  me  that  this  species  breeds  in  the  oak  openhigs  and 
among  the  ])raiiie  thi(  kets  of  Southern  Illinois. 

During  the  eight  months  that  are  not  included  in  their  season  of  icjiro- 
duction,  this  species  is  scattered  oNcr  a  wide  extent  of  territory.  Their 
earliest  a]i|peaiance  in  the  Xoithern  States  (at  i'laltesmouth)  is  April  2ll, and 
they  all  disa]>]M'in' early  in  Septemlier.  At  other  tinu's  they  have  been  met 
with  in  the  Jjahamas,  in  Mi'.xico,(iuatemala,  Costa  IJica.and  Panama.     It  has 


■•^VLVICOLID.K  — Tin-:  \VARI',|,KI!S.  04' 


m)t  yet  l,eo„  .lotoot.!  in  Mu,  W.st  Indies.      M.  l!..u.:anl  ..hh.ine.l  s,>ecinu,n. 
■It  1  1.1} ii  \  icentc,  m  the  ],„L  ,.,„„Hrv  ..f  Oaxa.'u,  Mcxicu 

rn  tl.e  i.e,yl,l,or|,oo.l  uC  Cdai.s,  Mr,  JJuardn.an  informs  n,o  tluit  this  War- 
bler IS  ounimun.aud  that  its  habits  resenil.K.  those  of  the  JJIack-.,oll  Warl-h-r 
;"'»•'■  M'^i"  'l....se  of  any  other  of  the  o-onus.  It  always  nests  in  bushes  or  in 
low  trees,  and  m  tlie  vicinity  of  swamps. 

An.ong  the  memoranda  furnishe.l  to  the  late  Mr.  Kennicott  bv  Mr  Koss 
IS  one  t..  the  elleet  that  the  (^hestn.U-sided  \\'arlder  was  observed  at  Lake 
'  '"  )}  "'"^  .^''^>'  -•'•     ""^^-  '•"•"""•■'  it  is  at  this  point  is  not  stated. 

Air.  (    \  I  ame  regards  the  Chostnut-sideil  Warbk-r  as  one  of  the  sweetest 

s.nge,.    hat  j.s,t  X-erna.nt.      He  .h-seribes  it  as  ven-  conlidin,  and  gentle  in 

.  ;.  I    hits      It  .s  eludiy  foun.l   inhal,i,in.  h.w  bushes,  in  the  neiuld.orhood 

'    taller  tre...  and  ,t  always  buihis  its  nest  in  the  fork  of  a  h.w  busli,  not  n.ore 

than  iron,    hree  to  five  feet  fr.un  the  .round.     He  has  seen  n.anv  of  their 

OS  s.  and  they  la.ve  ai    been  in  sinular  situations.     They  will  pernnt  a  vety 

u.  .  .pproaeh  w.thout  leav,„.  their  nests.     These  are  eonstrneted  about  the 

■ist  ot   May.      Iheir  s..nj,  eontn-ues  until  about  the  last  of  June.     Alter  this 

ine\  are  .seldom  heard, 

.f.  Klliot  Cabot,  Es.i„  had  tl,e  .ood  lort.n.e  to  be  the  lirst  of  our  natural- 
sts  to  d^cover  ,n  dune,  IS:!-.,  the  nest  and  e^^s  ,.,  this  Warbler,      it  was 

.xed  on    he  horizontal  forked   braueh  „f  an  oak  saplin.,  in  Mr dine  Mass 

H'  h-male  remained  sitting  on  her  nest  until  so  Hosely  approached  as  to  be 
.s  .nctly  seen.  n.e  nest  .as  ,.f  snips  of  ..d-eedar  bark,  and  wellliued 
^.th  eoarse  ha>r  and  was  compact,  elas.ic,  and  shallow.  It  contained  lour 
egys.  the  oround-eoior  of  winch  was  white,  over  winch  w.-re  di.stributed 
numerous  d.st.nct  spots  of  und.er-brown.  The.se  Mere  of  different  sizes 
more  numerous  towards  tiie  lar-er  end. 

In  regard  to  their  i.e.lin.  [n  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Xnttall  tnentions  in  the 

|:;'->11<'  ■>>   lull  son,,  and  had   no  doubt  that  they  were  ttest.n,  there  at  the 

The  Chest n,,f -sided  Warbler  usually  constructs  its  nest  in  localities  apart 
' -'—od, rounds .Iu.ed,esoflowandswan,pvw Is,  bu,  in  jd" 

'V''\"''"^'.""    /'"  ,"7'«  ^-y  '■••'""  "'-1   two  and  a  half  to  three  and  a 
1     ■'''■'-■•'-tenKdu.,h.,:naM,avea.liame,er..f  from  three  to  lour 

.hes.      Ihecav.t^-  ,s  about  tw -hes  deep.     They  are  usuallv  con.poscd 

X  e,nally  ..     ooseb"  .n.er.wined  strips  nf  the  bark  of  ,]»•  sn.aller  ve„.,lbles. 

u.  ,  luuted  by  a     .v  s.en.s  and  bi.s  of  dry  grasses,  and  lined  wi,h  woollv 

Ntnetable  fdnvs  and  a  lew  ,sof,  |,airs  of  the  sn.aller  anin.als.     They  are  usuallv 

ve.y  hnnly  bound  .0  the  sn.aller  branches  by  silky  libres  Iron/ the  eo us 

at^ttH  tnsects.         hese  nes.s  were  all  lound  ,n  open  places,  in  low.  wild 
n...,shy   loeal.fes,  but   none   far   Iron,  a  cult.vate.l   ..eighborhood,  an.l   the 


^48  NOKTII  AMERrCA.V  JJIRDS. 

situaticms  cliosen  for  tl...  nests  .lu  n..t  .lillbr  nwtterially  Iro.n  tlu,.se  usually 

Tl.o  cp  .,i'  ti.is  Warbku'  uro  uf  an  obloun-oval  sj.ap,.,  l,a^■o  a  ground-color 
01  a  nd,  cu-eaniy-white,  an.l  arc  beautifully  s],ott...l,  cl.ioly  about  the  Lu-vr 
eiul,  with  two  slnulos  of  purplo  and  purpHsh-brown.  Tbey  n.eusure  .tiol,y 
Ax)  ol  an  inch.  "  •' 


Dendroica  striata,  lUiiiD. 

BLACK-POLL  WARBLEB. 

Muscicopa  slrirUa,  FonsTKK,  Pl.il.  T,a„s.  I,X  1 1.  ;)8a,  428.     M,„u-U,„  ...  G>Ma,x      .S>,ln„  s 
..KVK,  Av.  r.„„,   ,«,„,  ,:,     s,„n,;,„  ...  Sw.v,xs,.n  ;  Box.  f  A,.;..'  Hi,.,,.  A        II    , 


.lour.   II  ,   4<a  (C,,!,,,).     A,,,/,,,/,.,,  ,s,    |!.v,„„,    iJi,,,,  x.  _\„^    jj,_.j,_   ^,^„  .   ,.^,^,   ^^^   _ 
;.n.:s.    Ir.  A.  X     So.    1801,   2,,,  (,,„|„.„,,^,.  „„,,t )._„,„„,.   ^'al,.  .bur.   iMil,   320 

I.AMii;|.,(K,  W  icf-maiiii  s  Aivliiv,  18IU,  I'.G  (Chik.). 
dtliiT  localities  (iiiotcd  :  iy,W,/     SciAlTii     1'    Z    S    18-.-.     ,  ,.,       „,  ,, 

l'.ost.So,..  Vli,  ls;J!,.  '  •   ^'*"'"'    "■'■      ^^"^"""'"'    ""^■-^^■'■'    '"'•■ 

Sr.  ("HAH.     J/,,/..     Crow,,,  „,„.,..  a„,l  „pp..,-  half  of  tl,.-  l„.a,l  blark  :  .1,..  |,nv,.,-  l.„lf   i„- 

d„,„,,  tl,..  ,-a,-..ov..,.ts,  whiu,  ,1,..  s..,,a,a,i„g  li„..  passi,,.  ,i„.o„.l,  ,|,..  „„.l,llo  of  tho  Vv. 

est  o,  „,,,„.,  ,,,,,s  g,.ay,sl.-asi,,  ,i„...,l  with  h.-ow,,.  a,„l  ,.o„spi,.„o„sly  s„oako.l  with  hiai.k. 

\    n„  a,„i  ta,l- U.a.l„.,-.s  l„.ow„,  clg,.,!  oxt,.n,ally  (,.x,...p,  tl„.  i,,,,.,'  tail-r,.all„.,..s,  with  ,1„11 

.   .vo-.-,.,.,.,,.     Iwo  ..o„..p„.„o„..  l,a,..«  „Cwl,it,.  o„  ,1„.  wi„,.-..ov.Mts,  tl,o  t..,-tials  ...l-.o.)   with 

;;,""";■;  ' ;'  ■'■  •""•''^  "■';'"■■  "•■"'  ■' ■'-"•  '>' •  -i'  ^I'l."  ..r  ti„.  th.-oat  ho„,  ,1,0  d,i„ 

<  .    .M.K.S  o    ,1,..  n.vk   wi,m.  ,1  ,„„s  i„,o  u  ..lo,...  pa„,.|,  oC  Made  st.vaks  cu„tl„„...i  alon. 
the.   Moas,  a,„I  s„l..s  ,o  the  root  of  tho  tail.     ()„„.,.  ,wo  rail-H.a(l,c.,-s  with  a„  ol,li,,,„.  patch 

"" ""; '; '■;■"' -•  "'••  •■'"•;  'i- """•- '"i^'-i  n,.,.,„aii,-  wi.h wi,i„..  /.;. /,'  ,1,;,,,, 

cN.-op    that  the  „pp,.,-  pa,ts  a,v  olivar-.o,,..,  a„,l,  ,.v.. ,  ,|,..  now,,,  sli-cakcl  with   black  • 

tl.c  M-]„tc  o.,  ,l„.«,dcs  a,„l  ac,.o.«.s  the   l„-ea..t  ti„,..c,l  with   yellowish  ;  a  ,•!,„.  of  the  ,.a„,e' 

ronn.lthe..yee„t  by  a  ,]„sky  line  tl„-o„^h  it.     h,.„^,l,  of  ,„ale.  o.To  ;  wi„^.  ;!.,).,;  tail  2 '^o 

lAH.      hasten,  P,„vi„ee  of  all   .\o,-,|,   .\„,..,.i,.„  ,„  Aiclic  ()cea„ ;   Alaska;   r,ree,;ia„.l  • 

"I-,   M,   w„„e,-  (,.a,e)i   Iiaha„,as;    lio.ota.      Chile  ^      Xot   reoonled   .ro.a   intenn,.,l,atJ 

I"  "■iiill  U'S. 

Th.'  autumnal  diuss  of  youn-  birds  is  vory  difrerent  from  that  of  sprin-^ 
lhu.ipiH.rpait.saiv  lio-ht  oliv,.-oT,.,,„,  ohsoldclv  streaked  with  brown-  be- 
neath -reenish -yellow,  obsoleleiy  stn.iiked  on  the  lavast  at.d  sid.'s  the  u'n.h.p 
tad-..overts  pure  white,  a  yell.wish  ring  round  the  eve,  and  a  supereiliaiy 
••ne  ol  the  .same  color.  In  this  .In-ss  it  is  .scarcely  po.s.sible  to  di.stin..uis]i  it 
»'•""»  the  ■mmatuiv  I),  ra.shnuv.  The  diflerences,  as  hir  as  tangible,  will  be 
haind  dctiuled  iind(.r  the  head  of  the  latt(.r  spc.ie.s. 

Tlie  young  bird  in  its  first  .Iress  is  also  ,|Mite  dilferent,  again,  from  the 
""•t'n.inal-phnnage,]  bir.ls,  Th,.  upper  parts  are  hoary-grayish,  the  lower 
v.liile  ;  each  leather  of  the  whoh-  body,  e.x,.ept  low,.r  tail-coverts,  with  a  ter- 
minal bar  or  trausver.se  .spot  of  blacki.sh,  those  on  the  upper  parts  approtich- 


SYI,V1('(»MI).K  -    TIIK  WAHIJLKUS.  24!) 

iii,H  tlie  l)iis('  of  tile  Icutlicrs  uloiij^  llie  slial'l.  \Viii,ns  and  tail  iiiiuli  as  in  tlin 
autiiiiiiial  ]tliima,UL'. 

llAmrs.  Tlu!  appcaraiici'  of  this  lu-autiful  and  familiar  Waihler  in  Now 
England  i,s  tlu'  sure  liarliingur  of  the  suninicr.  'I"hu  last  of  the;  migrants  that 
do  not  tari'v,  it  l)!);'gs  u])  the  rear  of  the  hosts  of  hyjterborean  visitors.  Tiiis 
species  ranges  over  the  whole  extent  of  eastern  North  America,  from  INIexieo 
to  the  Arctic  seas.  It  has  not  been  found  farther  west  than  the  (Jreat  riains 
and  the  Itio  (irande.  Wiierever  found  it  is  abundant,  and  its  lively  and 
attrai'tive  manners  and  appijarance  render  it  a  jileasing  feature.  It  is  not 
known  to  .stop  to  breed  in  Mas.saclni.setts,  but  it  lingers  with  us  till  the  last 
lilo.ssom  of  the  ap])le  falls,  and  until  the  lUueljird  and  the  l!(jbin  have  already 
well-tledged  l)roods,  sometimes  as  late  as  the  Idtli  of  June,  and  then  sud- 
deidy  disap])ears. 

Dr.  Woodhou.se  tbuud  it  abundant  in  Texas  and  the  Indiiin  Territory,  and 
individuals  have  been  [irocured  in  Missouri  and  Neliraskn.  It  has  been  I'ound 
abundant  in  the  Arctic  regions,  aiound  lM)rt  Anderson,  Fort  Vukoii,  and  Fort 
Good  lfo]ie.  A  single  specimen  was  taken  near  (Jodhaab,  (irecjuland,  in 
ISo.S,  as  reconled  by  Professor  lleinhardt.  Dr.  Hryant  met  with  it  in  the 
IJahamas,  in  the  si)ring  of  IS,")'.),  where  it  was  alaiudant  from  the  1st  to  the 
loth  of  May.  He  describes  its  haliils  as  similar  to  tlio.se  of  the  Afniotilta 
Viiria,  clindiing  arouiul  the  trunks  of  trees  in  .search  of  insects  with  the 
same  facility.  Single  sjiecinu'ns  ha\e  been  procured  from  (Jreenland  on  the 
northeast,  and  from  liogota  and  Culia.  Dr.  Cones  tbund  it  abumlant  in 
Lal)rador  in  all  well-wooded  situations,  and  desciibi  s  it  as  a  most  expert  tly- 
catclu'r,  taking  insects  on  the  wing  in  the  manner  of  the  ('iiiititi)i(K  riiru-s. 

Air.  Allen  has  never  noted  the  arrival  of  this  bird  in  Western  Massachusetts 
before  the  l^Utii  of  May,  nor  later  than  the  1st  of -luni'.  Tiiev  again  become 
abundant  the  last  of  .Se])tember,  and  remain  into  Octoiier.  In  Eastern  Maine 
jMr.  lioardman  rt'ports  them  abundant,  and  as  remaining  to  lireed.  They  are 
there  more  numerous  about  open  jiastures  than  most  Warlilers.  They  nest 
in  low  trees,  about  swampy  places. 

In  Central  Vermont,  Mr.  I'aine  states,  the  iUack-I'oil  is  tim  last  of  all  the 
migrant  l)irds  that  come  from  the  Soutli,  and  is  seen  only  a  lew  days  in  the 
iirst  of  June.  It  .seldom  stays  more  than  a  day  or  two,  and  then  ])as,ses 
north.  It  ap])ears  singular  that  a  bird  coming  so  late  should  go  yet  farther 
north  to  lireed.  lie  slates  that  its  song  consists  <inly  of  a  few  low.  lisjiing 
peejts.  It  may  usually  be  .seen  wandering  over  fields  in  which  there  are  a 
few  scattered  trees,  anil  seems  to  be  a  very  active,  restless  bird. 

The  writer  also  met  with  them  in  great  abundance  alwait  Eastport,  and  in 
the  islands  of  tlie  (Irand  Menan  grouj).  It  was  the  most  common  Warbh-r 
in  that  locality.  The  low  swam|iy  woods  seemed  filled  with  them,  and  were, 
vocal  with  their  peculiar  love-notes. 

Wiison  states  that  h;' occasionally  found  this  Warbler  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Xew  .lersev,  and  was  confident  tliev  would  be  found  t('>  breed  in  those  States, 


250  XUKTll  AMKlilCAX  JUIJD.S. 

but  tliis  liiis  never  l)eeii  ((HitiiiiKHl.  He  reganled  it  as  a  silent  bird,  and 
Mr.  AuduliDn  dues  not  edniplinient  its  vocal  powers.  Vet  it  is  a  pleasinj^- 
and  varied,  it'  not  a  powerful  singer.  Mr.  Tri|t])e  speaks  of  its  song  as  faint 
and  lisping,  o';'  ms  consisting  of  four  or  live  syllables. 

None  of  our  liinls,  before  its  history  was  well  known,  lias  been  made  the 
occasion  for  nioi'e  ill-foundi'd  conjectures  than  the  Lilack-l'oll.  Wil.son  was  at 
fault  as  to  its  song  and  its  Soutliern  breeding,  and  imagined  it  would  be  found 
to  ne.st  in  high  tree-tops,  .so  as  not  to  lie  readily  delected.  Xuttall,  on  the 
otiier  hand,  jireilieted  that  it  would  be  founil  to  breed  on  the  ground,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Mniutiltnc,  or  else  in  IkjIIow  trees  Mr.  Audubon,  finding  its 
nest  in  Labrador,  imUdges  in  flights  of  fancy  over  its  supposed  rarity,  which, 
.seen  in  the  ligliL  of  our  jtresent  knowledge,  as  an  abundant  bird  in  the  local- 
ity wiiere  his  expedition  was  fitted  out,  are  .somewhat  annising.  Tiiat  nest 
was  in  a  thicket  of  low  trees,  containeil  four  eggs,  and  was  phiced  about  four 
I'eet  from  the  ground,  in  the  fork  of  a  small  bianch,  close  to  the  main  stcMu 
of  a  fir-tree.  Its  internal  diameter  was  two  inches,  and  its  depth  one  and 
a  lialf.  It  was  formed,  externally,  of  green  and  winte  moss  and  lichens,  in- 
termingled with  coarse  dry  grasses.  It  was  lined,  with  great  care,  with  fine, 
dry,  dark-colored  mosses,  resemliling  horse-hair,  with  a  tiiick  bed  of  soft 
feathers  of  ducks  and  wilhnv  grouse. 

In  pa.ssing  north,  these  Warblers,  says  Audubon,  reacli  Louisiana  early  in 
February,  where  they  glean  their  food  among  the  upper  liranclies  (jf  tiie  trees 
overhanging  the  water,  lie  never  met  with  lliem  in  maritime  parts  of  the 
South,  yet  they  are  al)undant  in  tlu;  State  of  New  Jersey  near  the  ,sea-shore. 
As  they  pass  nortliward  their  haliits  seem  to  undergo  a  change,  and  to  ])ar- 
take  more  of  the  nature  of  ('reei)ers.  They  move  along  tlie  tninks  and  lower 
lindis,  .searching  in  their  chiid<s  for  larva-  and  iiujia;.  Later  in  the  .season,  in 
more  northern  h)calitie.s,  we  again  find  them  expert  liycatchers,  darting  after 
insects  in  all  directions,  chasing  them  while  on  tlie  wing,  and  making  tiie 
clicking  sound  of  the  triui  Flycatcher. 

Tliey  usually  reacli  IMa.s.sachu.setts  after  the  middle  of  May,  and  their  stay 
varies  from  one,  usually,  to  nearly  four  weeks,  esiiecially  when  their  insect- 
food  is  abundant.  In  our  ortihanls  they  feed  eagerly  u])on  the  canker-worm, 
which  is  just  ai>])earing  as  tliey  puss  tlirough. 

Around  Kast]iort  and  at  (irand  Menan  they  confine  themselves  to  the  tliick 
swampy  groves  of  evergreens,  where  they  breed  on  the  edges  of  the  woods. 
All  of  the  .several  nests  I  met  with  in  these  localities  were  built  in  thick 
spruce-trees,  about  eight  feet  from  the  ground,  and  in  the  midst  of  foliage;  so 
(K'nse  as  iiardly  to  be  noticeable.  Yet  the  nests  were  large  and  bulky  for  s(» 
small  a  bird,  In'ing  nearly  five  inches  in  iliametiM'  and  three  in  heiglit.  The 
cavity  is,  howevi'r,  small,  lieing  only  two  inches  in  diameter,  and  one  and  a 
fourtli  to  one  and  a  half  in  (h'pth.  They  were  constructed  cliiefly  of  a 
collection  of  slendci'  young  ends  of  laanclies  of  jiines,  firs,  and  spruce, 
interwoven  wilii  aiul  tied  togi'liier  liy  long  liranches  of  the  ('luifiiniii  licliens, 


«VLVIC0LIDJ<:_TII1.:  \\'AJ{I!LER>4.  on 

slMHler  I,..rl.u.on„.  , ,s,  nn.l  finer  ..,!.,..     Tho  n.sts  were  strongly  l,„ilt 

.  .pact  an.    hon„.„.n....ns,  .n.l  w,.  .lal.nn.U.ly  lin..!  ui.l.  fine  ,^L.  .   ' 
«M  sses  and  f,„c  ^tnuv.     In  all  the  nests  funn.l,  tl.e  nnnil.T  „f  e-- '   was  live 
T    ,s  a  somowlmt  n.,ticeal.le  fact,  that  tl.nn^l.  this  sjuries  is  ^.n  in  New 
Kn,  an,    only  l.y  the  n.i.ldle  of  May.  others  of  its  kind  have  Ion.  hefore 
-.1.0      n,h  Arctic  localities.     Jiiehardson  reco.ls  its  presence  at  tiie  Cu,:. 
huland  House  in  May,  and  Ki.gineer  Cantonn.ent  l.y  the  2(ith  of  A,..-il.     Mr 
Wkhart  ..oeured  a  nes,  an,l  live  e^,,  at  Fort  Yukon,  June  -).     All  the  nests 
tak  u  ni  these  local.t.es  Mere  of  snmller  size,  w..re   hnilt  within  two  feet 
.1  the  j4.o.nHl,  and  all  we.e  nu.ch  n.ore  wannly  lined  than  were  those  front 
..and  Arena...     In  a  few  insta-.c-s  Mr.  McKarlane  fo.u.d  the  nests  ..f  this 
peces  actually  lanlt  upon  the  ,rou..d.     This,  however,  is  an  abnor.nal  posi- 
i-n  and  .mly  occas.oned  Uy  the  M-a..t  of  suitai.le  situations  in  protectedlo- 
c.i  l.es.     In  one  instance  a  nest  was  taken  on   the  first  of  June,  ..ontainin- 
veil-developed  e...hryos.     Vet  this  ,s.,nc  .species  has  fre.iuentlv  l-e™  observed 

ZIll     """^'"r"^^  "--'^  "■•  '"-  '^ft-  others  of  its  species  have 
alKMdy  l.udt  their  nests  and  heumi  hatching. 

The  e-s  of  this  species  measure  .7li  hy  .^0  nf  an  inch.     Their  shape  is  an 

ol>lo-i,-oval.     Their  ground-color  is  a  beautiful  white,  w.th  a  sli.d.       n,,^  of 

p;n      w iien  fresh.      They  are  blotched  and  dotted  over  the  entire  Zl 

.  p.of use  markings  of  a  sul,dned  lavender.  a..d  deeper  markings  of  a  dark 

.s  Ine,  though  si.x  are  occasionally  found  in  a  nest. 


Dendroica  castanea,  B.viun. 

BAY-BE£ASTED  WARBLER. 


Hjllrlii  ciistduri: 


(iiC(i!<liiueii,\\\\,s.\u,    Oiii    II    mm     (1-    .1       ■      .. 

l!io".  I    1.     Ixix       I'.i      )        ,      '       '  '  •  •^"''  ''-  ^-  --'''^^-  '■  ^'''■■■•'•-  ;  An..  On,. 
'  '"o-    •>   pi.    I.\i.\.       ■^i//n<;i/,i  caxtdiicn,   Swvivs    •    In...       i.  •. 

Am     II     1,1     Ivvv         />/  ■  ;  '--"AINS.   ,    .lAlil).  ;    I{|(ll.  ;    IJoN.  ;    .\,;n.     IJinls 

xxiii.  lis.  -2.  -Mu.  ,.,„.  Ml,.,.  I,  ,!;    U^^wli  '"'  "'"""""""'  ''"'■  '"'  •'■• 

•  .lnish-.n.v.  tl  .    !    ,   ,       :"""     ':'rT"  '""'  '"''-"""'"^^  '■''^•^''  -^'--'liv  with 
with   a  ,i,„e  or  ...;    H,       ,  ::  J    ''"'  T'?^  "'''"■•     '^'"-  •"■"^■'  '-'^  ^  -'"''«" 

olive.  ,.„.oak-..I  .l.,.o,„.|.o„l  ^iii.  I  IH    S    ,  "        ;"•     """"  '"'''  "'"  "''l"'''  l^"''*'' 

Low,.,-  parts  with  t,4es    f  .  "'''•"^'o,,,.!  „„,■„  „f  ,,,estnnl  on  tlu-  ..■own. 

tail.  2.4i  '  ''"■"""''  '"'  ""  ''"■'P--     Length  of  male,  5.00  ;  wing,  3.05  ; 


252  NORTH  AMKIMCAX  lURPS. 

Hah.  Easlcni  I'niviiicc  (if  Xoilli  AiriciiiM  l<i  Iliiiisoii's  liiiy  ;  (liiiilciiiiilii,  sdiuIi  to  Istli- 
liiu>  (if  Darii'ii.     Xcil  j-ccni(lcil  lidiM  Mi'xi<M  or  West  Jiidirs. 

Till!  i'l'iuiik',  imd  iimiiutiin?  niiiles  of  tliis  .species  diiler  iiiucli  tVom  tlie 
s])riiio:  iiiiiles,  iiiid  are  olteii  coiiroiiiideil  witli  other  speeies,  es])eeiiilly  with  J>. 
s/riii/ii.  A  (.ireful  eompiirisoii  ol' an  extensive  series  of  iniiuature  specimens 
of  tlie  two  s]K'('ies  shows  tiiat  in  n(sf((iii'ii  the  under  ])arts  are  siddoni  waslied 
nnifornilv  on  tlie  throat  and  breast  with  vellowish-oreer,  lint  while  this 
may  he  seen  on  the  sides  of  the  neelc  anil  hreast,  or  even  aeross  the  latter, 
the  eliin  and  throat  are  nearly  white,  the  sides  tinged  with  dirty  hrowi., 
even  if  the  (oenerally  jiresent)  trace  of  ehestnut  he  wantiuo-  on  the  sides. 
There  is  a  hull'  tinoe  to  the  under  taiI-cov(!rts  ;  the  ([uills  are  aliruptly  iniir- 
•  fined  with  white,  and  there  are  no  traces  (however  ohsolele)  of  streaks  on 
the  hr(!ast.  In  />.  .sfrinfn  the'  under  jiarts  are  ipiite  uniformly  washed  with 
^reenish-yellow  nearly  as  far  hack  as  the  vent,  the  sides  of  the  hreast  and 
sometimes  of  the  ludly  with  ohsolete  streaks  ;  no  trace  of  the  uniform  dirty 
reddisli-hrown  on  the  sides  ;  the  under  tail-coverts  are  pure  M'hite.  The 
([uills  are  only  oradually  palei'  towiirds  the  inner  edge,  instead  of  being 
rather  abru])tly  white. 

llAiiiTs.  'I'lie  liay-breasted  Warbler  is  one  of  the  many  species  belong- 
ing to  this  genus  whose  hi.story  is  yet  very  imi)erfectly  known.  Kvery  where 
(piite  rare,  it  is  yet  distributed  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  (!reat  Plains,  and 
from  the  (lulf  of  Me.\ico  far  into  the  Hudson  J'.ay  Territory.  In  the  winter 
it  i.s  known  to  extend  its  migrations  as  far  to  the  south  as  the  northern  por- 
tions of  South  America.  It  has  not  beim  traced  to  Mexico  nor  to  the  West 
India  Islands,  but  has  been  procured  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  (Juatemala.  Nearly 
all  the  s])eciniens  obtained  in  the  United  States  have  either  been  taken 
before  the  12th  of  May  or  in  the  autunui,  indicative  of  a  more  northern 
breeding-] i] ace.  In  Kastern  ^rassachu.setts  it  is  I'xceedingly  rare,  passing 
through  after  the  middle  of  May  and  returning  in  Seiitemlier.  ^Ir.  May- 
nard  has  obtained  a  specimen  as  late  as  .Iiine  1!',  which,  though  not  neces- 
sarily jnovino  that  any  breed  there,  indicates  that  the  line  of  their  area  of 
i(  production  cannot  be  di.stant.  In  the  western  part  of  the  .same  State,  Mr. 
Allen  has  iound  it  from  ^Fay  20  to  the  2."ith,  and  has  obtained  one  specimen 
in  July.  In  Western  Maine,  ^Ir.  Vi'rrill  has  noted  its  occurrence  from  the 
middle  of  May  to  June,  lait  it  is  very  rare;  and  ^Ir.  lioardman  re])orts  the 
same  for  Kastern  !Maine,  where  it  is  a  summer  resident.  He  writes  that  he 
has  several  times  shot  specimens  in  the  early  summer,  Imt  that  he  ouild 
never  find  the  nest.  It  is  also  given  by  Lieutenant  I'dand  as  one  of  the  birds 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  Halifax.  It  was  not  ob.served  by  any  of  the  gov- 
ernmental exploring  ex])editions,  nor  fiuuid  in  Arizona  by  Dr.  Cones.  Mr. 
Lawrence  has  received  specimens  from  I'anama,  obtained  in  wintisr,  Mr. 
Cassin  from  Darien,  and  Mr.  Sdater  from  (Wiateniala. 

This  sjiecies  .so  far  eluded  the  notice  of  ^Ir.  Audubon  as  to  prevent  him 
from  giving  uny  account  of  its  habits.      ife  only  mentions  its  occasional 


svi-vicni,ii).K  — TiiK  \VAi;r.i,i:i{s.  2r)8 

arrival  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ni'W  Jersey  early  in  April,  and  its  almost 
innncdiali)  and  sudden  disai)iK'aranii'.  He  several  times  olitaincd  them  at 
that  |ieri()d,  and  yet  lias  also  sliot  tiieu'  in  Louisiana  as  late  as  dune,  while 
busily  searciliini^  tor  food  aiuon^'  the  blossoms  of  the  cotlon-]ilant. 

Wilson  also  reji'arded  this  sjieeies  as  very  rare.  He  r(!]Ha'ts  it  as  jiassin<^r 
through  Pennsylvania  aJKUit  the  middle  of  May,  hut  soon  disaiiiiearin,u.  He 
describes  these  birds  as  haviiiu  many  of  the  habits  of  Titndee,  and  dis- 
]»layin;4-  all  their  activity,  it  haiij;s  ahcait  the  extremity  of  tlu!  t\vij,'s,  and 
darts  about  from  place  to  place  with  restless  dilij^ence  in  search  of  various 
kinds  of  larviv.  Wilst)n  never  met  with  it  in  tJie  summer,  and  \ery  rarely 
in  the  fall. 

Mr.  Nuttall  noticed  this  s]i(!cies  passing  through  Massachusetts  about  the 
luth  of  April.  He  regarded  it  as  an  active  insert-iuuiter,  keepiuL^-  in  the  to])s 
of  the  hij^hest  trees,  dartinii'  about  with  j;reat  activity,  and  hanging;-  from  the 
twi;j;s  with  fluttering  win.ijs.  i)iw  of  these  liirds  that  had  been  wouiuUmI 
soon  became  reconciled  to  its  coidinement,  and  iireodiiy  cauuht  at  and 
devouretl  the  Hies  that  weic  oiferiid.  In  its  habits  and  manners  it  seemed 
to  him  to  greatly  resend)le  the  Chi'stnut-sided  Warbler. 

Mr.  T.  M.  Tripjie  speaks  of  this  Wariiler  as  one  of  the  last  to  arrive  nt>ar 
Orange,  X.  Y.  ( )wing  to  the  fact  that  at  that  time  the  foliage  is  pretty  deiisi', 
and  that  it  makes  but  a  sliort  stay,  it  is  not  often  s(!en.  He  s])eaks  of  it  as 
not  quite  so  active  as  the  other  Warlders,  keeping  more  on  the  lower  boughs, 
and  seldom  ascemling  to  the  tops  of  the  trees. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Wyatt  met  with  this  species  at  Xaranjcj,  in  (Colombia,  South 
America. 

Kggs  of  this  bird  ol)tained  by  Mr.  (ieorge  Tlusii  at  Coldwater,  ni'ar 
Lake  Sup(iri(a',  are  of  an  oblong-o\al  sliape,  measuring  .7">  by  .~)'2  of  an  inch, 
and  except  in  their  su]ierior  si/e  and  lewer  markings  might  be  mistaken  for 
eggs  of  I),  (infira.  Their  ground-color  is  a  bluish  or  greenish  white.  The 
markings  are  vt'ry  few  and  fine,  except  tliosi'  in  tlie  crown  around  the  laiger 
end,  and  there  the  blotches  are  deeper  and  itntw  mnnerous.  Tlieir  colors  are 
dark  reddish-brown  and  purple. 

Mr.  ^layuard  found  this  s]iecies  the  most  abundant  of  the  Si// rim/ Ida-  at 
Lake  Undjagog,  where  it  bieeds.  'I'wo  nests  wen;  taken  in  -lune.  One  was 
found  June  •\,  in  a  tree  by  the  side  of  a  cart-]iath  in  the  woods,  just  com- 
pleted. It  was  built  in  the  horiz""tal  branch  of  a  heudock,  twenty  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  live  or  six  from  tlu^  triiidv  of  the  tree.  ]W  the  8th  of 
.Tu'.e  it  contained  three  fresh  eggs.  The  other  was  built  in  a  similar  situa- 
tion, Id'teen  feet  from  the  ground,  ami  contained  two  fresli  eggs. 

These  ne.sts  were  large  for  the  bird,  and  resendiled  those  of  the  I'urple 
Finch.  They  were  c(nn|»o.sed  outwardly  of  line  twigs  of  tlu;  hai'kmatack, 
with  which  was  mingled  smut;  of  the  long  hanging  llsnva  mos.ses.  Tiiey  were 
very  smoothly  and  neatly  lined  with  black  libr(Mis  roots,  the  seed-stalks  of 
C/niloiiia  mosses,  and  a  few  hairs.     They  had  a  diameter  of  aluait  six  inches, 


254  XOKTH  AMlilUCAN   lillinS. 

and  a  lioight  of  about  two  mid  a  lialf  inclins.  Tlio  cavity  was  three  inches 
wide  and  an  inch  and  a  (luarlci'  dcc]t.  The  e-rjis  varied  in  lengtli  from  .71 
to  .0")  (jf  iin  inch,  and  in  l)ica(kli  from  StA  to  .50.  Their  ground-color 
Mas  a  bluish-green,  thickly  spotted  with  l)ro\vn,  and  generally  witli  a  ring 
of  confluent  blotches  of  \nm\n  and  lilac  around  the  larger  end.  Occasion- 
ally the  s]i(jt,s  i)ioved  to  lie  more  or  less  of  an  umlier-brown,  and  in  some 
specimens  tiie  spots  were  less  numerous  tiian  in  othcr.s. 

These  l)irds  were  found  in  all  the  woodeil  .sections  of  that  rtfgion,  where 
they  freijutnted  the  tops  of  tall  trees.  Their  song,  he  states,  in  itsOpening,  is 
like  that  oi'  the  I'.lack-l'oll,  with  a.  terminal  Marble  similar  to  that  oi'  the 
liedstart,  but  given  Mith  less  energy. 


Dendroica  ceerulescens,  Baird. 

BLACK-THSOATED  BLUE  WABBLEB. 

Motacilhi  cnmdevsis,  Llnx.  .Syst.  X,it.  1,  ]7(J(i,  :J3(!  (not  \>.  3;U.  wliicli  is  I).  cornmM. 
Sjjh-iii  ai,ui</ni.si.s,  Lath.;  M'm..s(in-.  ^  Aim.  Ovn.  lliog.  II,  jil.  cxlviii,  dv.  —  S.vi.i.iJ, 
P.  Z.  S.  18,'>7,  231  (St.  DniiiiiiKoV  Sjilri,-i,l(i  cuiKii/ciisix,  Swains.  ;  .rAiiii.  ;  lioN.  ; 
Ari).  lairds  .Vm.  IF,  ]il.  .\cv.  j;/iiiii(ni/i/iiis  cm.  V\n.  Dcmh-oiin  r.nini/iiisi.i,  IJAiiai, 
liiiils  X.  Am.  isr)8,  271.  —  In.  I'.  Z.  S.  isiil,  7(i  (.l,iiii;ii,a).  —  (irxin,.  Calj.  .lour  ISO], 
32(i  (t'uliii  ;  v.ry  c'oimiKm).  —  Sa.MCKi.s,  221.  .U,>/,ifi7/,i  cari(/,'.wi,.t,  Om.  S.  Xat.  I, 
17SS,  Stiiii.  Si//nii  !■.(/•.  Lath.;  Vir.ii.i,.  li,  j.l.  Ixxx.  —  D'Ouii,  Safin's  I'ulia,  Ois. 
ISlli.  (>;i,  1)1.  ix,  ti<,'s.  1,  -2.  1),ii,h-ni,;i  ,•„•)■.  llAii;i),  IJi'v.  .Aim.  I!.  18(14,  1S(1.  ,syr/r( 
pii^ilhi,  \Vm.s.  V,  i>I.  xliii,  lifi.  ;i  (.(uv.>.  SjthHii  /,i(r„jit,r,f,  Wii.s.  ,\i//f!„  /,<,/ii.i/n\ 
SiKi'ir.  Si/I  rill  iiiiK-ni/iHx,  Vw-M.i.uT.  ,Si//n'ii.  .iji/nujiiusir,  Hon.;  Nititai.i.;  Aui).  tiijl- 
vicii!,!  j,(iiijuisii,  (ids.sK,  liinls  .lain.  1817,  lli2  (IVmale).  —  In.  lUiist.  no.  37. 


Pp.  CiiAii.  Ali()v<'  unil'oriii  (■(inlinnoiis  nrravisli-lilnc.  inclinliiifr  tlio  outer  t'dfres  of  the 
quill  am!  tail-fcatlicrs.  A  namiw  Cnnital  liiif,  llir  ciiliri'  sid.'.s  of  head  and  iicrk,  cliiii  and 
tln-iiat,  luKlnjiis  lilack  ;  tliis  coloi- (■xk'iidiii.tr  in  n  Imiad  lateral  strii)e  to  the  tail.  Iio.-:t  of 
iindiM-  parts,  iiieliidiiii,'-  llic  .■ixillary  rc.crioii.  wliilc.  Wiii.i;s  and  tail  lilark  aliovc,  the  Ibniicr 
wilh  ii  conspiciioiis  wliilf  patch  lonncd  l.y  the  liasi's  of  .all  the  primaries  (cxccpl  the  lii'st); 
the  inner  welis  of  the  seeondaries  and  tertiaU  with  siiiiilar  jialejies  towards  the  hase  tiinl 
aloii.j-  Die  inner  niardn.  All  the  tail-leathers,  exei'pt  the  innermost,  with  a  white  patch  on 
the  inner  weh  near  the  end.     Lenirlh,  ').•")() ;   wini;-.  '_'.()(l ;  tail.  2.'J"). 

Female,  olive-frreen  above  anil  dull  yellow  bein'ath.  Sides  of  head  dn.-^ky  olive,  the  eye- 
lids .-uid  a  snpereiliary  stripe  whitish.  Traces  of  the  white  patches  at  the  hase  of  the  pri- 
niaries  and  of  tlii'  t.-iil. 

IIah.      Kastein  IVoviii f  T'nited  Slates:  .lainaic^a.  Ciiha,  and  St.  noiniiiiro  in  winter; 

very  ahnndant  ;   Bahamas  (Hiivaxt).     Xot  recorded  fr.mi  M,.xi,.o  or  Central  America. 

The  white  ])atch  at  tlie  ba.se  of  the  primary,  together  with  the  total  ab- 
sence of  outer  markings  on  the  wings,  is  jiccnliar  to  this  specnes,  and  is  found 
in  both  sexes.  The  female  is  more  different  from  the  male  than  that  of  any 
other  s])ecies. 

The  plumage  of  the  male  in  autumn  is  iiiuilar  to  the  spring  dress,  but 
the  back  and  wings  are  M'ashed  with  greenish,  and  the  black  of  the 
throat  variegated  with  M-hite  edges  to  the  feathers.     A  younger  mule  (788, 


SYLVICOLID.E  -    THE  WAUULEltS.  255 

Octiilior  10,  r'iirlislc,  I't'iiii.)  (liU'cis  in  liiiviui,'  Ihv  liliick  ;ippcnvinj:j  in  patclu'.s, 
tlio  thruiil  being  nidstly  wliitu ;  tluire  is  al.su  a  narrow  wLilo  suiierciliary 
sUipo. 

ll.vnnx  Tii(>  niacic-tln'oated  liio  AVarlil.'r,  at  diircrcnt  seasons  of  tlic 
year,  is  distriljiited  over  neaily  tlie  whole  eastern  jjortion  of  North  Anieriea. 
Abundant  in  the  West  Indies  in  winter,  as  also  in  tlie  South  Atlantic  States 
in  early  spring  and  late  in  fall,  it  is  found  during  the  breeding-season  from 
Northern  Now  York  and  New  Hngland  nearly  to  the  Arctic  regions.  A  few 
probaljly  stop  to  breetl  in  the  liigii  portions  of  Massachusetts,  and  in  late 
seasons  they  linger  about  the  orchards  until  dune.  They  undoubtedly  hreed 
in  Vermont,  X(!W  Hampshire,  and  Maine. 

Dr.  AVoodiioiise  states  tliat  he  found  it  abundant  in  Texiis  ;  but  this  is  the 
oidy  instance,  ,so  far  as  is  known,  of  its  occurring  west  of  the  Missi.ssijipi 
Valley. 

Towards  the  clo.se  of  the  remarkably  mild  winter  of  ISOt"),  a  ])air  of  the.se 
birds  were  oUserved  for  .several  days  in  a  sheltered  portion  of  iJoston.  They 
were  in  excellent  condition,  and  were  very  laisily  employed  hunting  for  the 
larvai  and  eg^s  of  in.sects  and  sjiiders  in  the  corners  and  crevices  of  the  walls 
of  hou.ses  and  (ait-biiildings,  evidently  (d)tinning  a  full  supply.  In  Southern 
Illinois,  Mr.  Itidgway  cites  this  Warbler  as  one  of  the  least  cmunion  of  the 
s])ring  and  fall  visitants. 

Audubon  found  this  s]iecies  in  nearly  every  Southern  and  Southwestein 
State  during  tiieir  migrations.  They  arrive  in  South  Carolina  late  in  March, 
are  most  abundant  in  Ajiril,  and  leave  early  in  May.  They  keej)  in  the  deei) 
woods,  ])assing  among  the  brandies  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  Jle 
traced  them  as  far  north  as  the  Magdaleine  Islands,  but  found  none  in  New- 
foundland, and  liut  a  single  specimen  in  Labrador.  They  breed  in  Nova 
Scotia,  and  a  nest  was  given  him  found  near  Halifax  liy  Dr.  .Mac( 'ulloch. 
The.se  were  .said  to  be  usually  jjlacod  on  the  horizontal  liranch  of  a  tir-tree, 
.seven  or  eight  feet  from  the  ground,  and  to  be  composed  of  Hue  strips  of  l)ark, 
mosses,  and  fdirous  roots,  and  lined  with  line  grasses  and  a  warm  bed  of 
feathers.  The  eggs,  li\('  in  nundier,  were  white,  with  a  rosy  tint,  and  sprin- 
kled with  reddish-brown  dots,  cliieHy  at  the  larger  end. 

This  Warbler  is  an  expert  catcher  of  tiie  smaller  winged  insects,  pursuing 
them  (|uite  a  distance,  and,  when  .seizing  them,  making  the  clicking  sound  of 
the  true  Flycatcher.  So  far  as  they  have  been  ob.served.  they  have  no  song, 
only  a  monotonous  and  sad-sounding  r/i<ij). 

Nuttall,  in  the  secontl  edition  of  his  Alanual,  mentions  having  oliserved 
several  ])airs  near  Karranville,  rcnn.,  on  the  Susiiueiianna,  and  among  tiie 
AUeghanie.s.  It  was  in  May,  and  in  a  thick  and  shady  wood  of  hendock. 
They  were  busy  foraging  for  food,  and  were  uttering  what  he  describes  as 
slender,  wiry  notes. 

In  Western  Afassachusetts,  My.  Allen  states  it  to  be  common  from  the  loth 
to  the  2r.tli  of  May,  and  again  in  SeptiMuber.    They  were  fouml  by  Mr.  ('.  W. 


250  N'OKTll  AMI-;i!l("AN    HIHDS. 

Iifinictt  (HI  ]\romit  Ildlycikc  (huiiiu'  llic  lnccdiiijf-st'iisdii,  find  liv  Mf.  15.  llos- 
I'ord  oil  llio  westoiii  lidgcs  during  tla'  .siinie  ])ei'iiMl.  'I'iicy  uru  L'ouinion,  Mr. 
JJdindnian  .stiiU's,  in  tlic  tliick  wimhIs  idHHit  Caliiis,  tlimiigli  id!  t!ie  hrewling- 
siiiisdii. 

In  Jamaica,  during  tlu;  winter,  it  exclusively  Ireriuents  tiio  edges  of  tall 
■\vo(ids  in  unl'reiineiited  iiioiiiitainnn.s  idealities.  Tliey  are  t'oiiiid  in  iliat  island 
t'rfini  Octolier  7  until  tiie  '.Hli  ol'  Ajiril.  Mr.  (Josse,  who  has  closely  ohservd 
their  liahils  during  winter,  s]ieaks  of  tlieir  jilaying  together  with  inucli  spirit 
lor  hall' an  hour  at  a  tiiias  chasing  each  other  swii'tly  round  and  nuind,  occa- 
sionally dodging  tiirnugh  the  huslies,  and  uttering  at  intervals  a  pelihly  flici'p. 
They  never  remain  long  alight(Hl,  and  are  diliicult  to  kill.  Ue.stlessness  i.s 
their  great  characteristic.  'I'hey  often  alight  transver.scdy  on  the  long  pendent 
vines  or  slender  trees,  hopping  up  and  down  without  a  moment's  intermission, 
jieckiiig  at  insects.     Tliey  are  usually  very  plump  and  fat. 

De  la  Sagra  states  that  this  hird  occasio'udly  breeds  in  Culta,  young  birds 
iiaving  lieen  killed  tliat  had  evidently  lieen  hatched  there.  The  record  of 
this  Warhler,  as  ](resented  hy  ditferent  authors,  i  s  ajiparently  inconsistent  and 
contradictory:  rare  with  sonu'  observers,  alaindant  with  others;  rcMuaining 
in  -lamaica  until  well  into  .\j>ril,  yet  common  in  South  Carolina  in  March, 
and  even  ai)pearing  in  ]\Iassachu.setts  in  mi  Iwinter;  suj)])osed  to  breed  in 
the  highlands  of  Cuba,  yet,  except  in  the  case  of  the  nest  taken  near  Halifax, 
its  manner  of  breeding  was  uukuown  until  lately.  It  is  jirolialily  rare  in  hiw- 
lands  e\ery where,  and  nowhere  common  exce])t  among  mountains,  and,  while 
alile  to  endure  an  inclement  season  where  food  is  alaindant,  is  intlueneed  in 
its  migratory  movements  liy  instinctive  ])romptings  to  change  its  quarters 
entirely  in  reference  to  a  supply  of  food,  and  not  liy  the  temi)erature  merely. 
It  jiresence  in  i)ostoii  in  winti'i' was  of  course  a  singular  accident;  but  its 
jilunip  condition,  and  its  coiiteiiti'd  stay  so  long  as  its  supply  of  food  was 
abundant,  suHiciently  attested  its  ability  to  endure  severe  weather  for  at  least 
ii  limited  period,  and  while  its  I'ood  was  not  wanting.  ^Ir.  Tri]ipe  states  that 
these  birds  reach  Xorthern  New  dersey  during  the  first  week  of  INIay,  and 
stay  a  whole  month,  remaining  there  haiger  than  any  otiier  species.  At  lirst 
they  have  no  note  but  a  simjile  iliirp;  but,  before  they  leave,  the  males  are 
said  to  have  a  singular  drawling  song  of  tour  or  five  notes. 

Mr.  I'aine  states  that  this  Warbler  is  a  resident,  lait  not  very  common  bird, 
in  liandolpli,  Vt.  Ke  has  usually  noticed  it  in  the  midst  ol'  tliii  k  woods, 
not  generally  in  tall  trees,  l)ut  among  the  lower  branches  or  in  Imshes.  The 
song  he  descril)es  as  very  short  and  insignitieant,  its  tones  sharp  and  wiry, 
and  not  to  be  heard  at  any  great  distance.  He  knows  nothing  as  to  its  iie.st. 
They  arrive  at  liandolpli  from  the  South  ai)out  the  middle  of  May. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  John  IJurroughs  for  all  the  knowledge  we  ]ios.se.ss 
in  relation  to  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  sjiecies,  which  had  previously  baf- 
fled the  search  of  other  naturalists.  He  was  so  fortunate  as  to  meet  with 
their  ne.st  in  the  summer  ol'  I.S71.      Karly  in  July,  in  company  with  his 


SVI.VK'OLID.E  — TIIK  WAUBLKHS.  257 

nephew,  Mr.  C.  15.  Dev"'',  Mr.  I'.iirroiijflis  visited  tiiu  .-siime  wiioils,  in  lio.xlnny, 
Deliiwiire  County,  X.  V.,  in  wliicli  lie  had  in  ii  previou.s  yeiir  found  tlie  ne.it 
of  the  .Mourning-  (iround  ■\Varl)ler.  The  tree.s  were  mostly  hendoek,  with  an 
under^Towth  of  hirch  and  heecli.  They  first  notieed  tiie  jiarent  liirds  with 
food  in  their  liills,  and  then  .set  aliout  deliherately  to  liiid  their  ne.st  iiy 
M'atehin;,'  their  movements,  lint  tiie  liirds  wen;  eiinally  vigilant,  and  watehed 
tluMu  (piite  as  determinedly.  "  It  was  diamond  eut  diamond."  They  were  so 
.su.spieious,  that,  after  loading-  their  iieaks  with  food,  they  wouhl  swallow  it 
themselves,  rather  than  run  the  risk  of  lietrayin^'  their  seeret  hy  ajiproaehin^f 
the  nest.  They  even  apparently  attemjited  to  mislead  them  by  heinj,'  very  pri- 
vate and  uontidential  at  a  ])oint  some  di.^itanee  from  the  nest.  Tiie  two  watehed 
the  liird.s  for  over  an  hour,  when  the  mosquitoes  made  it  too  hot  for  them  to 
hold  out  any  longer,  and  they  made  a  rush  upon  the  jiTouiid,  determined  to 
hunt  it  over  inch  liy  inch.  The  l)irds  then  manifested  the  <;reatest  conster- 
nation, and  when,  on  leaping  over  an  oM  lo^-,  the  younj;-  sprang  out  with  a 
scream,  hut  a  few  feet  from  them,  the  <listraeted  ])air  fairly  threw  tliem.selves 
under  their  very  feet.  The  maUi  l)ird  trailed  his  hriglit  new  jilumage  in 
the  dust;  and  his  much  more  humbly  clad  mate  was,  if  anything,  more  .so- 
licitous and  venturesome,  coming  witiiin  easy  reach.  The  ne.st  was  placed 
in  the  fork  of  a  small  hemlock,  aliout  tifteen  inches  from  the  ground.  There 
■were  four,  and  perhaps  five,  young  in  the  nest,  and  one  egg  unhatched,  which, 
on  blowing,  jiroved  to  have  lieen  fresh. 

The  nest  measures  three  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  and  a  trifle  more 
than  two  in  height.  The  cavity  is  broad  and  dec}),  two  and  a  third  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  rim,  and  on<!  and  a.  half  deep.  Its  base  and  jjcriphery  are 
loose  aggregations  of  strips  of  deeayeil  inner  bark  from  dead  deciduous  trees, 
ehiedy  liasswood,  strengthened  iiy  fine  twigs,  rootlets,  and  bits  of  wood  and 
bark  Witliin  this  is  a  firm,  compact,  well-woven  nest,  made  by  an  elabo- 
rate interweaving  of  slender  njots  and  twigs,  hair,  fine  pine-neetUes,  and  simi- 
lar inatei'ials. 

The  egg  is  oval  in  shape,  le.ss  olitu.se,  but  not  pointed,  at  one  end,  with  a 
grayish-white  ground,  ])inkisli  wiien  unlilown,  ami  marked  around  the  larger 
Olid  with  a  wreath,  chielly  of  a  i)right  umbei-lmnvn  with  lighter  markings  of 
reddish-brown  and  ob.scure  purple.  A  few  smaller  dottings  of  the  .same  are 
sparingly  distributed  over  the  rest  of  the  egg.  Its  measurements  are  .70  by 
.50  of  an  inch.  It  more  nearly  resembles  the  eggs  of  the  />.  iiuukIoxo  than 
any  other,  is  about  five  per  cent  larger,  a  little  more  oblong,  and  the  spots 
differ  in  their  reddish  and  purplish  tinge,  so  far  as  one  speeinum  may  be 
taken  as  a  criterion. 


33 


258  NORTH  A.NtEIUCAX   IJIKDS. 

Dendroica  olivacea,  Si  i  at. 

OLIVE-HEADED  WABBLEB. 

Sijlrki  (ilimcro,  (iin.M-D,  Hinls  Texas,  ISH,  11,  [il.  vii,  W'^.  %  — Sci.ATF.Il,  P.  Z.  S.  ISrir), 
()().  .Sif/i-ifii/d  (,/it-(imi,  Cassin,  111.  Hiids  Texas,  ete.  18;").'),  2S;i,  1)1.  xlviii.  llhimnm- 
/i/iiis  (j/iviici'Ks,  Sci.ATKli,  1'.  /,.  ,S.  !{*")().  lilH  (('c)i(li)va).  Ihiiilntieti  olimcai,  .Scl.Ali'.ii, 
1'.  Z.  K.  18J8,  '2H8  (Oa.xaeii  ;  eokl  rej,'i(iii).  -  Id.  P.  'A.  S.  IH.VJ,  ;ili;i  (.lalupa).  —  In. 
ratal.  1861,  31,  no.  190.  —  Baikd,  liev.  .\iii.  U.  I«il4,  -.iit.').  .syc/u  hcniatn,  Drnrs, 
Hull,  .\eail.  iiiiix.  XIV,  1847,  Idl.  -  In.  liev.  Z.  18-18,  -2-15.  Ni/h-iivla  heiiUiUi,  Bon. 
Con.si).  l><r)(i,  adi). 

8p.  f'lfAU.  Ilcail  anil  iicrk  all  roiiiid,  with  jii.iiiiluiii,  lirowiiish-sallVon,  with  ii  li'i-ounish 
tin.iri' oil  llii' iiaiic.  licsi  of  u|i|)ci-  pails  a.shy.  Middle  and  tips  of  groatoi- wing- covorts 
white,  foriiiiiig  two  haiid.s  on  the  wing-;  a  thifd  white  patch  at  tlu'  ba.SL'.s  of  the  priiiiafies 
(except  the  outer  two),  and  cxlendiiif,^  Ibfwards  aloii^'  the  outer  edyc.s.  Secondaries  oiljjcd 
externally  with  olive-jrieen.  Iiniei-  webs  of  rpiilLs  con.spienoii.sly  ed.u'ed  with  white.  I'nder 
parts,  except  a.s  de.seiihed,  while,  tiiifred  with  Ijfownisli  on  tlu;  sid<'s  ;  a  narrow  liontal 
band,  and  a  broad  .stripe  from  thi.s  thrciijrh  eye  and  over  ear-eoverl.s,  black.  Outer  tail- 
feather  wl'.ite,  exce))!  at  ba.s(!  and  towards  ti]);  frrealer  portion  of  inner  web  of  iie.xt 
feather  also  white,  nuieh  more  restriete<l  on  the  third.  Leiifith,  4.(iO  ;  wine-,  2.SS ;  tail, 
2.15  ;  tarsu.s.  .7"). 

A  temale  .specimen  (14,.'!(;il).  perliap.s  also  in  antiimiial  plnini!,:,'e,  has  the  .sall'ron  n'placed 
by  clear  yellowish,  except  on  the  loj)  of  head  and  nape,  which  are  olive-green.  The  black- 
frontal  and  lateral  baiid.s  are  replaced  by  whitish,  leaving  only  a  dusky  patch  c-i  the  ears. 

Hah.     Mexico  (both  coasts  to  the  .southward)  ;  (iiiateiiiala. 

Tliis  S])ecie.s  i.s  <ri\ou  by  Mr.  (liraiid  as  occui'vino-  in  Texa.s,  but  it  h  pos- 
sible that  ho  may  have  been  luislod  a.s  to  the  true  locality.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  yet  detected  along  tlie  southern  border  of  the  I'nited  States. 

Nothiii"  is  known  of  its  liidiits. 


Dendroica  nigrescens,  \\.\\\w. 

BLACK-THBOATED  OBAT  WABBLEB. 

Sijlcia  nigresaum,  Towssuxii,  ,1.  A.  N.  Se.  VII,  ii,  1837,  1!>1  (Columbia  Hiver).  —  Acn, 
Om.  Biog.  V,  18:3!t,  ,07,  pi.  cecxcv.  Fermivorn  in';/.  Box.  ;  NuiT.  .Si/hncnJn  vi<j. 
Aui).  Birds  Am.  II,  pi.  xiiv.  lihlimiiiphiix  niij.  Caii.  1850.  Ikvih-aim  iiiij.  Baiiii), 
Bird.s  N.   Am.  18r)8,  '2711  ;  Bev.  18(i.  --  Sil.ArKi!,  P.  Z.  S.  1808,  •2!»8  ;  18.09,  374  (Oax- 

aea  :  Ingli  mountains  in  JIarch). llr.Kii.MANN,  P.  B.  Ii.  Beji.  X,  iv,  4ii.  —  <'ooi'i;i!  k 

SiCKi.r.v,  P.  H.  \{.  I!ep.  XII,  11,  Isr.H,  ISO.       CoofKll,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  !tO.     !  Sylvia 
hiilscli,  (JiiiAii),  Birds  Texa-s,  1838,  \\\.  iii,  lig.  1,  9  (suggested  by  Selatcr). 

Sp.  ("iiAii.  Head  all  round,  Ibrepart  of  the  breast,  and  streaks  on  the  side  of  the  body, 
black  :  rest  of  under  parts,  a  stripe  on  the  side  of  the  head,  beginning  acutely  just  aln)ve  the 
middle  of  the  <'ye,  and  another  paralh'l  to  it,  beginning  at  the  base  of  the  nmh'r  jaw  (the 
.xtripes  of  opposite  siiii's  conlhien;  on  the  chin),  and  running  further  back,  white.  A  yellow 
spot  in  front  of  the  eyi'.  Itest  of  upper  parts  blnish-gray.  The  interscapular  region  and  upper 
tail-coverts  streaked  with  blai-k.  Wing-coverts  black,  with  two  narrow  white  bamls;  (piills 
and   tail-feathers  brown,  the  two  outer  of  tlu!  latter  white.  M-itli  the  shafts  and  a  terniiiial 


svi,v[coLiiu<:  — Tiric  wahhlkhs.  250 

stiviik  lirnwii;  the  ihinl  liroun,  with  a  tcniiinal  iiariow  wiiilc  sircak.     Hill  l.lack  :   I'cct 
lii-dWii.      LciiMlli.   1.7(1:    Willi;-,  L'..".!!;  tail.  2.H». 

IIaii.     Wi'slcni  and    Miildlc    I'lov  iiiivs   of  Kiiilcd   Stati's.     Migratory  s.iiilliward  into 
Wi'stcni  .\[cxic()  (Oaxaca):   Ori/aha  (uinlcr,  Si  mii-mhasi,). 

Ft'iiiiilo  (Ti.'vJT:?,  East  Hiiiiil.ul(lt  Mdinitiiiiis,  Xov.,  July  U).  Siinilnr  to 
tlie  male,  but  crown  ash  mcilially  stmikcil  witli  Mack,  instead  of  continuous 
Mack;  llie  streaks  on  hack  narrow  and  inconsi)icuons  ;  tlic  Mack  of  tlio 
throat  contincd  to  tlic  jiinnlnni,  apiteariui,'  in  s|iots  only  on  anterior  half.  A 
youn<f  feinalt!  (No.  r);;,;i7(i,  Kn.st  Ilnniholilt  Mountains,  Anjiust  l(t)  is  plain 
brownish-ash  above,  lacking  entirely  the  streaks  on  tin;  back,  and  those  on 
sides  of  crown  extremely  obsolete.  Thei'e  is  no  black  whatever  on  throat  or 
.jugulnin,  which,  with  tiie  wc^ll-deHned  supra-loral  stri])e  and  lower  parts  in 
general,  are  soiled  white,  more  brownish  laterallv.  The  other  features,  includiii'' 
the  yellow  sjiot  over  the  lores,  with  the  wing  and  tail  markings,  are  inuch  as 
in  the  adult.  A  young  male  (olVfiT;"*),  same  hicality  and  date,  dillers  from  the 
last  in  having  tiie  sides  of  the  (trown  black,  and  the  throat-patch  almost 
comiilete,  but  nnicii  h.idden  by  the  broad  wiiite  borders  to  the  feathers.  An 
adult  autnnmal  male  (7,*)'.t(),  Calaveras  Ijiver)  is  like  the  spring  adult,  but 
the  ash  is  overspread  iiy  lirownish,  nearly  obliterating  the  dorsal  streaks,  and 
dividing  the  iilack  of  tlu;  crown  ;  the  i>lack  throat-jiatch  is  perfectly  defined, 
but  much  oliscurcd  by  white  liorders  to  the  feathers. 

Hahits.  Tiie  IMack-throated  (J ray  or  Dusky  Warbler,  so  far  as  is  now 
known,  belongs  to  the  Western  and  Middle  Provinces,  occurring  certainly 
us  far  to  the  south  as  San  Diego,  in  California,  and  as  far  to  the  mn-th  as  Fort 
-Steilacoom,  in  Washington  Territm-y,  penetrating  in  wintev  into  ^Mexico. 
The  most  easterly  localititis  in  which  it  has  Ixjen  met  with  are  in  Arizona 
and  New  Mexico.  The  Smithsonian  Institution  has  received  specimens  also 
from  t!olnmbia  Iliver,  Calaveras,  Cal.,  and  Fort  Defiance. 

This  species  was  first  obtained  and  de.scrilied  by  Mr.  Towusend,  who  found 
it  alnnidant  in  tlie  forests  of  the  Cobnubia,  where  it  lireeds  and  remahis 
initil  nearly  winter.  Its  nest,  which  he  there  met  with,  resembles  that  of 
I'ltni/a  inncririinii,  oidy  it  is  made  of  the  long  and  fibrous  green  mo.s.s,  or 
Usnm,  peculiar  to  that  region,  and  is  placed  among  the  npjier  branches  of 
oak-trees,  suspended  lietween  two  small  twigs. 

jMr.  Xnttall  stales  that  it  arrives  on  the  Cobuubia  early  in  Afay,  and  from 
the  manner  in  which  its  .song  was  delivered  at  intervals,  in  the  to])s  of  decidu- 
ous trees,  he  had  no  doui)t  that  they  were  breeding  in  those  forests  as  early 
as  May  23.  This  song  he  describes  iis  delicate,  but  monotonous,  uttered  as 
it  busily  and  intently  searches  every  leafy  bough  and  expanding  bud  for 
insects  and  their  larva'  in  the  spreading  oak,  in  which  it  utters  its  solitary 
notes.  Its  song  is  repeated  at  .sliort  and  regular  intervals,  and  is  said  l)y  Mr. 
Xuttall  to  bear  some  resemblance  to  f-slir('-f.slitl;/-fs/iiii/s/irr,  yuryin'^  the  feeble 
sound  very  little,  and  with  tlie  coniduding  note  somewhat  slenderlv  and 
])laiutively  raised.     Dr.  Suckley  sjieaks  of  this  l)ird  as  nujderately  abundant 


260  -NoltTII   A.MKIJICAX   lilUDS. 

near  Fort  Steilacooiii.^'ciiciiilly  met  with  on  oaks,  mul  vcrviiuu;i  rosenibliiig 
Dniihumt  atuhdnmi  in  its  luil.its.  Its  arrival  tliiM'c  liu  gives  as  occurring 
in  lilt'  first  wt'clc  in  April,  or  a  nmntli  earlier  than  stated  hy  Xuttall. 

l>r.  Cooper  met  witii  a  pair  at  I'uget  Sound  that  apjieared  to  have  a  nest, 
though  he  sought  lor  it  in  vain.  He  describes  its  note  as  faint  and  unvaried.' 
Dr.  ( '(UK'S  met  witi,  this  AVarl.Ier  in  tiie  vieinity  of  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona. 
He  spi'aks  of  it  as  cummon  there  as  a  spring  and  autunni  migmiit.  He  tiiinks 
that  a  W\\  remain  to  breed.  It  arrives  in  tliat  Territory  about  Ajn^i]  I'D,  and 
is  found  until  late  in  Septemlter.  It  is  most  common  among  the  pine-trees, 
and  in  its  geneml  Jiabits  isstate.l  to  rescnuble  tlie  new  .sjiecies  />.  ,ir,„Uv. 

Dr.  Jleermann  tbund  a  lew  birds  of  this  species  near  Sacramento,  ami  also 
on  the  range  of  luountaius  (livi.ling  the  Calaveras  and  the  Mokelunnie  Itivers. 
During  the  survey  by  Lieutenant  Williamsons  j.arty,  Dr.  Heerniann  met 
with  a  single  s])ecinieu  among  the  mountains,  near  the  summit  of  tiie  Tejon 
Pass.  It  was  in  company  with  otiier  small  birds,  migrating  southward,  and 
gleaning  its  food  from  among  the  topmost  lu'anclies  of  the  tallest  oaks.  He 
states  that  its  notes  clo.sely  resendile  the  sounds  of  the  locust. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  tliat  tiiese  birds  ajipear  at  San  Diego  by  the  20th  of 
April,  in  small  Hocks  migrating  northward,  and  tiieu  uttering  onlv  a  faint 
chirp.  They  frequent  low  bushes  along  the  coast,  l)ut  as  they  pit:)ceed  farther 
north  they  take  to  the  deciduous  oaks  as  the  leaves  begin  to  ex])antl,  early 
in  May,  at  which  time  they  reach  the  Columbia  Kiver.  He  has  never  mc!t 
with  any  in  ( 'alifornia  after  April. 

Mr.  Hidgway  ob.served  tliis  species  only  in  the  pine  and  cedar  woods  of 
the  Kast  Humboldt  ]\Iountains,  where,  in  all  probability,  they  were  breeding. 
He  observed  numerous  families  of  young  birds  following  "their  parents  in 
the  months  of  July  and  August.  He  met  with  them  only  among  the  cedar- 
and  the  woods  of  the  nut-pine,  and  never  among  thc^  brusiiw<.od  of  the  canons 
and  ravines.  He  states  tliat  the  common  note  of  tiiis  bird  greatly  resembles 
the  siuu'p  chirj)  of  the  Diiuhvici  roronafa,  and  is  louder  and  more  distinct 
than  that  of  D.diiilulxmi. 

y.h\  A.  Houcard  obtained  s])ecimens  of  these  birds  at  Oa.xaca,  Mexico, 
during  the  winter  months. 


Dendroica  chrysopareia,  Sd..  &  sai.v. 

YELLOW-CHEEKED  WARBLEB. 

Dendrnkii  cJ,ri/.in/,„,yi,i,  Sci.atki!  &  Sai.vin,  1'.  '/„  s.  ISfiO,  298. -- In.  Ibis,  1800,  273 
(Vera  Vm,  (!iiiil..iiiala).  -In.  is.!"..  -  Duksskh.  Il,i.s,  18t)5,  477.-  lUiitii,  Ki.v.A'm. 
B.   1S{)4,    183. --C.ioim:!!,  Oin.  Cil.   I,  1870,  'X.i. 

Sp.  Cu.vii.  CJ'jn.  h^alviii  (•olIcelioM.)  Ib'iiil  ami  lioiiy  ahove  l)lark,  the  fcatliors  with 
olivc-MToun  (■(Ijr.'.s  especially  ..II  tlie  liaek.  (ilisriirinir  tlio  },a-oiin(|-roloi- ;  niiii|)  (•luar  black. 
Entire  side  of  head  rexten<lin<r  to  nostrils  aii.l  on  lower  jaw),  and  the  partially  eoncoaled 
Imsesof  the  leathers  on  the  median  liii..  of  the  forehead,  yellow,  with  a  narrow  black  hne 


i^VLN  I('()|,||).K_THK  WAKHLKIJS.  .,-., 

^f  1 1 

'••"■"  I0.VS,  ,1.,,,„.|,  ,|„.  ,.y,..  wi     ,,iM.  l,,l,i,„l,  hut  not  crossing  .lu-oud,  tlieyllow.  Ii,.n..ul, 

2^1:  "7 •"■''"" "'""" ''  '"'■"'■  '""'■''  '"•  '''"'-'^  ■— ^'  ""■  "I-  -"'  "'■••-'.  -"i 

OC  .,n  „,  ,1,..  .,,,,.  s,„„..,  |,.,„v....n  ,1,..  y..llnu-  ,,at,.l„.s  of  tl„.  ,wo  si.l.s  of  ,1„.  h,.,!  .,,,1 
.  k,  .,,,,1  .x„.,„l,.,  .I,„„  „,..  .i,|,„  i„  „  ,.„,;,„  .„.  „,„,ks.  K..,lu.,s  „r  ..,.iss,uu  w„h  l,la,.|. 
•mo.     Uni^s   ,,l,„v,.   ;,.l,y,  will,    i„„  Whit,.   \,nuU   across   (l„.   ....vit.s,   tl..,  sraiMilars 


Mtri.iL-,.,1  ,,  ;,i    M     11        .  >"n.ii.--,    iin-   sea  pillar 

ti  A..,|  uii  1  I  ,i,.i„.|,,  „,„  ,|,„|,  .,,|^.,„|  ,„„,.„,,||^.  ,^..,1,  ^^.,,i^,,  ^,,^,  ,,,,^^  ^^..,,_  ,j,^_| 

k.  tk.|.s  l,la,.ki.l,,  ,.,|..,1  ,x,.,,ially  will,  asliy,  ,1,..  lal.ial  wi,l,  wliil.  at  ,1,..  uj.     (,„,, 

^      :    ;    "     ""■  "i ;.■;;"  '■'-■'''"-  -  '-•  "—'is  .li-  ..as,.;  „ii,..,   wi,l,   a  s .,   ,a„.l,  „r 

Tliu  capture  .if  spi.cinu.ns  ..f  tl.is  s,„.,.io.s  at  San  Antnuio,  Texi.s  l,v  ])r 
lleonnan.,,  a„.l  „„  „,.,  Mo.lina  Ifivr  l,y  Mr.  Drcssor,  entitles  it  t.,  a  place  in 
our  fauna.     1 1„.  spooinien  .Icscril.,.!  above  i.s  Mr.  Salvin's  tvpe. 

llAiUT.s.  A  sniolc  sperinien  i.s  .s,i.l  to  have  heen  taken  near  San  Antonio, 
le.xas,  by  1  r.  llcern>ann.  It  i.s  tlmuol.t  to  I.e  probably  a  bin!  bolonninn-  to 
I.etaunaui  An.ona  and  New  Me.vicu,  and  is  given  luTothetically  bv  ])r 
(oopcr  union,'  the  birds  oi'  Calilbrnia.  In  its  appeamnce  it  resen.bl,;  /) 
r.m|.,  I).  t,un,.nulii,  and  J),  ord./r.fa/i..  It  was  originally  deseribe.l  by 
^ilvn,  fmni  a  sn.gle  specimen  obtained  in  Guatemala.  Another  pair  ^vL 
alU^nvard  oljan.ed  by  Mr.  Salvin  on  the  highest  point  of  the  road  between 
SaLuna  and  lactic.     In  regard  to  its  habits,  nothing  is  on  record. 


Dendroica  virens,  b.vird. 

BLACK-THROATED  GEEEN  WARBLEB. 

His  Am    II,  ,,|.  lxx.vv.-liK,s„.v,M,T.  Vi,l.  M,..l.  I„.isn;i,  1854,  72,  81  ((i.e.  .lau.l) 

a,xa,a  0  ;  :i73  (Xalapa,  ;  l,,is.  iMi.,  8..  -  ,,.uv,iKS.:.,  Ann.  X.  V.    .v.  Vli;      «  ' 
^^^^SA.vui....s.  222.    J/«/.<,7/,«  n>,«.v.  Kkimiaki.t,  Ibi.s,  111,  isoi,  5  ^.luliauhaal,.  (in...,,- 

.l.f  Lh'""'  r^!f ';     l^''"'"'  '"'■''■  "'■'■'"^'^■"  "^'  "■'•■•-  ""''  '"i"'  '■'-"•  v-llow  olive-,.iv,.n  • 

the  loatl,,.,.  of  the  ..aek  will,  i,i, ,i  s.ivaks  of  hlaek.     Foivheail  aiwl"  sides  of  1,..;  ,  ,.    j 

neck,  in.  ,„lii,.  a  si,p..,.,.i,i.,,.  .,,ip,.,  I,,,,,,,    ,..„,,,.     .,  ,,„,^.   .,,.^...   ,,,„   , 

UH-o.„h  ,..,,.,.,  an,l  ano„„.i.  ,,„,„„.  :,.     ,,,„,  Hi.-oal,  and  fln-epart  of  tb..  I„ st,     x  e  0^ 

■ti    u.llow  on  the  breast  ami  Hanks.     U'in.s  and  tail-i;.,,!,..,.  dark-  .'rown,  ed.a.l   .-iU 
l>Iu,sli-Kray  ;  two  white  Lands  on  the  win^:  ,1„.  .iva...,-  part  of  th.  tliree  on,.,,  t^il -IL  . 
ei-s  wh.U..     Fe.u.k  similar,  ....t  dulle,- ;  the  tlnoal  yellow  ;  ,|,e  l,la,,.k  of  b..e..t  n.nel      o  ,- 


2C>2  .NOUTII   AMKKICAN   IlIKDS. 

fi'iilcil   liy   white   .•(Imvs;  tlii' siilfs  streakfd  witli   l.lauk.     L('ii<,'tli,  ,'  iiwlics  •  win"  "  58  • 
tail,  2.;!0. 

Hah.  Kiistcni  I'lovincr  of  rniicii  Slates;  Giveiilaiid ;  Ili'lifrolnnd,  Eiinipe  ;  sniitli  to 
Panama  1!.  li.  In  Mcxieo,  .Xaiapa.  t"(ini<iva,  ami  OaxaeaV  Culia  aloUL-  in  West  Indies, 
ilexieo  (every wht.Te  in  winter,  Si-mhuhast). 

The  aiituiiiiiiil  iiialo  liiis  tlic  lilack  of  tliroiit  and  livoast  olisfiircd  l)y  whitish 
tips.  Fuiaalus  aiu  yulluwish-wliite  heiiealli,  tiiij^'ed  Willi  ■^luyish  tuwards  the 
tail. 

As  sliowii  ill  the  Mencric  eliapter,  D.  rirens  is  the  tyi>e  ol'  a  section  uf 
olivaceous  Warblers  with  black  chin  and  throat.  The  followiiij,'  more  elalw- 
rate  diagnoses  of  the  gruui)  may  lacilitute  its  study,  the  sjiecies  being  quite 
closely  related :  — 

CoM-MOV  CiiAiiArTER3.  Upper  part,><  more  or  less  olivaoeoii.s-<rrepn,  with  tlm 
Ceatliers  .streaked  eentrally  with  lilaek  (sonielinies  concealed).  .'<ides  ol'liead  vel- 
low.  Chin  and  throat  hlaek  ;  rest  of  the  under  parts,  in.'hidinfr  inside  of  wini;-.s, 
white,  with  or  without  yellow  on  lireast.  Winps  with  two  while  bands.  Inner 
web  of  lati'ral  tail-feather  ahno.st  entirely  white  from  the  base. 

Above  briidit  olive-frreen  with  eoneealed  bl;ii>k  streaks;  tail-eoverta  ashv. 
Sides  conspicuously  .streaked  with  blaek  ;  erissnm  unspotted.  Jugulum  .some- 
timos  faintly  tinged  with  yellowish.  An  obscure  dusky-olive  sti-ijie  through 
the  eye,  and  a  ereseentie  jL-iteli  of  the  .same  some  distance  beneath  it    .         .      virenn. 

Above  olivaceons-a.shy  (rmni)  pure  ash),  with  more  di.stinot  black  spots. 
Top  and  sides  of  head  clear  yellow,  the  leathers  of  the  crown  tipjied  with 
lilaek,  (II-  rlouded  with  dusky  plunibeou.s.  No  dark  niarkiu<rs  or  strijjes  oii 
side  of  head.     Xo  distinct  black  streaks  beneath;  blaek  of  throat  restricted 

to  front  of  neek occkUnlalU. 

rrevailing  color  of  upper  parts  black,  with  olivaceous  cd.sings  on  the  back; 
runi]i  and  upper  tail-covert  pure  black.  Sides  and  eri.ssuni  streaked  with 
blaek.     A  simple  black  strip.,'  througli  the  eye;  no  patch  beneath  it     .     chrijsujjiirevi. 

Aliove  olive-crreen.  I'pper  tail-coverts  ashy,  with  central  black  str.'ak.s. 
Feathers  of  head  ab(jve  black,  with  olive-green  edges.  A  broad  olivaceous 
blaek  stripe  through  eye  from  lores,  involving  the  ear.s,  in  which  is  aycllow- 
i.sh  ereseentie  patch  below  the  eye.  I!lack  leathers  of  throat  and  chin  edged 
with  yellow.  Jnguluni  and  .sides  of  breast  also  yellow.  Sides  streaked 
with   black.     Xo  distinct  black  streaks  on  erissuni       ....        tdimifi'iiilii. 

Habits.  —  Tlie  Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  like  nearly  all  the  mem- 
bers of  this  liighly  interesting  genus,  has,  to  ti  very  great  degree,  escaped  tiie 
closer  ol)servatioiis  of  our  older  ornitliologi.sts.  Wilson  only  noticed  it  as  it 
passed  through  renn.sylvania  in  its  eaily  s])ring  migrations.  He  mentions  its 
freiiuenting  the  higher  Iminches  of  forest  trees  in  search  ol'  tlie  Itirvic  of  the 
smaller  insects  that  feed  upon  the  ojiening  buds,  and  describes  it  as  a  lively, 
active  bird,  having  only  ti  few  chirping  notes.  All  had  ])assed  on  by  the 
12th  of  May.  Tiieir  return  he  was  never  able  to  notice,  and  he  liecame 
afterwards  satisfied  that  a  few  remained  all  the  suinnier  in  the  higher  grounds 
of  tliai  State,  having  obtained  several  in  June,  18U9. 

Audubon  met  with  this  bird  from  Newfoundland  to  Texas,  but  never  found 


SVLVrcol.lD.K  — TIIH  WAUm.KKS.  203 

it  breediu,!;.  N'owlu'rc  aliiiii(liiiit,  tliciii  wcri'  larj^i;  triicts  of  comitry  wlicro 
lie  novel'  met  with  it,  (>r  wliuri!  it  was  of  nire  occinrniK'i'.  J  If  Imiiiil  it  iimst 
nbiiii(laiit  ill  tiie  viciiiiiv  of  Kastport,  ^Sfe.  Hu  also  met  with  it  iliiiiii^' 
suiiiiiit'i',  ill  Xe\v  Kiiulaiid  ucncially,  Xortlifrn  IViiiisyhaiiia,  and  Now  Vuik, 
lint  not  in  Labrador.  Ilu  doscribos  its  lialiits  as  a  niin^lin^'  of  tlioso  of  tliu 
Wai'bloi's  and  of  the  Yiroo,  und  its  notes  as  reseinhling  those  of  the  latter. 
In  its  search  for  food  he  found  it  quite  regardless  of  the  near  inesi'iice  of  man. 
In  its  sjirii!,^;  iiii.iiratioiis  it  |iasses  tiirough  the  wooils  usually  in  [laiis,  in  llie 
fall  i'eai)]iearing  in  lloeks  of  si.\  or  Keveii.  In  breeding  it  occurs  only  in 
single  pairs,  and  each  ]iai'  a]»pro]iriate.s  to  itself  a  large  tract  of  territory 
within  wliiidi  no  other  is  usually  I'ounil.  .After  Oetoljer,  al!  have  jiassed  be- 
yond the  limits  of  the  I'liited  States. 

During  the  winter  months  it  ajipears  to  be  (luite  common  in  different  ]iarts 
of  Mexico  and  ( 'entral  America.  In  the  large  collection  of  ( iuatciiialaii  skins 
collected  by  Dr.  Van  Patten,  and  jiurcliased  by  the  IJoston  Natural  History 
Society,  this  bird  was  one  of  the  most  abundant  of  tlu'  migratory  sjiecies. 
Specinitiiis  wen^  taken  by  Mr.  Boucard  at  I'laya  N'iceiite,  in  the  hot  country 
of  Oa.xaca,  Mexico. 

Dr.  Woodhonse  found  this  Warbler  common  in  the  Indian  Territory  and 
in  Te.xas,  and  Lieutenant  Couch  met  with  it  in  Tamauliiias,  Mexico,  in  March, 
lH~)o.  With  these  exceptions  it  has  not  lieeii  oliserved  in  any  of  the  go\eiii- 
meiit  surveys,  or  found  west  of  the  valley  of  the  Ilio  Grande.  Iicsides  the 
points  named,  it  has  lieeii  obtained  in  Ohio,  Illinois,  ^lissouri,  and  in  the  West 
Indies,  in  ( 'entral  and  in  the  northern  ]iortioiis  of  South  America.  Heinhardt 
gives  it  as  accident.d  in  (h'ceidand.  A  single  stray  siiecimeii  was  obtained 
in  Heligoland,  Europe,  October  lU,  ISoH. 

jNIr.  I'aiiie,  of  liandidpli,  Vt.,  notes  the  arrival  of  this  bird  about  the  10th 
of  May.  He  sjieaks  of  it  as  a  very  sweet  singer,  and  as  usually  seen  in  the 
tops  of  tidl  trees,  the  hemlock  being  its  favorite  resort.  There  it  chants  its 
sweet  sad  notes  through  even  the  heat  of  the  day.  It  continues  in  song 
nearly  throughout  the  summer.  Later  in  the  .sea.son  it  fretineuts  the  open 
fields,  in  which  it  is  seldom  seen  in  the  breeding-seas(jii.  Its  food,  which 
it  catches  on  the  wing  in  the  manner  of  Vireos,  consists  of  the  smaller 
winged  insects,  caterpillars,  and  other  larva*.  In  the  fall,  according  to  Mr. 
Audubon,  it  feeds  upon  various  kinds  of  small  berries. 

It  reaches  Massachusetts  the  first  of  ^lay,  and  is  most  numerous  aboiit 
the  loth,  when  the  larger  jirojiortion  pass  farther  noith.  In  Western 
Maine,  I'rofessor  Yerrill  states  it  to  be  a  summer  but  not  a  common  visitant ; 
and  near  Calais,  Mr.  I'oardman  has  found  it  lireeding,  but  does  not  regard  it 
as  at  all  common,  thougli  in  the  year  l.SHT  he  found  it  quite  abundant 
in  the  thick  woods  in  that  neighborhood  during  its  breeding-season.  Dr. 
Ihyant  also  siteaks  of  it  as  one  of  the  most  common  of  the  AVarblers  ob- 
served by  him  near  Yarmouth,  N.  S.  A  single  .s])eciiiier  was  taken  at  Julii'.n- 
haab,  (ireenland,  in  1853,  and  sent  to  the  lioyal  Mu.seum  of  Copenhagen. 


264  NDirni  amkimcax  hihd.s. 

In  the  vicinity  of  J'.ostcu,  es])eciaily  in  tiu!  lijnli  j^nouncla  oi'  Xortblk  and 
Ks.si'x  (.'oiintii's,  it  i.s  u  not  unu()niin(jii  sjiccics,  iiud  its  ne.st.s  are  tuiiii(l  in  cer- 
tain lnv(i!ite  localities.     .Niittall  re-^ards  .May  12  as  tliu  average  of  ...eir  first 
appearance.     l'.u.sy,  ([uiet,  and  iinsus])icious  of  man,  they  were  seen  liy  him, 
collecting,  in  early  OcUjher,  in  small  groups,  and  moving  restlessly  through 
the  forests  prcjiaratory  to  dejiarting  .soutli.     June  <S,  183(1,  he  found  a  nest 
of  this  species  in  a  s(ditary  situation  among  the  Mlue  Hills  of  Milton,  Mass. 
The  nest  was  in  a  low  and  stunted  Juniper  (a  very  unusual  location).     As 
lie  approached,  the  female  remained  motionless  on  the  edge  of  the  nest,  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  be  mistaken  for  a  young  bird.     She  then  darted  to  tlie 
gr.;und,  and,  moving  away  expertly,  di.sapiieared.     TJie  nest  contained  four 
eggs,  which  he  describes  as  wliitc  inclining  to  flesh-color,  variegated  at  the 
larger  end  with  pale  purplish  points  interspersed  with  lirownand  bhick.    Tiie 
nest  was  formed  of  line  strips  of  tlie  inner  liark  of  the  juniper,  and  tough  white 
librous  bark  of  other  i)lants,  lined  with  .soft  feathers  and  tlie  .slender  to])s  of 
grass.    The  male  ))ird  was  singing  his  simjile  cliant,  rcscndiling  the  .syllaliles 
fe-i/e-tr,it.se-(i,]mnHnu)i^ed  loud  and  slow,  at  the  distance  of  a  (piarirr  of  a  mile 
from  the  nest.    He  describes  his  song  as  simjde,  drawling,  and  jdaintive.    He 
was  constantly  interrujjting  his  song  to  catch  small  flics,  keeping  up  a  per- 
l)etual  snapping  of  Ids  bill. 

Several  nests  of  this  l)ird,given  me  by  'Sir.  ( Jeorge  O.  "Welch  of  Lynn,  have 
))eeu  found  by  him  in  high  trees  in  thick  woods  on  the  western  Iwrders  of 
that  city.  They  are  all  small,  snug,  com])act  structures,  liuilt  on  a  l)ase  of 
line  stri]is  of  bark,  I)its  of  leaves,  and  stems  of  jilants.  The  u]i])er  rims  are 
a  circular  intertwining  of  tine  slender  twigs,  interwoven  with  a  few  fine 
.stems  of  the  most  tlelicat.'  gras.ses.  The  inner  pijrtions  of  these  nests  are 
very  softly  and  warndy  redded  with  the  line  down  and  silky  stems  of 
])lants.  They  have  a  diameter  of  three  and  a  quarter  inches,  and  a  lieight  of 
one  and  a  half.  The  cavity  is  two  inches  in  diameter,  and  one  and  a  half 
in  depth.  The  eggs  measure  .7(1  l)y  .oO  of  an  incii,  have  a  widte  or  jairjdi.sh- 
white  giound,  and  are  blotched  and  dotted  with  markings  of  reddish  and 
l>urplish  brown,  dilfu.sed  over  the  entire  egg,  but  more  numerous  about  the 
larger  end.     One  end  is  much  more  pointed  than  the  other. 


SYLVIOJLIDJ-:  — THE  WARBLEItS.  265 

Dendroica  townsendi,  r.viKD. 

TOWNSEND'S  WABBLEB. 

S>th-la  fnini.ifiidi,  "  XriiAM.,"  TnWNisr.Nn,  ,1.  A.  N.  Sc.  VII.  ii,  IHliT,  li"l.  ^- Ai'n.  Orn. 
I5iog.  V,  18:J'.t,  111.  i'iMxi:iii.  Siilviaitu  t.  liiiN.  ;  Arn.  liiiils  Am.  11,  1841,  \\\.  .\iii. 
Dniii-olra  I.  r.Aiiiii,  liiiils  X.  Am.  IS.^.S,  2(i!» ;  I!cv.  IS'i.  —  .Sci.ATKii,  P.  Z.  S.  l.s.l.s, 
•2ns  (Oaxaca;  \\\^\\  lamls  in  wiiitiM)  ;  1S;V,I,  :i7  t  (Totonti'pi'c  ;  winter)  ;  lliis,  ISti.'),  SO. 
—  Sci.ATKU  k  Sai.vis,  lliis,  IS'i'.t,  11  ((iiiati'niala).  —  CiiDl'KU  &  SrcKl.r.v,  1'.  1{.  I!. 
XII,  II,  18.'.!),  179  (Cal.).  —  Tuusuri,!.,  Birds  of  Kiist  IViin.,  cU:.  IStJlt,  4-.'.  —  Si:niik- 
vai,,  Divers.  lS()i>,  tillt  ^.Sitka).  —  (.'iml-Klt,  Orn.  Cal.   1,  1S70,  >.)1. 

Sp.  Char.  Sjiriii;/  male.  Aliovc  hrifrlit  olivc-fircen  :  tiic  Irallicis  all  lilack  in  the  centre, 
,'<lio\vina:  more  or  Ifs.s  a.s  .stn^aks,  espcrially  iju  llie  cniwii,  where  the  black  pretloiiiiiiate.s. 
Quills,  tail,  ami  upper  tail-ecivert  fealhers  ilark  lirowii,  edyed  with  hhiish-},n-ay ;  the 
wings  with  two  white  hands  on  the  coverts;  the  two  outer  tail-leathers  white  with  a 
brown  streak  near  the  end;  a  white  streak  only  in  the  end  ol'  the  th:  '  leather.  I'nder 
parts  as  far  as  the  middle  of  the  hody,  with  the  sides  of  head  and  neck,  n  hiding;  a  super- 
ciliary .'stiiije  and  a  spot  lieneath  the  eye,  yellow;  the  inedian  portion  of  he  si<le  of  tlu; 
head,  the  chin  and  throat,  with  streaks  on  the  siih's  of  the  hreasi,  Hanks,  and  under  lail- 
covcrts,  hlack  ;  the  reinaiiuler  of  the  under  parts  while.  Length,  5  inches;  wing,  2.05; 
taill,  2.2.-,. 

Spriiii/  femide  Resenililing  the  male,  hut  the  l)laek  patch  on  the  throat  replaced  by 
irregular  blotches  upon  u  pui'e  yellow  ground. 

Had.  AVesterii  Proviuee  of  ITiiitcil  States,  north  to  .Sitka;  Mexico,  into  Guatemala. 
Migratory.     Accidental  near  i'hiladclphia. 

The  autuiiiniil  iulult  nitilo  i.s  iimeh  liki;  lliii  sprint  feuiiik',  but  the  black 
throiit-imtch  is  jieit'ectly  deliiied,  thmigli  iiiiich  obscured  by  the  yellow  edi,'e.s 
of  the  t'eatber.s,  instead  of  broken  into  snudl  blotches.  The  young  male  in 
aiitunui  is  similar  in  general  appearance,  but  there  tire  no  streaks  above,  excc])t 
on  the  crown,  where  they  arc  mostly  concealed  ;  the  stripe  on  side  of  iiead 
is  oliviiceous,  instead  of  black ;  and  nearly  all  tlie  black  on  the  throat  is  con- 
ce.ded. 

A  line  adult  male  of  this  sjiecies  was  taken  near  IMiiladeliihia,  Peiiu.,  in 
the  spriiio  of  l.StiS,  and  is  now  in  the  collection  of  the  late  W.  V.  Tiirnbull, 
Es(|.,  of  tiiat  city. 

ILviJiTs.  Ill  regard  to  the  habits  of  this  very  rare  Western  Warbler  very 
little  is  iis  yet  positively  known,  tind  nothing  whatever  litis  lieeu  ascertained 
as  to  its  nesting  (jr  eggs.  Tiie  sjiecies  wtis  first  met  with  by  Mr.  Townsend, 
October  liS,  IHof),  on  the  banks  of  tiie  Columbia  llivcr,  and  was  named  by 
Mr.  Nutttdl  in  honor  of  its  discoverer.  It  is  sjiokeii  of  by  these  gentlemen 
as  having  been  a  tmnsient  visitor  only,  stojjping  but  a  few  days,  on  its  way 
north,  to  recruit  and  feed,  jirevious  to  its  ih-parting  for  the  higher  latitudes  in 
which  it  spends  the  breeding-season.  It  is,  Iiowexer,  (piite  as  probtible  that 
they  disperse  by  ptiirs  into  solitary  places,  where  for  a  while  they  escape  ob- 
servation. When  the  season  again  com])els  them  to  migrate,  they  reapiioar 
on  the  same  ]»ath,  only  this  time  in  smidl  and  silent  flocks,  as  they  slowly 
move  toward  their  winter  (piarters.  These  birds  also  are  chiefly  to  be  found 
34 


266  -NOKTil  AMEIJR'AX  JJIJiD.S. 

in  tlie  tops  „f  the  loftiest  tirs  i.u.l  >a]wv  evergreens  of  the  forests,  where  it  is 
almost  iiujiossilile  to  iwociire  them. 

i)r.  Cooper  .•hserved  one  of  this  species  at  Shoalwater  J5av,  December  l'(t 
1.S..4.  It  was  iu  compMiiy  with  a  iiuck  of  Titmice  and  other  small  birds' 
'J  he  l..lh,wuig  year,  in  Xovemher,  he  saw  a  small  tlurk  iu  California  iro- 
•Hientni-  tlie  wiUonns  in  a  low  wet  meadow,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
]»rocure  a  [laii'. 

Kid-way  met  with  it  in  the  Kast  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  it  was 
rather  common  ni  Septeniber,  inhabiting  the  thiclvets  of  as].ens,  alders,  etc., 
along  the  streams. 

Mr.  I".  L.  Sclater  obtained  several  fine  specimens  of  this  Warbler  from 
the  west  coast  of  Central  America,  and  Mr.  Salvin  found  it  a  winter  visitant 
at  J)ueua.s,  where  he  na-t  with  it  even  more  IVe.iueutlv  than  the  I).„/rnir„ 
virais,  with  winch  he  f.amd  it  associnted.  Skins  were  found  amon-  the 
birds  taken  by  Dr.  \-au  I'atten  in  Ciuatemala.  A  single  .specimen  has-been 
taken  m   Tennsylvania. 

Mr.  A.  JJoucard  obtained  s].ecimens  of  this  .species  in  the  mountainous  dis- 
trict ot  Totontepec,  in  the  State  of  Ua.vaca,  Me.vico. 


Dendroica  occidentalis,  Maiud. 

.VESXERN  WARBLEB. 


-V 


na  n,ri,ln,Udis,  Townskn,.,  ,I.  A.  \.  .S,..  VH,  ,,.  lS;i7,  ILO  (C.lu.nl.ia  River).  -  In 
Namtiv..,  ]8;i!.,  :U0.  -Al  I,.  On,,  lii,,;;.  V,  ,,1.  Iv.  ,synV„;„  ,„r.  1!„n,  ;  a.m.  Hints 
Am.  H,  1.1.  xciu.  Ilnulmi,;,  „„■.  \^MM^,  MiiiLs  X.  Am.  IS.'.S  -'(is  •  Rev  1S.3  — 
nM„.K,i  &_S,VKLl.v,  I!.  H.  K..,,.  XII.  ,,,  IS.-,!,,  irs  (X.  W.  ,.„Jst).  -'(■,.,„•".:.!,' (in,. 
<  111.  I,  18/(1,  !!:>,  Ih'inlroini  cliritsni„nrl,i,  ,S,i.at,.:|!,  |'.  /.  s  ISii-)  1<I  (]  „  P-h-mIi, 
Mr.x.)  (nntot  IV  Z.  .S.  ],S(iO,  1!.)  :  ll,is,  is,;.",,  ,si,  ;  is<i,;,  V.n.  I„n,lr„l,;,  nirnnntrh 
S.u.viN,    I".  Z.  S.   .May  2(i,  1803,  187,  pi.  .x.xiv,  li^.  -1  ((!.iatcn,ala). 

Sr.  Cn.Mi.  Spriwj  mak.  Crown  witii  .vi,|,..^  „r  |1„.  I„.a.l  ami  nock  coMtinucHi.s  liri,.],, 
yellow,  fcallif.-,.  of  tlR.  ionner  (.(Igcl  narrowly  wilh  hlack  ;  ro.st  or„|,|„.r  parls  ,l,-,rk  hrowi, 
edged  with  hliiisli-gray.  so  .inirh  so  on  the  hack  .-nid  nnnp  leathers  as  t,.  oh.sciire  the  hrown' 
and  with  an  ,,livarcous  .sha.l,..  Chin,  throat,  and  forepart  ot  hrcasi  (ciidin-  e.mvexly  Ir.- 
hindina  s„hcrescc,nic  ontlinc).  with  th..  nape,  hhiek  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white'vcrv 
fanitly  streaked  „„  the  sides  with  hlaek.  Two  whit.'  haii.ls  on  the  win.i;-.  two  outer  taij- 
H'Mlh,Ts.  and  the  n.nuinal  p„rtion  of  a  third,  while  ;  the  .shafl.s  and  an  iulernal  streak 
towards  the  end,  dark  lin.wu.  Hill  jct-hlaek ;  k-s  hrown.  Lcn-th.  1.70  ■  win-  •'70- 
tail.  2.;!0.  ■  r.>  -      , 

SpriiKj  frmah.  Similar,  hut  duller  gray  above  ;  tlw  yellow  of  the  head  le.s.s  oxten.lcd, 
and  the  throat  whiti.sli  sp.ilteil  with  dn.skv. 

Hai,.  \V..stern  i'rovine.^  of  Unitcl  .'States  and  Mexico  (Moyapain,  winter,  S.'.MieitHASi,) 
to  (luateniala.     N<it  seen  at  Cape  St.  l,uea.s. 

^  An  nutumnal  ti.hilt  male  (.".n.dSI,  (Jnaiemala,  Decemlw, received  from  Mr. 
Salvin,  and  a  tyiie  specimen  of  his  " /;/n //v,(/r/.s")  is  much  like  (he  .sju'lno- 
male,  having  the  tiiroat  wliolly  lilack,  the  ieatiiers,  however,  laintly  margin.'d 


SVLVlCOLTn.R  — TFTE  WARBLERS.  2(')7 

witJi  whitish ;  tliora  art-  no  l)ljtcl<  sixits  on  llio  cniwn,  Init,  iiis'ciid,  an  oliva- 
ceiiiis  slain  ;  the  nape  is  njivaccnus  instead  of  lilack,  and  Uw,  lihick  centres 
to  dorsal  rcatiicrs  nioin  concealed  :  tiie  ash  alinve  is  less  |iure,  am"  tliero  is  no 
trace  ol'  sireaks  on  the  sides.  A  leniale  lanli  innal  f) — ;{.S,14I  --IVoni  Ori- 
/alia,  Mexico,  is,^rayisii-,.ll\aceoiisal)ove,  inclndin-  tlie  whole  lopof  tiio  head, 
except  henealh  the  snrlace  ;  tlie  leathers  on  t.pot  iiead  have  ■oiispicnons 
lilaek  centres,  hut  there  are  none  on  the  l.aek  :  the  sides  of  the  head,  and 
tho  Inises  ol'  the  I'eatiiers  on  its  top,  are  soileil  yellow;  the  throat  is  dirty 
white,  witii  the  I, fathers  diisi<y  heneath  the  surliicci  ;  the  hreast  and  side's 
have  a  stroiij.-  hrownish  tinjjv.  Anotiier  female,  and  an  autumnal  one  (prob- 
ably of  the  year),  is  more  lirown  aliove,  the  specks  ou  the  top  of  the  head 
exceedingly  minute;  tiiere  are  also  oi)scure  streaks  alonn- the  sides,  where 
there  is  a  strong'  brownisli  tiii^e. 

IIahits.  The  Western  or  Hermit  W<M.d  Warbler,  so  far  as  known,  is 
limite.l  in  its  distribution  to  the  I'acitic  coast  IV.mT  Central  America  to  Wash- 
ington Territory.  Specimens  procuivd  from  \'olcau  de  Fuc-o,  Ale.xico,  Ari- 
zona, and  California,  an'  in  the  collection  of  tlie  Smithsonian  Institution, 
liut  little  is  positively  known  as  to  its  history  or  iiaiuts.  Nuttall,  who  first 
met  with  it  in  the  forests  on  tiie  ban'ks  o-f  tlie  Columbia,  ha<l  no  (hnibt 
that  it  inveds  in  the  dark  Ibrests  bord.'rinn-on  that  river.  Ifo  (h'scribed  it  as 
a  remarkably  shy  and  solitary  bird,  retiring  into  the  darkest  and  most  silent 
recesses  of  the  everureens,  and  apparently  liviiij--  anionj;-  the  loftiest  brandies 
of  the  ^nyantic  lirs  of  that  re^i,,n.  In  (•onse(|nence  of  its  i)eeuliar  habits  it 
was  with  e.xtrenm  dilhi-ulty  that  his  party  could -et  a  si-ht  of  this  retiring- 
species.  Its  ,son,s,r,  which  he  frequently  hear.l  fi.an  these  ]ii<,di  tree-tops  at 
very  re-nlar  intervals  for  an  Ikmu'  or  two  at  a  time,  he  describes  as  a  faint, 
moody,  and  monotonous  note,  deliveriid  wli.m  the  bird  is  at  rest  on  some 
lofty  twi>f,  and  within  convenient  heariiij.-  of  its  mate. 

.Mr.  Townsend,  who  was  on.!  of  the  .same  jmrtv,  shot  a  pair  of  these  birds 
near  Fort  Vancouver,  .May  2S,  IS:'.,-,.  They  were  tlittino  amon-  the  toj.s  of 
the  pn.e-tives  in  the  deiiths  of  the  for..st,  where  he  fre.iuentlv  saw  them 
han.;-n,^  from  the  twi-.s,  in  the  manner  of  Titmic(>.  Their  notes,  uttered  at 
dillerent  imerval.s,  he  describes  as  very  similar  to  these  of  the  Black-throated 
l!lu(i  Warbler  [/>.  nmi/rsrni.s). 

Dr.  Suckl..y  obtained,  dmie,  ISoC,  two  .specimens  at  Fort  St<.ilaco,mi.  He 
also  .lescribes  them  as  very  shy,  feedin-  mid  spendin.s,r  nio.st  of  their  time  in  the 
tops  of  the  hi-h.!st  lirs,  .so  hij-h  up  as  to  be  almost  out  of  the  reach  of  fine  shot. 
The  species  he  re-ards  as  not  at  all  rare  on  the  I'aeilic  coa.st,but  only  dilHcult 
of  procuriiiur,  „„  account  .,f  the  almost  inaccessible  nature  of  its  haunts. 

Dr.  C.mes  procured  a  sin-le  specimen  of  this  species  in  Ariz.nia  early  in 
September.  It  was  taken  in  thick  scrub-oak  bushes.  He  thinks  it  may  be 
a  summer  resident  of  that  Territory,  liut^  if  so,  very  niro. 

A  single  specimen  was  also  obtained  at  i'etuluma,  Cal.,  by  Mr.  Emanuel 
Samuels,  May  I,  IHoO. 


2(iS  NOliTII  AMEUICAX   ItlJiDS. 

It  was  also  observed,  Au-iist  29,  l.y  Mr.  ].'i.l,Mwav,  aino.iir  the  Inishes  of  a 
canon  among  tlie  East  Jlumholdt  Mouuiauis.  Ho  .IfsciiLes  its  single  note 
as  a  lisjied  jizKt. 

Tluee  inilividnals  of  this  sj)ecies  were  collected  by  Mr.  Houcardin  Southern 
Mexico  in  1802,  and  were  referred  by  Dr.  Sehiter  to  I),  ckrijsoprria  (P.  Z.  S., 
l.S(i2,  p.  19).  Snbse(juently  Mr.  Salvin  described  as  a  new  species,  under 
tlie  name  of  7/  niracmtrls,  otlu-r  individuals  of  the  J),  uvr  it  I  nihil  is  obtained 
by  him  in  (iuatemala.  The  frue  specific  relations  of  the  .s].eciinens  both 
from  Southern  A.rexi..o  and  Central  America  have  ,->ince  been  made  clear 
by  Dr.  Sch.ter,  Ibi.s,  l.SOr.,  p.  87,  enabling  u.s  to  give  this  .species  as  a  winter 
visitant  ot  the  countries  above  named.  Mr.  Salvin  states  (Ibis,  1800,  p.  191) 
that  these  birds  were  found  in  most  of  the  elevated  districts'  where  pines 
abouiul.  He  procured  spiscimens  in  the  Volcan  de  Fuego,  in  the  hills  above 
the  Plain  of  Salama,  and  near  tlie  mines  of  .Vlotepeciue. 


Dendroica  pinus,  Baird. 

PmE-CBEEFINO  WABBLEB. 

Siihiaphuis,  W.I.S.  Am.  Oni.  Ill,  1811,  2,5,  ,,1.  xix,  li-  4.  -  Bon.  ;  Nrrr.  -  AuD.  Orn, 
Bioy.  II,  |.I.  ixi.  7'A/v/r,//„„/,,v /«■„,«,  SiKl'll.  ,S!lh-kula,H„as,.]xMK;  Ulcu  •  li.i.s  ■ 
An..  HinlsAm.  II,  ,,].  Ixxxii.^Jo.NKs,  Xat.  I{,.,»m.l,.,  IW!),  5!.  (abundaut  in  Oct.).' 
Ithimuiphus puim,  H„x.  J>n,Un,k-a  pinas,  H.viui.,  Hiids  N.  Am.  1858,  277  ■  l{ev  100 
-ScLATEii,  Catal.  18(i],  31,  no.  l89.-OifKs,  IV.  A.  \.  Sc  IStil,  •22o' (Labiador 
coa.st).  _SA.MrELs,  22!).  -  IJuvANr,  Pr.  Ho.st.  S,.,-.  18<:7,  (!7  (InaKua).  ^„Ma  viyorsii, 
Al-I).  Urn.  liwy.  I,   1832,  103,  j.l.  x.xx.      Virco  vinurxii.  Mitt. 

Sp.  Char.  Spniuj  male.  Vys^wv  paints  nearly  iinilbiii.  and  Hoar  olivo-^rocn  tlic  feath- 
ers of  the  crown  with  rather  darker  shaft...  Under  ,.arts  ,uvM..rallv,  e.xeept  the  n.iddle 
ol  the  uelly  l).;lnnd,  and  under  tail-eoverts  (which  are  wliite).  hri-ht  j.arub.,fr(.-vell,.w,  will, 
obsolete  sti-eaks  of  dnsky  on  tlie  sides  of  llie  breast  and  l.ody.  Sides  of  head  an.l  neck 
olive-sreen  like  the  ba,!",  willi  a  broad  ..ni.ereiliary  stripe;  the  eyeli.j.s  and  a  spot  heneath 
tlu>  eye  very  obsem-eiy  yellow;  wiiiirs  and  tail  brown;  the  feathers  edi;ed  wi'h  dirty 
white,  and  two  bands  of  the  same  across  the  eovert.s.  Inner  web  of  the  lirst  tail-feather 
with  nearly  the  terminal  hall;  of  the  .secMind  with  nearly  the  terminal  third,  dull  iiieon- 
.■^pienous  white,     belli;  1  h,  .").50  ;  winjj,  ;!.0() :   tail.  •_'.4().     ( I  ..■3,")(J.) 

Sjirliifi  fi-mah:  Similar,  but  more  grayish  ab,,\  .■.  and  almost  grayish-white,  with  a  tinge 
nfyelL.w  beneath,  instea.l  of  bright  yellow.  V,,,,,,,,.  rniber-bniwn  above,  and  din.ry 
pale  .-i.shy  beneath,  with  a  slight  yellowish  ting.'  on  the  abdomen.  Wiiii.'  and  tail  nmcli  as 
in  the  autumnal  adi.'t. 

^  Had.  Eastern  '  -ovince  of  United  States  north  to  Ma.'v^achusettis ;  winters  in  United 
States.  N^ot  r  .or  -d  in  West  Indies  or  Middle  America  (except  liahamas  and  Ber- 
muda ?). 

Autunuial  males  are  nnidi  like  spring  individuals,  but  the  yellow  beneath 
is  softer  and  somewhat  richer,  and  the  olive  above  overlaid  with  a  reddish- 
umber  tint. 

Habits.  The  ?iiu!-rreeping  Warbler  is  found  more  or  less  aluindantly 
throughout  the  United  States  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Valley  of  the  Missis- 


SVI,V1('()L11)J.:— TIIK  \VAi;iJLEU8.  209 

sippi.     Ih.  \V'()(.il house  stiit.>s  that  it  is  comuioii  in  Toxfis  iiiul  Xi-w  Mexico. 

It  was  nut,  however,  met  witli  by  any  other  of  the  -•overiiiiieut  ex[.luriiio- 

parties.      Dr.  Cerhanh  tomiil  it  (piite  coninion  in  Northern  (ieorgia,  wliere  it 

remains  ill  the  winter,  and  where  it  breeds  very  early  in  the  season'.    On  the 

lllth  of  Ai)ril  he  found  a  nest  of  these  liirds  with  nearly  full-j.rown  youno. 

It  has  not  been  found   in  Maine  by  Professor  N'errill  nor  by  Mr.  lioardinan, 

nor  in  Nova  Seotia  by  Lieutemtut  JUand.     Mr.  Allen  has  found  it  breedin.-' 

abundantly  in  t!ie  west,.,n  part  of  iMa,ssa(;husetts,  where  it  i.s  oni;  of  the 

earliest  Warblers  to  arriv.",  and  where  it  remains  until  Uetol)er.     In    ISlil 

they  \ver(!  abundant  in  tlu    pin,;  woods  near  Sprin-tield  as  early  a.s  Ajml  4, 

aluhough  the  yround  at  t  lat  lime  was  covered  with  snow.     J)urin,u  the  last! 

weeks  of  Ajnil  and  the  larly  part    of  .May  tiiev  freipient  the  open   fields, 

obtaininjr  mueh   of  thei  •  food    from  the  j-round"  in  company  with   I),  jm/- 

vwnna,  the  habits  ..f  which,  at  this  time,  it  closely  foUows.      Later  in  the 

season  they  retire  to  the  pine  forests,  where  they  remain  almost  exclusively 

throughout  the  summer,  chietiy  ..n  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees.      For  a  few 

weeks  precedinj.  the  first  of  ()..tober  they  anain  come  about  th.-  orchards  an.l 

fiolds.     In  its  winter  minrations  it  does  u«t  appear  to  leave  this  country,  and 

has  not  been  found  in  any  of  the  West  In.lia  Islands,  in  .Mexico,  m.r  in  South 

or  Central  America.      It  biet'ds  s]iarin-ly  in  S(.iithern  Illinois. 

Mr.  Jones  found  the.se  birds  numerous  in  IJermiida  late  in  September,  but 
tliey  all  disappeared  a  few  ue.'ks  later.  Dr.  Ihyant  found  them  at  Inagua, 
liahamas. 

Wilson  first  noticed  this  Warliler  in  the  pine  Moods  of  the  Southern 
States,  where  he  found  it  resid..nl  all  the  year.  He  describes  it  as  running 
along  the  bark  of  pine-trees,  though  occasi(aially  alighting  and  feeding  on 
the  ground.  When  disturbed,  it  always  flies  up  and  clings  to  the  trunks  of 
trees.  The  farther  .soutii,  the  nion^  numerous  he  found  it.  Its  principal  food 
is  the  seeds  of  the  Soutiiern  pitch-pine  and  various  kimls  of  insects.  It  was 
as.sociated  in  flocks  of  thirty  in  the  dej.tlis  of  the  pine  barrens,  easily  recog- 
nized by  their  manner  of  rising  from  the  ground  and  alighting  on  the  trunks 
of  trees. 

Audubon  also  s])eaks  of  this  bir.l  as  the  most  aluuidant  of  its  tribe.  He 
met  with  them  on  the  sandy  liarrens  of  Ka.st  Florida  on  the  St.  John's  Jfiver 
early  in  February,  at  which  period  they  already  had  lu'sts.  In  their  habits 
he  regarded  them  as  quite  chwely  allied  to  the  Creei)ers,  ascending  the 
trunks  and  larger  brandies  of  trees,  hopping  along  the  bark  searching  for 
conoealed  larva-.  At  one  moment  it  moves  sideways  along  a  branch  a  few 
steps,  then  stops  and  moves  in  an..ther  direction,  carefully  examining  each 
twjg.  It  is  active  and  restless,  generally  searching  for  insects  among  the 
leaves  and  jjlossoms  of  the  pine,  or  in  the  crevices  of  the  bark,  hut  occiion- 
ally  pui'suing  them  on  the  wing.  It  is  found  exclusively  in  low  lands,  never 
in  mountaiiums  districts,  and  chiefly  near  the  sea. 

Its  nest  is  usually  placed  at  cmisideralile  licight,  sometimes  fifty  feet  or 


27(1  NoilTII  AMEIilCAN   Hl'ltDS. 

murt'.  from  the  tiTdiiiid,  iiiid  is  usiuilly  i'ask'iiecl  to  tlie  twij^rs  of  a  .small  In'aiiuli. 
In  Massiicliu.sctt.s  it  lias  hut  a  siii^lo  brood  in  a  season,  hut  at  the  South 
it  is  said  to  have  tlnvc. 

The  iliii'Iit  of  tliis  Warlilcr  is  sliort,  and  exhihits  uiidulatiuj^  curves  of  yreat 
elej^ance.  Its  son^'  is  deserihed  as  monotonous,  consislinL;  merely  of  coutin- 
lujus  and  tri'nmlous  sounds.  'Slv.  Auduhon  found  none  lieyond  New  Bruns- 
wicic,  and  it  lias  never  liec  i   found  in  \ova  Scotia  so  far  as  I  am  aware. 

Botli  old  and  younjj;  hinls  remain  in  Massac-husetts  until  late  in  October, 
and  occasionally  liirds  are  seen  as  far  to  tiie  north  as  I'liiladelpliia  in  mid- 
winter. At  this  scasmi  they  abound  in  the  ])ine  forests  of  tlie  Soutlici'u  Slates, 
where  they  are  at  tliat  time  the  most  numerous  of  the  Warblers,  and  wliere 
some  are  to  lie  found  thronj^hout  the  year. 

In  tlie  summer  their  food  consists  of  the  larva'  and  ejigs  of  certain  kinds 
of  in.sects.  In  the  autumn  they  freijuiiut  the  Southern  gardens,  feeding'  on 
the  berries  of  the  cornel,  the  box  .i.iTa])e,  and  other  small  fruit.  Mr.  Xuttall 
states  that  their  song  is  cleticient  both  in  compass  and  in  variety,  though  not 
disagreeable.  At  times,  he  states,  it  ap]iroaches  the  simiiler  trills  of  the 
canary;  but  is  usually  a  reverberating,  gently  rising  or  murmuring  sound  like 
cy-r-r'i'i'r'r'-tih,  or  in  the  .s])ringtinie  like  fur  tur-tir  fir  tir-tir  tir,  and  some- 
times like  fx/i-fs/i-fs/i-fir-fir-fir-/ii\  e.xhiiiiting  a  pleasing  variety  in  its  ca- 
dences. The  note  of  the  female  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  Black  and  White 
Creeper. 

On  the  Ttli  of  June,  Mr.  Xuttall  discovered  a  nest  of  this  Warbler  in  a  Vir- 
ginia junipcr-trec  in  Mount  Aul)urn,  some  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  and 
iirmly  Hxed  in  the  upright  twigs  of  a  do.se  iiranch.  It  was  a  thin  but  very 
neat  structure.  Its  jirineipal  material  was  the  old  and  wiry  stems  of  tlie 
Pulj/gonuiH  tcuiir,  or  i<not-weed.  These  wi're  circularly  interlaced  and  inter- 
wound  with  rough  linty  fibres  of  asclepias  and  caterpillare'  webs.  It  was 
lined  with  a  lew  bristles,  slender  root-fibres,  a  mat  of  tiie  down  of  fern-stalks, 
and  a  few  feathers.  Mr.  Xuttall  saw  .severiil  of  these  nests,  all  made  in  a 
similar  manner.  The  eggs  in  tlu^  nest  described  were  four,  and  far  advanced 
towards  hatching.  They  were  white,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  green,  and  were 
freely  sprinkled  with  .small  pale-lirown  spots,  most  numerous  at  the  larger 
end,  where  they  were  aggregated  on  a  more  jmrplish  ground.  The  female 
maile  some  slight  complaint,  but  immediately  returned  to  the  nest,  thougli 
two  of  the  eggs  had  been  taken. 

Mr.  Xuttall  kept  a  male  of  tliis  sjiecies  in  confinement.  It  at  once  be- 
came very  tame,  fed  gratefully  from  the  hand,  from  the  moment  it  was 
caught,  on  flies,  small  earthworms,  and  minced  flesh,  and  would  sit  con- 
tentedly on  any  hand,  walking  directly  into  a  dish  of  water  offered  for  drink, 
without  any  precautions,  or  any  signs  of  fear. 

Mr.  J.  ().  Sliute  found  a  nest  of  these  Warblers  in  Woburn  as  early  as 
May  8.  It  contained  four  eggs,  the  incubation  of  which  had  commenced. 
Three  other  uests  were  also  found  by  him  in  the  same  locality,  all  of  them 


SVI,VI('()|,I[).K  — THH  WAKHLKIiS.  y'-i 

1>otw(vn  tilt'  ,Stli  iiiul  the  L'4tli  (>r  Miiy.iuid  i.U  l.iiilt  on  l.ranclu's  of  tlic  ml 
piiK!  iii.d  iiiNir  till!  top.  Several  iie.sts  of  this  WiiH.ler,  f(jiiii(l  in  Lynn,  Mass., 
hy  .Mr.  (Jeoiv-o  ().  Welej,,  are  alike  in  tlieiv  mode  of'  'onstnietif.n'  and  diffei' 
in  their  materials  from  other  aceounts.  They  are  all  .somewhat  loosely  jait 
together,  and  are  composed  e.xternally  of  tine  strips  of  the  liark  of  the  red 
cedar,  line  inner  hark  of  several  ileeiduons  trees,  dry  stalks  of  plants,  the 
e.xiivue  of  insects,  and  fine  dry  --Tasses.  The  cavities  of  these  nests,  which 
iiiv  comparatively  large  and  deep,  were  lined  with  the  fur  of  the  smaller 
mammals,  the  silky  ilown  of  iilaiits,  and  feathers.  A  few  tine  wiry  roots 
were  also  intermingled.  These  nests  are  uhout  two  and  a  half  inches  in 
lu'iglit  and  three  in  diameter. 

Ihe  e.ggs  of  this  Warhler  are  of  a  rounded  oval  sliajjc,  have  an  average 
length  of  -2  of  an  inch.an.l  a  breadth  of  .00.  Tlu^y  resemlple  in  si/e  and  ap- 
pearance the  eggs  of  the  //  mdanva,  but  the  spots  arc  more  numerous,  and  tlie 
blotches  larger  and  more  generally  distributed.  The  ground-color  is  a  bluish- 
white.  Scattered  over  this  are  subdued  tintings  of  a  tine  d.dicate  shade  of 
I'urple,  and  upon  this  are  distributed  dots  and  blotches  of  a  dark  jairplish- 
brown,  mingled  witli  a  few  lines  almost  IJack. 


Dendroica  montana,  n.\ii!i). 

BLUE  MOUNTAIN  WAKBLEE. 

SvlvU,  mo„,.nw,  W„..,  A,.,.  (),„.  V,  KSU',  11;J,  ,,1.  .vliv,  li...  "J  ("  Ml,,.- Mountains  of  IVnn- 
sylvanm  ).-A.„.  (.n..  llio,,^  V,  -M  ("Calif,,,,,!,,":)  S.ilna,!,,  ,,„„fan„,  .Iv„„  • 
All..  I{„-,ls  An,.  II,  1S41,  .!!!,  ,,1.  x.'viii.  /),;„/r„i,H  „„,„>„,„,  lUlim,  Birds  \  V„i' 
1.V.S,  2<-.:  l{,.v.  l!Mi.  S,,rn„  ti.jrhx',  Viiai.i,.  Ois.  Am.  .Sept.  II,  1807,  ^4,  ,.1  v.iv 
(I  .  .S.  and  St.  DiniiinnD).  ' 

Sr.  riun.    Tl,is  s|,,.,.i,..  is  i;„„-  in,.|„..  a„,|  llnvc  ,,„a,.t,.,s  i„  l.Mi^fh  ;  the  npp,.-  parts  a  ■■i,.], 

yclow-ol.v.,:  !,.,„„., .1„„.U  ,.,„,,, y..|l.nv.aL.o,l„...i,l,.s„ni,..  nock;. „vasra„'|l,ellv  pal,. 

yoUow  st,val<..,l  will,  I.l,„.k  .,r  ,l„sl<y :  v..„t  plain  pale  yllow.   \Vi„,..  I,la,k  ;  li,.,  a„.i  sc, '„■„! 

rows  o    eovc,.,..  ln-oa,llv  tipp..,|  u  id,  pale  y..||„wish-wl,i,..;   „.,,ials  the  ..anie;  the  rest  of 

he  qmlLs  o.luc.1  w,lh  whitish.     Tail  l,ia,.k,   han.l.s.n.clv  ro,,,,,!..,!,  ...I.v,l  with  pal.,  olivo- 

ho   two  oxt..|-,„r  loathes  ou  oa,.|,  si,l,.  whi„.  ,„.   the  in,,,.,-  va„..s  Ih.n,  tho  n,i,l,llo  ,o  tho 

.ps,  and  0,1,0,1  ,.,,  the  „n,or  s with   wl,i(...     Hill  ,|,.,i-  L,,,„,,.     Legs  ami   U.et  p,n-ple- 

lirown:  s,.l,.syoll,nv.     Eye  dai-k  hazel.     (Wil.s,,,,.) 
H.vn.     "  Hhio  Mi),ii, tains  of  Virgil, i„."     St.  I)o„,iiig,,y 

This  species  is  only  known  from  the  .lescription  of  Wilson,  Vieillot  and 
Audubon,  and  we  are  not  aware  that  a  specimen  is  to  be  found  in  a.iv  collec- 
tion. If  d(>scribed  correctly,  it  appears  dillerent  from  any  established'  si.ecies 
although  the  most  nearly  related  to  R  pi,,,,.,  which,  however,  differs  in  the 
absence  ot  a  yellow  iVontlet,  in  having  a  greener  back,  less  distinct  streaks 
beneath,  and  in  the  white  of  the  anal  region. 

Haiuts.  Whether  the  I'.lne  Mountain  Warbler  is  a  genuine  .species  or  an 
unlamihar  plumage  ol'  a  bird  better  known  to  us  in  a  dillerent  dress  is  a 


272  NORTH  A.MKRKJAX   ItlRDS. 

•Itinstioii  not  iiltn.r(,tli("r  set  fled  t(.  tlic  iiiiii.ls  of  some.  It  was  dcacrihed  by 
Wilson  from  a  sin-lc  s|,..ciMR'ii  ol,t;.iiR'.l  near  tlio  I'.liie  Kiduo  of  Virjriniii. 
Aii(1;i1m);i  Ibiind  iiiiother  in  the  collcc-tion  of  the  Zooloj^i..,,!  Soeioty.  Fn.ni 
this  he  iniide  lii.s  dniwiiij,'.  A  thud  lia.s  also  .ee.i  met  with  and  (K'.seril)ed  l.y 
Vieillut.  We  know  nolhin.y'  in  w^nvd  lo  its  iial)it.s,  except  that  its  song  is  said 
to  he  a  sin-le  snrrp,  three  or  four  times  repeated.  Us  l)reedin',^-habits,  its 
manner  of  nii,-,vration,  and  tiio  jJaee  of  its  more  abun(hint  occurrence,  yet 
remain  entirely  unknown. 


Pendroica  kirtlandi,  Baird. 

KIBTLAND'S  WASBLEB. 

><^l>Mn,ln  k-irthiuli,   1{,M,:„,  Ann.  X.  Y.  I,yr.  V,  ,I„m,.,  IS.Vi,  217,  l^l.  vi  (Clovolan.!,  Ohio). 
-("AssiN,  lllu.si.  I,  isr,.-,,  L-rs,  1,1.  xlvii.     J>,,,lnm;,  kirlhnuli,   Haikd,   liiids  N   Aia 
ISr.S,  28ti ;   H,.v.  '2(11!. 

Sr.  TirAU.  ALovr  sl,it..-l,lM(..  Ilic  fratliprs  of  the  cmwii  witli  i,  nairow,  tlu.sc  of  the 
mi(l,il..  „f  the  h-M-k  Willi  a  l.n.,„i,M-,  stnN.k  „r  li|,-,..k  :  ,.  nanow  lionlK.t  invojviii-  the-  lores 
the  ant.MMoi-  .m.,1  of  the  eye.  iiiwl  the  spmv  l,,.nealh  il  (,,ossil,ly  the  whole  aancuhi.-s),  hlaek  \ 
the  ro.st  of  the  eyelids  white.  The  under  parts  are  clear  vellow  (almost  white  on  the 
under  tad-coverts);  the  Ijreast  with  small  spots  and  sides  of  the  ho.ly  with  short  streaks 
of  hlaek.  The  -reater  and  mi.idle  wiiin-eoverts,  ,i„ills,  and  lail-foathors  are  edged  with 
•lull  whitish.  Tlu.  two  outer  tail-feallu'is  have  a  dull  wliite  spot  near  the  end  of  the  inner 
web,  largest  on  the  first.     Leiiiilh.  .")..".();  wing,  '2.80;  tail,  2.70.     (4,3(i3.) 

IIad.     Northern  Ohio,  and  IJaliainas. 

In  addition  to  the  type  whieli  is  in  tlie  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution, a  second  specimen  was  olitained  by  Dr.  Samuel  Cabot,  of  Boston, 
taken  at  sea  between  tlie  islands  of  Al)aco  and  ("uba.  It  nnist,  however,  be 
considered  as  one  of  tlie  rarest  of  American  birds. 

HAiiiT.s.  Kirtland's  Warbler  is  so  far  known  liy  only  a  few  rare  speci- 
mens as  a  bird  of  Nortii  America,  and  its  biography  is  utterly  unknown. 
The  first  specimen  of  tiiis  s]tecies,  so  far  as  is  known,  -was  obtained  by  Dr. 
Jared  P.  Kirtland,  of  Cleveland,  ().,  in  U;\y,  ISal.  It  was  shot  by  that  nat- 
ni-alist  in  woods  near  tlitit  city,  and  was  by  him  given  to  Professor  Baird,  who 
descrilied  it  in  the  Annals  (.f  tiie  Xew  York  Lyceum.  Ft  apjiears  to  be 
closely  allied  to  both  the  llcoronafu  and  D.  oiuhihoni,  and  yet  to  be  a  spe- 
cifically distinct  bird.  A  second  speeim-n,  in  the  cabinet  of  Dr.  Samuel 
Cabot,  Jr.,  of  iioston,  was  obtained  at  sea,  between  the  islands  of  Cuba  and 
Abaco.  A  tiiird  specimen  was  ol)tained  June  !>,  18C)(),  near  Cleveland,  and 
is  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  1{.  K.  Winslow,  of  that  city.  Anotlier  si)ecimen 
is  also  reported  as  having  been  olitained  in  the  same  neigh Ixn-hood,  but  not 
preserved;  tind  Dr.  Hoy,  of  K'acine,  AVis.,  is  confident  that  he  has  seen  it  in 
the  neighborhood  of  that  jilaee.  At  jiresent  all  that  we  can  give  in  regard 
to  its  history,  habits,  or  distribution  must  be  inferred  from  these  few  and 
meagre  facts. 


SYLVICOLID.K  -  THE  WAUBLEUS.  273 

Dendroica  palmarum,  Wwud. 

YELLOW  BED-FOLL  WABBLEB, 

Motncilhi  luiliixinnii,  Omki..  Syst.  N  :t.  I,  17SS,  !)')!  (liiiwd  on  Piilm  Wiirblcr,  Latham,  Syn. 
II,  I'.  I!IH,  no.  l;n,  St.  Poiiiiiigip).  Siilvic  //.  Lath.  ;  ViKli.i.or,  II,  jii.  l.xxiii.  —  I5(in.  ; 
D'Ollli.  Sarin's  ('nl)n  s.  1S4(),  l!l,  \<\.  v.ii.  Ni/h-iivla  /).  .SAI.l.^^  I'.  Z.  S.  1857,  -261 
(St.  l)oniiti},'(i).  /)n,„.  i,;i  ji.  HAiiti),  ItiiiLs  N.  Am.  ISSH,  288;  Rev.  2(17.  —  Sci.ATKli, 
Catal.  18til,  :i;i,  no.  l!i!».  —In.  1'.  Z.  S.  ISlil,  71  (.laniaica  ;  Ajnil).  -  Hiiyant,  I'r. 
Host.Soc.  VII,  l.S;V.nI!aliama.s).  —  In.  1S(;7,  !•!  (llaytiK  I(i;i;wKi!,  I'r.  Host.  Soc.  1S(>7, 
139.  —  (IrNiPi.Acil,  Cat),  .loiii'.  181)1,  ;(•-'(!  (('ul)a;  very  coinnion).  —  Samik.i.s,  -JK). 
Si/h-ia  jiiltr/u'ii,  Wii.s.  VI,  pi.  xxviii,  li};.  4.  —  Ijon.  ;  Nnr.  ;  Ari).  Orn.  Bioj;.  II, 
pi.  dxiii,  il.xiv.  Siilcii-ola  2)dcchi(t,  SWAlss. ;  Afl).  Birds  Am.  II,  |)1.  xc.  Si/lvicola 
nijifii)>ilhi,  Hon-.     Jl/uiniiiijihi(.i  riif.  ('All.  .Four.  Ill,  18.')"),  47;)  (('ul)a  ;  winter). 

Sn.  CllAR.  Ailitll  ill  .ijin'iig.  Head  aUovc  clu'stinil-roil :  rest  oi' u]>por  parts  brownish 
olivc-jrray  ;  tin-  rcatlicrs  witli  darker  ocntrcs,  the  color  brijihtLMiiiii^  on  llu;  rump,  iipiicr 
tail-covcrts,  and  oiitor  niarjrins  of  wing  and  tail-foatlierK,  to  grconisli-yi'llow.  A  .stroak  from 
lio.strils  over  the  cyi',  and  nndcr  parl.-J  fjoncially,  inclndin};  the  tail-covcrts,  hriglit yellow ; 
paler  on  the  hody.  \  maxillary  iini';  hreast  and  sides  linely  hnt  rather  olisoletely  streaked 
witli  rcddish-hrown.  Chci'ks  hrownisii  (in  highest  spring  plninage  chestnut  like  the  he.id)  ; 
the  eyelids  and  a  spot  under  I  lie  cyi"  olive-brown.  Lores  dusky.  A  white  spot  on  the 
inner  wel)  of  the  outer  two  tail-leathers,  at  the  end.  Length,  f)  inches;  wing,  2.4'2  ;  tail, 
2.'2").     Sexes  nearly  alike 

Autumnal  males  are  more  reddish  abovi? ;  under  part.s  tinged  witli  brown,  the  a.xillars 
yellow. 

Hah.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America  to  Fort  Simpson  and  rindson'.s  Bay ;  Ba- 
hamas, Jamaica,  Cuba,  and  8t.  Uomingo  in  winter.  Not  noted  from  Mexico  or  Central 
America. 

This  species  vaiios  coiisidoralily  in  (liflVroiit  stapjcs,  Init  can  generally  he 
recognized.  Innnaturc  .siicciiuens  resemble  those  of  J\  ti(/n'iia,  but  differ  in 
the  chestnut  crown,  browner  back,  loss  brioht  rump,  brighter  yellow  of  under 
tail-coverts,  smidler  lilotcbes  on  tiiil,  no  wliite  bands  on  the  wings,  etc.,  as 
well  as  in  the  shape  of  tlie  bill. 

Habits.  The  lied-PoU  Warbler  belongs,  in  its  geographical  distribution, 
to  that  large  cla.ss  of  birds  wliich  visit  higli  northern  Itititudes  to  breed,  pass- 
ing back  and  fortli  over  a  witle  extent  of  territory,  from  tlie  West  India 
Lslands  to  the  extreme  northern  ])ortions  of  the  continent.  Specimens  have 
betiii  procured  from  ("uba,  .Tamaica,  St.  Domingo,  and  the  Bahamas,  in  fall, 
winter,  .and  spring,  where,  at  such  times,  tlicy  seem  to  be  generally  (piite 
common.  It  has  not  been  oliserved  in  ]\Iexico  or  in  Central  or  Soutli 
America.  It  has  been  met  with  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
but  nowhere  farther  to  the  west.  It  luis  been  found  in  the  I!ed  Iii\er  Settle- 
ment, Fort  George,  Fort  Simpson,  tind  Fort  Ilesolution,  in  the  Hudson  IJay 
Territory.  It  is  not  known,  so  far  as  I  tun  tiware,  to  breed  south  of  Itititude 
44°.  Wilson  and  Nuttall  both  sttite  that  this  bird  remains  in  Pennsylvania 
through  the  summer,  but  they  were  probably  misinformed  ;  at  least,  there 
is  no  recent  evidence  to  this  effect.  Wilson  also  states  that  he  sliot  speci- 
35 


274  NOKTU  AMKItlCAX  mtiDS. 

mens  in  nonrctin,  near  Savannali,  early  in  Fclmiavv,  and  infora  tliat  aonio  pass 
the  entire  winter  in  (ieor^ia,  wiiieli  is  not  iinjn'Dlialile.as  this  bird  can  emhirc 
severe  weatlier  witliout  any  ai)parent  inconvenience. 

Tiiere  are  several  niari<e(l  ])ecnliarities  in  tlie  haliits  of  this  WaHder  which 
(listiiiynish  it  from  every  otlieroi'  its  j,'enns.  Ah)ne  of  all  the  DcuAroica',  so 
far  as  is  known,  it  ImiKls  its  nest  on  the  jironnd.and  isipnte  terrestrial  in  its 
habits,  and,  notwithstanding'  the  statements  of  earlier  writers,  these  areciuite 
different  from  all  others  of  this  gemis.  It  has  very  little  of  the  habits  of  the 
Creeper  and  still  less  of  the  Flycatcher,  while  it  has  all  the  manners  of  the 
true  (iround  ^Varbler,  and  even  a])pro.\imates,  in  this  res])ect,  to  the  Titlarks. 

iMy  attention  was  first  called  to  tlicse  jiecnliarities  by  Mr.  Downes  of 
Halifax,  in  thesunnnerof  1851;  and  I  was  surja-isod  to  find  it  ncstinyon  the 
ground,  and  yet  more  to  note  that  in  all  its  movements  it  appeared  fully  as 
terrestrial  as  the  Maryland  Veliow-Tliroat,  or  the  Towiiee  I'incli.  Since  then 
Mr.  lioardman  aiid  other  naturalists  have  found  its  nest,  which  is  always  on 
the  ground. 

Mr.  MacCidloch,  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the  Journal  of  the  Tlostnn 
Natural  History  Society,  has  given  an  inler(>sting  jiajier  upon  the  terrestrial 
l)eculiarities  of  this  species,  siiowing  tiiem  to  i)e  nearly  identical  with  those 
of  the  sciiiri,  with  wiioni  he  tliinks  it  should  be  classed.  In  its  terrestrial 
movements  this  l)ird  is  shown  to  l)e  (piite  at  home,  while  otluir  Warblers, 
when  driven  by  necessity  to  feed  upon  the  ground,  are  awkward,  and  mani- 
fest a  want  of  ada2)tation. 

Dr.  Henry  Bryant,  another  very  close  and  accurate  observer,  in  his  notes 
on  the  birds  of  the  llaiiamas,  rei'erring  to  this  AVarbler,  speaks  of  it  as  ex- 
tremely abundant,  but  conlinetl  to  the  sea-shore.  "  Its  habits,"  he  add.s, 
apparently  with  some  surprise,  "  are  decidedly  terrestrial,  and  it  approaches, 
in  this  respect,  to  the  Titlarks.  They  were  constantly  running  along  the 
edges  of  the  road,  or  else  hoi)ping  amongst  the  low  In'anciies  in  tlie  ])astures. 
I  did  not  see  a  single  individual  .seeking  for  food  amidst  the  large  trees. 
These  birds  could  be  constantly  seen  running  uj)  and  down  in  the  market  in 
search  of  sinall  flies.  Tiiese  they  caught  either  on  the  ground  or  else  by 
hopping  up  a  few  inches,  scarcely  opening  the  wings,  and  alighting  directly." 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  in  his  lUrds  observed  in  Western  Massachusetts,  shows 
that  these  pecidiarities  of  habits  in  this  Warbler  had  not  escaped  his  notice. 
He  speaks  of  it  as  "  frequenting,  in  com])any  with  Jj.  piiiits,  the  edges  of 
thickets,  orcliards,  and  open  fields,  oiul  is  miirh  on  the  (jmnad." 

^Ir.  (^reorge  A.  Roanlman,  writing  me  from  St.  Stei)hen,  March,  18(57,  says  : 
"  The  Yellow  l!ed-Poll  is  one  of  our  most  common  Warblers,  and,  nnlike 
most  other  Warblers,  spends  mnch  of  its  time  feeding  n])on  the  ground.  It 
is  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  a  dozen  or  two  on  the  ground  in  my  garden  at 
a  time,  in  early  sjiring.  Later  in  the  season  they  have  more  of  the  habits  of 
other  Warblers,  and  are  in  summer  expert  flycatchers.  In  tiie  fall  we  again 
see  them  mostly  upon  the  ground,  feeding  with  the  lilue  Snowbirds  {Jnnco 


SYLVK'UMIU;  -  THE  \VAUULER8.  275 

/t//cwrt//,s)  and  the  Cliij)])!!!",'  Sjiiirntw.  They  lirced  in  o\d  Imisliy  pnstiiivs.iind 
very  uiiily,  ni'stini,'  iil(ini;si(h)  of  some  little  knoll,  and,  I  tliink,  always  njion 
the  j^ionnil.     Tlic  nc^t  is  V(My  warmly  lined  witli  ffathers." 

Mr.  Mad  iiiluih,  in  tiu'  iiaper  already  referred  to,  states  that  duriny  their 
autnmnal  niigiations  lliey  seem  invrriably  to  exhiliit  the  haliits  of  true  .S///- 
vini/ii/(i\  j^leaninLT  amoni;  hranelies  o.'  trees  for  the  smaller  insects,  and  not 
nnfre(iuentiy  visiting  the  windows  of  dwellings  in  search  of  spiders  and 
insects. 

In  their  migrations  throngh  Ma.ssachnsetts  these  Warlilers  are  everywhere 
tpiite  ahnndant  in  the  spring,  l)ut  in  their  relnrn  in  autnnni  are  not  observed 
in  the  eastern  ])art  of  tin;  Stale,  thongh  very  connnon  in  the  western  from 
September  into  Xoveinlier,  remaining  long  after  all  the  other  Warl)lers  are 
gone.      Xone  remain  dnring  the  summer. 

In  Western  Maint^  Mr.  Verrill  states,  it  is  ([uitc  connnon  both  in  spring 
and  in  fall,  arriving  in  April,  earlier  than  any  other  Warbler,  and  again 
becoming  aliundant  the  last  of  Sejttember. 

I  found  it  plentiful  in  the  vicinity  of  Halifax,  where  >•  occurs  throughout 
the  summer  from  ^lay  to  Septemlter. 

Mr.  liidgway  gives  this  species  as  jjcrhaps  the  most,  numerous  of  the  tran- 
sient visitants,  in  .spring  and  fall,  in  Southern  Illinois.  It  is  very  terrestrial 
in  its  habits,  keeping  naieli  on  the  ground,  in  orchards  and  open  ])laces,  and 
its  movements  are  said  to  be  wonderfully  like  those  oi'  ^liiflnis  /luloiucidnn.s. 

In  the  viliratiirv  motions  of  its  tail,  especially  when  upon  the  ground, 
these  birds  greatly  resemlile  the  Wagtails  of  Kurojie.  They  have  no  other 
song  than  a  f(iw  simple  and  feeble  notes,  .so  thin  and  weak  that  they  might 
almost  be  mistaken  for  llu'  soun<ls  made  by  the  connnon  grasshopper. 

The  lied-roU  usually  selects  for  the  site  of  its  nc^t  the  edge  of  a  swampy 
thicket,  more  or  less  o])en,  ))lacing  it  invariably  u])on  the  ground.  This  is 
usually  not  large,  about  three  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  and  two  and 
a  half  in  depth,  the  diameter  and  depth  of  the  cavity  each  averaging  only 
half  an  incii  less.  The  walls  are  compactly  and  elaborately  constructed 
of  an  interweaving  of  various  line  materials,  chietiy  fine  dry  grasses,  slender 
stri])S  of  bark,  stems  of  the  smaller  ])lants,  hypnum,  and  other  mosses. 
Within,  the  nest  is  warndy  and  softly  lined  with  down  and  feathers. 

Mr.  Kennicott  met  with  a  nest  of  this  Ijird  at  Fort  Kesolution,  June  18. 
It  was  on  the  ground,  on  a  hummock,  at  the  foot  of  a  small  spruce,  in  a 
swam)).     When  found,  it  contained  live  young  birds. 

Their  eggs  are  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  and  measure  .70  of  an  inch  in 
lengtli  by  fu)  in  l)readth.  Tlieir  ground-color  is  a  yellowLsh  or  creamy- 
white,  and  their  blotches,  chietiy  about  the  larger  eud,  are  a  blending  of 
purple,  lilac,  and  redtlish-browu. 


276  NORTH  A.MHItlCAN  r.IlMKS. 

Dendroica  discolor,  Baiud. 

FBAIBIE  WABBLES, 

Syln,,  tlheolor,  ViKii.r,.  Ois.  Am.  Sr],!.  II,  1SU7,  ;i7,  pi,  xoviii,  -  Hon,  ;  Ai'i).  Orn  I5i„L' 
I.  1.1.  .viv  ;  Xiii,  -.  l,i;.MMi;vi;,  Av.s  CuImi,  isr.(»,  'M,  pi.  vi,  li«.  %  S,jlri,vht  diseuhr, 
.Iaki).  ;  liiiii.  :  lioN.  ;  Aii>.  Itinls  Am.  11,  pi.  .xtvii.  -  (io.s.><|.„  lljids  .Imii.  1847,  150 
llhiu,„„i,lius  Jiscnhr,  Caii.  ,l.mr.  Ill,  I8i5,  474  (CuUv ;  wintn).  Av„/n,/,v,  .Ww 
liAiiii),  Hilda  N.  Am.  Ks5,s,  -Jito  ;  JJev.  213.  —  Nkwion,  Ibis,  hs.iu,  I44  (St  C'roi.v)  — 
HiiVA.sr,  IV  l!„st.  Soc.  VII,  m,\>  (li,.h,mia,s).  -  In.  18(i(i  (I'.,ito  l!i,„) ;  lStJ7,  !.] 
(llayti). -CiiNiu.Aill,  Ciil).  Jour,  18til,  :C2(I  (Cuba;  voiy  common). -Sa.mukw,  241, 
AyiKd  wiiiitld,  W11..S0N,  111,  pi.  x.w.  tiy.  4, 

Rp.  CllAl!.  Si.rinij  mah:  Above  iiMiloiiii  (liiw-^'iccii  ;  tlio  intoi-.xcapnlar  iv-ion  witli 
ciR.stniil-ir.l  (vnlivs  to  fualluT.-i.  ('ndci-  |.ails  and  si.lw  oftlie  iioa.i,  iii.liulin|J  n  broa.l 
."iupcvilia.y  hm.  from  the  nostilLs  to  a  liiilu  brhin.l   the  cyo,  brij-ht  ydlow,  bn-iitc.-<t  an- 

tciiorly.     A  Woll-deliiiud  narrow  .stripe  from  llie  eoinniis.suro  of  the  iilli  tlimiii,di  the 

eye,  and  anotlier  lioni  llie  .sanu^  point  curving'  -cnlly  below  it,  al.^o  a  .seri.'.s  of  streaks  on 
eaeh  side  of  (he  body,  e.Mendhifr  (Wmi  the  throat  to  the  llank.s  black.  Qnilis  and  tail- 
feathers  brown,  edged  with  white;  liie  terminal  half  of  the  inner  wel)  of  the  (irst  and 
second  tail-feathers  white.  Two  yellowi.sh  bands  on  the  winps.  F,;m,k  similar,  but 
duller.     The  dorsal  streaks  indistinct.     Length,  4.80  ;  wing,  2.2ij  ;  tail,  2.10. 

First  plumage  of  the  yoinig  not  seen. 

IIab.  Atlautie  region  of  United  States,  north  to  J[as.saehusetts ;  St)utli  Illinois ;  in 
winter  very  abundant  liiroughout  all  the  West  India  Islands,  lus  far,  at  least,  us  tho  Virgin 
Islands.     Not  recorded  Iroui  Mexico  or  Central  Ameiica. 

Autiuniml  specimens  have  the  pUiniarre  more  hlomled,  but  the  markings 
not  cluiugetl.  A  youiiy  nuile  in  auiunnial  dres.s  is  wholly  brownisli  olive- 
green  above,  the  wliole  wing  unilbrm  ;  ilie  Ibrehead  ashy,  the  markings  about 
tlie  liead  ratlier  ol)solete,  tlie  ciiestnut  spots  on  tlie  back  and  the  black  ones 
on  tiie  sides  nearly  concetded. 

Habits.  The  Prairie  AVarbler,  nowlicre  an  abundant  species  is  jn-etty 
generally,  though  soniewliat  irregidarly,  distributed  tin-ougli  tlie  eastern  por- 
tion of  the  United  States  from  .Alassachusetts  to  (leoigia  during  its  breeding- 
sea,son,  Tlie  Smitlisonian  :\ru.seum  embraces  no  .specimens  ttiken  west  of 
riiiladelpliia  or  AVashington.  T  have  had  its  nest  and  eggs  found  in 
Central  ^aw  York.  Mr.  Auchdjon  speaks  of  its  occurring  in  Louisiana,  but 
his  accounts  of  its  nesting  are  so  obviously  inaccurate  that  we  must  receive 
this  statement  also  with  misgivings.  "Wilson,  however,  obtained  ,s])eciniens 
in  Kentucky,  and  gave  to  it  tlie  inajipropriate  name  of  Frairic  Warbler. 
Xuttidl  regai'ded  it  as  rare  in  New  England,  wliich  opinion  more  careful 
observations  do  not  confirm.  They  certainly  are  not  rare  in  certain  jiortions 
of  Massachusetts.  In  Essex  County,  and,  according  to  Mr.  Allen,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Sjiringfield,  they  ai'e  rather  common.  The  Smithsonian  possesses 
si)ecimens  from  the  Eahamas,  Jamaica,  St.  Croix,  St.  Thomtus,  ami  other  West 
India  islands.  Dr.  CJundliich  speaks  of  it  as  common  in  Cuba,  In  the 
Bahamas,  Dr.  Bryant  found  the.se  Warblers  more  abundant  than  he  had  ever 
known  them  in  the  United  States.     In  January  all  the  males  were  in  winter 


SYhVICOLID.K  — TFIE  VVARHI-KUS.  277 


])luniiijj;i!,  auine  not  liaviiii,'  rlmii^'i'd  liy  A]iril  to  tlicir  siiiiunor  cDstunu'.  Ih; 
ro^'uriletl  tlieiii  ii8  coiisliiut  lusiilents  of  those  isluiuls.  Tliuy  Inul  all  piiiicil 
oir  l»y  tliu  middle  of  Ainil. 

In  tlui  isliiiul  (if  St.  ( 'ruix,  Mr.  Kdwiinl  Xcwton  obsorvod  tlicao  Wiirlilcrs  from 
tlio  Idtli  of  Si'ptciiiliur  to  tliu  JTtli  of  Miirc'li.  Tliuy  weiu  invwcnt  on  the  ishiiul 
about  two  tliii'ds  of  tlie  year,  luid  while  they  were  found  were  very  coiutuou. 

In  Jaumicii,  aceordinj;  to  Mr.  IVrardi,  they  are  numerous  throuj,'hout  the 
entire  year,  tJKaigli  le.ss  aliundant  (hniiij,'  tlie  summer  months.  Tiiey  were 
always  i)lentiful  in  the  yaitlei  s  about  the  JiLilpi'i/hid  (jhihni,  eapturiny  small 
inseets  from  the  ripe  fruit. 

Mr.  Gosse,  on  the  contrary,  regarded  it  as  ordy  a  winter  visitant  of  that 
island,  apiKMrini,'  by  tlie  IHtii  of  August,  and  di.saiiiiearing  by  the  1  Itli  of 
April.  He  observed  them  among  low  bushes  and  herliaeeous  weeils,  along 
the  roadside,  near  the  grouml,  examining  every  stalk  and  twig  for  inseets. 
Others  Hew  from  busiies  by  the  wayside  to  the  middle  of  the  road,  where, 
hovering  in  the  air,  a  lew  fecit  from  the  ground,  they  seemed  to  lie  catching 
small  dijiterous  insects.     Their  stomachs  were  fdled  with  fragments  of  insects. 

Wilson  found  them  usually  in  open  plains  and  thinly  wooded  tracts,  search- 
ing most  leisurely  anu)ng  the  foliage,  carefully  examining  every  leaf  or  blade 
of  grass  for  insects,  uttering,  at  short  intervals,  a  brief  vhirr.  They  did  not 
a])pcar  to  be  easily  ahirmed,  and  he  has  known  one  of  these  birds  to  remain 
half  an  hour  at  a  time  on  the  lower  branch  of  a  tree,  and  allow  him  to  ap- 
proach the  foot,  without  being  in  the  least  disturbed.  He  found  their  food 
consisted  of  winged  inseets  and  small  caterpillars. 

In  1858,  Mr.  John  Cassin  wrote  me  :  "  The  Prairie  Warbler  certainly 
breeds  in  New  Jersey,  near  Philadeliihia.  I  have  seen  it  all  summer  for  the 
last  twelve  years,  and  have  seen  the  young  just  able  to  lly,  but  ncn-er  found 
the  nest.  It  has  a  very  peculiar  note,  which  1  know  as  well  as  I  do  the  Cat- 
bird's, having  often  followed  and  searched  it  out.  It  frequents  cedar-trees, 
and  I  suspect  breeds  in  and  about  them." 

Dr.  Cones  found  the  I'rairie  AN'arbler  mostly  a  spriu;,'  aud  ui'fumn  visitant 
in  the  vicinity  of  AVashington,  being  ((uite  abundant  during  those  seasons. 
A  few  were  observed  to  remain  during  the  breeding-season.  They  arrive 
earlier  than  most  of  this  family  of  birds,  or  about  tlie  2{A\\  of  April.  He 
found  them  frequenting,  almost  excluijively,  ci'dar-]iatches  and  pine-trees,  and 
speaks  of  their  having  very  ])eculiar  manners  and  notes. 

Both  Wilson  and  Audubon  were  evidently  at  fault  in  their  doi-^criptions  of 
the  nest  and  eggs.  These  do  not  correspond  with  more  recent  iuul  ]»ositive 
observations.  Its  nest  is  never  pensile.  Mir.  Xuttall's  descrii)tions,  on  the 
other  hand,  are  made  from  his  own  observations,  and  are  evidently  corn-ct. 
Ho  describes  a  nest  that  came  under  his  obse|vation  as  scarcely  distinguish- 
able from  that  of  the  D.  (estiva.  It  was  not  ])ensile,  but  fixed  in  a  forked 
branch,  and  formed  of  strips  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  red  cedar,  fibres  of  ascle- 
pia,  and  caterpillars'  silk,  and  thickly  lined  with  the  down  of  the  Gnajjhaiitm 


278  NOUTIl  AilEKlCAN  JJlIiDS. 

plaiifagineitm.  He  describes  the  eggs  as  having  a  white  ground,  sharj)  at  one 
end,  and  marked  with  s})ots  of  lihic-imrple  and  ol'  two  shades  of  brown, 
more  numerous  at  the  larger  end,  where  they  Ibrnied  a  ring.  He  s]ieaks  of 
their  note  as  slender,  and  noticed  their  arrival  about  the  second  week  of 
May,  leaving  the  middle  of  Sejjtendier. 

At  another  time  ^Ir.  Nuttall  was  attracted  l>y  tiie  slender,  filing  notes  of 
this  bird,  reseud)liiig  the  sui)i)ressed  syllables  'tsh-'tsh-tuh-tshca,  beginning 
low  and  gradually  growing  louder.  Witli  its  mate  it  was  laisily  engaged 
collecting  Jiies  and  larva;  about  a  clump  of  locust-trees  in  Mount  Auburn. 
Their  nest  was  near,  and  the  female,  Mithout  any  precautions,  Ment  directly 
to  it.  Mr.  Nuttall  removed  two  eg'js,  which  he  afterwards  replaced.  Each 
time,  on  his  withdrawal,  she  returned  to  the  nest,  and  resorted  to  no  exjjcdi- 
ents  to  entice  him  away. 

Several  nests  of  this  Warbler  have  been  obtained  by  Mr.  Welch  in  Lynn. 
One  was  built  on  a  wild  rose,  oidy  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  a  snug, 
compact,  and  elaborately  woven  structure,  having  a  height  and  a  diameter  of 
about  two  and  a  half  inches.  The  cavity  is  two  inclies  wide  and  one  and  a 
half  deep.  The  nuiterials  of  which  the  outer  parts  are  woven  are  chiefly  the 
soft  inner  bark  of  small  shrubs,  mingled  with  dry  rose-leaves,  bits  of  \ege- 
tables,  wood,  wooily  fibres,  decayed  stems  of  jdants,  spiders'  webs,  etc.  The 
whole  is  bound  together  like  a  web  by  cotton-like  fibres  of  a  vegetable  ori- 
gin. The  upper  rim  of  this  nest  is  a  marked  feature,  being  a  strongly  inter- 
laced weaving  of  vegetable  roots  and  strips  of  bark.  The  lining  of  the  nest 
is  com]i()sed  of  fine  vegetable  fibres  and  a  few  horse-hairs.  This  nest,  in  its 
general  mode  of  construction,  resembles  all  that  1  have  seen  ;  only  in  others 
the  materials  vary,  —  in  some  dead  and  decayed  leaves,  in  others  renuuns 
of  old  cocoons,  and  in  others  the  pajtpus  of  com])osite  plants,  being  more 
prominent  than  the  fine  strips  of  bark.  The  nests  are  usually  witiiin  four 
feet  of  the  ground.     The  eggs  vary  from  three  to  five,  and  even  six. 

The  late  Dr.  tierhardt  found  this  bird  the  most  common  Warbler  in  Nor- 
thern Georgia.  There  its  nests  were  siiuilar  in  size,  structure,  and  jiosition, 
but  diH'ered  more  or  less  in  the  mateiials  of  whicli  they  were  made.  The 
nests  were  a,  trifle  larger  and  the  walls  thinner,  the  cavities  being  corresi)ond- 
ingly  larger.  The  materials  were  more  invariably  fine  strips  of  inner  bark 
and  Hax-like  vegetable  fibres,  and  were  lined  with  the  finest  stems  of  ))lants, 
in  one  case  witii  the  feathers  of  the  (Ircsat  Horned  Owl.  In  that  neighbor- 
hood the  eggs  were  deposited  by  the  loth  of  jNlay. 

lu  Massachusetts  tlie  Prairie  Warbler  invariably  selects  wild  pasture-land, 
often  not  far  from  villages,  and  always  open  or  very  thinly  wooded.  In 
Georgia  their  nests  were  built  in  almost  every  kind  of  liush  or  low  ti'ce,  or 
on  the  lower  limljs  of  post-oaks,  at  f  lie  height  of  from  four  to  seven  feet. 
Eggs  were  found  once  as  early  as  the  2d  of  May,  and  once  as  late  as  the  10th 
of  June.  The  birds  arrived  there  by  the  lUtli  of  A])ril,  and  seemed  to 
prefer  hillsides,  but  were  found  in  almost  any  open  locality. 


SYLVICOLIU.E—  THE  WARHLERS. 


270 


III  Sniitlioni  Tlliiidis,  Mr.  ]{iil,L,'\vay  cites  tliis  apocics  as  a  ratlior  raro  l)ir(l 
aniDiiL,'  thii  (lak  lianviis  wlici'o  it  Iu'l-ihIs.  He  iilsit  mot  witli  it  in  (irclianls  in 
till'  WDoik'd  ])urtious,  in  April,  during  tlic  uortliwanl  migration  of  the  Si//- 
riiviidn: 

The  eggs  ani  of  an  oval  sliapo,  ])ointed  at  one  end,  and  measure  .08  l)y  .48 
of  an  ineh.  They  have  a  wliito  ground,  marked  with  spots  of  lilac  iuid  pm'- 
ple  aud  two  shades  of  umber-brown. 


Subfamily  GEOTHLYPINiS. 


Section    SEIURE/E. 


rcrr. 


The  diagnosis  of  the  subfamily  will  bo  found  on  page  178.  The  ASciii 
as  there  stated,  have  the  wings  i)ointed,  and  rather  longer  than  the  nearly 
even  tail,  whieh  is  unsjiotted.  The  genera  diller  in  proportion  rather  than 
absolutely,  Oporoniis  having  longer  wings  and  hirger  claws.  The  coloration, 
however,  is  always  distinctive,  as  follows  :  — 


FikIci-  P!ii(  white  or  wliili.sli,  tliickly  .streaked 
Bouealli  yellow,  willioiit  .spots      . 


tSeiwus. 
Oporornis. 


Genus   SEIURUS,   Sw.m.vsox. 


&/»ms  ,SwAiN.soN-,  Zo.i!.  Jour.  Ill,  1S-J7,  171 .     (Sullick-ntly  distinct  from  Sciunus. )    (Type. 
Jl/i>laci!l(i  iniivcdjii/h,  ]..)  v   Ji   • 

HenkocicMn,  (iii.vv,  List  of  tienera,  1810. 

Gkn.  Cm.m!.  ISill  rather  .sylvieohue,  eoinpres.sed,  with  a  distiiipt  notch.  Gonys  a.seoiid- 
niK.  Rielal  Lristles  very  short.  Win,.s  inoderat..,  ahn.it  three  ri.iarters  of  an  inch  longer 
than  the  tail :  lirst  (piill  .seareoly  shorter  than  the 
se.ytiiil.  Tail  .sli-htly  roiiiideil ;  feather.s  aouiiii- 
nate.  Tarsi  ahout  as  long  „s  the  skull,  eoii- 
siilerahly  e.xeeeilini;  the  middle  toe.  Under 
tail-coverts  ivaehiim-  within  alioiit  half  an  ineh 
of  the  end  of  the  tail.  Color  above  olivaeeoiis; 
beneath  whitish,  thickly  streaked  on  the  breast 
and  sides.  Wiiijjs  and  tail  ininiactilato.  Xests 
on  the  ground,  often  arched  or  she;terO(]  by  ])osi- 
tion  or  dry  leaves.  Kjr.s  white,  marked  with 
red,  brown,  and  piiriile. 

Seiiints  attrnrapilhi.t. 

This  genus  is  decidedly  sylvicoline  in  general  a]ipoarance,  although  the 
spots  on  the  breast  resemble  somewhat  those  of  the  Thrushes.  The  three 
species  nuvy  be  groujied  as  follows :  — 

A.    Middle  of  erown  brownish-oran.uv.  bordered  by  blackish.     Xo  white  super- 
ciliary streak  ...  u  ■„ 
•^                                                  ■         •         •         .         .                  .         .         A.  aiiroaijHllus. 


280 


N(  HITH  AMERICAN  BIllDS. 


B«   ("rowii  like  tlio  l>ai'k.     A  wdl-dorinod  supornilinry  liirlit  stripo. 

Thickly  siiciikcil  lioiiciitli,  iiioludiii}^  I'lissiini.  Groiiiiil-uolor  and  Kiiporoiliary 
stripe  yiiilowisii.     Hill  .siuall »S'.  tioaehnrareiisis. 

Sparsely  streaked  beneafli ;  tliroat  and  orissum  ininuuMilatc.  Ground-color 
and  superciliary  strijje  while.     Bill  very  large         .         .         .         .       H.  ludoviduuitx. 


Seiunis  aurocapillus,  Swaixs. 

OOLDEN-CaOWNEO  THBUSH. 

Motacilla  atirncapilla,  Linn.  S.  JT.  I,  1766,  334.  Ttirdus  ntir.  Lath.  ;  Wils.  Am.  Orn. 
II,  pi.  xiv,  lif.'.  2.  —  All).  Orn.  Hio<;.  II,  pi.  cxliii.  Siilviti  niir.  Wifs.  Scinriui  aur. 
SWAINSON,  Zool.  Jour.  Ill,  1S27,  171.  —  lUiiii),  IHrds  N.  Am.  1858,  260  ;  I{«v.  214. 
—  MooKK,  P.  Z.  S.  18,->n,  55  (Honduras). —  Max.  Cab.  .loiir.  18.58,  177.  —  Jonks,  Nat. 
Ucrinuila,  27.  Jleii ion-k/ihi  aur.  Sci.ATKli,  Catal.  1861,  25,  no.  15i).  —  (JiNni.Acll, 
Cal).  Jour.  1861,  326  (Cuba).  Seiunis  aur.  D'OiMi.  Sajjra's  Cuba,  1840,  55.  —  Daij.  & 
Hanxisti'.I!,  Tr.  Chic  Ac.  I,  ISO!),  278  (.Vlaska).  —  .Samtki.s,  218.  Turdus  coronaliis, 
ViKlu..  Ois.  II.  1807   8. 

Other  loealities  (piotcd  :  (  v/oivf,  .Sci.ATK I!,  V.  7..  S.  1856,  293.  St.  Domivfio,  Sai,I.1%  V.  Z.  S. 
1857,  231.  Ouiitciiiiil',  Sc\,\TtM  ii.  Sm.vis,  Ibis,  I,  185i>,  10.  Santa  Crm  (winter), 
Ni;\vroN,  Ibis,  1859,  142.  Vidia  (winter),  Cab.  Jour.  Ill,  471.  Jamaica,  (Iossk, 
Birds,  152. —ScLATKi!,  P.  Z.  S.  1861,  70.  CVi.s7,(  A'/w,  Cad.  Jour.  1861,  84.  Onzuba 
(winter),  Sr.MicniSAsr.     i'acataii,  Lawk.     Chii-iqiii,  .Salv. 

Sp.  Char.  Above  unirorni  olivo-rrrocn,  with  a  tinrje  ol'  yellow.  Crown  with  two  nar- 
row .streaks  of  black  iroin  the  bill,  enclosing  a  median  and  much  broader  one  of  brownish- 
orange.  Beneath  white  ;  the  breast,  sides  of  the  bod}',  and  a  niaxillarj'  line,  streaked  with 
black.  The  female  and  young  of  the  year  are  not  a|)preciably  diHerent.  Length,  0.00; 
wing,  3.00  ;  tail,  2.40. 

IIah.  Eastern  Province  of  North  .\inerica,  north  to  English  River,  II.  B.  T.,  and  Alas- 
ka;  west  to  mouth  of  Platte,  and  Denver  City,  Colorado;  Ma/atlan  ;  whole  West  Indies; 
Eastern  Mexico;  Honduras,  Guatemala,  and  Costa  Rica;  Bermuda  in  autumn  and  winter 
(Jones). 

IIabit.s.     The  Golden-crowned  Tlirnsh,  or  Oven-Uird,  as  in  some  portions 

of  the  country  it  is  exclusively  called, 
inhabits  the  whole  of  eastern  North 
America,  as  far  to  the  west  as  the  Great 
IMains,  and  to  the  north  at  least  as  far 
as  English  liiver.  In  the  winter  .season 
it  has  heen  found  in  Mexico,  St.  Domin- 
go, Jamaica,  Cuba,  and  other  West  Indiii 
islands,  and  in  Central  AnuM'ica  is  also 
very  common.  Afr.  Sumichrast  also 
speaks  of  it  as  common  at  Orizaba 
during  the  same  season,  and  it  has  l)een 
found  in  the  IJermudas  and  the  IJahanias. 
In  all  these  places  it  usually  ap])ears  early  in  the  autunni  and  remains  until 
the  ensuing  spring.  It  breeds  as  far  to  the  north  as  it  has  been  known  to  go. 
liichardson  met  with  its  nest  on  the  banks  ot  the  Saskatchewan,  and  was 


,Sfiiint»  atiforupiUus. 


SYLVIC0LIDJ5  — THE  WARBLKRS.  281 

conviiicod  tliiit  it  bml  at  even  still  higher  latitudes.  Aiiionp;  some  meino- 
raiula  1  ivcoivcd  iVom  the  late  ^Ir.  Koivuieott  is  one  stating  tliat  he  met 
with  this  Thrush  breeding  near  English  Iliver,  duly  IH.  These  birds  arrive 
in  the  fur  country  about  the  fii'st  of  ^Fay.  How  far  to  the  south  they  Itreed 
wc  have  no  ]iositivo  information.  I  have  never  received  its  eggs  from  any 
l)oint  south  of  I'hiladelphia,  nor  did  I  ever  meet  with  it  or  hear  its  notes 
in  summer  in  the  vicinity  of  AVashington.-  Audub'Mi  was  of  the  opinifui 
that  a  few  remain  to  breed  even  in  Louisiana,  and  states  that  he  found  them 
abundant  in  Te.xas  in  tlus  middle  of  ^lay,  but  ho  may  have  confounded  this 
sp(!ci('s  with  the  Louisiana  Thrush. 

In  Jamaica,  where  its  habits  have  been  carefully  studied  by  Mr.  Gosse,  it 
arrives  in  Scjitember  and  leaves  about  the  20tli  of  April.  Mr.  Wiirdemann 
obtained  spceinuMis  at  (\i\)G  Fhu-ida,  Septend)cr  24  and  25.  Mr.  Audubon 
mentions  their  apjiearing  in  Louisiana  as  early  as  the  lirst  of  March.  Wilson 
never  noticed  it  in  Lo\iisiana  before  the  lust  of  April,  nor  after  September. 
Tlie  Smithsonian  possesses  no  specinusn  obtained  earlier  than  May  1,  except 
some  procmed  April  2r)  from  the  mouth  of  Platte  Ifiver.  Mr.  Allen  notes 
its  arrival  in  Western  Massachusetts  May  10.  Mr.  Verrill  gives  the  early 
part  of  ]May  as  the  time  of  its  reaching  Western  Maine,  and  Mr.  Boardman 
IMay  I  for  the  vicinity  of  Calais. 

Though  not  found  on  the  California  coast,  specimens  of  this  bird  have 
been  taken  in  M-Jnter  near  ]\Iazatlan,  Mexico,  siiowing  probably  that  in  their 
migrations  they  cross  the  mountains  of  Northevn  Mexico,  as  do  the  Mnioli'Ja 
rcn'ia  and  a  few  other  of  our  Eastern  speciis. 

In  Eastern  Mas.sachusetts  it  usually  ai)pears  i'rom  the  1st  to  the  10th  of 
^fay,  just  as  the  first  leaves  of  the  trees  are  expanding,  ami  is  to  be  found 
only  in  thick  woods,  often  near  (lieir  edges.  Occasionally  found  perched  on 
the  low  lindis  of  trees,  it  is  quii  terrestrial  in  its  habits,  keeps  a  good  deal 
on  the  ground,  running  about  among  the  fallen  leaves,  more  in  the  manner 
of  a  small  (piadruped  than  a  bird.  ^fr.  Audubon  speaks  of  its  frequenting 
shady  woods,  watered  l)y  creeks  and  rivulets.  I  have  found  them  rather 
more  abundant  in  woods  upon  high  and  dry  ground,  usually  u])on  slopes  of 
wocjded  hillsides.  In  this  respect  it  a])pears  to  differ  in  a  marked  manner 
from  its  near  of  kin,  the  Water  Thrush  (S.  noixhornccnsU). 

This  bird,  and  indeed  all  of  this  genus,  have  the  peculiar  vibratory  mo- 
tions of  the  tail  noticed  in  the  Wagtail  of  Europe,  and  also  observed  in  our 
own  Ived-poll  Warbler,  and  in  the  Titlark.i.  In  consequence  of  tlu'se  jiecu- 
liarities  this  species  is  known,  in  Jamaica,  as  Land  Kirlup,  and  the  iuirrho- 
rornisis  as  the  Wativ  Kicliip.  Mr.  (!osse  found  in  its  stomach  gravel, 
various  seeds,  nnul-insects,  caterpillars,  and  small  turbinate  shells. 

The  usual  and  more  conunon  song  of  this  species  is  a  very  peculiar  and 

striking  one,  uidike  that  of  any  other  of  our  birds.     It  is  said  to  somewhat 

resendihi  the  song  of  the  Annitov  niothifiiri.'nA'  Eurojxv     It  is  loud  and  clear, 

enunciated  with  great  rajiidity,  and  uttered  with  griiat  emphasis  at  its  close. 

•M 


282  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

It  is  cliaracterized  hy  onovj,'y  and  power,  ratlior  tluin  variety  or  sweetness,  yet 
it  is  not  uiipleiising.  Aiuhibou  calls  it  a  "simple  lay,"  and  ai-ain  "  a  short 
succession  of  simple  notes,"  —  expressions  that  would  give  one  who  had  never 
heiird  its  song  an  altogether  incorrect  idea  of  its  true  character  Wilson  is 
still  more  in  error  wlicu  he  states  that  this  bird  has  no  song,  but  an  (niergetic 
twitter,  when,  in  fact,  it  has  two  very  distinct  songs,  each  in  its  way  renmrk- 
able.  Nuttall  describes  its  song  as  "  a  simple,  long,  reiterated  note,  rising 
from  low  to  high,  and  shrill" ;  liichardson  sjjeaks  of  it  as  "a  loud,  clear,  anil 
remarkably  pleasing  ditty";  and  Mr.  Allen  calls  it  "  a  loud,  echoing  song, 
heard  everywhere  in  the  deep  woods."  In  reference  to  the  songs  of  this  bird,' 
and  the  injustice  that  has  been  done  by  writers  to  this  ancrother  species 
of  our  birds,  Mr.  Boardman  of  St.  Stephen  has  written  me  the  iollowing  just 
observations. 

"  Many  of  our  common  Warblers,  Thrushes,  and  other  birds,  have  rare  songs 
they  reserve  for  some  extra  oc(  isions,  and  many  of  our  connnon  birds  do  not 
get  credit  for  half  their  real  j^wer  of  song.  Once  last  sjn'ing,  as  I  was  watch- 
ing for  some  birds,  I  heard  a  new  and  veiy  pretty  warble,  sonietiiing  like 
the  trill  of  a  AVinter  Wren,  and  found  diat  it  came  from  our  common  slate- 
colored  Snowbii'd  (Jiiiico  hi/emalis),  a  bird  that  I  see  every  day  that  1  go 
to  the  woods,  and  yet  these  notes  I  had  never  heard  before.  It  is  the  same 
with  the  Golden-crowned  Thrush.  Wlien  it  gets  into  the  top  of  a  tall  tree, 
its  strain  is  so  rare  and  beautiful  that  but  few  know  it  as  from  that  bird. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  AVatcr  Thrush,  and  also  of  both  Tardus  jxdlnsi 
and  Turdus  siraiiiKoiii." 

The  Oven-Uird  always  nests  on  the  ground,  and  generally  constructs  nests 
with  arched  or  domed  roofs,  with  an  entrance  on  one  side,  like  the  mouth  of 
an  oven,  and  hence  its  common  name.  This  arched  covering  is  not,  however, 
universal.  For  a  site  this  sjiecies  usually  selects  tlie  wooded  slope  of  a  hill, 
and  the  nests  are  usually  sunk  in  the  ground.  When  placed  under  the 
shelter  of  a  projecting  root,  or  in  a  thick  clump  of  bushes,  the  nest  has  no 
other  cover  than  a  few  loose  leaves  resting  on,  but  forming  no  part  of  it. 

A  nest  from  IJacine,  AVis.,  olitiiincd  by  Dr.  Hoy,  is  a  fine  typical  specimen 
of  the  domed  nests  of  this  species.  The  roof  is  very  perfect,  and  the  whole 
I)resents  the  appear.'.nce  of  two  shallow  nests  tinited  at  the  rim,  and  leaving 
only  a  small  o])ening  at  one  side.  Tiiis  nest  M-as  five  inches  in  diameter 
from  front  to  back,  si.x  inches  from  side  to  side,  and  four  inches  high.  The 
opening  Avas  two  and  a  quarter  inches  wide,  one  and  three  (luartcrs  high. 
Tiie  cavity  was  two  inches  deej),  below  the  brim.  At  the  entrance  the  roof 
recedes  about  an  inch,  obviously  to  allow  of  a  freer  entrance  and  exit  from 
the  nest.  Externally  this  nest  is  made  of  wood,  mosses,  lichens,  and  dry 
leaves,  with  a  few  stems  and  broken  i'raginents  of  plants.  The  entrance  is 
strongly  built  of  stout  twigs,  and  its  ujipei'  ])ortion  is  com])osed  of  a  strong 
framework  of  fine  twigs,  roots,  stems,  mosses,  dry  i)lants,  etc.,  all  firmly 
interwoven,  and  lined  with  finer  materials  of  tlie  same. 


SYLVICOLID.E  — THE  WARBLERS.  283 

On  the  7th  of  Juno,  LSaS,  I  cuine  accidentally  u])on  a  nost  of  this  hiixl 
of  ii  very  dill'eivnt  style  of  structure.  It  was  in  a  thiciv  wuod  in  llinghani. 
Tlio  nest  was  built  in  a  depression  in  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  some  low  husiics, 
and  its  to[)  was  completely  covereil  by  surrounding  vines  and  wild  llowers. 
It  would  }irobably  have  escaped  notice  iiad  not  my  daughter,  then  a  child 
of  four  years,  attempted  to  gather  some  wild  tlow(!rs  growing  directly  o\er 
its  entrance.  This  Ihislied  tin;  mother,  wlio  until  then  had  remained  (puet, 
althougii  we  were  standing  with  our  feet  almost  up(jn  the  nest,  and  the  Ijird 
ilnttered  and  tumbled  aljout  at  our  feet  with  well-i'eigned  mamruvres  to  distract 
our  attention.  The  child  in  great  glee  souglit  to  catch  it,  Init  it  eluded  her 
grasp,  and,  running  otf  like  a  mouse,  disappeared.  The  nest  contained  six 
eggs,  was  entirely  open,  and  with  no  other  cover  than  the  wild  plants  that 
clustered  above  it.  As  to  its  identity  there  was  no  doulit,  as  tiie  parent  was 
afterwards  snared  u])on  its  nest.  This  nest  was  somewhat  loosely  constructed 
of  skeleton  leaves,  dry  slender  stalks,  grasses,  and  i)ine-needles,  and  was 
lined  with  a  few  slender  grasses  and  leaves.  It  had  a  diameter  of  six  inches, 
and  was  two  and  a  half  inches  deep.  The  cup  iiad  a  diameter  of  three  and 
a  half  inches  and  a  depth  of  two,  being  very  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird, 
probably  owing  to  the  shape  of  the  cavity  in  which  it  was  suidv. 

Tiie  nest  of  this  V)ird  seems  to  be  a  favorite  [tlace  of  resort  for  tlie  Cow 
JJlackbird  to  deposit  its  egg.  In  one  nest,  found  Ijy  Mr.  Vickary  in  Lynu, 
no  less  than  three  eggs  of  these  ])arasites  had  been  placed. 

The  eggs  of  the  Golden-crowned  Tiirush  are  subject  to  considerable  varia- 
tions. Their  markings  dill'er  in  their  colors  and  shades,  and  yet  more  in  num- 
ber, size,  and  manner  of  distriljution.  The  eggs  are  oval  in  shajie,  one  end 
being  but  very  slightly  smaller  than  the  otiier.  Their  average  length  is  .82 
of  an  incli,  and  their  breadth  is  .55  of  an  inch.  Tiieir  ground-color  is  a  beau- 
tiful creamy-white.  They  are  marked,  usually  principally  about  the  larger 
end,  with  dots  and  blotches,  intermingled,  of  red,  reddish-brown,  lilao,  darker 
purple,  and  I'erruginous.  Occasionally  these  make  a  beautifu"  croM'n  around 
the  larger  end,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  surface  nearly  free  froi  i  sj  ots. 


Seiurus  noveboracensis,  Xutt. 

SUAIL-BILLEO  WATER  THRUSH. 

Motacilla  noveboracensis,  U.mklin,  S.  N.  I,  17S8,  958.  Si/lvia  nnv.  Latit.  ;  Vikh.i.ot,  Ois. 
Am.  Sept.  II,  pi.  l.xxxii.  Sfiuriui  nov.  Ni'ir.  ;  Bon.  ;  AuD.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  pi.  cxci.x. 
—  n.viun,  r.inls  N.  Am.  1S.")8,  201,  pi.  Ixxx,  fif,'.  1  ;  Rev.  215. —Max.  Cab.  Jour. 
ISnS,  1-Jl.  —  Dam,  .t  liANNisrr.u  (Aliuskiil.  —  Sa.\ii-f.i..s,  2'20.  Ifniicncirhla  nov.  Cab. 
Scliom.  UuiiUiii,  III,  tiiKi  ;  .lour.  1S60,  321  (Costa  Rica).  —  Sci,.vri;it  (Tobago). — 
CJuNDLACll,  Cab.  .lour.  18(il,  320  (Cuba).  Mniolilta  nov.  (lliAV.  n  Mntm-iUa  fnwi-s- 
ccns,  C.MELl.v,  S.  X.  SI84  (basrd  on  Fimiidti  jtimnircnsin,  liMssiix,  III,  r)12,  Jamaiia). 
TurihiHaqudlii-iis,  AViLs.  ;  Aid.  Oni.  Hiofj.  18.'!!),  284,  pl.  ccfcxxxiii.  Siilria  fin/Zioidis, 
VlElLLor,  Nouv.  Dint.  XI,  1817,  208.     Sciiinm leiiuiros/rifi,  Hw.  1827;  Ga.mu.     iJciurun 


284  NORTH  AMERICAN  BlIlDA. 

si,//u>;,..crns,  U'(1nniONV,  .Sa«,a'.s  ful,a,  1840,  57,  pi.  vi.  Sciurus  gossc,  BoN.  Coiisp 
\i>M,  mm  (Jiunaica).  /  AiUlni,  Vhu-ininicri,  Li;s.s.  licv.  /.  ls;i!»,  ],il  ((.•oloinbk) 
OtliiT  localities  .luotcl  :  Xahqui,  Sci.AiKli.  Gimkmala,  Sci.aier  &  Sai.vin.  Pamma, 
lawKiiNCK.  CVW/i«//cH«,  Cassin.  -S-ofte  CnM  (wiiitiii),  Nkwion.  t'«4,(,  Caii  Ja- 
maic,  (!ns,s|.;.;  SuL.  Venezuela,  Sul.  &  Salv.  r«t«<««,  Lawu.  iV.  'liartlwkmy, 
SuMj.     /  iriiguu,  Salv. 

Si'.  C'liAii.  Hill,  (ioni  rictus  al.out  the  length  of  the  skull.  Above  olive-brown  with  a 
sim.U.  ol  j^roen;  beneath  pale  .sulplnn-yellow,  brightest  on  the  abdomen.  Region  about 
the  has.,,  ol  the  lower  maiidihie,  and  a  snpereiliary  line  Ironi  the  base  of  the  bill  to  the  nape 
brow.nsh-yeliow.  A  .InsUy  line  liotn  the  bill  through  the  eye;  chin  and  throat  finely 
spotted.  All  the  renminmg  under  ])arts  an.l  sides  of  the  bodv,  e.vcq.t  the  abdomen  and 
meludiug  the  un.ler  tail-eoverls,  cou..pieuo>...|y  and  thickly  stieake.l  with  oliva.vou.s-brown 
almost  black  on  the  breast.  Length,  0.1,5;  wing,  3.12;  tail,  2.40.  Bill,  iro.n  rictus,  .04.' 
bexes  similar. 

IIau.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America,  north  to  Arctic  Ocean  and  Yukon  (west- 
ward along  northern  border  of  L'nited  States  to  Ca.scade  Mountains) ;  Fort  Urid-cr  Dhfx- 
LKii);  Arizona  (CoiKs)  ;  whole  West  Indies  ;  Southeastern  Mexico  ;  all  CentrarAmerica  • 
Tauama  and  Eastern  South  America  (Bogota;  Carthagena;  Brazil). 

A  very  yotmo;  bird  (22,619,  Fort  Simp.sou,  August  10)  is  very  diflerent 
from  the  adult  in  culoration.  The  upper  parts  are  fuligiuous-hlack,  etich 
leather  with  a  broad  terminal  bar  of  pale  ochraceous,  wiuo-coverts  tij)ped 
witli  the  same,  forming  two  distinct  l)ands ;  streaks  below  as  in  the  adult, 
but  broader  and  less  sharply  defined. 

II-VBiTs.  This  species  has  a  general  distribution,  at  certain  seasons, 
tlirougliout  the  whole  of  eastern  North  America  as  far  to  the  nortli  as  the 
Arctic  Ocean.  Xorth  of  tiie  United  States  it  is  also  found  on  the  Pacific 
coast  as  far  south  as  the  Cascade  Mountains.  In  the  winter  it  is  (luite  com- 
mon ill  all  the  West  India  Islands,  in  Southeastern  Mexico,  Central  America, 
riinama,  and  the  eastern  part  of  South  America  to  Brazil.  From  about  lati- 
tude 43°  northward  it  breeds  throughout  all  Xortli  America.  Sir  John  IJich- 
ards(ui  met  with  it  at  the  Ctirlton  House,  where  it  was  found  fretiuentiiig  the 
moist  and  thickly  wooded  banks  of  the  river.  Tiiese  birds  made  their  first 
iil)l)eariiiice  in  May,  and  the  greater  portion  soon  after  disappetired,  as  if  pro- 
ceeding still  farther  north  to  breed. 

Among  other  memoranda  given  ine  by  the  late  Mr.  Kennicott  was  one 
fiirnisiied  liini  by  lAIr.  Lockliart,  to  the  ellect  that,  at  Yukon  IJiver,  June  21, 
l.SoU,  lie  hiid  shot  a  i'emale  Water  Thrusli  as  she  Hew  from  lier  ne.st.  Tliis 
contained  five  eggs,  and  was  concealed  under  a  small  ])ile  of  <lrilt,  close  to 
the  river,  but  under  large  willow-trees.  This  wtis  not  lined  with  down.  At 
the  same  locality  anotlier  nest  witli  six  eggs  was  also  obtained.  This  also 
M-as  on  the  ground  tit  tiie  foot  of  some  willows  near  the  water.  It  was  made 
of  moss,  and  lined  with  very  fine  grass. 

All  thiit  has  been  given  by  our  earlier  authors  as  to  the  habits  of  this 
species  must  lie  received  with  more  or  less  uncertainty.  The  diflerenco  be- 
tween this  bird  and  that  known  as  the  Louisiana  Thrush  has  not  been  suf- 
ficiently clear  to  these  writers  to  enable  us  always  to  determine  which  of  the 


SYLVICOLID.E  — THE  WARHLKPuS.  285 

two  they  Inid  in  view.     Ami  even  now  tlie  distriluitioii  in  .summer  of  the 
liuhoiciaiiUH  is  hiiully  detiniihle  with  prec-ision. 

Wilson  describes  the  habits  of  tliose  he  observed  in  Penusylvunia  us 
evincing  a  remiirkable  jjartiaiity  for  brooks,  rivers,  jionds,  and  tiie  vicinity 
of  water  j-enerally,  wadiny  in  sliallow  ])(jols  in  searcii  of  atjuatic  insects,  and 
j,aving,  as  it  moves  it  along,  an  almost  contimionsly  vibratory  motion  to  its 
tail.  He  speaks  of  it  as  very  shy,  darting  away  with  signs  of  alai'm  wlien- 
ever  ajjproached,  and  uttering  a  sliari»  cry.  In  all  other  resjiects  his  account 
of  tiiis  bird  probably  refers  to  the  Louisiana  species. 

This  is  also,  without  doubt,  true  of  nearly  all  Audubon  gives  in  connection 
witli  the  history  of  this  Tiuiish,  which  in  all  probability  does  not  breed  in 
Louisiana,  nor  remain  there  through  April,  being  at  that  time  well  on  its  way 
to  more  northern  regions. 

Mr.  Gosse,  in  his  notes  on  the  birds  of  Jamaica,  states  that  this  l)ird  re- 
appears in  that  island  about  the  end  of  August.  He  noticed  tiiem  about  the 
muddy  margins  of  ponds,  and  they  soon  became  abundant.  Individuals 
were  also  to  be  seen  running  on  the  road,  es])ecially  near  the  sea-shore,  and 
by  the  edges  of  morasses.  They  ran  rapidly,  often  waded  up  to  their  tibiie 
in  water,  or  ran  along  the  twigs  of  a  fallen  tree  at  tlie  brink,  and  now  and 
then  Hew  up  into  the  branches  of  a  i)iinonto  or  an  orange-tree.  Whether 
running  or  standing,  they  were  continually  Ihrting  up  their  tails,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Euroi)ean  Wagtail.  During  its  winter  resilience  in  Januiica 
it  has  no  song,  only  a  monotonous  cry,  a  sharp  chip.  Its  stomach  was 
fomul  to  contain  water-insects  and  shells.  Uv.  March  has  noticed  their 
arrival  in  Jamaica  as  early  as  August  5.  They  all  leave  by  the  iirst  of 
April. 

Mr.  Allen  found  these  birds  not  uncommon  both  in  spring  and  in  fall  in 
the  vicinity  of  Springfield.  He  thinks  a  I'ew  breed  there,  as  he  has  met  with 
them  in  the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August,  very  s])aringly  however. 
They  arri\e  about  the  Titli  of  May.  I  have  once,  at  least,  met  \dth  its 
nest  and  eggs  near  IJoston. 

Dr.  (Jones  says  this  bird  is  (juite  common,  both  in  the  s])ring  and  fall, 
near  Washington,  and  breeds  s])aringly,  having  been  found  there  in  July. 
They  arrive  about  the  first  of  ]\Iay,  are  enunently  aciuatic,  frequent  swampy 
thickets  and  thick  ilark  woods  intei'spersed  with  pools,  where  they  associate 
with  the  Solitary  Tatler. 

In  Southern  Illinois  this  species,  Mr.  Kidgway  states,  is  found  only  during 
its  migrations  and  in  mild  winters.  He  never  met  with  it  in  the  breeding" 
season,  when  the  S.  liulorividiim  is  so  abundant.  Ikit  it  returns  early  from 
the  North,  and  he  has  shot  numbers  of  them  in  August.  During  the  whole 
tall  they  are  common  about  all  swaiujiy  places,  or  the  margin  of  creeks  in  the 
woods  ;  and  in  mild  winters  a  few  are  found  in  the  swamps  of  the  bottom- 
lands, where  the  den.se  forest  affords  them  comfortable  shelter.  On  warm 
daya  in  December  and  January,  he  has  heard  them  singing  with  all  the  vi"-or 


286  NOIiTll  AililUICAN  UIlfDS. 

of  spring  in  siidi  lucalitie.s.      In  notes,  as  well  as  in  manners,  Mr.  Ifidgway 
lias  noticed  little  (liflerencu  between  this  species  and  ,S'. ///^/oi- (■««//««.  "xiie 
song,  liowever,  is  decidedly  weaker,  tliough  scarcely  less  sweet,  and  the  two 
are  very  easily  (hstinguished  at  sight  l.y  one  lamiliar  with  them. 
^  These  birds  breed,  tliough  they  are  not  very  abundant,  in  the  vicinity  of 
(Calais,  and  also  in  the  w«;stern  part  of  Maine.     Professor  Veirill  states  that 
they  reached  the  neigliborhood  of  Norway,  Me.,  about  tlie  first  of  May,  a  ibrt- 
night  earlier  tlian  Mr.  Allen  noted  tiieir  arrival  in  Springheld.     Mr.'verrill 
demonstrated  the  fact  of  their  breeding  in  Western  Maine,  by  finding,  June  8, 
1801,  a  nest  and  eggs  in  a  dense  cedar  swamp  near  Norway.     'I'his  was  built 
in  an  excavation  in  the  .side  of  a  decayed  moss-covered  log,  the  excavation 
Itself  forming  an  arch  over  the  nest  in  the  manner  (jf,  yet  dilferent  from, 
that  of  tlie  Golden-crowneil.     The  nest  itself  was  an  exceeding  beautiful' 
structure,  lour  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  but  only  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
depth,  being  very  nearly  ilat,  tiie  cavity  only  half  an  inch  deep.     The  entire 
base  was  made  of  loose  liyi)num  mosses,  interspersed  with  a  few  dead  leaves 
and  stems.     The  whole  inner  structure  or  lining  was  made  up  of  the  fi'uit- 
stems  of  the  sanie  ino.ss,  densely  impacted.      The  outer  circumlercnce  was 
marie  up  of  mos.ses  and  intertwined  small  black  vegetable  roots. 

This  nest  contained  five  eggs,  tlie  brilliant  white  ground  of  which,  with 
their  delicately  shaded  spots  of  reddish-brown,  contrasted  with  the  bright 
green  of  the  mossy  exterior,  and  set  off  to  advantage  by  the  conspicuous  and 
unique  lining,  jiroduce  a  very  ])eautiful  effect. 

Air.  George  A.  Uoardman  of  Calais,  ]Me.,  an  oljserving  and  accurate  natu- 
ralist, has  furnished  me  with  the  following  interesting  account  of  the  habits 
of  this   species  and  its  congener,  the  cmrompUlm,  in  a  letter  dated  St. 
Stephen,  March  23,  18G7.    "Did  you  ever  notice  their  walk  on  the  ground  1 
You  know  that  most  of  our  birds  are  hoppers.     These  two,  S.  nuvcbonaxnsis 
and  ,S'.  ,uiroca2nUns,  have  a  beautiful  gliding  walk,  and  of  all  our  other  birds 
T  only  remember  two  that  are  not  hoppers,  the  Anthus  ludovicianuH  and 
Molothrus  pcvoris.      I  do  not  think  that  a  naturalist  should  ever  say,  as 
Wilson  was  constantly  doing,  that  any  bird  has  no  note  or  song  whatever, 
unless  he  is  well  accjuainted  w  ith  them,  at  ill  times,  especially  while  breed- 
ing.    IMany  birds  seem  really  to  have  nothing  to  say  except  when  mating. 
I  tliink  that  our  little  walker,  the  Water  Thrush,  has  been  particularly  ill 
used  1)y  writers  in  this  respect,  for  I  regard  liim  as  one  of  our  liveliest  sing- 
ers.   Its  note  is  very  high  an.d  clear,  begins  witii  a  sudden  outburst  of  melody, 
so  as  almost  to  startle  you,  is  very  clear  and  ringing,  as  if  the  bird  had  just 
found  its  mate  after  a  long  absence.      It  then  keeps  falling  luitil  you  can 
hardly  hear  it.     Its  note  is  very  sweet,  and  can  be  heard  wlien  you  are  in  a 
canoe  or  boat  a  very  long  ways.     lAh-  most  of  our  Warblers  and  Thrushes, 
when  singing,  they  do  not  like  intrusion,  and  it  Avas  a  long  while  before  I 
could  make  out  the  bird  that  uttered  these  notes.     I  could  only  do  it  by 
going  in  a  boat  or  canoe.     They  hide  in  thick  trees,  over  the  water,  where  it 


SYLVICOLIDyE  — THE  WARBLERS.  287 

ia  impossible  to  walk  up  to  thorn.  I  almost  always  find  them  on  some 
island,  in  a  I'iviu',  that  has  Leon  ovm-flowod,  and  always  very  near  tlie  water." 
Their  c!gij;.s  vary  in  length  from  .SI  to  .H7  ofavi  inch,  and  in  breadth  Irom 
.().")  to  f)',).  They  have  an  oblong-osal  slii>j)e,  tapering  to  a  point  at  one  end 
and  rounded  at  the  otiier.  Tiieir  ground  is  a  clear  crystal-wliile,  and  tiiey  are 
more  or  less  marked  with  lines,  dots,  and  dashes  of  varying  siiailes  of  unil)er- 
brown.  These  markings  are  more  numerous  around  the  larger  end,  and  are 
nnicii  larger  and  l)older  in  some  tlian  in  others,  in  many  lieing  mere  jwiuts 
and  fine  dots,  and  in  such  cases  eijually  distriliutcd  over  tlie  wliole  egg.  In 
otlu^rs  a  ring  of  large  eonlluent  blotclics  is  grouped  around  the  larger  end, 
leaxing  the  rest  of  the  egg  nearly  unmarked. 


Seiurus  ludovicianus,  Bonap. 

LOUISIANA  WATEB  THBUSH. 

Turihi^lmhivkidnun,  Ann.  Orn.  Bioj;.  I,  1832,  99,  pi.  xix.  Seiurus  luilovicinmts.  Box. — 
Hahmi,  IJiicls  N.  Am.  1858,  2(52,  pi.  lx.\.\-,  tig.  2;  Rev.  217.  —  Sci.ai r.i!,  W  Z.  .S.  IS.IO, 
WA  (.Xaluim)  ;  373  (Oaxaea)  ;  18til,  7"  (.Tiimaica).  —  Sci.atf.U  &  Sai.VIN,  IIpLs,  18G0, 
273  (Ouatcniala). — Sami'KI.s,  .I?'.).  Ifaiicncichla  liiil.  Sri.ATKI!,  C'atal.  1801,  25,  no. 
161  (Orizaba).  ?  Tunlus  molaciUa,  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  Si'iit.  II,  18((7,  0,  pi.  Ixv  (Ken- 
tucky). Seiurus  mo/acilla,  Box.  1350.  llenicociMa  mot.  ('ad.  Jour.  1857,  210  (Cuba). 
—  OuNDi.Acir,  Jour.  Orn.  1801,  320.  Ilcnicocichln  major.  Cab.  Mus.  llein.  1850 
(Xiilapa). 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  lonjjnr  than  tlio  .skull.  Upper  parts  olive-hrowii  with  a.«ha(lo  of  green- 
i.ih.  A  conspiciiou.s  wliiti!  superciliary  lino  from  tlie  bill  to  the  najie,  iuvolvini;  tlie  upper 
lid,  witli  a  brown  one  from  the  bill  tliroiigli  the  e\-e,  wiileniiii;  behind.  Under  jparts  white, 
with  a  very  liiint  shade  of  palo  buff  behind,  especially  on  tiie  tail-coverts.  A  dusky  max- 
illary line;  the  forepart  of  breast  and  side.s  of  body  Avitli  arrow-.shaped  streaks  of  the 
.same  color.  Cliin,  Ihro.at,  belly,  and  under  tail-eovert.s.  entirely  immaculate.  Length,  G.33; 
wing,  3.25  ;  tail,  '2.40  ;  bill,  from  rictus,  .75.     Sexes  .similar.     Young  not  seen. 

Hab.  Eastern  rrovinee  of  United  States  as  far  north  as  Carlisle,  Pcnn.,  and  Michigan; 
Cuba  and  Jamaica ;  Southern  Mexico  (Coliina)  to  Guatemala. 

Autnnnml  specimens  have  a  more  or  less  strong  wash  of  ochraceous  over 
the  flanlvs  and  crissum,  and  tiie  brown  above  j&.urus 

rather  darker  and  less  grayish  tlian  in  spring        ^__ — ^^^       nT*  ""'"""*■ 
birds. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  S.  novcbo- 
racensis,  altiiough  readily  distinguishable  by 
the  characters  gi\-en  in  the  diagnoses.     The 
differences  in  the  bill  tliere  referred  to  are     Mums  ludovidu^us, 
illustrated  in  the  acconijianying  diagram.  nouap. 

Habits.  The  Water  Thrush  described  by  Wilson  as  most  abundant  in 
the  lower  ]iart  of  tiie  IMississippi  Valley,  as  well  as  that  given  by  Audubon 
as  the  Louisiana  Water  Tlirush,  though  its  position  as  a  genuine  sjiecies  was 
afterwards  abandoned,  are  undoubtedly  referable  to  a  closely  allied  but  ap- 


288  XORTII  AMERICAN  JHftDS. 

parontly  distinct  Sciiirm,  now  know,,  a.s  tlie  Louisiana  Water  Tlinisli  Tin's 
bird  lias  a  very  close  resenil.lance  tu  the  norchmmn.iH,  dillerin-  chiedv  in 
size  and  in  l.avin.  a  larger  bill.  Althon^h  its  distribution  is  nCt  yet  Jully 
detenumed,  at  seen.s  to  belong  ndluT  to  the  South  an.l  Southwest.-rn  States 
and  only  acei.lentally  to  be  found  uoilh  of  the  .Middle  States,  Still  a  ain-de 
.speeunen  has  been  obtained  in  Massachusetts,  an.l  it  has  been  several  times 
lonn.l  in  MK-h.j,mn  and  Missouri.  Specimens  of  this  bir.l  have  also  been 
imK.ured  m  I'ennsylvania,  tieor-da,  Tama,dij,as.  Mexico,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and 
Uualemala. 

Its  recognition  as  a  distinct  species  from  the  common  Water  Thrush  is 
«o  .-ecent,  and  the  two  species  so  ch.sely  resend.le  each  other,  that  as  yet  its 
habits  and    ustoiy  are  imperfectly  known.     Wilson  relers  to  the  binls  ho 
had  met  with  in  Missi.ssippi  and  Louisiana,  which  we  presume  to  have  been 
the  same,  as  bemg  there  in  abundance,  and  eminently  .listinguished  by  tlie 
loudne.s.s,  sweetnes.s,  and  cxja^essive  vivacity  of  their  .lotes.     These  he  de- 
scribes as  beginning  ve,y  high  and  cleai-,  and  as  falling  with  an  almost  imper- 
ceptible gradation  until  tliey  are  scarcely  articulated,- a  desc,-iption  that 
would  also  answer  ve,y  weU  for  the  soi-g  of  the  true  Water  Thrush.     J  )urin.r 
their  .song,  lie  adds,  they  are  pei'ched  on  the  middle  branches  of  a  tree  over 
the  brook  oi'  liver-bank,  ].ouiii.g  out  a  channing  melody,  so  loud  and  disti.ict 
that  it  may  be  heard  at  the  distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile.     The  voir'.e  of  this 
bird  appeared  to  liim  so  exquisitely  sweet  and  expressive  that  he  was  aiever 
tired  ot  listening  to  it. 

It  is  also  .p.ite  probable  that  .,eai-ly  all  of  .\ud.ibon's  accouiits  of  the  habits 
of  the  ^^ater  Thrush  were  derived  fro.i  his  obserNation  of  this  s,,ecies,  and 
not  of  ^i,  \o.-thern  congener.  He  describes  its  song  as  fully  equal  to  that 
o^  the  Nightingale,  its  notes  as  powerful  an.l  m.-llow,  and  at  times  as  varied 
He  states  that  it  is  to  be  foun.l  at  all  s.-a.sons  in  the  dee,,..st  an.l  most  swampy 
of  the  canebrakes  of  Mississippi  and  Louisiana.  Its  song  is  to  be  heard  even 
in  the  winter,  when  the  weather  is  calm  an.l  warm. 

He  describes  its  ilight  as  ea.sy  an.l  coiitinue.l,  just  above  the  brakes  or 
cl..se  to  the  grouiid.  Wq.en  on  the  ground,  it  is  continually  vibratim'/its 
body,  jei-king  out  its  tail  and  then  cl.)sing  it  again.  It  walks  gracefully  alon-r 
the  branches  or  on  the  ground,  but  never  ho,«.  He  states  that  it  feeds  on 
insects  and  their  larva-,  and  often  pursues  the  former  on  the  win-v 

He  describes  the  nest  as  placed  at  the  foot  and  among  the  i-oots  of  a  tree 
or  by  the  side  of  a  decayed  log,  and  says  they  are  often  easily  discoveie.l.' 
Ihey  ai-e  commence.l  the  first  week  of  April.  T!ie  outer  porti.>ns  are  forme.l 
ot  diy  leaves  and  mosses,  the  inner  of  fi.ie  grasses,  with  a  few  hairs  or  the 
dry  hbi-es  of  the  Spanish  moss. 

The  eggs,  four  in  number,  are  describe.l  a.s  flesh-colored,  sprinkled  with 
dai-k  re.l  at  the  larger  end.  They  are  hatche.l  in  fourteen  day.s.  The  y..un.. 
leave  the  nest  in  about  ten  days,  and  follow  the  parent  on  the  groun.I  f.-.m" 
place  to  place.     When  disturbed  on  her  nest  in  the  earlier  periods  of  incu- 


SVLVK'OLIDJ-:  — TIIK  WAUIlLKIiS.  28!) 

lulidii,  hIio  lUL'icly  llir.s  oil';  Imt  liitor,  or  when  sIr;  lias  yimii^',  she  tmiiUles 
iiliouL  on  tlio  grmiiul,  Hprciuls  lior  winj^s  and  tiiil,  utk-rs  iiilooiis  cries,  iiiid 
soeius  ii.s  if  in  tlio  last  u^'oiiit'S  of  lU'spair.  Tliis  species  Mr.  Audubon  never 
luct  with  fartlier  east  than  (leor>j;ia,  nor  fartliev  north  than  Henth'rson,  Ky. 

Of  late  years,  or  since  attention  has  heeii  uiou!  drawn  to  tiie  s|iecilic 
dii'ference  between  tliis  species  and  tlie  Water  Thrusli,  it  has  apjiarently 
become  more  numerous,  and  has  been  obtained  in  etinsicUualile  lunubers  in 
the  vicinity  of  Washington.  In  tiiat  neighborhood,  once  consiiUued  so 
rare,  it  was  found  l)y  Dr.  t'oues  to  be  not  at  all  uncommon  at  certain 
seasons  and  in  particular  hjcalities.  From  tlie  lOtli  of  April  to  tlie  20th 
of  ]\[ay  it  was  always  to  be  met  with  among  the  dense  hiurel-bralces  ihat 
l)order  the  banks  of  and  till  the  ravines  leading  into  Hock  Creek  and  I'iney 
IJrandi.  lie  believes  tiiey  breed  there,  but  they  were  not  obscrveil  in  tlie 
fall.  Tliey  were  usually  very  .shy,  darting  at  once  into  the  most  impene- 
trable brakes,  but  were  at  other  times  easily  approached.  He  always  found 
them  in  ])airs,  even  as  early  as  the  20th  of  Ai)ril.  Their  call-note  was  i\ 
sparrow-like  chirp,  as  if  made  by  striking  two  pel)bles  together.  They  also 
had  a  loud,  beautiful,  and  melodious  song,  the  singularity  of  which  first  drew 
his  attention  to  the  bird. 

Mr.  Itidgway  infoiiiis  me  that  in  the  Wabash  Valley  this  bird,  familiarly 
known  as  the  "  Water  Wagtail,"  is  an  abundant  summer  sojourner.  It  inhab- 
its the  dampest  situations  in  the  bottom-lands,  the  borders  of  creeks,  lagoons, 
and  swami)s,  living  there  in  company  with  the  Prothouijtary  Warbler  {Pro- 
tonoUtria  citirct).  In  its  movements  it  is  one  of  the  quickest  as  well  as  the 
most  restless  of  the  Sf//ri<v/iiln',  tliough  it  is  eminently  terrestrial  in  its  hab- 
its. It  is  usually  seen  upon  the  wet  ground,  in  a  horizontal  position,  or  even 
the  posterior  part  of  its  body  more  elevated,  and  its  body  continually  tilting 
up  and  down  ;  if  it  fancies  itself  unobserved,  it  runs  slyly  beneath  the  brush- 
wood overhanging  tlie  sliore  ;  but  if  startled,  it  flics  up  suddenly  Mith  a  sharji 
and  startling  chatter.  He  adds  that  in  early  spring  (from  the  latter  part  of 
February  to  the  l)eginning  of  April)  its  rich  loud  scmg  may  l)e  heard  before 
the  trees  are  in  leaf,  for  it  is  one  of  tlie  earliest  of  the  Warblers  to  arrive. 
When  singing,  it  is  usually  perched  upon  the  lower  branches  of  a  tree  over- 
hiinging  the  water,  but  lie  has  freipiently  seen  it  among  the  topmost  branches. 
Wilson  and  Audubon  have  not  exaggerated  the  merits  of  the  song  of  this 
bird,  for  among  all  its  family  there  is  certainly  not  one  of  our  North  Ameri- 
can species  that  comjiares  with  it.  In  richness  and  volume  of  its  very  liquid 
notes  it  is  almost  unrivalled,  though  the  song  itself  may  not  be  considered 
otherwise  remarkable. 

Mr.  Salvin  met  this  si)ecies  in  different  portions  of  Guatemala  in  the  months 
of  August,  September,  and  November,  1859.  A  dry  watercourse  in  the  for- 
est, or  in  the  bottom  of  a;  bari-anco,  seemed  to  be  its  favorite  resort,  while 
its  near  congener,  the  noirhomcensui,  was  observed  to  seek  rather  the  more 
open  streams. 

37 


290 


NOJM'II  AMEIUCA.N   IJIKlJS. 


(iK.Nc.   OFORORNIS,    HAinn. 

ni,„rnn„\  Raii,,.,  I!i„ls  X,  An..  Isr.S,  240.      (Ty,,,.,  S/ihio  „,,ilh,  AV„,h.) 

Gkn.  Cma...     Hill  .sylvieolin...  rather  o..,Mpre.s.s.,.I ;  distinctly  notci.ed  at  tip ;  rictal  l.ri«tlo8 

v.M-y  iniieh  riMliicud.  Win-s  clongatiMl,  i.,.int- 
I'd,  iniidi  loii-vr  timii  tli,.  tail;  tlu'  Mist  .,„ili 
nearly  or  iiuitc  llii.  lon^'cst.  Tail  very  sli-htly 
roinided;  lail-leatlKMs  acuminate,  pointed'; 
tlie  under  covert.s  rcacliinn-  t„  wiihin  le.«s  llian 
lialC  an  incli  of  their  tip.  Tar.^i  elonfraled, 
lonjrcrlhan  the  head;  eluws  !ar{,'e,  the  jnnder 
one  as  lonff  a.s  its  dicfit,  and  longer  than  the 
lateral  toes.  Above  olive-green;  lieiiealh 
yellow ;  tail  and  wings  ininiaeidato.  Legs 
O/iurornis /orniiisu.i.  ^    now. 

This  grou])  of  American  Warblers  is  very  distinct  from  any  other  The 
typical  speacs  is  .ptite  similar  in  color  to  Gcofh/i/pis  phiUulelj,!,!,,,  but  is  at 
once  to  be  distinguished  by  mnch  longer  wings,  more  even  tail,  and  larger 
toes  and  claws.  It  is  also  very  similar  to  Sriurn,,  differing  chiefly  in  The 
longer  wings,  larger  claws,  and  absence  of  spots  beneath. 

Thmat  anderown  ash-eolor ;  a  white  ring  ronnd  the  eve.     Xo  black  on  the 
side  ol  the  head       •        .         .        .         . 

Throat  and  sni.crciliary  stripe  yellow;  to'p  of 'the  liea.l  an,l  a'.streak  beneath  '^'  "^''"" 
tlie  eye  black      ,        . 

O./ormosus. 


Oporomis  agilis,  Baird. 

CONNECnCUT  WABBLEB. 

SyMa  a„ilis,  W,Ls.  Am.  Orn.  V,  1812,  04.  pi.  xxxix,  fig.  4. -Aim.  Orn.  Bio.  II  pi 
exxxvn.  ;  Hon  ^yh-icola  a,j.  Jakd.  ;  Aud.  Birds  Am.  II,  pi.  xcix.  Trklu,san.  n'utt' 
Oporomis  ag   Baiud,  Birds  X.  Am.  1858,  240,  pi.  Ixxix.  fig.  2  :  Rev.  218.      )  Triduu> 

-tvT.uL   208'  *'""■  '''  '"'■  '"'"'  ""'  *'''"""■'■  '■"••  ^'"'"-  '  *"•'  "•■  •'""'  l^""'  ''«'')• 

Sp  CiiAR.  Spring  male.  Upper  parts  and  sides  of  the  body  uniform  olive-green  very 
s hghtly  tniged  with  ash  on  the  crown.  Sides  of  the  head  ash,  tinged  with  dusky  beneath 
the  eye.  (Entne  head  sometimes  ash.)  Chin  and  throat  grayish-ash,  gradually  lu-cominff 
.  arker  o  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  where  it  becomes  tinged  with  dark  a.sh.  Sides  of 
the  neck,  breast,  and  body  olive,  like  the  back  ;  rest  of  under  parts  light  yellow.  A  broad 
'•on  nuious  wlnte  nug  round  the  eye.  Wings  and  tail-feathers  olive  (especially  the  latter) 
without  any  trace  of  bars  or  spots.  Bill  brown  above.  Feet  vllow.  Lcn4,,  (i  inches 
".ng,  3.00 ;  ta  ,  2.25.  F.nale.  The  olive-green  reaching  to  the  bill,  and  e^ve'ringsS 
of  head  ;  tnroat  and  jugulum  pale  ashy-buff.     Yo,n,g  not  seen.    Nesting  unknown 

Autumnal  sr-eennen  nearly  uniform  olive  above;  the  throat  tinge-1  with  brownish  so  as 
to  obscure  the  ash, 

Hab.     Eastern  Pro\  nice  of  United  States. 


SVLVICOLID.K  —  TIIK  WAIMILKIIS. 


291 


Oporonti.^  ngilis. 


A  specimen  in  tlie  colk'ctinii  of  t\w  I'liiladclpliiti  Academy,  killed  l)y  Mr. 

Ki'IiUm-,  lias  tlic  darker  iish  of  the  jugiiliim  of  a  decided  sooty  tiii;,'o. 

A  peculiarity  in  tlic  history  of  this  species  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  it  is 

quite  aliundant  in   Illinois,  Wisconsin,  etc.,  in  the  spring,  and  very  rart^  in 

the  autumn;  precisely  the  reverse  being  the  case  near  the  Atlantic  liorder, 

where  only  two  or  three  spring  specimens  have  been  announced  as  captured 

by  collectors.     It  is  jw.ssiblc  that  they  go  north  in  spring,  along  the  valley  of 

the  Mississippi,  and  return  in  autumn  through  the  Atlantic.  States.     Their 

summer  abode  and  breed ing-jilaci!  are  as  yet  unknown. 

IlAiiirs.     Of  the  history  of  this  rare  and  beautiful  species  but  little  is  as 

yet  known.     It  was  tirst  met  with  by 

Wilson,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut, 

and  he  afterwards  olttaincd  two  other 

specimens  near  Philadel])hia.     Others 

have  since  been  procured  at  Carlisle, 

Penn.,  at  Washington,  Loudon  County,     ^  , 

Va.,  near  Chicago,  l{acine,and  in  South-    mM 

ern  Illinois.     Septend)er  25  to  Oeto-     ■ 

l)er  1,  and  ^lay,  from  the  15th  to  the 

28th,  appears  to  be  the  epo<>h  of  their 
fall  and  spring  occurrence.  Tiiey  are 
more  frecpiently  noticed  in  the  au- 
tumn.    It  is  supposed  to  be  a  migratory  bird,  going  north  to  breed. 

It  was  found  by  Wilson,  in  every  case,  among  low  thickets,  and  seemed  to 
be  more  than  commonly  active,  not  remaining  for  a  moment  in  the  same 
position.  Mr.  Autlubon  obtained  only  two  specimens,  a  pair,  opposite  Phila- 
delphia in  New  Jersey.  When  he  tirst  observed  them  they  were  hopping 
and  skip]»ing  from  one  low  bush  to  another,  and  among  the  tall  reeds  of  the 
marsh,  emitting  an  oft-repeated  tweet  at  every  move.  They  were  chasing  a 
species  of  spider  tha'^  ran  niml)ly  over  the  water,  and  which  they  caught  by 
gliiling  over  it.  Ujion  dissecting  them,  he  found  a  number  of  these  spiders 
in  their  stomachs,  and  no  otlier  food.  These  two  birds  were  not  at  all  shy, 
and  seemed  to  take  very  little  notice  of  him,  even  when  close  to  them. 

Mr.  Trumbull,  in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  marks  it 
as  a  summer  resident  of  that  State,  which  is  probably  not  the  fact.  Mr.  Law- 
rence includes  it  in  his  list  of  birds  found  near  New  York  City.  It  is  not 
given  by  Mr.  Verrill  or  Mr.  Boardman  as  occurring  in  any  part  of  Maine,  and 
has  not  been  detected  in  Western  IMassachusetts  by  Mr.  Allen,  though  it  has 
been  occasionally  met  with  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  by  Dr.  Cabot,  Mr. 
Maynard,  and  others.  More  recently,  in  the  fall  f)f  1870,  and  again  in  that 
of  1871,  this  species  lias  been  found  cpiite  abundant  in  a  restricted  locality 
in  the  eastern  part  of  that  State.  It  was  first  observed  by  Mr.  II.  W.  Ilen- 
shaw,  a  promising  young  naturalist,  in  the  early  part  of  September,  1870, 
among  the  Fresh  Pond  marshes  in  Cambridge.     They  appeared  to  be  (^uite 


292  NOUTH  AMERICAN  liUtUii. 

numerous,  and  several  specimens  were  obtained.  He  communicated  the  dis- 
covery to  Lis  friend,  Air.  William  Brewster,  and  more  than  fifty  specimens 
of  this  rare  Warbler  were  obtained  during  that  season.  In  the  lollowino- 
autumn,  in  September  and  during  the  first  few  davs  of  October,  these  birds 
were  observed  in  the  same  locality,  apparently  in  greater  numbers,  and 
more  specimens  were  obtained. 

Mr.  Henshaw  writes  me  that  he  first  saw  this  species,  September  7,  1870, 
when  he  obtained  a  single  specimen.  From  that  time  uutil  September  27  it 
was  very  connnon  througliout  the  Fresh  Pond  swamps,  to  which  locality  it 
seemed  to  be  restricted.  It  again  made  its  appearance  in  1871,  and  at  about 
the  frame  time,  and  remained  until  October  5.  It  was  in  even  greater  num- 
bers than  during  the  preceding  year. 

Their  habits,  while  witli  us  in  the  fall,  appear  to  be  very  different  from 
those  of  the  individuals  observed  by  Wilson  and  Audubon,  wjiich  were 
described  as  bem-  -f  a  remarkably  lively  disposition,  and  lieuce  the  name  of 
agihs.  Mr.  Henshaw  found  them  almost  constantly  engaged  in  seeking  their 
food  upon  the  ground.  When  startled,  they  would  Hy  up  to  the  nearest  bu.sh, 
upon  which  they  would  sit  perfectly  motionless,  in  a  manner  clo.sely  resem- 
bling the  Thruslies.  If  not  further  disturbed,  they  immediately  returned  to 
tlie  ground  and  resumed  the  search  for  food  among  the  lea\es.  If  greatly 
startled,  tliey  took  a  long  flight  among  the  bushes,  and  could  mrely  be" found 
again.  The  only  note  he  heard  tliem  utter  was  a  single  sliarp  chirp,  emitted 
occasionally,  when  surprised.  Tliey  were  all  remarkably  fat,  so  much  so  as 
to  make  it  difficult  to  obtiiin  a  good  specimen. 

About  sunset,  standing  on  the  skirts  of  the  swam]),  he  has  repeatedly  ob- 
served these  birds  alight,  in  great  numbei-s,  on  tlie  edge,  and  immediately 
pass  in,  evidently  intending  to  remain  there  over  night.  He  judged  that 
they  migrate  entirely  by  day.  On  only  one  or  two  occasions  did  he  ob- 
serve tliese  birds  feeding  in  the  tops  of  willow-trees.  At  such  times  they 
appeared  ecjually  lively  in  their  movements  with  tlie  Dmdroiva  striata,  in 
company  witli  whicli  tlioy  were  a.ssociated.  The  birds  he  saw  were  nearly 
all  in  immature  plumage,  adults  being  comparatively  rare. 

Dr.  Coues  states  that  tlie  Connecticut  Warbler  is  found  near  W^ashington 
in  tlie  month  of  October,  but  that  it  is  rather  uncommon.  He  did^not 
meet  with  it  in  spring.  He  .sjx'aks  of  its  frp.,uenting  old  buckwheat  and 
corn  fields,  searching  for  food  among  the  dry,  rank  weeds,  and  also  in  swam]>y 
places  among  low  thickets. 


SYLVICOLin.K  — TIIK  WARHLERS.  293 

Oporornis  formosus,  liAiiti). 

KENTUCKY  WABBLEB. 

?  Sylvia  wquiiniHiu/ii,  ViKll.l,.  Ois.  Am.  Scjit.  II,  1SII7,  'Jt!,  |)1.  Ixxxi,  Pciin.  (not  (>I(1mki,inK 
Si/h'iii  jhrninsd,  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  Ill,  ISll,  !<."),  \<\.  xxv,  l'ii{.  ;(.  —  Nrir.  ;  Atn.  Drn. 
Biog.  I,  [il.  xxxviii.  Sii/ricdld  fiiniiosn,  ,Iaki>.  ;  Hicii.  ;  ItuN.  ;  Max.  Mijioiliih-li-s 
formonii.i,  Al'D.  Syii.  —  In.  liiril.s  Am.  II,  1>1.  Ixxiv.  —  Lkmiievk,  Av.  Culia,  1S50,  ;i7. 
Gi;st>i.Acii,  Ciib.  ■lour.  IStil,  U'iti  (CuliJi).  O/iornnii.i /onimsus,  IJaiiii),  IJinls  N.  Am. 
18iJH,  247  ;  Hcv.  '218.  —  Scl.ATKli  &  Sai.vin,  ll)i.s,  I,  ISnU,  10  (Giiiituiiiiila). 

Other  looalitii's  cited  :  .I/c.irv),  SiLAlKU.  Isthmus  I'd  itiiiioi,  LAWliKNti;.  I'cnKjua,  Sai.v. 
C'osld.  Jlkd,  liAWIt. 

Si".  CiiAit.  Adult  intilc  I'lipiT  pait.s  iiiiil  .siiU's  daik  olivc-irii'i  n.  ("rowii  ami  sii|('><  of 
tliu  head,  iiicludilig  a  l,rianj;ular  patdi  ti'oiii  lioliiiid  the  cvi'  down  the  .side  of  llic  iit'ck, 
black,  till'  loatliers  of  the  crown  narrowly  liiiuilatcd  at  tip.s  with  dark  a.sh.  A  line  li-om 
no.strils  over  the  eye  and  cncirclinj;'  i(  (except  anteriorly),  with  the  entire  under  part,-*, 
liri}!;ht  yellow.  Xo  white  on  the  tail.  Femnic  siiniiar,  with  less  hiaek  on  the  head.  Length, 
;')  inches;  wiii}^,  2.'J.">;  tail,  2.2.").     YituiKj  not  .seen. 

The  adults  in  autuiuii  are  exactly  the  .same  as  in  .s|irinfr. 

IIah.  Ea.st,eru  Province  otrnitcd  States,  north  to  \Vashiin;lou  and  Chicago;  west  to 
Repidjlican  Fork  of  Kansas  River  (Coik.s).  'Cuba,  CJuateniala,  and  Islluuus  Panama.  Not 
recorded  from  West  Indies  cxeei)t  Cuba. 

Habits.  The  Kent-  uky  Warl)ler  i.s  an  abuiidaiit  species  in  tlie  Southern 
and  Southwcstorn  Status,  and  lias  been  found,  thoiioh  more  rarely,  as  far  to 
the  north  as  Southern  New  York  in  the  east  and  to  Southern  Wisconsin  in 
the  west.  It  has  also  been  obtained  at  Fort  Jiiley,  in  Kansas.  Its  nest  and 
egys  have  been  procured  near  Cleveland  ').,  liy  Dr.  J.  R  Kirtland,  and  also 
in  Chester  County,  I'enn.,  by  Mr.  Nc  s.  It  is  a  winter  inhabitant  in 
Me.xieo,  ranama,  (Juatemala,  and  Cu',.i. 

Wilson  speaks  of  havino;  met  with  this  bird  in  abundance  from  Kentucky  to 
the  mouth  of  the  AIississii)pi,  everywhere  tiuite  common,  but  most  esjiecially 
so  in  the  States  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  At  the  Ikilize  he  several  times 
heard  it  twitterinjj;  among  the  high  r.mk  grass  of  those  solitary  morasses. 
lie  found  it  fre(|uenting  htw  damp  woods,  and  building  its  ne.st  either  in  the 
middle  of  thick  tufts  of  rank  grass,  in  the  fork  of  a  low  Imsh,  or  on  the 
ground.  The  materials  of  which  these  nests  were  made  were  loose  dry 
giuss,  mixed  with  the  ])ith  of  wood,  and  lined  with  hair.  He  found  the  eggs 
from  four  to  six  in  number,  pure  white,  ajtrinkled  with  reddish  sjieeks.  He 
met  with  the  female  sitting  u])on  her  eggs  as  early  sis  May.  These  birds, 
he  adds,  tire  .seldom  seen  among  high  branches,  but  prefer  to  frecpient  low 
bushes  and  canelnake.s.  In  tluMr  habits  they  are  very  lively  tuid  sprigiitly. 
The  song  is  loud,  comprising  three  notes,  tind  resendtles  (inril/i-fitriif/t-diirc- 
dle.  It  makes  its  appearance  in  Kentucky  from  the  South  about  the  middle 
of  April,  and  leaves  the  regi(jn  about  New  Orleans  on  the  ii])])roaeh  of  cold 
weather.     Wilson  was  assured  that  it  never  remains  there  during  the  winter. 

Wilson  characterizes  tluise  birds  as  a  riickless  lighting  species,  almost 
always  engaged  in  ])ursuing  its  feUows. 


294  NORTH  AMKHICAN  BIRI)8. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  this  Warl)ler  is  the  most  common  ami  abundant 
species  that  visits  tlie  State  of  Louisiana  and  the  whole  it\u;ion  about  the 
Mississippi  IJiver,  but  is  not  so  common  in  Kentucky  or  Oliio.  He  de- 
scribes it  as  an  extremely  lively  and  active  l)ird,  found  in  all  the  low  grounds 
and  damp  places  near  watercourses,  and  generally  among  the  tall  rank  weeds 
and  low  bushes  growing  in  rich  alluvial  soil.  It  is  continually  in  motion, 
hopping  from  stalk  to  stalk,  and  from  twig  to  twig,  preying  upon  insects, 
larvae,  or  small  berries,  rarely  ]iursuing  an  insect  on  the  wing.  He  describes 
its  song  as  agreeable  and  emphatic.  He  has  never  known  this  sjiecies  fly 
fartlier  than  a  few  yards  at  a  time.  Its  lliglit  is  low,  and  is  performed  in  a 
gliding  manner.  It  makes  its  first  appearance  about  the  middle  of  March, 
and  remains  until  the  middle  or  last  of  September.  He  states  that  it  rears 
two  broods  in  a  season.  His  description  of  its  nest,  as  "  small,  beautifully 
constructed,  and  attached  to  sevend  stems  of  nink  weetls,"  etc.,  does  not  agree 
in  position,  size,  or  ajipearance  with  any  that  I  have  ever  seen. 

According  lo  Tdr.  Audubon,  it  feeds  largely  u])on  spiders,  which  it  obtains 
by  turning  over  the  witiiered  leaves  on  the  ground.  Tiie  young  birds  resem- 
ble their  mother  until  the  following  season,  when  the  males  attain  the  full 
beauty  of  their  iduinage.     They  remain  with  their  parents  until  they  migrate. 

The  late  Dr.  Alexander  Gerhardt,  an  accurate  and  observing  n.itnralist  of 
Northern  Georgia,  informed  me,  by  letter,  that  the  nest  of  the  Kentucky 
Warbler  is  usually  built  on  the  ground,  under  a  tuft  of  grass,  often  on  a  hill- 
side and  always  in  dry  places.  The  eggs  are  deposited  from  the  4th  to  the 
lull  I  of  May.  Nearly  all  the  nests  he  met  with  were  made  externally  of  a 
loose  aggregation  of  dry  oak  and  chestnut  leaves,  so  rudely  thrown  together 
as  hardly  to  possess  any  coherence,  and  requiring  to  be  sewed  to  be  kept  in 
place.  The  interior  or  inner  nests  were  more  corajjactly  interwoven,  usually 
com]io,sed  of  fine  dark-brown  routs.  Instead  of  being  small,  they  are  large 
for  the  bird,  and  are  inelegantly  and  cltnnsily  made.  They  measure  four 
inches  in  their  diameter,  three  in  height,  and  two  in  the  dejjth  of  their  cavity. 
One  nest,  the  last  received  from  Dr.  (Jerhardt,  obtained  by  him  at  Var- 
nell's  Station,  in  Northern  (Jeorgia,  June  a,  1800,  is  large  and  i)eculiar  in  its 
construction.  It  is  nearly  spherical  in  shape,  with  an  entrance  i)artially  on 
one  side  and  nearly  archetl  over.  The  peri,.!iery  of  this  nest  is  comjHJsed 
exclusively  of  ])artially  decayed  deciduous  leaves,  imi)acted  together,  ^d 
somewhat  loosely.  Within  tiiis  outer  coveving  is  a  fine  framework  of  sten)S, 
twigs,  and  rootlets,  and  within  this  a  snug,  compact  lining  of  hair  and  finer 
rootlets  and  fibres.  This  nest  is  six  inches  in  diameter  and  five  in  height. 
It  contained  four  egg.s. 

These  eggs  havt!  an  avenig*'  length  of  .(i!)  of  an  inch  and  a  breadth  of  .50 
of  an  inch.  They  hiive  an  oltlong-oval  slia])e,  a  crystalline-white  ground,  and 
the  entire  surl'ace  is  s]>rinkled  over  with  fine  dots  of  red  and  reddish-brown. 
The.se,  though  most  abundant  about  the  larger  end,  are  nowhere  confluent, 
autl  do  not  form  a  crown. 


8YLVIC0LII)/K  — THE  \VAKHI,KH8.  295 

A  nest  of  this  liinl  fro.ii  Chester  CounJ;^,  1*01111.,  is  a  very  flat  structure, 
tiviilently  Iniilt  in  a  hed  of  fallen  leaves.  It  has  a  diameter  nf  si.x  inches  and 
a  height  of  only  two.  The  cup  is  a  mere  depression  only  half  an  incii  in 
deptli.  Its  base  is  loosely  constructed  of  dried  leaves,  upon  which  is  inter- 
woven a  coarse  lining  of  long,  dry,  and  wiry  rootlets  and  stems  of  plants. 
Tt  was  given  to  ^Ir.  J.  P.  Norris,  from  whom  I  received  it,  and  it  is  now  in 
the  Boston  collection. 

At 

Mr.  liobort  llidgway  I'urnislies  the  following  valuable  information  in  regard 
to  the  abundance  and  general  habits  of  this  sjjecies  as  observed  in  Southern 
Illinois  :  "  It  is  a  very  common  summer  bird  in  Southern  Illinois,  where  it 
arrives  in  the  Wabash  Valley  towards  the  last  of  April.  It  is  a  wood-loving 
species, and  of  terrestrial  habits, like  the  Sciu/'ns  inirunijii/lus,  but  generally  I're- 
queiits  rather  different  situations  froJii  the  latter  l)ird,  liking  better  the  under- 
growth of  '  bottom '  woods  tiian  that  of  dry  forests.  In  all  its  manners  it 
closely  resembles  the  Sriitri,  especially  the  two  atpiatic  species,  liulovicianus 
and  novchoraccnsts,  having  tiie  same  tilting  motion  of  the  body,  and  horizontal 
attitude  when  per(;hiiig,  so  characteristic  of  these  birds.  The  nest  I  have 
never  found,  thougii  well  aware  of  its -actual  situation.  I  knew  of  one  some- 
where among  the  '  top  '  of  a  fallen  tree,  but  it  was  so  well  concealed  that 
the  closest  search  did  not  enable  me  to  discover  it.  In  most  cases  the  nest  is 
proljably  on  the  ground,  among  the  rubbish  of  fallen  tree-tops,  or  low  brush- 
wood. 

"  The  usual  note  of  this  "Warbler  is  a  sharp  fnhiji,  almost  precisely  like  that 
of  the  Pewee  (Sai/or/n.'ifiiscn:<),  uttered  as  tlie  bird  perches  on  a  twig  near  the 
ground,  continnally  tilting  its  body,  or  is  changed  into  a  sharp  rapid  twitter 
as  one  chases  another  through  the  thicket.  Their  song  is  very  pretty,  con- 
sisting of  a  fine  whistle,  ilelivered  very  much  in  the  style  of  the  Cardinal 
Grosbeak  (C'ltrduia/ia  vinjini(inu>i),  though  finer  in  tone,  and  weaker." 

Dr.  Coues  found  this  \Varl)ler  rare  at  Washington,  and  chiefly  in  low 
woods  with  thick  undergrowth,  and  in  ravines.  They  were  very  silent,  but 
not  shy,  and  a  few  breed  there. 


SEtTioN  GEOTHLYPE/E. 
Genis  GEOTHLTFlil^,  (  aban. 

Trichns,  Swainsdx,  Zoiil.  .Iimrn.  Ill,  .July,  1827,  107  (ii^t  of  (Jlogcr,  March,  1827,  eciiial  to 

Criiiiiier,  Teiiiiii.). 
OciitJdiipi.s,  Vaua^ih,   Wiei,'iimiiti's  Arcliiv,    1847,    I,   316,   349.  —  In.  Sithoiiibiirgk'.s  Heisu, 

Guiann,  1848. 

Gkx.  Ciiau.  Bill  sylvicolino,  ratlioi-  (li'P''>'i*'*<''l.  ""'1  ilistiiictly  notched  ;  riotal  hristli's  very 
short  or  wanting.  Winc-s  siiort.  roundiMl,  scai-cdy  lonfrcr  than  the  lail;  iho  (irst  <inill 
sliorter  than  the  fourth.  Tail  lon.ir;  niiu^h  roinitled  oi'  ^fraduiited.  bejrs  .-iloiil  ;  tar.-ii  elon- 
gated, as  long  as  the  head.  Olive-green  above,  lieliy  yell(jw.  Tail-lealliers  ininiaeulate. 
Legs  yellow. 


296  Noirni  amkuk.an  hjijds. 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

Throat  yellow        .         .  o    .       . 

Ihroiitnsh       ....  .,    .       . , 

Irenes  11. 

Sciien  I. 

A.   Blnok  mask  oxtondinp:  benonth  the  oyo  and  on  the  aiiriculars. 

1.  O.  trlchas.     lilack  mask  liortlered  along  it.s  jKistciior  edge  with  pale  a.shy 

01-    whitish:    maxiliiu  black.      .Soxes  dissimilai-.       ?.  Olive-brown    above"; 

throat  only,  distinctly  yell,.w;  no  black  mask.     J„r.   Without  either  black 

or  j)iire  yellow;  above  oiive-brown,  like  ?,  beneath  pale  oehraceous-bufl-. 

Abdom.'ii  almost  always  whitish ;    oeeipnt    russet-olive.      Hill.   Croni 

nostril,  .30;  tarsiLs,. 70;  wing,  2.2o;  tail,  2.1-,.     J/ub.    Whole  of  Tniied 

States;  in  winter  most  of  West  Indie.'*,  and  Middle  Amcriea,  north   to 

Guatemala      ....  ^     ■    i 

,  .  •••...         var.  t  r  If  h  ii  n . 

Colors  snmlar;  abdomen  yellow.     Bill,  .4r) ;  tarsus,  .00;  win"   2.50- 
tail,  2.;-i0.     //aft.    Nassau;  New  Provi.lence;  liahamas     .'         vm'.    ro^Uruta  ^ 
Abdomen  bright  yellow  ;  oeeijiut  whitish-ash  tinged  with  yellow.    ]5ill, 
.32;  tarsus,  .75;    wing,  2.45;  tail,  2.50.     JJub.   'Eastern  iM.'xieo  f,Ta- 

lapa?) ,  , 

r,    „  ^■'"'-  me  la  no  IIS.' 

2.  O.  asquinoctialis.  Itlack  mask  not  bordered  posteriorly  by  ashy  or 
\ylnlish;  much  narrower  on  tbivhead  than  on  anriculars;  inaxillic  yellow. 
Sexes  similar. 

Black  of  the  anriculars  bordered  posteriorly  liy  th(>  olive-green  of  th(! 
neck.      Bill.  .17  deep;  wing,  2.50  ;  tail.  2.35.     Hab.    Xortheast  South 
Atnerica  (Cayenne,  Trinidad,  etc.)      ....     xav.  w.jui  n  o  ct  iali  s.' 
Black  of  the  auricnlars  bordered  posteriorly  by  the  ash  of  the  crown. 
Bill,  .14  deep;  wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.50.     //r,6.   Brazil       .        .         vav.velata.* 
B.  Black  ma.sk  not  extending  underneath  the  eye,  but  confined  to  lores  and 
frontlet. 

3.  G.  poliocephala.     Bill  much  as  in  Gramilelhis.    Above  olive-green  ;  the 
crown  light  ash  ;  beneath  yellow.     8exi>s  dissimilar. 

Eyelids  white;    nape  and  anriculars  (.live-gre<'n ;    alMlnmen    whitish. 
Bill,  ..30,  .15  deep;  wing,  .2.20  ;  tail.  2..-.0.     Hab.     West  i[exico  (Ma- 

'^"''"",* \nv.  poli  ore  jihnhi? 

Eyelids  black;  nape  and   au'.iciilars   ashy;  alulomen    wholly  yellow. 
Bill,  .3,5,  .18  deep ;  wing,  2.40 ;  tail,  2..50.     Ilab.     Guatemala  (Hetalu- 

'^'"•'  ■ var.  caiiiniicha.' 

Series  If. 
4.  G.  philaaelphia.     Head  all  round  ashy  ;  lores  only,  black.   Sexes  nearly 
similar. 

1  aeothhiim  rosfmlm,  niiYANT,  Pr.  Host.  Soc.  N.  H.  Maroli,  18(57,  (i7,  liiagua. 
'•*  ','<-u//iliijiis  111,'bninps,  lUiHi),  Review  Am.  Hi   \,  I,  Ajail,  180.5,  p.  222. 
3  '■•inf/ili/pis  aiiiiiimlialis  H'\n\s\!i),  B.uisn,  Kev.  I,  p.  221.     {Muhidlla  im.   (iMi:i,i.N    S    \ 
I,  17.S,S,  <t72.)  •,     ■  .  . 

♦  Oeollilii/m  vclala  (Cailvxis),   Baiiid,  Rev.  I,  223.     (Salvia  vcl.  ViKii.L.  Oi.s.  Am  Sept    II 
1807,  22,  1,1.  Ix.xiv.)  •   '      ' 

*  a,n/lif,f,iis),u/i,ii;/il,„/,i,  |Jaii!I>,  Review  Am.  nirds,  I,  April,  18(i5,  p.  22.',. 
■  •  Geothljijiis  jinliiHVjihiiln,  var.  mniiiiir/ni,  RtiHiWAV. 

The  a.  s/,,rios,i,  Sci,.  (!'.  7.  ir  417;  and  llUKi.,  Rev.  ISfil,  p.  22.'?),  from  Mexico,  and 
O.  semi/l,,n,s,  Sc...  (P.  Z.  .S.  !«-> .  ,;i,  2!.l. -- Haiud,  Rev.  I,  18til,  223),  fron.  Ecuador,  are 
species  allied  t<,  O.  tnvhis,  and  ,M,..sil.ly  ivfcrable  to  it.  The  original  descriptions  afford  no 
tangible  distinctive  character.s.     It  is  barely  possible,  however,  that  they  an;  distinct. 


SYLVICOLIDJ';  —  THE  WARBLERS, 


297 


Eyelids  dusky  (oxropt  in  9);  a  hlaok  jiatoli  on  jn;j;iiliiiii  of  ^.  9. 
Tluoat  tinjioil  witli  yellow.  l[(ih.  Easloni  Province  of  Noriii  America; 
in  winter  south  to  Panama \iu:  ph  Had  i"'/)  li  i  k  . 

Eyelids  white;  no  lilack  patch  on  jnfrnlum.  9.  Tin-oat  not  tiiifjcil 
with  yellow.  Ifal>.  Western  and  Middle  Province  of  United  States ; 
in  winter  south  to  Costa  Rica  (Western  Coast)      .  var.    muc<i  illivray  i. 


26017 


Geothljrpis  trichas,  ('ai$a\. 

HABTLAKO  TELIOW-THBOAT ;  BLACK-MASKED  GROUND  WABBLEB. 

Tiirdua  trichnx,  I,ixn.  >S.  N.  UtJti,  2113.  Si/hi'i  trkluis,  Lath.  ;  Am.,  etc.  Oenlhli/phi 
triclws,  Caii.  Mus.  Hein.  18.iO,  16.  —  Haieiii,  Birds  N.  Am.  241;  IJev.  220.  —  Ousn- 
LA(Mi,  Cab.  .lour.  1861,  326  (Culm).  —  Sci.ATKit,  Catal.  1861,  27,  no.  167.  —  Makcii, 
Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  1863,  293.  —  Loim),  Pr.  K.  Art.  Inst.  Woolwich,  IV,  1864,  115  (X.  W. 
Boundary). —,lo.\K.s,  Nat.  Bcninida,  29.  —  Samuels,  205.  —  CoopKit,  Orn.  Cal.  I, 
1870,  95.  Si/lvia  marUundkn,  Wil.sox.  Tricluis  mar.  Bon.  Jiegu/11.1  mystaccus, 
SiKi'iiKNs.  Trkluis pcrsonatm,  Swainson.  Sylvia  roseoe,  Aud.  Trkluis  brac/iyduc- 
lylus.  Swains. 

Other  localities  ([uotcd  :  Xiilnpa,  Onxnea,  Cordova,  ScL.  OuaUmala,  S('l..  &  Sacv.  Balm- 
mas,  Bryant,     t'o.t/n  Jlka,  Caii.  ;  Lawk.     Orhidn  (autumn).  Sum.     Yitaitan,  Lawk. 

Figures:  Vii.:ii,i,.  Ois.  II,  pi.  xxviii,  xxi.x.  —  Aui>.  Orn.  Biog.  I,  II,  V,  pi.  xxiii,  cii,  ccxl. 
—  \Vii.s.  I,  pi.  vi,  tig.  1.  —  BUKKON,  PI.  enl.  709,  fig.  2. 

8p.  Char.  (No.  20,024  <J.)  Win;,'s  a  little  .shorter  than  the  somewhat  graduated  tail. 
Bill  .slender,  the  dejjtli  contained  about  two  anil  a  half 
times  in  distance  from  nostrils  to  tip.  First  qnill  about 
equal  to  seventh.  Forehead  to  above  the  anterior  edj^e 
of  the  eye,  and  across  the  entire  clu'eks,  ears,  and  jaws, 
and  ending  in  an  angle  on  sides  of  neck,  black,  with  a 
.suflusion  of  hoary  bluish-gray  behind  it  on  the  crown  and 
^ides  of  neck  ;  the  occii)ital  and  inu^hal  region  grayish- 
brown,  pa.ssing  insensibly  into  the  olive-green  of  the  up- 
per parts.  Chin,  throat,  jugulum,  edge  of  wing  and  cris- 
snm  ricli  yellow  (the  latter  p.iler)  ;  rest  of  under  part.s, 
with  lining  of  w  ings,  yellowish-white,  the  sides  tinged  GcoMyph  trhhas. 

with  browni.sh ;  outer  i)riniary  edged  with  whitish,  the  others  with  olive-green.  Rill  black  ; 
legs  y.'Uowish.  Total  length,  4.40 ;  wing,  2  lo  ;  tail,  2.;30 ;  graduation,  .2.-) ;  width  of  outer 
tail-feather,  .28;  diU'erence  lietween  fii'st  and  third  quills,  .15;  length  of  bill  from  forehead, 
..52  ;  from  nostril.  .:iO  ;  along  gape,  .(50  ;  tarsn.s,  .7') ;  middUi  too  and  claw,  .00;  claw  alone', 
.18 ;  hind  toe  ami  claw,  .48  ;  elaw  alone,  .20. 

Male  in  winter,  and  the  female,  without  the  black  mask;  the  forehead  tinged  with 
brown,  the  yellow  of  the  throat  less  extended,  the  eyelids  whitish,  and  a  yellowish  super- 
ciliary line. 

Had.  The  whole  United  States,  from  Atlantic  to  Pucino,  and  .south  to  Costa  Rica;  Ber- 
mnda  (Octol)cr)  ;  Bahanms ;  Cul)a  ;  .Jamaica. 

The  young  hird  is  browni.sli-olive  above,  becoming  more  vireseent  on  the 
rump  and  tail ;  eyelids,  and  whole  lower  jiarts,  soft  light  buff,  with  a  faint 
tinge  of  yellow  on  the  brea.st  and  lower  tail-coverts. 

Tliere  is  very  much  variation  niiinifested  in  a  large  series  (containing  more 
than  one  hundred  and  thirty  specimens,  pruiciptdly  North  American),  though 
38 


298  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

but  very  little  that  accords  with  any  distinctifnis  of  haliitat.  As  a  nilo, 
however,  those  from  the  Atlantic  Stiites  arc  tiu;  smallest  of  the  series,  and 
have  most  white  on  the  abdomen,  the  yellow  l)eing  restricted  to  the  tliroat 
and  juguliim,  and  tiie  lower  tail-coverts.  In  most  specimens  from  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  the  yellow  beneath  is  quite  continuous,  and  the  size  consid- 
erably larger  tlian  in  the  series  above  mentioned,  in  tliese  respects  ajiproacli- 
ing  the  G.  mdaiiops  from  Eastern  Mexico,  in  wliich  the  yellow  pervades  tlie 

whole  surface  beneath ;  but  in  tiiis  the 
wliitish  border  above  the  black  mask  is 
extended  over  the  whole  crown,  leaving 
the  nape  only  distinctly  brownish,  and 
the  size  larger  tlian  the  average  of 
the  series  alluded  to.  However,  No. 
(1 1,135  (?,  Liberty  County,  Ga.,  has  even 
more  white  on  top  of  the  head,  the  whole 
occiput  being  of  tliis  color  ;  while  No. 
7,922  <J ,  i'rom  Ifacine,  Wis.,  is  quite  as 

'^Zhiypis  trichas^  lo"K  '^^  ^^"^  ^ypc  of  milmwps  (the  tail 

only,  shorter),  and  there  is  nearly  as 
much  yellow  beneath.  The  Georgia  specimen,  however,  in  other  resi)ects, 
is  most  like  the  Atlantic  style.  Specimens  from  the  Pacific  coast  have  just 
appreciably  longer  tails  tlian  Eastern  ones,  and  the  olive-green  above  is 
brighter.  Jamaican  and  Guatemalan  specimens  are  identical  with  many  from 
the  United  States.  Tlie  (f.  rostra  his  of  Hryfint,  from  the  iJahamas,  ajipears 
to  be  merely  a  gigantic  insidar  race  of  the  common  species. 

Habits.  This  well-known  and  beautiful  little  Ground  Warbler  is  a  com- 
mon, abundant,  and  widely  diffused  species,  occurring  througliout  the  Ignited 
States  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from  the  Gulf  of  ^lexico  to  Canada  and 
Nova  Scotia.  It  is  found,  during  the  winter  months,  in  Cul)a,  Jamaica,  ^fex- 
ico,  Yucatan,  Guatemala,  Costa  Kica,  the  Bahamas,  and,  in  the  i'all,  in  Ber- 
muda. On  the  Pacific  coast  it  has  been  found  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  to  the 
British  territories.     It  breeds  from  Northern  (Jeorgia  to  Halifax,  inclusive. 

In  Central  America,  JMr.  Salvin  states  that  this  Warbler  is  by  far  the  most 
connnon  of  the  MinotiHulm,  but  is  wholly  niigratf)ry.  It  was  usually  found 
in  the  neighborhood  of  water,  fre(pienting  tlie  reeds  that  surrounded  Lake 
Puenas,  and  the  bushes  on  tlie  banks  of  its  outlet.  It  was  also  taken  l)y 
Mr.  Poucard  at  Totontopec,  among  the  mountains  of  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

It  was  observed  as  far  to  tiie  north  as  Lake  of  the  Woods,  by  Mr.  Kenni- 
cott.  Sevenil  were  there  observed,  botli  males  and  females,  May  2'.).  It  is 
everywhere  (juite  connnon,  and  is,  I  think,  as  numerous  in  New  England  as 
in  the  Middle  States. 

For  the  most  part  it  seems  to  prefer  wild  lands,  especially  those  overgrown 
with  briers  and  low  bushes,  to  o])en  or  cultivated  grounds.  Yet  this  prefer- 
ence is  not  exclusive,  as  I  liave  known  a  pair,  or  their  offspring,  to  visit  the 


SYLVICULID.E  — THE  VVAUULER8.  299 

s.arne  garden  nine  or  ten  successive  sunnuers.  It  is  also  more  generally  found 
in  low  lands  than  in  high,  and  is  prolja!)ly  attracted  to  moist  tliiekets  of 
briers  and  underbrush  by  the  greater  abundance  ot  its  favorite  food.  This 
Warbler  is  eminently  terrestrial  in  its  habits,  never  l)eing  found  among  higher 
limbs,  but  always  either  on  the  ground  or  among  the  lower  branches  of 
bushes,  vines,  and  weeds.  It  is  a  diligent  rather  than  an  active  or  nimble 
bird,  is  always  on  the  move,  and  incessantly  in  search  of  its  food.  This  con- 
sists of  insects  in  all  their  forms,  but  more  particularly  of  larva},  small 
beetles,  and  sjiiders.  They  are  of  great  service  in  the  destruction  of  several 
forms  of  injurious  grubs,  and  but  that  their  mode  of  life  exjjoses  them  to 
destruction  by  prowling  cats,  I  doubt  not  they  would  readily  adapt  themselves 
to  living  in  our  gardens.  Occasionally  they  are  found  in  iields  of  grain, 
where  their  i)resence  is  due  to  the  abundance  of  destructive  in.sects. 

The  Yellow-Throat  ap])ears  shy  and  retiring  because  it  prefers  to  move  back 
and  forth  among  low  shrul)s  and  brambles,  where  it  most  readily  procures  its 
food,  but  it  is  not  a  timid  bird.  They  are  unsuspecting,  and  will  as  readily 
permit  as  fly  from  the  near  presence  of  man.  I  have  frecjuently  had  them 
approach  within  a  few  feet,  especially-  when  at  rest ;  and  even  when  in  mo- 
tion they  will  continue  th(iir  lively  song,  as  they  move  about  from  twig  to 
twig.  Though  aide  to  capture  an  insect  on  the  wing,  they  are  not  expert  fly- 
catchers, and  chiefly  take  their  prey  when  it  is  at  n-st. 

Their  song  is  a  very  lively  and  agreeable  refrain,  easily  recognized,  though 
exhibiting  at  times  marked  dilferences,  and  occasionally  clo.sely  resembling 
the  song  of  the  Summer  Yellow-lJird.  The  same  brief  series  of  notes,  usually 
sounding  like  lohi-ti-tee-fT'?,  is  constantly  repeated  at  short  intervals,  while 
the  singer  continues  his  perpetual  hunt  for  insects. 

The  male  is  very  affectionate  and  devoted  to  both  mate  and  offspring.  The 
pair  are  never  far  ajtart,  and  during  incubation  the  male  is  assiduous  in  the 
collection  of  food,  feeding  its  mate,  and  afterwards  assisting  in  collecting  for 
their  young.  They  rely  upon  concealment  for  the  protection  of  their  nest,  and 
rarely  show  any  open  solicitude  until  it  is  discovered.  Then  they  will  make 
the  most  vehement  demonstrations  of  alarm  and  distress,  flying  about  the 
intruder  and  fearlessly  apin-oaching  hira  to  within  a  few  feet.  In  Mas.sachu- 
setts  they  rarely,  if  ever,  have  more  than  one  brood  in  a  season.  The  young 
are  able  to  take  care  of  themselves  early  in  July.  At  that  time  the  song  of 
the  male  ceases,  or  is  abbreviated  to  a  single  v:hit,  and  parents  and  young 
form  a  family  group  and  together  hunt  in  the  more  secluded  thickets,  the 
edges  of  wooils,  and  other  retired  places,  for  their  food.  Early  in  September 
they  take  their  dei)arture. 

The  Yellow-Throat  is  distributed,  in  suitable  localities,  over  a  large  area, 
and  wherever  found  is  apparently  e([ually  common.  Dr.  Gerhardt  found  it 
quite  abundant  in  Northern  Cleorgia.  Wilson  and  Audubon  thought  it  more 
common  in  the  ^liddle  States  than  farther  north,  but  I  have  found  it  quite  as 
numerous  about  Halifax  and  Eastport  as  1  have  at  Washington.     Dr.  Cooper 


300  NORTH  AMERICAN  KIRD8. 

speaks  of  it  as  "  very  conimon "  in  Washiiijfton  Territory,  tliough  not  so 
almiulant  as  MctJillivmy's  Warbler.  The  same  writer  also  states  it  to  be  a 
"very  common  bird"  in  California.  Tiieir  earliest  arrival  at  San  Dieyo  was 
on  the  17th  of  Ain-il,  about  tlie  time  they  reach  I'ennsylvauin,  Tiiey  ai)]jear 
in  New  England  early  in  May. 

Tlieir  nest  is  almost  invariably  upon  the  ground,  usually  in  a  thick  bed 
of  fallen  leaves,  a  clump  of  grass  or  weeds,  at  the  roots  of  low  bushes  or 
briers,  or  undei'  the  shelter  of  a  brush-pile.  Occasionally  it  has  been  found 
among  high  weeds,  built  in  a  matted  cluster  of  branches,  four  or  live  I'eet 
from  the  ground.  Sometimes  it  is  sunk  in  a  depression  in  tlie  ground,  and 
often  its  top  is  covered  by  loose  overlying  leaves.  I  have  never  found  this 
top  interwoven  with  or  forming  any  part  of  the  nest  itself. 

The  nest  is  usually  both  large  and  deep  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  its  loose 
peri])hery  of  leaves  and  dry  sedges  adding  to  its  size,  and  it  often  has  a  depth 
of  from  five  to  six  inches  from  its  rim  to  its  base.  The  cavity  is  usually 
three  inches  deep  and  two  and  a  quarter  wide.  CJenerally  these  nests  are 
constructed  on  a  base  of  dry  leaves.  An  external  framework,  rudely  put  to- 
gether, of  dry  grasses,  sedge  leaves,  strips  of  dry  bark,  twigs,  and  decaying 
vegetables,  co\ers  an  inner  nest,  or  lining,  of  finer  materials,  and  more  care- 
fully woven.  At  the  rim  of  the  nest  these  materials  sometimes  project  like 
a  rude  palisade  or  hedge.  Usually  the  lining  is  of  line  grasses,  without  hair 
or  feathers  of  any  kind. 

In  some  nests  the  outer  portion  and  base  are  composed  almost  entirely  of 
fine  dry  strips  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  wild  grape. 

The  eggs  vary  from  four  to  six  in  number,  and  also  differ  greatly  in 
their  size,  so  much  so  that  the  question  has  arisen  if  there  are  not  two  species, 
closely  resembling,  but  differing  chiefly  in  their  size.  Of  this,  however,  there 
is  no  evidence  other  than  in  tlie.se  marked  variations  in  the  eggs. 

In  the  Great  Basin,  Mr.  IJidgway  found  this  bird  abundant  in  all  the 
bushy  localities  in  the  vicinity  of  water,  but  it  was  cnntined  to  the  lower 
]wrtions,  never  being  seen  high  up  on  the  mountains,  uor  even  in  the  lower 
portions  of  the  mountain  canons. 

Their  eggs  exhilut  a  variation  in  length  of  from  .55  to  .72  of  an  inch,  and 
in  breadth  Irom  .48  to  .58  of  an  inch  ;  the  smallest  being  from  Georgia,  and 
the  largest  from  Kansas.  They  are  of  a  beautiful  clear  crystalline-white 
ground,  and  are  dotted,  blotched,  and  marbled  around  the  larger  end  with 
purple,  reddish-brown,  and  dark  umber. 


SYLVICOI.ID.E  — THE  WARIiLEKS.  gQl 

Geothlypis  Philadelphia,  Haiud. 

MOUBNINa  WAHBLEB. 

Si/loia  iMluUel/ihia,  Wii.s.  Am.  (tin.  II,  hSlo,  101,  pi.  xiv;  Ari).  ;  Nrrr.  rriclin.i  pliih- 
iMiihid,  .lAiii).  ~  li'KiMiAiiDr,  Vidriisk.  iMcddt-l.  lor  IS.'ia,  iukI  Iliis,  mn,  (i  ((iirn- 
liiiitl).  aailJili/iiis /i/ii/ii.  llAiKi),  lliid.s  N.  Aim.  18ri8,  243,  pi.  l.'c.\i.\,  li^.  3;  Ufv.  -I'M. 
—  ScLATKli,  Catal.  1801,  -Zl  (Orizalia).  —  La\vi'>,n<i:,  Ann.  N.  Y.  I,yc.  ISOl,  ;i-J2 
(I'liniima).  —  .Sa.miti-,i..s,  207.  -  Dui:s.si:ii,  llil.s,  l>sti.-,;  trii. 

FiKurra  :  WiLs.  Am.  Oiii.  II,  pi.  .\iv.  —  Ai,i).  liiids  Am.  II,  pi.  ci. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Wings  hut  iitllf  Iom-it  than  the  tail,  iviiching  hut  litllo  h.'yond  its  ha.sc. 
Adult  mule.  Iffacl  and  ncrk  all  round,  with  throat  and  Ibrqiart  <if  brca.st,  ash-irray.  pak-r 
honeath.  Thu  toathcMs  of  llu;  I'hin,  throat,  and  Coro  hroii.Kt  in  reality  hlack,  hut  with  nar- 
row nshy  nnirf;in8  nioru  or  less  concealinfr  tlio  hlai'k,  cxc-pl  on  the  hiva.st.  Lores  and  rcfrion 
roinid  Ihc  eye  dusky,  without  any  trace  of  a  pale  ring.  Upper  part.s  and  sides  of  the 
hndy  clear  olive-green  ;  the  under  parts  bright  yellow.  Tail-feathers  uuilbrm  olive;  lir.st 
primary,  with  the  outer  half  of  the  outer  web,  nearly  wliite.  Fcmnh-  with  the  gray  of  the 
crown  glossed  with  olive  ;  tlu;  chin  and  throat  jialer  centrally,  and  tinged  with  fulvous;  a 
dull  whitish  ring  rounil  the  eye.     Length,  o.no;   wing,  2.4'/;   tail,  2:S>.      Y„iiii,/  not  seen. 

ILui.  Eastern  I'roviuce  of  United  States  to  IJriti.sh  America;  Urreeiilaiid  ;  Southeastern 
Mexico,  I'ainimivH.  K.,  and  Colombia.  Not  rcjcorded  from  West  Indies  or  (iuatemala. 
Costa  Rica  (Lawu.). 

Specimens  vary  in  the  amount  of  black  on  ilie  jugulum,  and  tiie  purity 
of  the  ii,sh  of  the  throat.  The  specie.s  is  often  confounded  witli  Oporornis 
(ujUis,  to  which  the  resemhlance  is  (piite  close.  They  may,  li(j\ve\'er,  be  dis- 
tiiij,niishe(l  by  tlie  much  longer  tind  more  pointed  wings,  iiiul  more  even  tail, 
shorter  legs,  etc.,  of  (((jilis.  The  wliite  ring  round  the  eye  in  the  female 
philiiddphia  increases  the  ditKculty  of  separation. 

The  adult  male  in  autumn  is  sctircely  dill'erent  h\m\  the  spring  bird,  tliere 
being  merely  a  iaiut  olive-tinge  to  the  asii  on  top  of  tlie  head,  and  the  black 
jugular  patch  more  restricted,  being  more  concealed  by  tlie  ashy  b(jrd(.'rs  to 
the  featliers  ;  the  yellow  beneath  somewhat  deeper. 

Haiwts.  The  Mourning  Warbler  was  first  di.'iicovered  and  described  by 
Wilson,  who  captured  it  in  the  early  part  of  June,  on  tiie  borders  of  a  marsh, 
witliin  a  few  miles  of  I'hiladelpliia.  This  was  tlje  only  specimen  lie  ever 
met  with.  He  found  it  Hitting  from  one  low  bu,sh  to  anotlier  in  search  of 
insects.  It  had  a  sprigiitly  and  pleasant  warbling  song,  tiie  novelty  of  wliicli 
first  attracted  his  attention.  For  a  long  while  Wilson's  single  bini  reniiiined 
unitxue,  and  from  its  excessive  rarity  Bonaparte  conjectured  that  it  might 
be  an  accidental  variety  of  the  Yellow-Throat.  At  ])resent,  though  still 
of  unfretpient  occurrence,  it  is  by  wo  meiins  a  doubtful,  though  generally 
a  comparatively  rare  species.  Audubon  mentions  having  received  several 
specimens  of  this  Warbler,  procured  in  the  neigliborhood  of  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  and  A'^ermont,  all  of  which  were  obtained  in  the  sjiring  or  sum- 
mer months.  He  met  witli  a  single  specimen  in  Louisiana,  and  thinks  its 
habits  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-Throat. 


302  NOUTII  AMKUK'AN  lURUS. 

Nuttall  met  with  what  hu  pivsunu's  to  have  Ixsoii  oiiu  of  thrae  l)ii'(la  in  tin; 
ISotaiiical  CiariU'U  at  t 'aiiiliritl^fu.  It  hatl  all  the  juauuL'rs  of  the  Velluw-Throat, 
was  husy  in  the  search  ol'  inserts  in  the  low  hushes,  and,  at  intervals,  wariiled 
out  some  very  jtleasant  notes,  which  partly  resemliled  the  lively  chant  of  the 
Trlilms,  and  in  some  dej,'ree  the  sony  of  the  Summer  Velhiw-lJird. 

I'rofessor  lieinliardt  states  that  two  individuals  of  this  species  have  heen 
taken  in  (ireenlaiul,  —  one  in  Fiskenicsset,  in  1840,  and  the  other  at  Julian- 
hiuil),  in  IHoii. 

Mr.  Turni)ull  "{ives  it  ns  still  <iuitc  rare  in  Kastern  rennsylvania,  arriviiifj 
there  in  the  middle  of  ^lay  on  its  way  I'arther  north.  Mr.  Liwrence  includes 
it  in  his  list  of  the  hirds  of  New  Vork.  Mr.  Dres.ser  olitained  five  speci- 
mens early  in  May,  in  Southern  Texas. 

It  has  been  met  with  as  far  to  the  north  as  Greenland  hy  lieinliardt,  and 
in  Selkirk  Settlement  hy  Donald  tiunn.  It  has  been  i)rocured  in  Kastern 
Mexico,  in  I'anama,  in  ("arli.sle,  I'enn.,  Southern  Illinois,  ^lissouri,  Nova 
Scotia,  and  various  other  places.  It  has  been  known  to  breed  in  Waterville, 
Me.,  and  is  not  uncommon  in  Northwestern  and  Northern  New  Vork.  A 
sin',de  specimen  of  this  bird  was  obtained  at  Ocaua,  in  Colombia,  South 
America,  by  Mr.  C.  AV.  Wyatt. 

Late  in  May,  1838,  I  have  a  note  of  havinj,'  met  with  this  species  in  Mount 
Auburn.  The  bird  was  fearless  and  unsuspecting,  busily  engaged,  among 
some  h)w  shrubbery,  in  search  of  in.sects.  It  suffered  our  near  i)resence,  was 
often  within  a  few  feet,  and  was  so  readily  distinguishable  that  my  compan- 
ion, with  no  acciiuiintance  with  birds,  at  once  recognized  it  from  Audubon's 
plates.  Its  habits  were  the  exact  counteri)art  of  those  of  the  Yellow-Throat. 
We  did  not  notice  its  song. 

Mr.  Maynard  states  that,  May  21, 1800,  !Mr.  William  Ihewster  shot  a  male 
of  this  species  in  Cambridge,  on  the  top  of  a  tall  tree.  Another  si»ecimen 
was  taken  at  Franconia  Mountains,  New  Hamjishire,  August  3,1807.  It  was 
in  company  with  four  fully  Hedged  young,  which  it  was  feeding.  The  young 
Mere  shy,  and  could  not  be  procured.  The  old  bird  was  catching  Hies,  alter 
the  manner  of  Flycatchers.  Mr.  ^laynard  has  met  this  species  but  once  in 
Massachusetts,  and  then  in  JNIay,  among  low  bushes  and  in  a  swampy  place. 
He  has  since  found  it  rather  common  at  Lake  Umbagog,  Maine,  in  June,  where 
it  breeds,  lie  states  that  it  frequents  the  bushes  ahuig  fences,  stone  walls,  and 
the  edges  of  woods.  The  male  often  perches  and  sings  in  the  early  morning 
on  the  top  rail  of  a  fence,  or  the  dcivd  branch  of  a  tree.  Its  song  he  speaks 
of  as  loud  and  clear,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the  Seinrus  iioveboracaisis. 
Mr.  Paine  considers  this  AVarbler  to  be  very  rare  in  Vermont.  He  once 
observed  a  pair,  with  their  young,  at  Randolph.  The  male  was  singing  a 
quite!  pleasing,  though  somewhat  monotonous  song. 

Mr.  George  Welch  met  with  these  birds  in  the  Adirondack  region.  New 
York,  in  June,  1870.  They  .seemed  rather  abundant,  and  were  evidently 
breeding  there.     He  olitained  a  single  specimen. 


SYI.VICOLID.K  — THE  WAHUMiRS.  303 

Mr.  John  I5uiToii,y;li.s,  of  Wiishiiijrtiui,  was  so  fortiinato  as  to  olitaiii  llio 
nest  and  oui;s  of  tliis  Warhlcr  Udur  lliu  lii-ad-watcrs  of  tho  Dclawavo  IJivor, 
in  ]{oxl)iiry,  Dolawari!  ('(tiinty,  N.  V.  "The  nost,"  he  \vnt(;.s  luc,  "  was 
in  tiie  (!(lHr(.  of  an  old  l)ai'k-i)eelinL(,  in  a  hemlock  wood,  and  was  placed  in 
some  ferns  ahont  om;  foot  from  the  jfround.  The  nest  was  iiuite  massive,  its 
outer  portions  heing  eomposed  of  small  dry  stalks  and  leaves.  The  cavity 
was  very  deep,  and  was  lined  with  tine  black  roots.  I  have  freciuently 
observed  this  Warbler  in  that  .section.  About  the  head  of  the  Neversink 
and  Ksopus,  in  the  northwest  part  of  I'lster  (,'ounty,  New  York,  they  are  the 
prevailing  Warbler,  and  tlieir  song  may  be  heard  all  day  long.  Their  song 
suggests  tiiat  of  the  Kentucky  (Jround  Warbler,  but  is  not  so  loud  an»l  fine." 
iMr.  lUirroughs  states  elsewhere  that  "  tiie  eggs,  three  in  number,  were  of 
light  llesh-color,  uniforndy  sj)eckled  with  tine  brown  speck.s.  The  cavity  of 
the  nest  was  so  deep  that  the  back  of  the  sitting  bird  sank  below  the  edge." 
Their  eggs  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  ])ointed  at  one  end.  They  measure 
.75  l)y  .5.')  of  an  inch.  Their  ground-color  is  a  pinkish-white,  and  they  are 
marked  with  dots  and  blotehes,  of  varying  size,  of  dark  i)urplish-browii. 


Geothlypis  macgillivrayi,  r.Ainn. 

HACGILLIVRATS  6K0UND  WABBLER. 

Sijlvia  mncriillirmyi,  Ari).  Oni.  Mioj,'.  V,  ]83it,  7.'),  iil.  cci'xci.x.  Trichns  macr/.  .Am. 
(}c(ilh!i/j>i.s  iiiiifff.  UAiiiD,  liirds  N.  Am.  18.58,  244,  pi.  l.\xi.\,  tig.  4 ;  Ucv.  2-J7.  — .Sci.atkii, 
Cntal.  18fi],  27  (.Iiilapa  and  (!uat.).  —  In.  l\  'L.  S.  1859,  3(i3,  373  (Xalapa,  Oaxaca).  — 
C.ui.  .lour.  1801,  84  (Costa  liira).  — Cooi-kk  &  Sucki.kv,  P.  II.  R.  Rcj).  XII,  11,  18r)!>, 
177.  -  t'()Ol>i:i!,  Oiii.  Cal.  I,  187(1,  !)(!.  Sjilcicohi  maqi.  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  VI,  185s! 
118.  Siiilvia  Mmiivi,  ToWN.s.  .1.  A.  N.  Si!.  1839.  Tric/uts  lolmieci,  Nirrr.  Afaii.  I. 
Trichds  vnjr/a  (Licht.),  I5p.  t'onsp.  ISr.O,  310  ;  Jide  Cab.  .lour.  ISCl,  84  (Mexic^o). 

Sp.  Char.  AihiH  muh.  Heail  ami  nock  all  round,  throat  .and  forepart  of  tlio  breast, 
dark  ash-eolor;  a  narrow  frontlet,  loral  region,  and  »[>iiw  round  the  eye  (scareely  eompleto 
bohuid),  blaek.  Tiie  eyelids  above  and  below  the  eye  (not  in  .1  eontinnous  ring)  white. 
Tlie  leather.-*  of  the  chin,  throat,  and  fore  breast  really  black,  with  ashy-gray  tips  more  or 
les,s  concealing  the  black.  Rest  of  upper  p.arts  dark  olive-green  (sides  under  the  wings 
paler);  of  lower,  bright  yellow.  Feiiinle  with  the  throat  paler  and  without  any  blaek. 
Length  of  male,  5  inches;  wing,  2.4;');  tail,  2.45.     Young  not  !>L'm. 

Had.  Western  and  Middle  Provinces  of  United  States,  to  northern  boundary  ;  j.-ast  to 
Fort  Laramie;  south  to  Costa  Rica. 

The  white  eyelids  of  this  species  distinguish  its  males  from  those  of  (,'. 
Ithiktdelphia,  in  which  there  is  a  black  jugular  i)atch  not  seen  in  the  present 
species.  The  females  can  only  be  known  l)y  the  slenderer  bill  and  more 
rounded  wing,  the  first  quill  being  intermediate  between  the  fifth  and  sixth, 
instead  of  being  considerably  hniger  than  the  fifth. 

The  autinnnal  adult  male  is  as  described  al)ove,  except  that  there  is  a  faint 
tinge  of  green  on  the  crown,  and  the  ashy  borders  to  feathers  of  throat  and 


304  NOUTll  AMi;Ul(,'AN  BIHDS. 

juj,'uluiu  liroadw,  ('niiccaliiii,'  iiinrc  tlic  IdiicI;.     Tlic  (ulult  rciiiiilc  in  aiitninii 
is  (Min.sicloiiilily  uioii'  dully  jdIoiciI  than  in  sjirinj,'. 

JIaiuts.  This  conipunitivt'ly  n(!\v  Waihlor  was  first  in(it  with  l»y  Town- 
send,  and  dt'Si  lilted  by  Audnlton  in  thi'.  last  voluniu  of  his  ()rnith(il()j,'icnl 
ISioi^raiihy.  ll  nas  since  ln-cn  tonnd  to  have  a  wide  ianj;ii  liirimj^diont  the 
western  portion  of  North  America,  I'rom  ('a)ic  St.  Lucas  to  llrilish  Amer- 
ica, and  from  the  I'lains  to  the  Pacific  It  lias  also  lieeii  ohtained  at  Choa- 
])iin  in  the  .State  of  Orizalia,  ^fexico,  liy  Mr.  Jloucard,  and  in  (iuatemahi  liy 
Mr.  Salvin,  who  states  that  throuj^hout  the  district  lietween  tlie  vcdeanoes  of 
Agua  and  Fuej,'o  this  was  a  common  .sjiecies,  I'reijnentinjf  the  ouiskirts  of  tlu^ 
forests  and  the  edj;es  of  tlu;  clearin<,'.s.  It  lireeds  in  aliundance  in  I'tali, 
Mf)ntana,  Idaho,  Oregon,  Washington  Territory,  and  prolialily  also  in  North- 
ern ( 'alifornia. 

Townsend  first  met  with  it  on  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  lie  states  that 
it  was  mostly  solitary  and  extremely  wary,  keejiing  chiefiy  in  tlie  most  im- 
penotraWe  thickets,  and  gliding  through  them  in  a  cautious  an''  suspicious 
manner.  Sometimes  it  might  be  .seen,  at  midday,  ])erched  ujton  a  dead  twig, 
over  its  favorite  places  ol'  concealment,  ai  siu'h  times  warbling  a  very  sjtrightly 
and  jtleasant  little  song,  raising  its  head  until  its  bill  is  nearly  vertical. 

Mr.  Nuttall  informed  ]\Ir.  Audubon  that  this  AVarbler  is  one  of  the  most 
common  summer  residents  of  the  woods  and  plains  of  the  Columbia,  where 
it  ai)pears  early  in  May,  and  remains  until  the  approach  of  winter.  It 
keeps  near  the  ground,  and  gleans  its  subsistence  among  the  low  liushes.  It 
is  shy,  and  when  surpris(^d  or  closely  watcluHl  it  immet'.  tely  skulks  oil',  often 
uttering  a  loud  clirl:  Its  notes,  he  stat(!S,  resemble  tliose  of  the  SiiiiruK 
avrnnipilhia.  On  the  12th  of  June  a  nest  Mas  lirought  to  Mr.  Xuttall,  con- 
taining two  young  birds  quite  iledged,  in  the  jilumage  of  the  mother.  The 
nest  was  chiefly  made  of  stri])s  oi'  the  inner  bark  of  tlie  Thnjn  ovriilcnUilis, 
lined  with  .slender  wiry  stalks.  It  was  built  near  the  ground  in  the  dc^ad, 
moss-covered  limbs  of  a  fallen  oak,  and  was  partly  hidden  by  long  tufts  of 
vmien.  It  was  less  artificial  than  the  Yellow-Throat's  nest,  but  was  of  the 
same  general  appearance.  On  his  restoring  the  nest  to  its  place,  the  parents 
immediately  approached  to  feed  their  charge. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  this  Warbler  very  abundant  between  the  Cascade  Moun- 
tains and  the  Pacific  coast.  Like  all  (Iround  Warblers  it  was  entirely  insec- 
tivoHJUS,  all  the  stomachs  examined  containing  coleo]itera  and  other  insects. 
He  did  not  find  them  shy,  but  as  they  freiiuented  thick  brush  they  were  very 
difficult  to  procure. 

Dr,  Coo])er  found  this  species  very  common  about  Puget  Sound,  fre»pient- 
ing  the  underbrush  in  dry  woods,  occasionally  singing  a  song  from  a  low  tree, 
similar  to  that  of  the  Yellow-Throat.  He  found  its  nest  built  in  a  bush,  a 
foot  from  the  ground.  It  was  of  straw,  loosely  made,  and  without  any  soft 
lining.  Dr.  Cooper  i'ound  this  species  as  far  east  as  Fort  Laramie,  in  Wyo- 
ming.    They  reach  the  Columbia  liiver  by  the  od  of  May. 


SYLVICOLID.K  — THE  WARllLERS'.  305 

TIio  saino  writer  noticed  llie  lirsl  (if  tills  siiocit'.s  iit  Fort  Afojuvi',  A^tril  L'4, 
IIu  re},'iinle(l  tlicir  liiiKils  us  viuyiii^'  in  sonio  respects  IVoni  tlioso  ot'tlio  Triihns, 
as  tliey  prel'or  dry  loeulities,  uiul  hunt  for  insects  not  only  in  low  bushes  l.ut 
also  in  trees,  like  the  Dimlivinr.  Dr.  Coojier  twice  descrilies  their  e;^';^s  as 
white,  which  is  inaccurate.  Ho  thinks  that  some  of  them  winter  in  the 
warmer  portions  of  California.  He  rej,'ards  them  as  shy,  if  watched,  seekin;.,' 
the  densest  thicket.s,  but  brou;j;ht  out  again  by  their  curiosity  if  a  jiensoii 
waits  for  tiiem,  and  the  birds  will  apimjach  within  a  few  i'eel,  keei)ing  up  a 
scohling  chir[). 

The  nests  of  this  species  ol)tained  by  Dr.  Kennerly  from  Puget  Sound 
were  all  built  on  the  ground,  and  were  constructed  almost  e.\(dusivi'ly  of 
beautifully  delicate  inos.ses,  jieculiar  to  that  country.  They  are  shallow  ne.st.s, 
with  a  diameter  of  four  and  a  height  of  two  inches,  the  cavity  occupying  a 
hirgo  proportion  of  the  nest.  Its  walls  and  base  are  of  uniform  thickness, 
averaging  about  one  inch.  The  nests  are  lined  with  finer  mosses  and  a  few 
slender  stems  and  fibres. 

Air.  Uidgway  found  tliese  Warl)lers  breeding  in  great  nunibers,  Juno  23, 
ISC!),  at  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  among  the  Wahsatch  Mountains.  One  of 
these  nests  (S.  I.,  ir),2.'i8)  was  in  a  bunch  of  weeils,  among  the  underlirush 
of  a  willow -thicket  ahing  a  canon  stream.  It  was  situated  about  eight  inches 
from  the  ground,  is  cu])like  in  shape,  two  inches  in  height,  three  in  diameter, 
and  somewhat  lo(jsely  constructed  of  slender  strips  of  bark,  decayed  stalks  ol' 
plants,  dry  grasses,  intermi.xed  with  a  few  fine  roots,  and  lined  with  finer 
materials  of  the  same.  The  cavity  is  one  and  a  half  inches  in  depth,  and  two 
in  diameter  at  the  rim. 

The  eggs,  four  in  number,  are  .7')  of  an  inch  in  length  and  .50  in 
breadth.  Their  ground-color  is  a  pinkish-white,  marbleil  and  spotted  with 
purple,  lilac,  reddish-brown,  and  dark  brown,  a])i)roaching  black.  The  blotches 
of  the  last  color  vary  much  in  size,  in  one  instance  having  a  length  of  .21 
of  an  inch,  and  having  the  appearance  of  hieroglyphics.  When  these  spots 
are  large,  they  are  very  sparse. 

"This  species,"  Mr.  lUdgway  writes,  "inhabits  exclusively  the  brush- 
wood along  the  streams  of  the  mountain  canons  and  ravines.  Among 
the  weetls  in  such  localities  numerous  nests  were  found.  In  no  case  were 
they  on  the  ground,  though  they  were  always  near  it ;  being  fi.xed  between 
upright  stalks  of  herbs,  occasionally,  jterhaps,  in  a  brier,  fnjm  about  one  to 
two  feet  above  the  gi-ound.  The  note  of  the  parent  l)ird,  when  a  nest  was 
disturbed,  was  a  strong  chij),  much  like  that  of  the  Ci/anoxpiza  iimn'na  or  0. 
ci/anca."  He  also  states  that  it  was  abundant  in  the  East  Humboldt  Aloun- 
tains  in  August  and  in  September,  and  also  throughout  the  summer.  A 
pair  of  fully  fledged  young  was  caught  on  the  21st  of  July 


306 


XORTir  AMERICAN  "niRDS. 


Subfamily  ICTERIAN^. 
Sect.on  ICTERIE/E. 

In  this  section  there  are  two  Aniericiiu  oeiiera  ;  one  found  in  the  United 
States,  the  otlier  not.     Tlie  diagnoses  are  as  I'olknvs  : 

Sizo  large  (about  8  inclK's).    Lower  jaw  not  deeper  than  u|)pei-  anterior  to  nostrils. 
^  Tail  moderate.     Partly  yellow  l)eneatli,  olive-green  above         ....      Jcferia 
Size  smaller  (about  G  inelie.^;.     Lower  jaw  tleeper  than  upper.     Tail  almost  fan- 
shaped.     Partly  red  beneath,  plumbeous-blue  above     ....  GruimteUus} 


Genus  ICTBRIA,   Vieill. 


Ictcrm,  ViElLLoT,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.   I,  lso7,    iii  and  85. 
Turdus  vireiis,  Linn.) 


(Type,  Miisciciipa  viridis.  t!M. 


Gkn.  Ciiak.     Bill  broad  at  base,  but  contracting  rapidly  and  becoming  attenuated  when 

I- --_      viewed    from    iibove ;    high   at   the    base 


(higher  than  broad  opposite  the  nostrils) ; 
the  eulmen  and  coninii.ssure  much  curved 
from  ba.se;  the  gony.s  stra'ght.  TT])per  jaw 
deeper  than  the  loi'cr:  bill  without  notch 
or  rictal  l)ristle.<.  Nostrils  circular,  edged 
above  with  membrane,  the  feathers  clo-so 
to  their  borders.  Wings  shorter  than  tail. 
con.«iderably  rounded ;  (irst  quill  rather 
shorter  than  the  si.xth.  Tail  moderately 
graduated ;  the  feathers  rounded,  but  nar- 
row. .Middle  toe  without  claw  about 
two  thirds  the  length  of  tarsus,  which  has 


Icteria  virens. 

the  scutellaB  fused  externally  in  part  into  one  plate. 


The  precise  .systematic  position  of  the  genus  Ictcria'is  a  matter  of  mucli 
contrariety  of  opinion  among  ornitliologists  ;  Imt  we  have  little  iiositation  in 
including  it  among  tlie  Si/hia,lida:  It  litis  been  most  freciuently  assigned 
to  the  Virconida;  hut  differs  essentially  in  the  deeply  cleft  inner  toe  (not 
half  united  as  in  Virco),  the  partially  booted  tarsi,  the  lengthened  middle 
toe,  the  slightly  curved  claws,  the  entire  iibsence  of  notch  or  hook  in  the  bill, 
and  the  short,  rounded  wing  with  oidy  nine  primaries.  The  wing  of  Vlrco, 
when  much  rounded,  has  ten  primaries, —  nine  only  being  met  with  when 
the  wing  is  very  long  and  pointed. 

Of  this  genus  only  one  species  is  known  Hhough  two  races  are  recog- 
nized by  naturalists,  differing  in  the  length  (     tin;  tail. 

»  OrannMlm,  DlTnirs.     Baird,  R(!v.  Am.  Uii<l.s,  hSiiS,  2;i().     (Type,  O.  tnnistm,  DuBUS.) 


SYLVrCOLID/l']  —  TTII<;  WARIU.EIIS. 


307 


I.  virens.     Above  olivc-j;i-('(>ii ;  lienoiitU  fi:iuiil)()p;('-y('llow  tor  tlio  antpi-ioi-  half, 
ami  wliilo  lor  the  pcistorioi-.     A  white  sliipe  over  the  eye. 

Length  ol'  tail,  ;!.30  inches.     Huh.  Eastern  United  States  to  the  I'lains;  in 
winter  throni,'h  Kiislern  Mexico  to  (inateniala         ....         var.  r  ire  its. 

Length  of  tail,  o.TO  inclu's.     Huh.  Western  United  States  Irom  the  Plains  to 
the  Pacilic  ;  W'estern  Mexico  in  winter var.  lo  ii  i/i cu  iid a  . 


Icteria  virens,  Baiku. 

TELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

Tin-dm  virnm,  I.inn.  Syst.  Nat.  l(»tli  cil.  17r.>s,  171,  no.  10  (liascd  on  (EmintlM  nmcricfiiin, 
pir/dir  lutrn,  Yellow-breasted  Chat,  Ca  iKsiiv,  I'arol.  1,  tab.  SO),  hkria  vimix,  It.vmn, 
Hev.  Am.  H.  18tU,  228.  Mumaiim  viriilix,  fi.Mui.is,  Syst.  Nut.  I,  1788,  i)3(i.  Ii-ln-iu 
viiklis,  Hon.;  Ai'I).  Orn.  Bioj,'.  H,  pi.  cxxxvii.  —  IUiiu>,  Hirds  N.  Am.  LS.'kS,  248. 
Icteria  diimecnhi,  ViKll.L.  Pipru  iinlijijiillii,  W'li.s.  !  lelcria  vclasqiiexi,  IJoN.  1'.  Z.  S. 
1837,  117  (Mexico). —Sci,ArKR&  S.u.v.  Ibis,  I,  18.'.i>,  12  ((iuatemak). 

Localities  ([uott'd  :  <-Wrt  A'/iv/,  ('auan.     Orizahu  {wintft),  ti^vM.     YuaiUii),  Lawk. 

Sr.  CiiAH.  Third  and  I'onrth  ipiills  longest ;  second  and  fifth  little  shorter ;  first  nearly  equal 
to  the  sixth.  Tail  graduated.  lT]iper  ])arts"  uniform  olive-greon ;  under  parts,  including 
the  inside  of  wing,  gainlioge-ycllow  as  far  as  nearly  half-way  from  the  point  of  the  bill  to 
the  tip  of  the  tail;  rest  ol  under  i)arls  white,  tingcil  with  brown  on  the  sides;  the  outer 
side  of  the  tibiie  phnnbeons;  a  slight  tinge  of  orange  across  the  breast.  Forehead  and 
sides  of  the  head  ash,  the  lores  and  region  below  the  eye  blackish.  A  white  stripe  from 
the  nostrils  over  the  eye  and  involving  the  upper  eyelid  ;  a  patch  on  the  lower  lid,  and  a 
short  stripe  from  the  side  of  the  lower  mandible,  and  running  to  a  point  opposite  the  hinder 
border  of  the  eye,  white.  \\\\[  black;  feet  brown.  Female  like  the  male,  but  smaller; 
the  markings  indistinct;  the  lower  mandible  not  pure  black.  Length.  7.40;  wing,  3.25; 
tail,  .'i.aO.     Xest  in  thickets,  near  the  ground.     Eggs  white,  spotted  with  rcddi.sh. 

ILvii.  Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Arkansas;  rare  north  of  Pennsylvania;  south  to 
Eastern  Mexico  and  (Juatcmala.     Not  noticed  in  West  Indies. 

Both  sexes  in  winter  appiirently  have  the 
base  of  lower  mandible  light-colored,  tlie 
olive  more  brown,  the  sido.s  and  crissiim 
witli  a  strong  ocln-aceoiis  tinoe.  It  is  this 
plumage  that  has  l)een  recognized  as  I.  vc- 
Insqufzi. 

H.VHlTS.  The  Yellow-breasted  Chat  is 
Ibnnd  tliroughout  the  Eastern  United  States, 
from  '.ssaclnisetts  to  Florida,  and  as  i'ar  to 
the  WLst  as  Kort  liiley  and  Kastern  Kansas. 
Mr.  Say  nuit  with  it  among  the  Itocky  ^^olUl- 
tains  its  far  north  as  the  sources  of  tlie  Arkan- 
sas. It  is  not  very  rare  in  Massiicliusetts,  but 
a  few  breed  in  that  State  as  i'ar  north  as  Lyiui.  It  has  been  found  in  Mexico 
and  (iuatemala,  but  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  in  the  West  Indies. 

Probably  no  one  of  (»ur  birds  has  more  distinctly  marked  or  greater  pecu- 


Irtfria  virrns 


308  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

liiirities  of  voice,  inaniiors,  and  liahits  than  this  very  singular  bird.  It  is 
somewhat  tern'striai  in  its  life,  ti'U(|iienting  tangled  liiiekets  of  vines,  In-iers, 
and  brambles,  and  keeping  itself  very  carefully  concealed.  It  i.s  noisy  and 
vociferous,  constantly  changing  its  position  and  moving  from  place  to  place. 

It  is  not  abundant  north  of  I'enn.sylvania,  where  it  arrives  early  in  May 
and  leaves  the  last  of  August.  The  males  are  said  always  to  arrive  three  or 
four  days  before  their  mates. 

Tliis  s]tecies  is  described  by  Wilson  as  very  much  attached  to  certain 
localities  wliere  they  have  once  taken  up  their  residence,  a])])earing  very 
jealous,  and  offended  at  the  least  intrusion  They  scold  vehemently  at 
every  t)ne  who  a])i)roaches  or  even  passes  by  their  ])laces  of  I'etreat,  giving 
utterance  to  a  great  variety  of  odd  and  uncouth  soiuids.  AVilson  states  that 
these  sounds  may  be  easily  imitated,  so  as  to  deceive  the  bird  itself,  and  to 
draw  it  alter  one ;  the  bird  following  repeating  its  cries,  but  never  permit- 
ting itself  to  be  seen.  Such  responses  he  describes  as  con.stant  and  nijiid, 
and  strongly  expressive  both  of  anger  and  anxiety,  tlnnr  voice,  as  it  shifts, 
unseen,  from  place  to  place,  seeming  to  be  mcn-e  like  that  of  a  s]»irit  than  a 
bird.  These  sounds  Wilson  compares  to  the  whistling  of  the  wings  of  a 
duck,  being  re])etitions  of  short  notes,  beginning  louil  and  rapid,  and  fall- 
ing lower  and  lower.  Again  a  succession  of  other  notes,  said  to  closely 
resendjle  the  barking  of  young  pupjiies,  is  follovjd  by  a  variety  of  hollow, 
guttural  sounds,  each  eight  or  ten  times  repeated,  at  times  resembling  the 
mewing  of  a  cat,  only  hoarser,  —  all  of  these,  as  he  states,  uttered  with 
great  vehemence,  in  dill'erent  keys  and  with  jieculiar  modulations,  now  as  if 
at  a  considerable  distance,  and  the  next  moment  as  if  close  by  your  side  ; 
so  that,  l)y  these  tricks  of  ventrihxjuism,  one  is  utterly  at  a  loss  to  ascertain 
from  what  particular  ([uarter  they  ])roceed.  In  mild  weatlier  this  strange 
melody  of  sounds  is  kejjt  up  throughout  the  night  during  the  first  of  the 
pairing-season,  but  ceases  as  soon  as  incubation  commences. 

They  con.struct  their  nest  about  the  middle  of  May.  These  are  placed 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  ground,  in  the  midst  of  low  brambles,  vines,  and 
bu.shes,  generally  in  a  tangled  tliicket.  They  build  a  rude  but  strongly  woven 
nest,  the  outer  portions  more  loo.sely  made  of  dry  leaves ;  within  these  are 
interwoven  thin  strips  of  the  bark  of  the  wild  grape,  fibrous  roots,  and  fine 
dry  grasses. 

Tiie  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  usually  hatched  out  within  twelve 
day.s,  and  in  alxtut  as  many  more  the  young  are  ready  to  leave  their  nest. 

While  the  female  is  sitting,  and  still  more  after  the  young  are  hatched,  the 
cries  of  the  male  are  loud  and  incessant  whim  his  nest  is  a])proached.  He 
no  longer  seeks  to  conceal  hini.self,  lait  ri.ses  in  the  air,  his  legs  dangling  in  a 
peculiar  manner,  ascending  and  descending  in  sudden  jerks  that  betray  his 
great  irritation. 

Tlie  food  of  this  bird  consists  chiefly  of  beetles  and  other  in.sects,  and 
of  different  kinds  of  berries  and  small  fruit,  and  it  said  to  be  especially  fond 
of  wild  strawberries. 


SYLVTCOLl D.K  —  THE  WAHHLERS. 


309 


Audubon  states  tliat  in  their  migrations  tliey  niovt;  from  bu.sli  to  bu.sli  l)y 
day,  and  frequently  continue  their  march  by  niglit.  Their  flight  at  all  times 
is  short  and  irregular.  He  also  states  that  when  on  the  ground  they  stjuat 
jerk  their  tails,  sja-ing  on  their  legs,  and  are  ever  in  a  state  of  great  activ- 
ity. Although  the  existence  of  tiiis  bird  north  of  I'enn.sylvania  is  generally 
disputed,  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  has  always  been,  and  .still  i.s,  a  constant 
visitor  of  Massachusetts,  and  has  been  found  to  within  a  score  of  miles  of 
the  New  Hampshire  line.  Among  my  notes  1  find  tiiat  a  nest  was  found 
in  Brook-line,  in  1852,  by  Mr.  Theodore  hyman  ;.  in  Dauvers,  by  Mr.  J'.yron 
Goodale  ;  in  Lynn,  by  Messrs.  Vickary  and  Welch  ;  and  in  many  other  parts 
of  the  State.  It  certainly  breeds  as  far  south  as  <  Jeorgia  on  the  coast,  and 
ni  Louisiana  and  Texas  in  the  southwest.  On  the  I'acilic  coast  it  is  replaced 
by  the  long-tailed  variety,  lowjimuda. 

A  nest  of  this  species  from  Concord,  Mass.,  oljlained  by  Mr.  P..  V.  Maun 
and  now  in  the  collection  of  the  Boston  Xatuial  History  Scjciety,  has  a 
diameter  of  four  inches  and  a  height  of  three  and  a  half  The  cavity  has  a 
depth  of  two  and  a  quarter  inches,  and  is  two  and  a  half  wide.  This  is  built 
upon  a  base  of  coarse  skeleton  leaves,-and  is  made  of  coarse  sedges,  dried 
grasses,  and  stems  of  ])lants,  and  lined  with  long,  dry,  aud  wiry  stems  of 
plants,  resembling  pine-needles.  Another  from  I'omiret,  ("onn.,  obtained  by 
Mr.  Sessions,  is  a  much  larger  nest,  measuring  live  inches  in  diameter  and 
three  and  three  quarters  in  height.  The  cup  is  two  and  a  half  inches  deep 
by  three  in  width.  It  is  nuide  of  an  interweaving  of  leaves,"  l)ark  of  the 
grapevine,  aud  stems  of  plants,  anil  is  lined  with  fine,  long  wiry  stems  and 
pine-needles. 

Their  eggs  are  of  a  slightly  rouiuled  oval  shape,  vary  in  length  from  .8.5 
to  .95  of  an  inch,  and  in  breadth  irom  .05  to  .70.  Thev  have  a  white  ground 
with  a  very  slight  tinge  of  yellow,  aud  are  marked  with  reddish-brown  and 
a  few  fainter  purplish  and  lilac  spots. 


Icteria  virens,  var.  longicauda,  Lawk 

LONG-TAILED  CHAT. 

Mcria  hngkamla,  Lawrmn,-,.;,  Ann.  N.  V.  Iav.  VI,  .April,  is.l.'t,  4.  -  Baiup  ninls  N 
An>.  1858,  24!),  pi.  .v.x.viv,  lis.  •-' ;  Uov.  2;iO.  -  .Srr.ATi-.ii,  Catal.  42,  no  2.-;:!  ^FiN.ri,' 
Abh.  Nat.  Hirm.  1870,  xn  (.Mnzatlan).  ^Cnon,,,,  (),„.  Cal.  I,  l,s7(.,  !.,s  >  Mn-ia 
a\irkollis{lAv\vv.  Mus.  liciH,  Mun.  Consp.  ]sr,(i,  ;t:n. 

Sp.  Char.  Similar  to  vur.  vim,.^.  F„M.th  .piill  1,„  ,.vst  ;  thjnl  an<l  lilth  short,-;  Irst 
-shorter  than  tho  ..ovonth.  .Vhovc  asli-color,  liiij;...!  with  oliv  oi,  tiio  hack  ami  neck  •  tiio 
outer  .surface  of  th<.  wiu-s  ami  tail  olive.  Th..  un.lcr  |.,nts  a.s  far  as  the  M.i,|,il.-  .if  the  hellv 
l.nght  fra.nhofro-yellow,  witli  .•,  tin-e  oCoran^v  ;  Ihe  rcnaliiiiin-  portions  white  The  ^nu^l 
ciliary  ami  maxillary  white  ..tripes  exteml  some  .listamv  hcliiml  tin-  eye.  Outer  e<lf,'o  of 
the  fust  primary  white.     Leiifrtli.  7  inches:   wim.s  ;!.'_>0  ;  tail.  :!.70. 

Youug  (8,841,  boup  Fork  of  I'latle,  August  :> ;  F.  V.  IIay,l,'.n).'     Ahove  liglit  grayish- 


310  NORTH  AMERICAN  "BIRDS. 

brown  ;  hencath  yollow  on  antoiior  half  as  in  adult,  l)tit  yellow  loss  pure;  rest  of  under 
parts  (exeept  abdomen)  oelirareous  ;  markings  on  head  obsolete,  llio  eyelids  oidy  being 
distinctly  white. 

IIao.  Western  and  Middle  Provinces  of  I'nited  States,  east  to  Missouri  River  and 
Texas;  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  Western  Mexico. 

The  iiio.st  tangible  diilerenco  between  tliis  bird  and  typical  vircns  con- 
sists in  the  longer  tail.  In  addition,  the  njiper  ]>luniage  is  grayish,  with 
h""  Uy  any  olive  tinge,  and  the  white  maxillary  stripe  extends  I'artlier  back  ; 
tlie  bill  is  not  so  deep  as  that  of  the  Eastern  bird.  All  these  difl'erences, 
however,  are  in  strict  accordance  witli  various  laws ;  the  more  grayisli  cast 
of  plnmage  is  Mhat  we  should  expect  in  birds  from  the  ^liddle  Province, 
while  the  restriction  of  the  yellow  from  the  maxilhr  we  see  also  in  Western 
specimens  of  Heiminthophaua  rttJicdpiIJa  ;  the  longer  tail,  also,  is  a  well- 
known  characteristic  of  Western  birds,  as  distinguished  from  Eastern  of  the 
same  species. 

Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  taking  into  consideration  the  absolute  iden- 
tity of  their  habits  and  notes,  we  can  only  consider  the  /.  lon(jirai(da  and 
/.  viriiis  as  restricted,  as  being  merely  geographical  races  of  one  species. 

This  variety,  as  well  as  the  Eastern,  has  in  autumn  and  winter  a  slightly 
different  plumage.  A  pair  (53,048  $ ,  and  '>'.'t,''A7  9 ,  West  Huml)oldt  Moun- 
tains, Nevada)  obtained  .Septeml)er  4  differ  in  the  following  respects  from 
spring  adults  :  the  ujjper  plumage  is  decidedly  In'own,  with  even  a  russet 
tinge,  —  not  gray,  witli  a  greenish  wash  ;  the  lores  are  less  ]>iu-ely  black,  and 
the  sides  and  crissuni  are  deep  cream-color,  instead  of  pure  white  ;  the  I'emale 
has  a  shade  of  olive  across  the  jugulum  ;  both  male  and  female  have  the 
lower  mandible  almost  wholly  white,  and  the  commissure  broadly  edged  with 
the  same. 

Xo.  .■W,402  (J,  'aramie  Peak,  June,  Juis  the  throat  and  jugulum  strongly 
stained  with  deep  cadmium-orange. 

Habits.  The  AVestern  or  Long-tailed  Chat  lias  an  exclusively  Western  dis- 
tribution, and  has  been  found  from  Mexico  and  Cape  St.  Lucas  to  Oregon,  on 
the  Pacific  ■  oast,  and  as  tar  to  the  east  as  tlie  Ui)])er  Missouri. 

According  j)  Dr.  Cooper,  tliese  birds  a]»pear  in  San  Diego  and  at  Fort 
Mojave  in  the  latter  jiart  of  A])ri].  They  are  said  to  inhabit  chiefly  tiie 
warmer  valleys  near  streams  and  marshes,  rarely  on  the  coast.  At  Fort  Mo- 
jaAe,  Dr.  Cooper  fouiul  a  nest  of  this  bird  May  1!>,  btiilt  in  a  dense  thicket  of 
.ilgarobia.  It  contaiiuul  three  eggs,  and  one  of  the  Miiiotliru^.  The  nest  was 
built  of  slender  green  twigs  and  leaves,  liiied  witii  grass  and  hair.  The  eggs 
were  white,  sjn-inkled  with  ciniiiimon,  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  ring  near 
the  larger  end,  and  measured  .T.")  by  .(!4  of  an  incli. 

These  nests  were  usually  very  closely  concealeil,  but  one  that  he  found  at 
Santa  Cruz,  near  the  coast,  was  in  a  very  ojjen  sitimtion,  only  two  feet  above 
the  ground.  When  the  nest  is  a]iproac]ied,  tiie  old  birds  are  very  bold,  keep- 
ing u])  a  constant  scolding,  and  almost  flying  in  the  lace  of  an  intruder.     At 


SYLVICOLID.E  — THE  WARBLERS.  ^n 

other  times  they  are  very  sliy.  Tlie  notes  ami  sounds  uttered  by  the  West- 
ern bird  J)r  Cooper  states  to  be  the  same  as  those  of  the  Eastern  species, 
anil  witii  the  same  grotesqueness.  They  leave  the  State  of  California  on  or 
bei'ore  the  first  of  September. 

Dr.  Gambel  states  that  tiie  Chat  appears  in  California  about  the  middle  of 
April,  resorting  to  the  hedges,  vineyards,  and  bushy  portions  of  gardens  to 
breed. 

Mr.  Xantus  found  a  nest  of  this  bird  (S.  I.,  89(i)  at  Fort  Tejon,  California, 
in  May.  It  is  a  very  symmetrical  and  exactly  circular  nest,  six  inches  wide 
and  three  in  height.  Tlie  cavity  has  a  diameter  of  three  inches  at  the  brim, 
and  a  depth  of  two.  It  is  built  of  soft  strips  of  bark,  large  stems,  and 
brandies  of  dry  plants,  leaves,  twigs,  and  other  vegetable  substances.  Tiiese 
are  very  neatly  and  compactly  iuterwo\en.  The  nest  is  elaborately  lined  with 
finer  stems  and  flexible  grasses.  Another  nest  (S.  I.,  181G),  obtained  at  Xeo- 
sho  Falls,  Kansas,  by  Mr.  B.  F.  Goss,  is  of  irregular  shape.  Its  height  is  four 
inches,  and  its  diameter  varies  from  tliree  and  three  quarters  to  five  inches. 
It  was  built  in  a  depression  in  tlie  grouml,  and  its  shape  adapted  to  its  loca- 
tion. The  base  is  conipo.sed  entirely  of  leaves,  impacted  when  in  a  moist  and 
decaying  condition.  Witliin  these  is  interwoven  a  strong  basket-like  struc- 
ture, made  of  long  and  slender  stems,  strips  of  bark,  and  fine  rootlets,  lined 
witli  finer  grasses  and  stems  of  plants. 

A  nest  of  this  species  from  Sacramento  is  composed,  externally,  of  fine 
strips  of  inner  bark  of  tlie  grape  and  of  deciduous  trees,  coarse  straws,  stems 
of  plants,  twigs,  and  dried  remains  of  weed.s,  etc.  It  is  lined  with  finer 
stems  and  long  wiry  roots,  resembling  hair.  Tliis  nest  has  a  diameter  of  four 
inches  and  a  height  of  three.  The  cavity  has  a  diameter  of  three  inches  at 
tiie  rim,  and  a  depth  of  two. 

In  regard  to  tliis  variety.fllr.  Ridgway  writes  :  •'♦  In  no  ^respect  that  I  could 
discover  does  this  Western  bird  diHer  from  tlie  Eastern  in  habits,  manners, 
or  notes.     Tlie  nesting-liabits  arcs  exactly  the  same." 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are,  for  the  most  jjart,  larger  tlian  are  those  of  tlie 
vircns.  They  vary  in  length  from  .95  to  l.Ol)  of  an  inch,  and  have  an  aver- 
age breadth  of  .70  of  an  inch.  Their  markings  do  not  differ  essentially  in 
shadings  from  those  of  the  common  species. 


Subfamily  SET OPH AGIN JE. 

GEV.CnAR.  Sylvinolino  hirtlswitl.  the  ol.aractors  ..f-Flvcatdiors;  the  bill  notrlicrl  at 
tip,  depres.scd  and  bma.l  at  the  base,  tho,,.],  quite  .leep ;  the  rielns  with  well-.leveloped 
bristle.,  reaolun-  beyon.l  tl„.  nostril..,  .sometimes  to  the  end  of  the  bill.  First  quill  rather 
e....  than  the  (;,urth,  or  still  shorter.  Si.e  of  the  species  rarely  exceeding  six  inohes. 
Colors  red,  yellow,  and  olive. 

The  species  of  this  section  resemble  the  small  Flycatchers  of  the  family 


312  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

TyrnnnidcB  in  the  structure  of  the  bill,  etc.,  and  in  the  habit  of  capturing 
insects  more  or  less  on  the  winj,',  though  they  are  more  restless  in  their 
movements,  seeking  their  jM-ey  among  ti(;es  or  in  bushes,  rapidly  changing 
their  place,  instuad  of  occupying  a  perch  and  returning  to  it  after  pursuing 
an  insect  through  the  air.  The  yellow  or  orange  crown  found  in  many  spe- 
cies also  can-ies  out  the  analogy  ;  but  the  sti'ctly  Oschie  characters  of  the 
tarsal  scutelliu  and  the  nine  primaries  will  serve  to  distinguish  them. 

The  Settqjhaghm  have  their  greatest  development  in  Middle  and  South 
America,  no  less  than  nine  genera  and  subgenera  being  on  record,  of  which 
only  two  extend  into  the  United  States.  Of  one  of  these,  Sctojjhaf/n,  we 
have  only  a  single  species  of  the  many  described ;  the  other,  Mijiodiodes, 
has  no  members  other  than  those  found  in  the  United  States. 

The  following  diagnosis  is  prepared  to  distinguish  our  genera  from  the 
South  American  :  — 

A.  "Wings  pointed  ,  the  fir.st quill  lonjrer  than  the  fifth;  the  third  as  long  a.s  or 
longer  than  the  fourth.  Tail  nearly  even,  or  slightly  rounded  (the  difl'ercnce  of  the 
leathers  less  than  .20) ;  the  feathers  broad  and  firm  ;  the  outer  webs  of  e.xterior 
leathers  narrow  at  base,  but  widening  to  nearly  double  the  width  near  the  end. 

1.  Bill  from  gape  nearly  as  long  as  .skull,  broad  at  base  and  much  depressed; 
rictal  bristles  reaching  half-way  from  nostrils  to  tip.  Culmen  and  commi.s- 
sne  nearly  straight.  Wings  equal  to  the  tail.  Tarsi  long;  toes  short;  mid- 
dle too  without  claw,  about  half  the  tarsus Setophw/a. 

2.  Bill  from  gape  nearly  as  long  as  skull,  broad  at  base,  but  deep  and  more 
sylvicoline  ;  rictal  bristles  reaching  but  little  beyond  nostrils.    Culmen  and 
conunissure  straight  to  the  tip.     Wings  longer  than  the  almost  even  tail. 
Middle  toe  without  claw,  three;  fifths  the  tarsus  ....         Mijiodioclvs. 
',).  Bill  from  gape  much  shorter  than  head,  wide  at  base,  but  compressed 

and  high  ;  the  culmen  and  commissure  much  curved  from  base,  scarcely 

notchei;  at  tiii;  rictaj  bristles  ri  inching  nearly  Ualf-way  from  n(*»rils  rfp  tip.  ♦ 

Wings  about  equal  to  the  almost  even  tail.     Middle  toe  without  (.'law,  about 

three  fifths  the  rather  short  tarsus CanlelUna. 

B.  Wings  rounded  ;  the  first  (|uill  shortci-  than  in  the  preceding  section  ;  alwa3-s 
less  than  the  fifth.     South  American  genera." 

Se\eral  species  of  ScfojiJuif/iiw  have,  on  not  very  well  established  grounds, 
been  assigned  to  the  southern  borders  of  the  United  States.  They  are  as 
i'ellows :  — 

CardelUna  rubra,  B.uiin,  Rev.  Am.  Birds,  ISfi').  204.  (Sefophaga  rxhrn,  Pwainsox.) 
PiiiKx  kiicfifi.i,  (iiRAVU,  Birds  Texas.  Ilnb.  Mexico.  Rich  carmine-red.  Wing  and 
tail-feathers  brown.     Ear-coverts  silvery  white.     Length,  4.70  ;  wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.55. 

Basileuterus  culicivoruB,  Baihd,  Rev.  Am.  Birds,  180.5,  24G.  (Sylria  culicivora, 
LicuT.)  J/H.sr(V((^w  ft/wsiV,/,  flntAtM),  Texas  Birds.  ITah.  Southern  Mexico  ;  Guatemala 
and  Costa  Rica.  Top  of  head  with  two  black  stripes  enclosing  a  median  of  yellow. 
Back  olivaceous- asli.  Beneath  entirely  yellow.  No  rufous  on  side  of  head.  Length, 
4.00;  wing,  2.40;  tail,  2.25. 

>  Genera  Jhiiohnniii,  Eidlili/pis,  Myiolhli/pis,  Basileuterus,  Idiutes,  and  Ergaticus.  All  Middle 
and  South  Amoriea. 


SYLVrCOLID^E  —  THE  WAKBLEUS. 


313 


BasUeuteruB  beUi,  Baird,  Rev.  Am.  Birds,  1805,  247.  Afxxricpa  belli,  GiiiAun,  Texas 
Birds.  IJuh.  Mexico  tilid  Omiteinala.  Top  of  lieml  and  fact"  eliestnut.  A  yellow  .super- 
ciliary stripe  bordered  above  by  dusky.  Back  olive ;  beneath  yellow.  LeiiKtli  '>  Ul  • 
wing,  2.28;  tail,  2.oO. 

(jfE.Nus   M7IODIOCTES,   Aud. 

Myindioctcs,  Arm-noN,  Synopsis,  1839,  48.     (Type,  Mutucilla  mitrata,  Gm.)  -  I5aihi>   Birds 

N.  Am.  1838,  291. 
WiUonia,  IJoxap.  List.  1838  (prcoccupiiMl  in  botany). 
Milioctonus,  C'AliA.Nis,  xMus.  Hcin.  1850,  18.     (Type,  Mntncilla  inilmta.) 
Gen.  Char.     Bill  broad,  depressed ;   the  lateral  outlines  a  little  concave ;  tlio  bristles 
reaching  not   quite   hall-way   from    nostrils   to  tip. 
Cuhiien  and  conunissuro  nearly  straight  to  near  the 
tip.     Nostrils  oval,  with  membrane  above.      Win"s 
pointed,   rather  longer   than    tlie    nearly  even   but 
shghtly   rounded    tail;    first  quill   shorter   than   the 
fourth,  much  longer  than  the  liftli ;   the  second  and 
third  quills  longest.      Tarsi    rather  lengthened,  the 
.soutellar  divisions  rather  indistinct;    the  middle  toe 
without  claw,  about  three  fifths  the  tarsus. 


Mi/iotliortt's  mitratits. 


Tliis  genus  is  distingui.slied  from  Sctojihiu/a 
mainly  by  stouter  feet  and  longer  toes ;  sliort- 
er  and  more  even  tail,  narrower  bill,  etc.  The  species  are  decidedly  mns- 
cicajiine  in  general  appearance,  as  sho\\-n  by  the  depressed  bill  witli  bristly 
rictus.  Tlie  type  M.  mitratus  is  very  similar  in  character  of  bill  to  Dcn- 
droiai  caManca,  but  the  wings  are  much  shorter ;  the  tail  longer  and  more 
graduated  ;  the  legs  and  hind  toe  longer,  and  the  first  primary  siiorter  than 
the  fourth  (.15  of  an  inch  less  than  the  longest),  not  almost  e(pial  to  tlie 
longest.  The* species  ♦aJe  plain  Oiive  or  plumbeous  above,  and  yellow  be- 
neath.    Tliey  may  be  grouped  as  follows  :  — 

A.  Tail  with  white  patches  on  the  inner  feathers. 

1.  M.  mitratus.  Head  and  neck  black.  Front,  cheeki?,  and  under  parts 
yellow.  Back  olive-green.  Ilab.  Eastern  Province  of  United  States,  south 
to  Panama  and  West  Indies. 

2.  M.  minutus.  Olive  above ;  yellowish  beneath.  Two  white  b.ands  on 
the  wings,     ffab.  Eastern  United  States. 

B.  Tail  without  white  patch  on  the  outer  feathers. 

3.  M.  pusiUus.  Crown  black.  Forehcnul,  cheeks,  and  under  parts  yellow. 
Back  olive. 

Yellow  of  foreh(>ad  without  an  orange  tinge ;  upper  parts  dull  olive- 
green  ;  pileum  with  very  dull  steel-blue  lustre.  Ilah.  Eastern  Province 
and  Rocky  Mountains  of  North  America,  south  to  Costa  Rica.     var.  p  ii  s illn s . 

Yellow  of  forehead  with  an  orange  ca,st ;  upper  i)arts  bright  yellowish- 
green  ;  pilemn  with  a  bright  steel-blue  lustre.  Ifab.  Pacilic  Province 
of  North  America,  from  Sitka  to  Costa  Rica       .         .         .         var.  pileolut  <i 

4.  M.  canadensis.  Streaks  on  the  crown,  strijjes  on  sides  of  head  and 
neck,  with  pectoral  collar  of  streaks,  black.  Rest  of  under  parts,  and  line 
to  and  around  the  eye,  yellow.  Back  blui.sh.  Hob.  Eastern  Province  of 
United  States,  south  to  Ecuador. 

40 


314 


NORTH  AilEHICAN  UlRDS. 


Myiodioctes  mitratus,  Aud. 

HOODED  WABBLEB. 

MolaciUii  mifrii/ii,  Omkltn,  S.  N.  I,  17H8,  'JDJi.  i>!jh-io  in.  Laih.  ;  VlF.ilx.  ;  Ron.  ;  Nrrr.  ; 
Ari).  Oni,  liiof,'.  II,  pi.  ex.  Si/lficalu  m.  Max.  Sijli-iinin  m.  Nitiam.,  Mini.  I,  1840, 
'M'i.  tiiiojihiimi  III.  J\\u>.  U'ihiiiiia  III.  Wis.  ISys.  —  Ai.I.K.n,  I'r.  K.s.scx  lii.st.  18(14. 
MyiMlimlin  III.  Ari).  Syii.  183!),  48.  —  In.  ISinl.s  Am.  II,  [il.  l.\.\i.  —  Scm.atki!,  V.  Z.  W. 
1850,  2itl  (Cordova)  ;  1858,  a;i8  (Iloinima.^).  —  Baiuii,  lUnls  N.  Am.  18,'>8,  292  ;  Ki'V. 
230.  —  .loNKs,  Nut.  Hfiimula,  18;')!),  2ti  (March).  —  S(1..\tk1!  k  Sai.vix,  ll.is,  18j<i,  11 
((iiiati'iiinhO.  —  Lawkknck,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  Vlll,  03  (I'anama  U.  ]{.).  — (!i'si(t,A(ii, 
C'al).  Jour.  18fil,  320  (Culia).  — Samtki-s,  24.'i.  Mijwcliniiis  m.  Caii.  Mus.  Hciii.  18.'>1. 
—  111.  .iDnr.  OiM.  HI,  185,"),  472  (Cuba).  Miisciciijin  lUculltiUi,  Wii..so.\,  III,  jil.  .\.\vi, 
fig.  3.     Musciaiiiii  srlhiji,  AuD.  Oin.  Hiog.  I,  jil.  i.\. 

pp.  CiiAH.  Mule.  J5ill  black  ;  ft'ct  [lale  yullow.  Head  and  nock  all  round  and  forepart 
of  the  breast  black.  A  broad  patch  on  tiie  Iniehead  e.vtcndiiii,'  roniul  on  the  entire  clieeks 
and  ear-coverts,  wit!)  the  under  parts,  brij,'l.t  yellow.  T'lijier  parts  and  sides  of  the  body 
olive-frreen.     Greater  portion  of  inner  web  of  outer  three  tail-feathers  white. 

Feniii/e  similar,  but  without  the  black  ;  the  '"dwn  like  the  bac.'k  ;  the  forehead  yellow- 
ish ;  the  sides  of  the  head  yellow,  tinged  with  o.ivc  on  tlic  lores  and  ear-coverts.  Throat 
bright  yellow. 

Length,  o.OO ;  wing,  2.7') ;  tail,  S-f);").     (Skin.) 

Had.  Eastern  Province  of  ITiiitccl  States,  ratliiM"  southern  ;  Bermuda;  Cuba;  Jamaica; 
Eastern  Mexico;  iloiidiiras  and  Guatemala  to  Panama  It,  U.  Orizaba  (autmnn,  Su.mi- 
ciikast)  ;  Yucatan  (Lawuk.nck). 

A  young  male  in  second  year  (2,245,  Carlisle,  I'enn.,  May)  i.s  similar  to 
the  femiile,  but  the  hood  is  sharply  deliued  anteriorly,  though  only  bordered 
with  black,  the  olive-green  reaching  forward  almost  to  the  yellow  ;  there  are 
only  very  slight  indications  of  black  ort  the  throat.  Apjiarently  tiie  male  of 
tliis  species  does  not  attain  the  full  plumage  until  at  least  the  third  year,  as 
is  the  case  with  Setophac/a  rnfici/fn. 

Habits.  Tliis  beautiful  and  singularly  marked  Warbler  is  a  Southern  spe- 
cies, tlioiigh  not  exclusively  so.  It  is 
more  abundant  in  Houtli  Carolina  than 
any  other  State,  so  far  as  I  am  aware. 
It  is,  however,  found  as  iar  to  tlu;  north 
as  Northern  New  .Jersey  aud  l*enn.syl- 
vania,  and  Southern  New  York,  and, 
farther  west,  as  far  north  as  the  shores 
of  Lake  Erie.  It  has  also  been  found  in 
Bernuidii,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  Eastern  Mexi- 
co, Honduras,  and  tluatemala.  Through- 
out Central  America  it  appears  to  be  abundant  during  the  winter. 

Mr.  Audubon  also  states  tliat  it  abounds  in  Louisiana  and  along  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi  and  the  Ohio.  It  occurs  on  the  Hudson  to  some  distance 
above  New  York.  It  apjiears  from  the  South  early  in  jNfarch,  and  has  young 
already  hatched,  in  Louisiana,  early  in  May. 


Mf/iodiorti  s  pufiillus. 


SYLVKJOLID.K  -THE  WAUHLKIJS.  315 

It  is  said  to  he  one  of  thu  liveliest  of  its  trilie,  iui(i  to  Ih;  ulninst  euiistiintly 
in  inotiun.  It  is  roml  of  sceliuled  places,  and  is  e([iially  eoiuiuon  in  the  tliiek 
canebrakcs,  both  of  the  hij^h  and  the  low  lands,  and  in  tiie  tani;led  under- 
growth of  impenetralde  swani])s.  It  has  a  peculiarly  j^'racu'ful  manner  of 
closing  and  opening  its  liroad  tail,  tiiat  at  once  distinguishes  it  from  every 
other  bird,  as  it  gamliols  from  tree  to  tree,  now  in  sight,  and  now  hid  from 
the  eye,  but  ever  witiiin  hearing. 

Mr.  Audubon  adds  that  its  call-note  so  closely  resembles  that  of  the 
Sjtiza  ririn  that  it  re(|uire3  a  pmctised  ear  to  distinguish  them.  Jjut  its  song 
is  very  diH'erent.  This  consists  of  three  notes,  and  is  loud,  lively,  and  pleas- 
ing. This  song  is  said  to  be  made  of  sounds  resembling  the  syllables  inrf, 
nrct,  nrctee.  E.xtremely  vocal  in  the  early  spring,  it  Ijccomes  nearly  silent 
as  soon  as  its  brood  is  hatched.  It  resumes  its  song  when  its  mate  is  again 
sitting  on  her  eggs,  as  they  have  more  than  one  brdnd  in  a  season. 

They  are  described  as  expert  flycatchers,  i'uU  of  activity  and  spirit,  flying 
swiftly  after  their  insect  prey,  and  catching  the  greater  part  on  the  wing. 
Their  flight  is  low,  gliding,  and  often  ]ir()tracted. 

]\Ir.  Bachman  narrates  a  striking  instance  of  its  courage  and  conjugal  devo- 
tion. While  a  pair  of  these  Warblers  wei-e  constructing  a  nest,  a  Sharp- 
shinned  Hawk  ])ounced  upon  and  bore  ofl'  the  female.  Tlie  male  followed 
close  after  the  Hawk,  (lying  within  a  few  inches  and  darting  at  him  in  all 
directions,  and  so  continued  until  quite  out  of  sight. 

Wilson  states  that  it  builds  a  very  neat  and  compact  nest,  generally  in  the 
fork  of  a  small  bush.  It  is  formed  of  moss  and  flaxen  filires  of  jdants,  and 
lined  with  hair  or  feathers.  The  eggs,  five  in  number,  he  describes  as  of  a 
grayish-white,  with  red  spots  at  the  larger  end.  He  noticed  its  arrival  at 
Savannah  as  early  as  the  2()lh  of  March.  Mr.  Audubon  adds  that  these 
nests  are  always  placed  in  low  situations,  a  few  feet  from  the  ground. 

The  late  Dr.  (Jerhardt,  of  Varnell's  Station,  Georgia,  informed  me,  by  let- 
ter, that  the  Hooded  Warbler  deposits  her  eggs  about  the  middle  of  May, 
laying  four.  The  nest  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  Spiza  ri/anai,  but  is  larger. 
It  is  constructed  of  dry  leaves  and  coarse  grass  on  the  outside,  and  within 
of  dry  pine-needles,  interwoven  with  long  yellow  grasses  and  sometimes  with 
horsehair.  They  are  built,  for  the  most  part,  in  the  neighborhood  of  brooks 
and  creeks,  in  oak  bushes,  four  or  five  feet  from  the  ground.  The  female 
sits  so  closely,  and  is  so  tearless,  that  Dr.  Gerhardt  states  he  has  sometimes 
nearly  caught  her  in  his  hand. 

In  another  letter  Dr.  Oerhardt  describes  a  nest  of  this  species  as  measur- 
ing three  inches  in  height,  three  in  external  diameter,  and  an  inch  and  a 
([uarter  in  the  depth  of  its  cavity.  Externally  it  was  built  of  dry  leaves  and 
coarse  grasses,  lined  inside  with  hor.sehair,  fine  leaves  of  j)ine,  and  dry  slender 
grasses.  It  was  constructed  on  a  small  oak  growing  in  low  bottom-land,  and 
was  three  feet  from  tiie  ground.     The  complement  of  eggs  is  four. 

Mr.  liidgway  states  that  this  s})ecies  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  the 


316  NORTH  AMERICAN  UlRDB. 

bottoni-lamls  along  the  Lower  Wabash,  in  Soiitlieru  Illinois,  inhabiting  the 
caiie-brai\os  anil  tiie  margins  oC  bushy  swamps. 

The  I'ggs  of  this  \Varl)lur  are  oval  in  H]ia])e,  with  one  end  quite  pointed. 
They  measure  .7U  by  .50  of  an  ineli.  Their  ground-color  is  a  beautiful  briglit 
white,  when  the  egg  is  fresh,  strongly  tinged  with  Hesh-color.  The  spots  are 
of  a  fine  red,  with  a  few  markings  of  a  subdued  purple. 


Msriodioctes  minutus,  liAma 

SHAIL-HEASED  FLYCATCHEB. 

Mimeienpa  minuta,  Wilson,  Am.  Oni.  VI,  1812,  02,  pi.  1,  fig.  5.  — AuD.  Oin.  Biog.  V,  pi. 
cci'c.xx.xiv,  lig.  3.  —  111,  Biitls  Am.  I,  pi.  Ixvii.  Si/h-ia  ■miiiiiln,  Hon.  in/miiiu  m. 
Bon.  List,  1S38.  Afi/iotliuctcs  minutus,  Baiud,  Hev.  Am.  Birds,  1864,  241.  Sylvania 
2)umiliii,  Nuir.  Miin.  I,  1840,  334. 

Sp.  Char.  Wings  short,  tlio  second  qnills  lonjrcst.  Tail  of  modorato  len<Tth,  even. 
General  color  of  upper  parts  light  green ish-hrown  ;  wings  and  tail  dark  olivo-brown,  the 
outer  leathers  of  the  latter  with  a  terminal  white  spot  on  the  inner  web;  a  narrow  white 
ring  surrounding  the  eye;  two  bands  of  dull  white  on  the  wings;  sides  of  the  head  and 
neck  greenish-yellow  ;  the  rest  of  the  lower  parts  jiale  yellow,  grudnally  fading  into  white 
behind.     Male,  ")  inches  long;  extent,  8.25  inclies. 

Had.     Eastern  United  States. 

Habits.  All  that  is  known  in  regard  to  this  species  we  receive  from 
Wilson  and  Audubon,  and  there  is  a  decided  (li.screpancy  in  their  several 
statements.  Wilson  s:ate9  that  his  figure  was  taken  from  a  young  male 
shot  on  the  24tb  of  April,  but  in  what  locality  he  does  not  mention.  He 
adds  that  he  afterwards  shot  .several  individuals  in  various  parts  of  New 
Jersey,  particularly  in  swamps.  He  found  these  in  June,  and  has  no  doubt 
they  breed  there. 

Auduljon  claims  that  Wilson's  drawing  was  a  cojiy  from  liis  own  of  a  bird 
shot  by  him  ni  Kentucky  on  the  margin  of  a  pond.  He  tin-ows  a  doubt  as 
to  the  correctness  of  W^ilson's  statement  that  they  have  been  found  in  New 
Jersey,  as  no  one  else  lias  ever  met  with  any  there.  That  may  be,  however, 
and  Wilson's  statement  yet  be  correct.  The  same  iirgument  carried  out  would 
reject  the  very  existence  of  the  bird  itself,  as  no  well-authenticated  records 
of  its  occurrence  since  then  can  l)e  found.  They  are  at  least  too  doubtful 
to  be  received  as  unquestionable  until  the  genuine  bird  can  be  i)roduced.  Mr. 
Nuttall,  it  is  true,  states  that  ^Ir.  Charles  I'icke  lag  obtained  a  specimen  of 
this  bird  many  years  ago,  near  Salem,  Mass.,  and  that  lie  had  himself  also 
seen  it  in  the  same  State,  at  the  approach  of  winter.  In  the  fall  of  1830, 
Avhen  the  writer  resided  in  IJo.xbury,  a  cat  caught  and  brought  into  the 
house  ii  small  Flycatcher,  which  was  supposed  to  l)e  of  this  species.  It  was 
given  to  INIr.  Audubon,  who  assented  to  its  correct  identification,  but  after- 
wards made  no  mention  of  it.  The  presumption,  therefore,  is  that  we  may 
have  been  mistaken. 


SYLVICOLIDJ-:  — THE  WARBMiUa  31  it 

In  reganl  to  its  luil.its,  Wils..n  roinvsciils  it  as  "  ronmrkably  activo,  nm- 
niug.cliiubinjr.  and  darting  abuiit  among  iho  (.i.cning  bnds  and  blossoi.is'with 
extraordinary  agility."  Audubon  states  that  in  its  habits  it  is  closely  allied 
with  tiie  iniHilhi,  and  the  niilmlm,  being  fond  of  low  tliiek  coverts  in  swamps 
and  by  the  margin  of  1.00k  He  also  attributes  to  it  a  song  of  ratiier  pleas- 
mg  notes,  enunciated  at  regular  intervals,  loud  enougii  to  bo  lieard  at  the  dis- 
tance of  sixty  yards.  These  i)eculiarities  seem  to  separate  it  from  the  true 
Flycatchers  and  to  jJace  it  among  the  Warblers. 


Myiodioctes  pusillus,  IJoxap. 

OBEER  BLACK-CAFFEO  FLTCATCHEB. 

misckapapnsilh,  W....s.,n,  Am.  Orn.  Ill,  1811,  103,  pi.  xxvi,  tig.  4.  irif,,nna  jn,..  liov 
hylvanm  ims.  Xirr.  Mi/iodinvtes  pus.  Bon.  Coiisp.  1850.  31,'i. -Sci  viir  1'  Z  .S 
1850  2!)Hror,lovn) ;  1858,  2!m  (Oa.xaca  Mt.s.  ;  Due.);  1859,  303  (Xah.m)  ;  373.'- l'„' 
(atal.  1801,  34,  no.  203.  _  IUhm.,  liii.ls  N.  An..  1858,  293  (i,.  pa.-t) ;  l£ev.  240  (i„ 
l.art)^-Sr.  A-n^i;  &  .Sai.vi.n,  Ibi.s,  185!.,  11  ((!uato,..aIa).  -Sa.vi-kls,  21(i.  M,,iuel.„n,, 
mis.  (  Ai..  M.  H.  l,s.-,l.  18.  -  In.  Jou.'.  18(10,  325  (Costa  Itica).  Salvia  wihoni,  H„v  • 
mrrr  Mu.cic.,,,„  wihnni,  Auu.  On..  Biog.  II,  ,,I.  cxxiv.  Sctophuya  wilsoni,  Ja.m.' 
^rtl'odioct^s  mlsoui.  Auu.  Birds  Am.  II,  pi.  Ixxv.  Hylvia  pctu,„Ues.  L.cur.  P.eis- 
V  orz,  looO. 

Sp.  C..AH.  ForolM.a.l,  li.ie  ovr  an.l  aron.,,1  tl.u  oy.,-,  and  imder  parts  penorallv,  l.ngl.t 
yvlUnv.  L,,p,.,.  pa.-t  oLvu-jriv..,,  ;  u  scp.a.e  pafl.  on  the  crown  lustrou.s-black.  Si.kvs  ol' 
.oWy  and  ..hook,,  th.god  with  oHvc.  No  whi,..  on  wing.,  o,-  tail.  Fonudo  .si,..ila,-  the 
black  of  the  c-own  roplaccl  by  olivo-gica....     Length,  4.75 ;  wi„,^  2.25  ;  tail,  2.;J0. 

1  A...  Ea..k.,„  po.-t>o.,s  of  United  Rtates,  west  to  the  Snake  and  Ilnn.l.oldt  Rive.-.s  • 
no,tl.  to  Ala.ska,  south  through  Ea.te.-n  Mexico  and  Guatemala  to  Costa  llica ;  Chirioui 

(OALVIN^.  * 

Habits.     Wils<jn's  llkick-Cap  is  found  throughout  the  United  States  from 

ocean  to  ocean,  an.l  as  far  to  the  north  as  Alaska  and  the  Arctic  shores 

where,  however,  it  is  not  common.     Mr.  Dall  shot  a  s,.ecimen,  May  30,  on  the 

\  ukon  Kiver,  where  it  was  breeding.    lAfr.  Tischoff'  obtained  others  with  nests 

and  eggs  at  Sitka,  and  afterwards  found  it  more  abundant  at  Kodiak     On  the 

I  acihc  coast  Dr.  Suckley  found  it  very  abundant  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 

Stedacoom,  where  it  fre.iuented  thickets  and  small  scrub-oak  groves  in  its 

habits  resembling  the  Hdminthoplnuja  cclaU,,  Hitting  about  am<.ng  the  dense 

foliage  of  bushes  and  low  trees  in  a  busy,  restless  manner.     He  describes  its 

cry  as  a  short  cldt-rhnt  call.     In  (■alif<.rnia,  Dr.  Cooper  notes  their  iirst  arrival 

etirly  in  May,  and  states  that  they  migrate  along  the  coast,  up  at  least  to 

the  Straits  of  Fuca.     At  Santa  Cruz  he  noted  their  arrival,  in  180G,  about 

the  20th  of  April.     They  were  then  gathering  materials  for  a  nest,  the  male 

bird  singing  merrily  during  his  employment.     As  tiiey  have  been  observed 

ill  Oregon  as  early  as  this,  it  has  been  conjectured  that  some  may  remain  all 

winter  among  the  dense  shrubbery  of  the  forests. 


318  NOIM'll  AMKKICA.V  IMUDS. 

Tliis  bird  winters  in  U\v<io.  niinilicis  in  Central  Ainericii,  wliere  it  is  ii])])ar- 
entiy  very  genen  Uy  distrilmted.  Mr.  Salvin  I'uuiiil  it  very  coniinnn  at  l)n- 
enas.  It  was  taken  ut  Tutontepee,  aiuonj,'  the  niouutuins  of  Oaxaeii,  Mexico, 
liy  Mr.  Iidiieard. 

Air.  Iiidgway  IViund  it  very  eonnuon  during  tiie  .summer  and  autumn 
months  among  tiie  willows  of  the  fertile  river  valley.s,  and  among  the  rank 
shrubbery  bordering  upon  the  streams  of  tlu!  eanons  of  the  higher  interior 
range  of  mountain.s.  It  was  found  in  similar  situations  with  Um  JJiitflroim 
os/ira,  but  it  was  mueh  more  numerous.  During  Septendjer  it  was  most 
abundant  among  the  thiekets  and  eopses  of  the  East  Ihunboldt  Mountains, 
and  in  lluby  Valley,  ut  all  altitudes,  frequenting  the  bushes  along  the  sti'eams, 
from  their  sourees  in  the  snow  to  the  valleys. 

Wilson  first  met  with  and  described  this  species  from  specimens  obtained 
in  Delaware  and  New  .Jersey.,  lie  regarded  it  as  an  inhabitant  of  the  swam])3 
of  the  .Southern  States,  and  chariieterized  its  .song  as  "a  sharp,  s(jueaking 
note,  in  no  wise  musical."  It  is  said  by  him  to  leave  the  Southern  States  in 
October. 

Audubon  states  that  it  is  never  found  in  the  Southern  States  in  the  sum- 
mer month.s,  but  passes  rapidly  through  them  on  its  way  to  the  northern  dis- 
tricts, where  it  breeds,  reacliing  Labrador  early  in  June  and  returning  by  the 
middle  of  August.  He  describes  it  as  having  all  the  habits  of  a  true  Fly- 
catcher, feeding  on  small  insects,  which  it  catches  on  the  wing,  snapjting  its 
bill  with  a  sharp  clicking  sound.  It  frequents  the  borders  of  lakes  and 
streams  fringed  with  low  Itushes. 

Mr.  Xuttall  observed  this  species  in  Oregon,  where  it  arrived  early  in  May. 
He  calls  it  a  "  little  cheerful  songster,  the  very  counterpart  of  our  In-illiant 
and  cheerful  Yellow-Iiird."  Their  song  he  describes  as  like  'tHh-'tsh-'tsh-tshea, 
Their  call  is  brief,  and  not  so  loud.  It  appeared  familiar  and  nnsus])icious, 
kept  in  bushes  busily  collecting  its  insect  fare,  and  only  varied  its  employ- 
ment by  an  occasional  and  earnest  warlde.  l}y  the  12th  of  May  some  were 
already  i'eeding  their  full-tledged  young.  Yet  on  the  10th  of  the  sanie  month 
he  found  a  uest  containing  ibur  eggs  with  iticubation  only  j\ist  commenced. 
This  nest  was  in  a  branch  of  a  small  service-bush,  laid  very  adroitly,  as  to 
concealment,  upon  a  mass  of  Uxiim.  It  was  built  chiefly  of  hypnum  mosses, 
witli  a  thick  lining  of  dry,  wiry,  slentler  grasses.  The  female,  when  ap- 
proached, slipi»ed  off  the  nest,  and  ran  along  the  ground  like  a  mouse.  The 
eggs  were  very  similar  to  those  of  Dendroica  a'diva,  with  spots  of  a  pale 
olive-brown,  confluent  at  the  greater  end. 

A  nest  found  by  Audubon  in  Labi'ador  was  placed  on  the  extremity  of  a 
small  horizontal  branch,  among  the  thick  foliage  of  a  dwarf  fir,  a  few  feet 
from  the  ground  and  in  the  very  centre  of  a  thicket.  It  was  made  of  bits  of 
dry  mosses  and  delicate  pine  twigs,  agglutinated  together  and  to  the  branches 
and  leaves  around  it,  from  which  it  was  suspended.  It  was  lined  with  fine 
vegetable  fibres.     The  diameter  of  the  nest  was  three  and  a  half  and  the 


SYLVICOLID-K-THK  WAinilJlRS.  tj^j, 

(lopth  one  uiid  a  lisill'  iiicli(;,s.  Uv  (lL'sciilii..s  l\u>  h'^'^h,  wliicli  wvw.  lour,  as 
wliitc,  spotUMl  Willi  riiddish  mnt  Imwii  dots,  tlu;  iimrkings  Iming  piiiicipally 
iinmiid  till!  larj,'iT  t-nd,  Innniiij,'  ii  uirclu,  Ibiiviu},'  tho  extri'iuity  pluiii. 

Ill  tliis  instiiiico  IIr!  paiviits  sliowod  imicli  uiiciisiiifs.s  at  tlu-  appioiiuli  of 
iiilnidcrs,  nioviii-  iiliDiit  aiiK.iin;  tlui  t\vi>,  siiajipiiin'  their  l.ills,  uiid  utlcriii;,' 
a  plaintive  noto.  In  Xcwlouiidlaiid  tliusu  liiids  Inul  aliuady  JR-jruii  tn  mi" 
aniU'.  (ui  tliu  L'Otii  ol'  All-list.  ]Ic  met  with  thiMii  in  cDiLsidnmldc!  niinilnTs 
in  Xoithoni  Maiiit!  in  (kuAm;  l,S;!2.  Mr.  Tiindmll  inciitiuiiH  it  as  a  nithiM- 
almiidant  bird  of  Kastuni  IVnnsylvaiiia,  apiuiariiiM;  thi.Ti)  eaily  in  May,  /// 
Iraiisifii,  and  ai^ain  in  Ot'toltur. 

Mr.  T.  M.  Tiippc  has  oh.s..rvcd  thi.s  spcfi.'s  at  Orange,  \.  J.,  from  the  lilth 
to  till!  ;;(ltii  of  May.  It  is  .said  to  ki-cp  low  down  in  the  trees,  and  is  fond 
of  liiuinting  thickets  and  open  hriisli  tiidd.s.  Oceasionally  he  has  lieiird  it 
utter  a  loud  chatterini^  .soiij,',  which  it  re[)eats  at  siiort  intervals. 

A  nest  of  this  Hpeeies  from  Fort  Yukon  (Smith.  Coll.,  l:!,:!4(;),  ol.tained 
May  20,  l)y  Mr.  .McDoujral,  contained  four  eg.g.s.  The.se  varied  from  .(11)  to 
.(;:?  of  an  inch  in  len-:tli,  and  from  .45  to  .4!)  in  breadth.  Tiiey  were  ohovate 
in  shaiie,  their  ground-color  was  a  ]mre  white;  this  was  (iiiel)  sjirinkled 
round  the  larger  end  with  lirowiiish-riHl  and  lihic.  Xo  mention  is  made  of 
the  position  of  the  nest,  hut  it  is  [m     ible  this  bird  builds  on  tiie  "round. 


Msriodioctes  pusillus,  var.  pileolatus,  Ridgway. 

JtM,ia7h  j,il,;,M„,  I'am.as,  Zo..-.  I!,w,so  Asiat.  I,  1831,  4!)7  (llnssian  America).     M,iw,li,„: 
tiH  inisillils,  var.  /ii/rat,i/,i,    lillMiw.W,   liciioit  U.  H.  (irol.  Ivxpl.    -loth  I'ur.      Mijiwlin-ks 
l»isi7/,ix,  An-r.  (all  citations  from  I'acilio  coast  of  Nortli  and  Micl.lji'  Amtaica).  —  L<ii!ii 
I'r.  K.  An.  Inst.  Woohv.  IV,  1804,  115  (I5r.  Col.). -D.u.i,  Jt  Hanmsteu  (Alaska).  - 
I'liiii'Kii,  Orn.  C'al.  I,  1870,  Idl. 

Sp.  CnAii.  Siniiliir  to  var.  jnisi/his,  liiit  iiiiicli  riclicr  yellow,  .sparcplv  tinged  with  olivo 
laterally,  and  deepened  into  an  almost  orange  sliade  on  the  front  and  eliin.  "Above  nuieli 
brighter  and  more  yellowish  olive-green.  The  black  i)ileinn  will,  a  blighter  yteel-blno 
glos.s.  Bill  mueh  narrower,  and  deep,  light  brown  above,  inst.Nid  of  nearly  blaek.  IMeas- 
nr.'s  (4,'J22  ^,  San  Franei.sco,  ("al.;,  wing,  '2.1") ;   tail,  2.(ll>. 

Hah.  I'aeilie  cnasl,  region  of  \orth  Anieriea,  from  Kodiak  (Ala.-^ka) ;  sonth  throim-h 
AVe.^erii  Mexi(>o  (and  tower  Califoriiia)  to  f'o.>Jfa  Hiea.  ° 

Tills  is  an  appreciably  diflerent  race  from  that  inhabiting  the  eastern 
division  of  the  continent;  the  dillerence.s,  tested  by  a  large  series  of  speci- 
mens, being  very  constant. 

A  Costa-Uicau  specimen  before  me  is  almost  exactly  like  specimens  from 
California. 

Habits.  The  remark  in  the  preceding  article  relative  to  specimeus  from 
the  Pacific  coast  belong  tu  this  variety. 


320  KORTII  AMERICAN  JiiUDS. 

Myiodioctes  canadensis,   Aid. 

CANADA  FLYCATCHER. 

Miim-ifiipa  canittkiisis,  I, inn.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17titi,  'Ail.  (.Uii.ii'ici/xi  miiinlniKi.i  rinn-m,  nitis- 
SON,  II,  UHl,  till),  y.i,  li},'.  4.) —ti.Mi:i,iN.  — Wilson,  111,  pi.  xxvi,  li';.  'J.  —  Aid.  Oni. 
liiiif,'.  II,  pi.  ciii.  Stinitluiijii  can.  Sw.mns.  ;  Itirii.  ;  (iii.vv.  Mi/iii(h'iictes  cuii.  Aiu. 
Minis  Am.  II,  pi.  dii.  —  Hi;i;\vi.:i!,  I'r.  liost.  Sur.  VI,  ;'.  ^m■.st  inid  cj^^^'.s).  ■Sii,.vn:i!, 
r.  Z.  S.  lSi)i,  in  (iMimiliii' ;  wiiitcH;  18.5.'),  143  (Hiigotii)  ;  1858,  451  (Kcmulort. — 
In.  (.'iital.  181)1,  ;i4,  IK).  -^(14.  —  ScLATKll  .t  Sai.vin,  ll)is,  185!1,  11  (Uimti'malii). — 
Lawi!i:n(  i:,  Ann  N.  Y.  I.vc  VI,  ISil.'.  -  ISaiim),  lUnls  N.  Am.  1858,  •_'!)4  ;  Uvv.  y:!!). 
—  Samii'.i.s,  247.  Kidliliiiiix  cini.  Caii.  Jlus.  llciii.  1850,  1851,  18  :  .lour.  Oiii.  18()0, 
32(i  (Costa  Hioa).  Si/lrid  jKin/ii/inii,  Mdn.  ;  Nurr.  Siilriaila  pun/a /iiia,  Mdn.  Mi/ii'- 
tliiic/fs  jiiii-ila/iiiii,  l>()N.  .' J/iiscicujiu  liiiiKi/iuiii'i,  Ari).  (»rii.  liiof,'.  I,  18;il,  27,  )il.  v. 
Si-liiplidiia  hiiii.  Iilcli.  ll'ilsoiiiit  litm.  I'xin.  Siiteiniia  Inm.  'Hvtv.  / Mi/inilidcfcs  Imii. 
All).  Syii.  —  III.  niidsAm.  II,  1841,  17,  pi.  .wil.  —  liAiiiD,  lliids  N.  Am.  1858,  295. 
Si/oji/iii(j(i  iiiijriciiii-f(t,  TiAl'M!.  lli'v.  Zoiil.  1843,  2!I2  ;  1841,  7!». 

8p.  f'liAR.  rjipci-  part  l)liii.sli-asli ;  a  viiif;- avomiil  IIkm'Vo,  witli  a  line  ruiniiiij;  to  the 
lioslrils.  ami  lluMvliolo  iiiidcr  jiail  (except  the  tail-eoveils,  wliieli  are  white),  liiiulil  yellow. 
Centres  of  the  feathers  in  the  anterior  half  of  the  erouii,  the  cheeks,  eonlinnoiis  with  a 
line  on  the  .side  of  llie  neck  to  the  hreast,  and  a  .series  of  spots  acro.ss  lli(>  llncparl  of  the 
breast,  hlaek.  Tail-leathers  unspotted.  Female  similar,  with  the  hlaelv  ol'  the  head  and 
hreast  lo.ss  distinet.      Jn  the  ^()(///(/ oh.solete.     Leiiijlh.  5.,'}  1  ;  wiiifr,  2.(i7  ;  tail,  2.50. 

IIaii.  Whole  Kastern  rrovinee  of  I'liiled  States,  west  to  the  Missouri ;  north  to  Lake 
Winnipeg;  Kaslcrn  ;\iexico  to  Guateinala,  and  .south  to  iJogota  and  Eeuador  (Sci.atku). 
Not  noted  from  West  Indies. 

Hauits.  Tliis  is  a  mierratory  species,  iilnmdant  (liirin;^  its  juissago,  in 
most  of  tlie  Atlantic  States.  It  broi'ds,  tliouoji  not  nluindantly,  in  New 
York  and  ^rassaclnisetts,  and  in  tlio  reoions  north  of  latitude  42°.  How  far 
northward  it  is  fonnd  is  not  wtiU  ascortainod,  jirohalily  tis  far,  however,  as  the 
wooded  country  e.\tends.  It  was  met  with  on  Winncpejv  liiver,  by  Mr.  Kcn- 
iiicott,  the  .second  of  June.  It  winters  in  Central  and  in  Nortliein  Soutli 
America,  liaving  hoen  procured  at  IJogota,  in  (Jiiateinala,  tind  in  Costa  Kica, 
in  large  nuinhors. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  lie  found  this  bird  breeding  in  tlie  mountainous 
regions  of  rennsyl^  ania,  and  afterwards  in  .Abune,  Xew  r.runswick.  Nova 
Scotia,  Newfoundland,  and  J.abrador.  Although  he  describes  with  some  mi- 
nuteness its  nests,  yet  his  de.scriiitioii  of  their  jiosition  and  .structure  is  so 
entirely  different  in  all  res]iects  from  those  that  have  l)een  found  in  Massa- 
chusetts, that  J  am  constrained  to  believe  he  has  been  mistaken  in  his  ideii- 
tilications,  and  that  those  he  siqiposed  to  belong  to  tliis  species  were  really 
the  nests  of  a  difi'erent  bird. 

"Tn  Vermont,"  Mr.  Cliarles  S.  Paine,  of  IJandoljih,  informs  me,  "the  Can- 
ada Flycatcher  is  a  summer  visitant,  and  is  first  .seen  about  the  IStii  of  May. 
Tiiey  do  not  s])read  Ihemselves  over  tlie  woods,  like  most  of  our  small  lly- 
r  itching  birds,  but  kec])  near  the  borders,  wiiere  there  is  a  low  growth  of 
bushes,  and  where  they  may  be  heard  throughout  the  day  singing  their  regu- 


SYLVI('OJ,II),E  — TIIK  \VAUl!l,i:i;s.  321 

lar  cliiuit.  A  lew  ])airs  iniiy  (K-casioiiuIIy  lio  loiiiid  in  tlic  same  iicinliboilioiMl. 
At  other  times-;  only  a  single  pair  can  lie  Inuiid  in  ([nite  a,  wide  extent  of  ter- 
iit(tiy  (if  similar  eliaracter.  They  build  their  nests,  as  well  as  1  eau  Jnd-e, 
aliDiit  the  lirst  of  dune,  as  the  ymm-  are  hatched  out  and  on  the  win,^-  ahout 
the  last  of  tiiat  month,  or  the  lirst  of  duly.  1  have  never  found  a  nest,  hut 
I  think  they  are  built  on  the  around.  Tiiey  are  silent  afti'r  the  first  of  July, 
iind  are  rarely  to  be  :  .en  after  that  i)erie.l."  The  son.i,'  of  this  bird  is  a  very 
pleasing'  one,  thou^^h  heard  but  seldom,  and  only  in  a  few  luealities  in  Alas- 
sachusetts. 

Near  Washington  Dr.  ('(uies  found  tla;  ('anada  Klyeateher  only  a  spring 
and  autunmal  visitant,  at  wiiieh  .si'asons  they  were  abundant.  Tluy  fre- 
([uented  hioji  open  woods,  and  ke|)t  mostly  in  the  lower  l>ranehes  of  the  trees, 
and  also  in  the  more  open  undergrowth  of  marshy  jdaces.  They  arrive  the 
last  w<'ek  in  Ai)ril  and  remain  about  two  wetdvs,  arriving  in  fall  the  lirst 
week  in  Septendier,  and  rciuiaining  nntil  the  last  of  that  month. 

The  lirst  well-identilied  nest  of  this  bird  that  eame  to  my  knowledge  was 
obtaiiied  in  Lynn,  Mas.s.,  by  Mr.  Ceorge  O.  Weleli,  in  June,  l.S,-.(i.  U  was 
built  in  a  tu.ssoek  of  gra.ss,  in  swanii)y  woods,  concealed  by  the  surrounding 
rank  vegetation,  in  the  midst  of  whicli  it  was  placed.  It  was  constructed 
entirely  of  i)ine-needles  and  a  few  fragments  of  .leuayed  leaves,  grai)evine 
bark,  line  stems,  and  rootlets.  These  were  so  loosely  interwoven  that  the 
nest  could  not  be  removed  without  great  care  to  keep  its  several  jwrtions 
together.  Its  diameter  was  three  and  a  half  inches,  ami  if  was  very  nearly 
Mat.  Its  greatest  depth,  at  Ihe  centre  of  its  depression,  was  hardly  half  an 
inch.      It  contained  four  y<aing,  and  an  nnhatched  eug. 

Ant.fher  nest  found  in  June,  I  S(14,  by  the  same  ob.serving  naturalist,  was  also 
obtained  in  the  neighborhood.  This  was  built  in  a  tns.sock  of  meadow-grass, 
ill  the  midst  of  a  small  iioggy  jiiece  of  swamp,  in  which  were  a  few  scat"tered 
trees  and  bushes.  The  ground  was  so  marsliy  that  it  could  be  cro.ssed  only 
with  dillicnlty,  and  by  stepping  from  one  tu.ssoek  of  ri'edy  herbage  to  another. 
In  the  c(!ntre  of  one  of  the.se  bunches  the  nest  was  concealed.  "  It  measures 
si.x  inches  in  its  larger  diameter,  and  has  a  height  of  two  and  a  (,uarter 
inches.  The  cavity  of  this  nest  is  two  and  fjiree  .p.arters  inciies  wi.le, 
and  one  and  three  (piarters  deej).  It  is  very  str<Migly  consfriu'ted  of  pine- 
needle.s,  iiderwoven  with  line  strips  of  Imrk.dry  deciduous  leaves,  .stems  of  dry 
gra.sses,  .sedges,  etc.  The  whole  is  lirndy  and  compactly  interwoven  with  and 
strengthened  around  the  rim  of  the  cavity  by  stnuig,  wiry,  and  fibrous  roots. 
The  nest  is  very  carefully  and  elaborately  lined  wilii  the'  black  tibrmis  roots 
"I  some  plant.  The  eggs,  wjiich  were  five  in  number,  measure  .72  of  an  inch 
in  length  by  M  in  breadth.  Their  ground-cohn-  is  a  clear  and  brilliant 
white,  and  this  is  beautifully  marked  with  dots  and  small  blotches  of  blended 
I'lown,  purple,  and  vi.det,  varying  in  shades  and  tints,  and  -rouped  iu  a 
wreath  around  the  larger  end. 


41 


322 


NORTH  AMERICAN  U'lliDti. 


(Jenus   SETOPHAG-A,   Swainh. 

Setophaga,  Swainson,  Zciiil.  Jour.  HI,  Due.  lSi7,  3t)0.     (Tyi"'.  ■Viisciaipa  ruticilla,  L.)  — 
If-ViKi),  IJiids  N.  Am.  IS.^S,  2S»7.     Hylvania,  Nuttall,  Aliiii.  Oni.  1,  1832.     (Samo  tyiic) 

Gkn.  ("iiAU.     Rill  iiuicli  depressoil,  the  lateral  outlines  straight  towards   ti]).     Bristles 

reach  half-way  irom  nostril  to  tip.  Culin<'ii  almost 
straight  to  near  the  ti|);  conmiissiire  verv  slightly 
eurvcd.  Nostrils  oval,  with  membrane  above  them. 
Wings  I'ather  longer  than  tail,  pointed  ;  seeond,  third, 
and    Ibnith  M<    nearly    etpial  ;     liist    intermediate 

betwa-en  fbmth  .md  lil'lh.  Tail  ather  long,  rather 
rounded;  the  feathers  broad,  and  widening  at  ends, 
the  outer  web  narrow.  Tarsi  with  scutellar  divis- 
ions indistinct  externally.  Legs  slender;  toes  short, 
inner  cleft  nearly  to  base  of  lirst  joint,  outer  with 
first  joint    adherent ;    middle   toe  without  claw,   not 

„ ,    ,  quite  half  the  tarsus. 

>yUup/uit/a  nitictlta,  h\v. 

The  genus  Srfoji/idi/a  is  very  largely  represented  in  America,  although  of 
the  many  species  scarcely  tmy  agree  exactly  in  form  with  the  type.  In  the 
following  diagnosis  I  gi\e  several  species,  referred  to,  })erhiips  erroneously,  us 
occiu'ring  in  Texas. 

Belly  white.     End  of  lateral  tail-feathers  black.     Sexes  dissimilar. 

Ground-color  lilack,  without  vertex  spot.    Sides  of  breast  and  bases  of  quills 
and  tail-feathers  reddish-orange  in  male,  yellowish  in  female    .         .         .         rulicilld. 
Belly  vermilion  or  carmine  red.    Lateral  tail-feathers,  including  their  tips,  while. 
Sexes  similar. 

Entirely   lustrous  black,   including  head   and   neck.     Xo  vertex  spot.     A 
white  ])atch  on  th(>  wings     ..........         piclu.^ 

Pluinbeous-ash,  including  head  and  neck.     A  chestnut-brown   vertex  spot. 
No  white  on  wings miniata.'' 


Setophaga  ruticilla,  Swains. 

AMEBICAN  BEDSTABT. 

Mutni'ilhi  rvlii-nin,  LiNX.  Syst.  Nat.  ]t)th  cd.  ]7r<8,  ISti  (Catcsliy,  Car.  tab.  C7).  Mmciaijia 
riillillld,  Linn.;  (I.mki.in  ;  ViKiLl.or  ;  Wits.;  Hon.-  Aid.  Orii.  Hiog.  1,  pi.  xl. 
Sr/ii/i/iiicjii  i-til.  Swains.  Zoill.  Jour.  IH,  1827,  S.'iS.  —  l!oN.  ;  Ai'li.  Birds  Am. — 
Sci.AriMi,  I'.  Z.  S.  (Kcuailor,  15ogota,  Conlovn,  Oaxaca,  City  of  Mexico). — Sclatkh  & 
Sai.vin,  Ibis,  18')!),  12  (Guatemala).  ^  liAii;i),  liinls  X.  Am.  ISnS,  2'J7  ;  Rev.  a.lt!.  — 
Max.  ;  Sai.i.i:;,  P.  Z.  S.  18,".7  (St.  Dciiiiiiigo).  Ni:\vidN,  Hii.s,  ISait,  14:!  (-'^t.  I'luix  ; 
winter).  —Caii.  Jour,  l.^.'ili,  172  (Cuba);  IXtiO,  'Mi,  (Costa  liica).  -  (1i;niiI.A(  ll,  ib. 
1801,  »2(i  (Cuba).  -  MiiVANT,  I'r.  lio.st.  Soc.  VII,  KS.MI  (Maliamas).  —  LAWiiKNcK,  Ann. 
N.  Y.  Lye.  18iil,  322  (Panama  R.  !{.).-  SamI'KI.s,  21i».  Sjilviviin  rut.  NfiTAl.L, 
Man.  I,  1832,  291  (type  of  genus).     Motiidlla  flavicinuLt,  Gmelin,  I,  1788,  997  (?). 

'  Setop/iiiijii  pii-tii  (SwAlNsoN),   Uaiiu),  Ucv.  18t)5,  2r)0.     MiLScimpu  hiicnmus,  CilllArii,  Texas 

Hirds.     Hah.  Mexico  and  (luatemala. 

'■'  Sr/tjiliriga  inliuiilii   (Swain.son),    Uaiiiu,    Uev.   1805,   2;';).      Mksi'icujxi  ikrhumi,   (illiAlli, 

Texas  ','irds.  lluh.    Mexico. 


SYLVICOLin.K  —  THK  WAUHLKUS. 


823 


Si'.  Chau.  Mule.  Prcviiilini^M'olor  liliirlc.  A  cciitial  line  (in  llu?  liroiist,  tlii'  aluloincn, 
and  under  tail-coverts  wliile  ;  »ouw  Irallicrs  in  (he  latter  stroiiuly  tin<;f(l  witn  dark  bri)wn. 
Bases  of  all  the  (luill.-!  except  tli('  inner  and  ouler,  and  liasal  hall'iifall  the  lail-leathers  ex- 
cept the  middle  one.  a  patch  on  i>ach  side  of  Ihe  breast,  and  the;  axillary  rejrion,  oran'/e-ri'd, 
of  a  vermilion  shade  on  the  breast.  Fcnnilc  with  the  l>laelv  replace<l  by  olive-green  above 
by  brownish-wlnto  beneath,  the  red  rei)laced  by  yellow  ;  the  head  tini,red  with  ash  ;  a 
gMyish-wdiite  lore  and  ring  roinid  the  eye.      Length,  ').25  ;  wing,  2.")(l ;  tail,  2.45. 

llAt!.  Eastern  and  in  part  Middle  Provinces  of  .Xortli  .\inerica  to  Kort  Simpson,  west  to 
Great  Salt  Lake-;  Kort  Laraini(;;  Denver  City  ;  most  of  tlie  West  Indies;  .Mexico  to Ecnador. 

The  yomiy  malti  in  early  iuitiinin  greatly  resembles  in  pliunage  the  utliilt 
female,  but  has  the  upper  tail-coverts  ami  tail  deep  black,  .sharply  contrasted 
with  the  olive  of  the  rump,  instead  of  having  tlie  ujjper  tail-coverts  olive,  the 
tail  sim])ly  dusky ;  in  addition  the  back  is  more  greenish-olive,  and  the 
alxlonien  and  crissum  ])ure  wiute.  The  nitile  docs  not  obtain  the  perfect 
adult  plumage  until  about  the  third  yetir. 

Habits.  The  so-called  Hcdstiirt  has  an  extended  distribution  from  the 
Atliuitic  to  the  liocky  Mountains,  and 
from  Florida  to  high  nortliern  latitudes, 
having  been  found  brceiling  at  Fort 
Simpson  by  ^Mr.  Hoss,  and  tit  Fort 
Iicsolution  by  Mr.  Kennicott  and  Mr. 
Lockliart.  It  is  generally  abundant  in 
suitidde  localities,  and  probably  breeds 
wherever  found  north  of  the  Potomac. 
It  winters  in  large  nunil)ers  in  (iuate- 
mahi  and  in  other  jiarts  of  Central 
America,  as  well  iis  in  the  West  Indies. 
It  is  common  in  St.  Croi.x  in  the  sMring, 

and  is  especially  seen  about  houses,  according  to   Newton, 
there  until  the  end  of  April. 

Eichard.son  found  this  species  abundant  on  the  Saskatchewan,  as  far  to  the 
north  as  the  Hfty-eighth  parallel.  It  appeared  there  the  last  of  May,  ti; d 
left  early  in  Se])teniber.  He  found  it  frequenting  moist,  shady  hinds.  Hit- 
ting about  iimong  the  moss-oiown  and  twisted  stems  of  the  tall  willows  that 
skirt  the  marshes.  It  wa.s  easily  recognized  by  the  red  lining  of  its  wings 
as  it  Hitted  through  the  gloomy  shades  in  pursint  of  mosquitoes  and  other 
winged  insects. 

Among  the  memoranda  of  the  late  Mr.  Kennicott,  we  find  two  to  the  effect 
that  on  the  2()th  of  May  he  found  both  males  and  females  of  this  species 
common  netir  litiiny  Lake,  tind  that  on  the  (ith  of  June  he  also  observed 
these  birds  near  Lake  Winnepeg.  June  14,  at  Fort  L'esolution,  he  rditained 
a  female  Redstart  with  nest  and  four  eggs.  The  nest  wtis  built  in  the  fork 
of  a  willow,  in  a  thick  but  low  wood  of  alder  and  willow.  It  was  entirely 
unprotected  by  leaves  or  branches.     The  female  was  taken  on  tiie  nest. 

The  Newtons  found  this  a  very  common  .species  in  St,  Croix,  in  the  sj)ring 


Setoplta^a  ruticilla. 


It  remains 


324  iSOUTll  AMERICAN  lURDS. 

of  tlio  year,  and  it  was  ("spepially  seen  alxmt  houses.  For  about  a  week,  at 
tlie  end  ol'  April,  IS.")?,  they  wore  extremely  luinierous.  On  their  return  iVoni 
their  suninier  (quarters,  they  were  first  oljserved  Sejjteniber  G.  Mr.  Taylor 
also  mentions  them  as  conniion  in  Trinidad.  Mr.  ilidgway  found  it  a  com- 
mon species  amon,L;  the  willow  thickets  of  the  river  valleys,  west  as  far  as 
the  Cireat  Salt  Lake. 

This  s])eeics,  in  its  spring  and  autumnal  migrations,  is  alnuidant  in  Louisi- 
ana and  Te.\as,  as  well  as  in  the  Gulf  Stivtcs.  Wilson  speaks  of  meeting 
with  it  in  the  then  "  ^li.ssissipjti  Territory."  Audubon  gives  it  as  abundant 
in  Louisiana,  and  Nuttall  as  found  throughout  Louisiana  and  Arkansas  into 
Mexico.  ^Ir.  l)re.s.ser  also  mentions  it  as  very  common  near  San  Antonio  in 
the  .siu'ing  and  autunni,  arriving  on  the  ^fedina  the  27th  of  Ajn-il. 

J)r.  Coues  says  that  the  iictlstart  near  Washington  is  chietly  a  spring  and 
autumnal  visitant,  and  l)ut  very  few  remain  to  lireed.  In  the  spring  it  is 
very  abundant  from  April  2")  to  May  2<>,  and  in  the  fall  from  the  1st  to  the 
20th  of  Sejitemljer,  in  all  Mdody  and  swampy  situations.  He  found  it  in 
the  habit  of  ruiming  along  slender  twigs,  sideways,  and  having  a  note  very 
similar  to  that  of  D.  (v.stiva. 

Although  placed  among  the  0.sr//(f.>.',  where,  as  an  excellent  singer,  it  clearly 
has  a  good  right  to  be  cla.ssed,  it  is  yet  also  a  true  Flycatcher  in  habits  and 
manners.  It  is  a  lively,  active  bird,  ever  on  the  wing,  and  continually  in 
pursuit  of  in.sect.s.  In  tliis  pursuit  it  never  awaits  the  apiiroach  of  its  jirey, 
but,  espying  them  at  a  distance,  darts  with  great  velocity  in  pursuit,  and  the 
continued  c'ieks  of  its  bill  attest  the  ra})idity  and  friMpu'ncy  with  which  it 
will  overtake  and  catch  insect  alter  insect.  Even  when  lamenting  the  loss 
of  a  part  of  its  brood,  and  living  around  with  cries  of  distress,  the  sight  of 
passing  insects  is  a  temptation  not  to  l)e  resisted,  and  the  parent  bird  will 
stop  her  lamentations  t(»  catch  small  ilies. 

Its  notes  are  a  varied  twittei',  rather  than  a  song,  a  repetition  of  two  simple 
notes,  uttered  every  few  .seconds  as  it  seeks  its  prey.  Hying  among  the  thick 
foliage  usually  in  dense  groves.  Its  common  haliit  is  to  glide  along  a  branch, 
between  its  smaller  twigs,  at  times  darting  forth  into  more  ojien  siiaces  in 
quest  of  insects  it  has  (;spied. 

Their  nests  are  usually,  though  not  always,  built  in  a  low  branch,  eight  or 
ten  feet  from  the  ground,  in  the  midst  of  a  thick  grove.  I  have  known  it 
to  build  in  an  o]K'n  iield  and  in  close  ])roximity  to  a  dwelling.  It  keeps  to 
groves  and  thickets,  and  frei[uents  moi.st  ])laces  rather  than  dry,  evidently 
because  of  the  greater  abundance  of  insects,  and  not  because  of  timid  or 
retiring  habits.  It  is  indeed  far  from  being  timid,  and  will  permit  a  near 
ajtproach  without  any  exhibitions  of  uneasiness.  When  its  nest  is  visited, 
the  male  bird  manifests  great  disturlianee,  and  tlies  back  and  forth  around  the 
head  of  the  intruder  with  ci'ies  of  distress.  The  female  is  iiir  less  demon- 
strative, and  even  when  hei-  nest  is  desjxnled  before  her  eyes  is  (piite  moder- 
ate in  the  exjiression  of  her  grief. 


SVI.VICOLID.'K  —  TlIK  WAHlSLEIiS. 


325 


Its  fli<,'lit  is  graceful,  oasy,  and  vajiid,  varied  by  circumstaiires  as  it  glides 
in  its  intricate  course  ainoiig  small  interlacing  liranclies,  or  darts  rapidly  i'ortli 
into  more  open  space.  As  it  moves,  it  is  continually  opening  out,  closing,  or 
llirting  from  side  to  side  its  cousiiicuous  tail,  the  white  spots  in  its  expanded 
feathers  constantly  appearing  and  disa])peariiig. 

In  the  construction  of  the  nest  there  is  a  general  uniformity  of  character, 
although  the  materials  differ  and  the  localities  are  far  ajiart.  Tiiey  are  never 
]>endcnt,  but  are  placed  among  thww  or  more  small  u])riglit  branches,  around 
which  it  is  lirmly  woven  with  vegetable  flax-like  fibres.  A  nest  obtained  in 
Lynn,  by  Afr.  George  0.  Welch  (S.  I.  :i,778),  in  June,  measures  two  inches 
!!•  height  by  three  in  diamet(ir.  It  is  a  snrall,  conii)act,  and  homogeneous 
nest,  com]>ii,scd  almost  entirely  of  shreds  of  .savin-bark  intermixed  witii  soft 
\egetable  wool.  Within  are  loosely  intertwined  minute  vegetable  Hl)res  and 
strii)s  of  bark,  and  a  lining  of  horsehair,  tine  june  leaves,  ami  dry  gras.ses. 
Tiie  ne.st  contained  four  eggs.  Another  nest  found  in  Crand  Menan,  June 
L'4,  liS")!,  was  very  similar  in  size,  structure,  and  materials.  It  was  in  the 
centre  of  a  thick,  swan^jy  thicket,  five  feet  from  the  grounti,  and  contained 
five  eggs. 

Another  nest  of  this  bird,  obtained  in  Lynn  by  Mv.  Welch,  is  only  a 
reconstruction  of  a  nest  iiegun  l)y  a  ])air  of  Dcmlrou-.a  os/ini,  and  either 
abandoned  by  them,  or  from  whicii  they  had  l)een  driven.  Above  the  origi- 
nal ne.st  of  the  Warbler  the  itedstarts  had  constructed  their  own.  The  base 
is  composed  of  the  downy  covering  of  the  under  sides  of  the  leaves  of  ferns, 
mixed  with  a  few  herbaceous  stems  and  leaves.  "Within  this  was  built  an 
entirely  distinct  nest,  composed  of  long  and  slender  strijjs  of  bark,  pine- 
needles,  and  stems  of  grasses.  These  are  Hrmly  and  elaborately  interwoven 
together. 

A  nest  found  in  Hingham,  built  in  a  tree  in  an  ojien  space  near  a  dwell- 
ing, was  seven  feet  from  the  ground,  and  of  the  usual  si/e  and  shape.  In 
this  the  more  usual  strips  of  l)ark  were  replactnl  by  hempen  fibres  of  vegc- 
tal)le.s,  thistle-down,  bits  of  newspaper,  and  other  fragments.  Within  is  a 
stri>ng  lining  of  hair  and  fine  stems  of  gra.sse.s.  In  tliis  nest  tliere  were  two 
young,  about  half  Ik'dgeil,  and  two  eggs  nearly  fresh.  The  latter  wen;  taken, 
the  female  parent  being  present  and  making  only  a  very  slight  ])rotest, 
stojjping,  from  time  to  time,  to  catcii  insects. 

The  eggs  of  the  Rtidstart  vary  considerably  in  thcur  si/e  and  in  their  gen- 
eral apjiearance,  but  resemble  .somewhat  tho.se  of  tJie  connnon  Summer 
VeUow-lJird.  They  vary  in  length  from  .ri.l  to  .('nS  of  an  inch,  and  in  their 
lu-eadtli  from  .4.")  to  f/X  Their  grouml-color  is  a  grayish-white,  blotched 
and  dotted  with  purple,  lilac,  ami  ijrown. 


326  ^UJlTIl   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


Family  HIRUNDINID^ffil.  —  Tiik  Swallows. 

CnAi?.  T?ill  short,  irimifruliU',  vciy  hroail  at  base  (nearly  ns  wido  as  long)  and  much  de- 
prosst'd,  narrowinu:  rapidly  to  a  (■oiii])r(.'.<sc'd,  not(;licd  tip  ;  mouth  opcniiijr  nearly  to  the 
eyes.  Primaries  nine,  irraduatinr^  rapidly  less  Irom  thu  exterior  one  ;  tail-feathers  twelve. 
Feet  weak  ;  tarsi  .scutellate,  .shorter  than  middle  toe  and  (daw.  Numlx.T  of  joints  in  toes 
normal ;  basal  joint  of  middle  too  partially  or  entirely  adherent  to  lateral  toes.  Wings 
long,  lideate.  Tail  forked.  Eyes  small.  Plumage  eompaet,  usually  Instron.s.  All  the 
Ameriean  .speeies  with  u  white  patch  on  the  sides  under  the  wing,  and  with  the  irids 
hazel  or  brown. 

The  Kirnnilinida'.  form  a  very  well  marked  group  of  birds  easily  di.stin- 
gui.slied  from  all  others.  They  exhibit  a  close  reseuddaucc,  in  external  ap- 
pearance and  ]ial)its,  to  tlie  Cypwlid^r. ;  from  which,  apiirt  from  the  internal 
structure,  they  are  readily  distino'-.i.Miod  l)y  the  possession  of  nine,  instead  of 
ten  primaries  ;  twelve,  instead  of  ten  tail-feathers  ;  scutellate  tarsi,  toes  with 
normal  nund)er  of  joints  (1,  2,  3,  and  4,  respectively,  exclusive  of  ungual 
phalanges),  instead  of  a  ditlereut  ]iro])ortion  ;  diH'erently  shaped  nostrils,  etc. 
In  both  families  the  wings  are  develo])ed  to  an  extraordinary  degree  ;  the 
outer  primary  nearly  twice  or  more  than  twice  the  length  of  the  inner,  and 
enabling  its  possessor  to  sustain  tlight  almost  indefinitely.  Tlie  relations  of 
the  family  among  the  ttsv/wcs  apjiear  cdosest  to  the  Old  World  Mimricnpida'. 

In  comparing  the  wings  of  the  HiraiuUiiidw  with  those  of  the  C//psc/ida', 
we  readily  notice  one  of  the  essential  chtiracters  of  the  Oscinr%  namely,  that 
the  greater  wing-coverts  hide  only  half  or  less  than  half  of  the  secondary 
quills,  instead  of  reaching  much  beyond  their  middle,  or  nearly  to  the  end. 
(See  Sundevall,  Ornith.  Syst.) 

The  precise  character  of  scutcllation  of  tarsus  is  somewhat  difflcidt  to 
make  out,  owing  to  a  tendency  to  fusion  of  the  ] dates,  although  not  essen- 
tially ditferent  from  most  Oschws.  There  is  a  series  of  scntelhv.  along  the 
anterior  iace  of  the  tarsus,  tind  a  longitudinal  plate  on  each  side,  meeting,  but 
not  ct)alescing,  behind.  The  anterior  scutelhe  sometimes  ajipear  to  fuse  into 
the  outer  lateral  i)late  ;  or  sometimes  the  latter  is  more  or  less  subdivided  ; 
the  inner  plate  is  generally  more  distinct  from  tlie  anterior  scutelhe,  and 
usuidly  entire,  exce])t  ))erhaps  at  the  lower  extremity. 

Genera  of  North  American  Hirundinidse. 

A.  Nostrils  broadly  oval,  or  circular ;  opening  upwards  and  forward,  and  expcscd ; 
without  ovinhanging  mcudu'ane. 

a.  Edge  of  wing  smooth.  Tarsus  short,  stout;  equal  to  middle  toe  without 
claw;  leathered  on  the  inner  side  aliovc.  Nostrils  almost  or  entirely  without 
membrane. 

Bill  stout;  cnlmen  and  commissure  nmeh  curved.  Frontal  feathers 
without  bristles.  Tail  deeply  forked.  Color  lustrous-black  ;  belly  and 
crissum  sometimes  white Pmi/iic. 


lIIKUNDlxXID.E  —  THE  SWALLOWS. 


327 


Bill  rntlier  weaker;  cominissuro  and  culiin'ii  nearly  straifrlit  to  near  tip. 
Frontal  t'eatlii'1-.s  bristly.  Tail  nearly  even.  Tinoal,  rump,  and  crissuni, 
and  usinilly  IbrelR'ad,  rufous  ;  belly  wliiti'  ....         Ptlrovhrliilitii. 

h.  Edge  of  win^'  smooth.  Tai-sus  loiifjer  than  in  last ;  equal  to  niiddh;  toe 
and  lialf  tlie  elaw.  Nostrils  boidered  alon;,'  posterior  half  by  membrane, 
but  not  overhuni,'  internally.  J!ill  very  small.  Tail  Ibrked.  Crissum  dusky 
except  in  NcvcMidon  fuc(tt<i.  Various  i,'eneru  and  subgenera,  none  Xorth 
AmiM'ican,  as  Attlmra,  Xdiiwhelidoii,  \enr!ie!i<lon,  and  Pi/yochflidnn. 
r.  Edge  of  wing  armed  with  still"  i-ecurvcd  hooks.  Tarsus  h'^  in  preceding 
(tarsus  and  toes  nuuOi  as  in  Pi/ijochelidun).     Jiill  larger  and  more  depressed. 

T;iil  eiuarginate  only.     Crissum  white Slctyido/)len/.i: 

B.  Nostrils  lateral;  bordered  behind  and  inside,  or  overhung  by  membrane,  the 
outer  edge  of  whieh  i.s  straight,  and  directed  either  parallel  with  axis  of  bill  or 
diverging  from  it. 

a.  Tarsus  short;  about  equal  to  middle  toe  without  claw.  Tibial  joint  feath- 
ered ;  feathers  extending  along  inside  of  upper  end  of  tarsus. 

Tarsus  bare  at  lower  end.  Lateral  claws  reaching  only  to  base  of 
middle. 

Tail  very  deeply  forked,  much  longer  than  closed  wings ;  lateral 
feathers  linear  and  very  narrow  at  end,  twice  the  length  of  central. 
ITpper  i)arts  and  pectoral  cou.n-  steel-blue  ;  front  and  throat,  some- 
times under  parts,  rufous.     Tail-li'athers  with  large  spots  .         Hinindo. 

Tail  with  .shallow  fork,  not  exceeding  half  an  inch,  shorter  than 
clo.sed  wings.  Fiiathers  bro.id.  Color  blue  or  green  above,  with 
or  without  white   rump;  white  bem     ii.      Tail-feathers  without 

spots Tnclu/ciiielu. 

Tarsus  with  a  tuft  of  feathers  at  lower  end.  Lateral  claws  lengthened, 
reaching  beyond  ba.so  of  middle  claw. 

Tail  slightly   forked.     Color   dull-brown   above;    beneath  white. 

with  brown  pectoral  collar  Coli/le. 

h.  Tarsus  long;  equal  to  middle  toe  and  half  claw  :  entirely  bare.  Tail  con- 
siderably forked,  about  equal  to  closed  wing.  Color  green  above  ;  white 
Iji-'ueath  Callifhelidon} 


Gexuh   FROGNE,    1?oie. 

Fmriiie,  BoiK,   Isia,  1826,  971.     (Type,  Iliruiuh  purpurea  vel  suhui,  L.)  — B.uiM),  Birds 
N.  Am.  1858,  311. 

Gen.  Cu.Mi.  Hody  stout.  Hill  robust,  lengthened  ;  lower  or  commissural  edge  of  max- 
illa sinualed,  decidedly  convex  for  basal  half,  then  as  concave  to  the  tip,  the  lower  man- 
dible falling  within  its  chord.  Xoslrils  supei'ior,  broadly  oiieii.  and  nearly  circular,  wilhont 
any  adjacent  membrane,  the  edges  romnlcd.  Legs  stout.  Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe 
without  claw;  the  joint  feathered  ;  lateral  toes  about  equal  ;  the  liasal  joint  of  the  mid- 
dle toe  half  free  internally,  rather  less  so  externally.  Claws  strong,  uuich  curved.  Nest 
in  hollow  trees.     Eggs  white. 

The  s\H  ies  of  this  fjcim.s  are  tlio  most  powerful  and  robust  of  tlie  Swal- 
lows.    Some  are  entirely  glossy-lilack,  others  whitish  helow.     The  following 

1  Ilirwidv  (CnlNc/irlidon)  ci/niicoviridis  {\UiYA\r),  Baiim),  Ucv.  Am.  Birds,  IStiS,  303.  Buha- 
iinis.     This  spt'cies  may  yet  be  detected  on  the  Florida  coast. 


328  XOllTII  AMERICAN  J5IHDS. 

diagnosis  will  show  the  ivlatiousliip  of  the  several  forms  usuully  recognizod 
as  distinct  species  :  — 

Species  and  Varieties. 

P.  Bubis.  Above  lustroius  liliiu-black  ;  beiioiilli  lustrous  bluo-black  or  lirown- 
ish-frniy,  unifoiin,  or  witli  the  iibiluuu'U  and  ciissum  wliilu,  or  whitish.  Femules 
always  with  tlio  throat  anil  jufrulum  i^vny. 

A.  Adult  males  entirely  steel-blue. 

a.  Females  and  younjj  males  with  the  abdomen  pure  whit(!. 

Feathers  (ihout  the  iiiiits  .imokii-f/ni)/  beneath  the  surface. 

Wing  about  0.00;  I'ork  of  tail,  .80  deej).  9  and  Jiw.  Abdominal  and 
crissal  leathers  always  with  dusky  sliai'ts,  and  with  the  eoncealed  por- 
tion grayish.  Fori'head  and  nape  hoary  grayish.  Jlah.  Continental 
North  America,  south  into  Northern  Mexico       ....         x-M.siihin. 

Wing,  5.25;  fork  of  tail  considerably  less.  9  and  ./nv.  unknown. 
Hub.   Galapagos var.  concolor} 

Wing,  5.80;  fork  of  tail.  1.10  <lee|).  9  and  Jitv.  unknown.  Hub. 
Chih \av.  fiircuta." 

Feathers  about  the  anus  snoinj-white  beneath  the  siirfare. 

Wing,  5.50;  fork  of  tail,  .00  deep.     9  and  juv.  Abdominal  and  cris- 
sal  feathers  entirely  snowy-white,  —  never  with  dusky  sharts  (except 
$  juv.  in   transition).      Forehead   dusky   grayish-brown;    nape  steel- 
blue.     //((6.   Cuba  and  Florida  Keys        ....     \M:cryptoleuca. 
h.  Females  and  young  with  the  abdomen  dusky  gr.iyi.sh-brown. 

Wing,  5.50;  fork  of  tail,  .80.  9.  Lower  parts  dusky  grayish-brown, 
the  feathers  boidere<l  with  lighter  grayish,  producing  a  squamate  a])- 
pcarance.  Jm.  similar,  but  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  bordered  with 
whitish,     //ai.   Paraguay  (Vermejo  River)  .  ■        \m:  eletja  n  s:' 

B.  Adidt  males  with  the  abdomen  and  crissmn  imre  white. 

a.  Lower  tail-coverts  with    the  shafts    pm-e  white.      $    (adult)   with   the 
throat,  jugulum,  and  sides  steel-blue. 

9  and  juv.  scarcely  <listingnishable  from  those  of  criipioleuca.  Hub. 
Porto  Kii'o  and  Jamaica  (St.  Domingo  also  ?)    ,         .         var.  dominicensis.* 

b.  Lower  tail-coverts  with  their  shafts  dusky.     $  (adult)  with  throat,  jugu- 
lum, and  .'jides  brownish-gray. 

Sides  of  the  jugiilnm  with  a  bluo-black  patch  in  the  $.  Wing,  5..'i0  ; 
fork  of  tail,  .70  deep.     VM.   Bolivia       ....         \m:  domestica  .^ 

1  Prnijne  suhis,  vnr.  cnm-olor.  Ilirumlo  concolor,  OoHM),  P.  Z.  S.  1837,  22  (James  I.,  Cala- 
pagos).  rrorine  c.  llAllili,  Rev.  Am.  15.  ISO'.,  278.  Profjiie.  modesta,  UoL'l.n,  Birds  BeagUs  3i), 
pi.  V.     (Same  s]ieeimi'n.) 

^  Progne  suliis,  yar.  f  11  rcntii.     Proline  furcalu,   B.UUI),   Hev.  Am.  11.  18(55,   278.     (Chile.) 

»  Profine  subu,  var.  elnjans.  Proijn,:  tlctjittis,  Baikd,  Kev.  Am.  H.  18(5r),  275.  (Verniejo 
River.  .?  Prognc  purpurea,  Darwin,  H.  Beagle  38  (Montevideo,  November),  Baliia  Bknca, 
Buenos  Ayris,  Sej)tend)cr.) 

*  Prognc  (subis  var?)  domimCKrt.iis.  Hirwido  doitiim'ren.ih,  CrM.  S.  N.  I,  1788,  1025.  Proijne 
d,  Mauch,  p.  A.  N.  S.  1803,  295;  Baiup,  lU'v.  Am.  B.  18(i,5,  279. 

6  Pro'im  (suliis  var?)  domc.stica.  Pmgnc  domestica  (ViKiix.)  Baiud,  Rev.  Am.  B.  1800,  282. 
(Paraguay  and  Bolivia.)     (llirundo  domestica,  Vilin.i,.  Nouv.  Diet,  xiv,  1817,  521.) 


IIIIIUNDIXID.K  -  THE  SWALLOWS. 


329 


Sides  of  tlu-jugiiluin  without  a  liliii'-hlack  patfii  in  tia>  $.   Wiiifj,  o.20  ; 

folk-  of  tail,  .55  dLV|..     //„/,.   Miil.ll,.  Aiiicriua,  from  Sontliurn  Mi'xico  to 

New  Granada  , ,  .       . 

\  lif.   I  r  lie  II  (/  an  t  e  I.* 


Progne  subis,  Baird. 

FT7BFLE  MABMN. 

Ilirumh  sKhh,  Lix.N.  S.  N.  Kitli  ed.  17.58,  192  (//irun,/,,  avruka  cmmdcims,  Ki.WAnr.s 
Av.  tul).  120,  Hudsoii'.s  Hay).  J'ronnc  milns,  li.MiiD,  Itev.  Am.  liiids,  KS(J4,  274  j/ 
purpura,,  Linn.  S.  JT.  l-Jth  ed.  17iiti,  Mi  (//.  pur/iur,;,,  CviKsiiv,  Car.  tab.  r,I).  - 
Aui).  Orn.  Hi.-i,'.  I,  pi.  x.xiii.  -  In.  liirds  .\ii,.  I,  pi.  .\lv.  -  VAiii;i:i.i.,  lii-.  Mlids.  II, 
232,  274(KiiKlaiul  and  Iivlaiid,  Sept.  ],S42).  --.Io.nks,  Nat.  I!ciimi(la,  Si  (Sept.*  22,' 
ISID).  l'n>ii,i,-  ,nnp„r,:,i,  lion:,  Isis,  l,s2(i,  !i71.  -  liiuowi;!!,  N.  Am.  Ool.  1,  18r.7,  103,' 
pi.  IV,  fig.  47  (rf^gs).  —  ll.vii;n,  HinLs  X.  Am.  IS.xs,  ai4.  —  ('<ioim;u&  Si:iki,|.;v,  |>.  |;.  \{ 
R.')..  XII,  2,  Ifd  (Foit  Strilacoom).  -Bi,AKlsloN,  Ibis,  ISOIJ,  f)5  (Sa-skatclicwaii) - 
CooiM-.l!,  Oni.  Cal.  I,  1870,  IKi.  -Sa.MITIM.s,  2liO.  Ilirumh  violna;,,  (Im.  //.  avrulen, 
Vlliil.l,.     //.  nr.iicii/or,  ViKil.l,.     //.  luihwiciuiiit,  Ctiv. 

Sp.  Char.     (No.  1,501  <y.)     Entiivly  liistroius  .steul-biuo,  with  a  purpli.sh  gloss;  the  tail- 
feathers  and  the  wings,  ...xc.pt  tho  li...s..r  and  middle  coverts,  and  edge  inside,  dull  black, 


Froi^nr  sithis. 

.scarcely  glos.sod.     Tibiie  dark  bn.  vnish.     A  .■ou.ral.Ml  pafh  of  white  on  the  sides  under 
the  wuig.s.     Concealed  central  portion  of  anal  feathers  light  whitish-gray. 

(.Xo.  1,129  ?.)     Above  somewhat  similar,  but  much  duller.     Renealh  smoky  brown- 
ish-gray, without  lu.stre,  paler  behind,  and  heeomiug  .sometimes  cpiito  whili.sh  on  belly  and 

"  Pn,;„„;    (si/hi.i    var  .')    lriico,,„s/rr.       /Vw/,„-    InuVijHstcr,    Haiim),    Hov.    Am.    IV    IStia,   280 
{Southern  iMexi.M,  to  (  artliagena.)      h;ui„r  ,ln,ni„i,r,ms  and  /'.  ,-l,„bihc,i,  \v,n.  (nee  Omki,  ) 

From  a  caivful  examiuat .f  specimens  ,,1  the  above  Conns,  the  o,.inion  that  thevare  all  Ineal 

differentiations  of  one  primitiv,.  type  at  .,iiee  pivsents  itself  The  dillerenees  from  the  typieal 
xiihi.  are  not  great,  except  in  th.-  white-bellied  grou].  (domiiumisin  and  its  allies),  wliil."  an 
approach  to  the  white  belly  of  these  is  ,,lainly  to  be  .s,.en  in  P.  rnfpfnlcucn  .•  again,  .some  speci- 
mens of  clomhucemix  liave  the  erissum  ndxeil  with  blackish,  while  others  have'  it  wholly  snowy- 
white.  While  the  male  of  nyi/ih/rm;,  is  .scarcely  .listingiiishablc,  at  first  .si..ht,  from  that  of 
subis,  the  female  is  entiivly  diUcient,  hut,  on  the  other  hand,  .scarcelv  to  b,.  dfstiiigui.slied  from 
that  ol  ,hmi,ncn,sis  ami  k,„:„,,:,s/n:  Adult  males  of  the  latter  species  are  much  like  a.lult 
icmales  of  ,/oini„>-a'„xi.i,  while  Florhlan  (resi,l..i,t)  specim.-ns  of  subis  approach  very  decidedly  to 
the  rather  unique  characters  of  ,'ln„n,s.  It  is  therefore  extremely  probable  that  all  are  merely 
local  nioditications  of  one  species. 
42 


f!30 


XDHTll  AMKKICAX  BIRDS. 


crissimi,  Imt  all  the  fcatlici-s  alwiiys  with  ilu.sky  shafts,  and  iiiciiv;  or  less  i-IoikIimI  wiili  pray 
centrally,  even  lliniiuli  I'adinj,'  into  wliilisli  to  the  I'lipcs.  This  is  particnlaiiy  u])[)roi;ialil('  in 
the  lonj,'i.'r  ci-issal  fi-alhers.  The  fdiri's  of  llu'  dark  d'alhcrs  of  throat  anil  JM,y:iihMii  arc 
usnally  paler,  iiiiiiartinj;  somewhat  of  a  hiMiilated  appearanee,  their  centres  sometimes 
consiileralily  ilarker,  eausiiij;  an  appearance  of  obsolete  spots.  There  is  a  londency  to  n 
pravish  collar  on  sides  of  neck,  and  generally  traecaMe  to  the  najic;  this,  in  one  specinicn 
(5.4'.IL')  from  Calilornia,  liciii^'  hoary  ^'ray,  the  forehead  sinnlar. 

Th(!  yonii};  male  of  the  st^cond  year  is  similar  to  the  female,  with  the  steel-lilni'  a|)peai'- 
inp  in  patches. 

Total  lenirth  (of  1.. ')((!).  ".oil;  win;.',  (i.lKl;  tail,  ;!.l(l :  dilfcrenco  l)ctwcen  inner  and  outer 
feather,  ."');  dilfefence  hetween  lirsl  and  ninth  (piills,  'J.SS;  Icnj^'tii  of  hill  from  forehead, 
.">.") ;  from  nostril,  .;i4  ;  aioiif,'  pape,  .'.H  :  width  of  papc,  .71;  taisns,  .01  :  middle  toe  ami 
claw,  .80  ;  claw  alone,  .'2ij  ;  hind  toe  and  claw,  M  ;  claw  alone,  .27. 

Had.  The  whole  of  tlu!  L'liited  States  and  the  Provinces;  Saskatchewan;  Ci\\-i>'  St. 
Lucas  and  Northern  Mcxi(,'o  (winter);  Orizaba  (Si'MTcnii,\ST) ;  I!cinni<Ia.  Accidental  in 
Kii;,dand.     South  American  and  West  Indian  liirds  apparently  bcloiii:  to  other  races. 

AFany  WesttM-n  tulult  males  tiro  oonsitkn'alily  loss  violacentis  than  any  East- 
ern ono  ;  hilt  tiicrc  is  so  iniicli  variation  in  this  rcsjicct  ainnnif  spcciiucns  from 
one  locality,  that  this  dillerenco  in  lustre  does  not  st-L-m  of  much  im- 
portance. 

An  adult  female  (Xo.  ()1,3G1,G.  A.  lioardman)  from  Lake  Harney,  Florida, 
is  so  uidike  all  other  siieciinens  in  the  collection  as  to  almost  wtirrant  our 
considcriiij,'  it  as  representing  a  distinct  local  '.■•ice.  It  dillers  from  females 
and  young  males  of  all  tlic  other  races  (except  cki/ans,  from  which  it  differs 
in  other  striking  particulars)  in  the  following  resjiects  :  Above,  the  lustrous 
sttel-lilue  is  uninterrupted,  the  forehead  and  nape  iK.'ing  uniform  with  the 
otiier  portions  ;  beneath,  dark  smoky-gray,  inclining  to  whitish  on  the  nuddle 
of  the  abdomen ;  the  jugulum  and  crissum  have  a  laint  gloss  of  steel-blue, 

the  feathers  of  the  latter  bordcretl 
with  grayish-Avhite.  The  chief  dilTer- 
cnce  I'roiu  chijaHs  is  in  lacking  the 
conspiciU)US  grayish-white  border  to 
the  featiiers  of  the  whole  lower  part, 
the  surfat'c  being  uniform  instead  of 
conspicuously  sipiamated.  AVing,  o.GO ; 
tail,  3.0tl ;  fork  of  tiiil,  .80  dee)). 

llAmrs.  Tiie  I'lirjile  Martin  is  em- 
]>hatically  a  bird  connnon  to  the  whoh^ 
of  Xorth  America.  It  breeds  from 
Florida  to  high  northern  latitudes, 
and  from  the  Atliintic  to  the  Pacific. 
It  is  very  abundant  in  Florida,  as  it 
is  in  various  other  ])arts  of  the  country 
fartl-er  north,  and  the  large  flocks  of  migrating  birds  of  tliis  sjiecies  which 
pass  through  Eiislern  Alassaciiusetts  the  last  of  Septend)er  iittest  its  equal 
abundance  north  of  the  latter  State.     It  occurs  in  15ermuda,  is  resident  in  the 


Proi^ttf  subis. 


HIKUNDINIUvE  — THE  SWALLOWS.  33^ 

alpine  ref,noiis  of  Mexico,  and  is  also  fbuiul  at  Ca|.u  St.  Lucas.  Accidental 
spccinjens  liuvc  heen  dutectod  in  Knyland  and  in  iicland.  It  is  ahimdant 
on  tlic  .Saskatchewan.  IJiirnieister  states  that  this  species  is  ciuniiKin  in  the 
vicinity  oC  K'io  de  Janeiro,  and  tliat  it  is  distril.iitcd  in  nuulenitc  almndance 
tin'ou-li  the  whole  of  tro].ical  Soutli  America.  Von  rd/eln  also  cites  it  as 
occurrin-,'  on  the  Kio  Xcjr,„  „nd  at  Manaiineri  throii-h  tiie  three  winter 
months,  nestinj,'  in  old  l.uiidin-s  and  in  holes  in  the  rocks.  It  i.s,  iiowever, 
tiuite  possihle  tiiat  tiiey  refer  to  an  allied  hut  distinct  siiecies. 

In  a  wild  state  tlie  natural  resort  of  tills  species,  for  nestin-,'  and  shelter, 
was  to  hollow  trees  and  crevasses  in  rocks.  The  introduction  of  civilized' 
hfe,  and  with  it  of  other  siifer  and  more  convenient  places,  better  adapted  to 
their  wants,  has  wrought  an  entire  eiian-e  in  its  hid)its.  It  is  now  very 
rarely  known  to  resort  to  a  hollow  tree,  thou,^]i  it  will  do  so  where  better 
provision  is  not  to  be  had.  Comfortable  and  convenient  lioxes,  of  various 
devices,  in  our  cities  and  large  towns,  attract  them  to  buihl  in  small  (iommu- 
nities  around  the  dwellings  of  man,  where  their  .social,  familiar,  and  conliding 
disposition  make  them  general  favorites.  There  they  find  abundance  of  in" 
sect  food,  and  repay  their  benefactors  by -the  destruction  of  numi'rous  injuri- 
ous and  noxious  kind.s,  and  there,  too,  they  are  also  comparatively  .safe  IVom 
their  own  enemies.  These  conveniences  vary  from  the  elegant  martin- 
houses  that  adorn  private  grounds  in  our  Eastern  cities  to  the  ruder  gourds 
and  calabashes  which  ure  said  to  be  frequently  placed  near  the  humliler 
cabins  of  tlie  Southern  negroes.  In  Washington  the  columns  of  the  public 
buildings,  and  the  eaves  and  sheltered  portions  of  the  jiiazzas,  afford  a  con- 
venient i)rotection  to  large  numbers  around  the  Patent  OtUce  and  the  Post- 
Ollice  buildings. 

The  al)undance  of  this  s]iecies  varies  in  different  i)arts  of  the  country,  from 
causes  not  always  apparent.  In  the  vicinity  of  Boston  it  is  quite  unusual, 
though  said  to  have  been,  forty  years  since,  quite  common.  There  their 
places  are  taken  by  the  //.  himlor,  who  occupy  almost  exclusively  the  mar- 
tin-houses, and  very  rarely  build  in  hollow  trees. 

Sir  John  llidiardson  states  tiiat  it  arri\es  within  the  Arctic  Circle  earlier 
than  any  other  of  its  family.  It  made  its  first  appearance  at  Great  Bear 
Lake  as  early  as  the  17th  of  :\ray,  when  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow, 
and  the  rivers  and  lakes  wen;  idl  iceljound. 

In  the  Southern  States  it  is  said  to  raise  tliree  broods  in  a  season  ;  in  its 
more  northe  .1  di.stribution  it  raises  but  one.  Their  early  migrations  expose 
the  j\Iartins  to  severe  exposure  and  suffering  from  changes'of  weather,  in 
which  large  numl)ers  have  been  known  to  perish.  An  occurrence  of  this 
kind  is  said  to  have  taken  i)lac(!  in  Eastern  jMassachusetts,  whore  nearly  all 
the  birds  of  this  sj)ecies  were  destroyed,  and  where  to  this  day  their  places 
have  never  l)een  sujiplied. 

Within  its  selected  compartment  the  :\Iartin  prepares  a  loose  and  irregular 
nest.     This  is  composed  of  various  materials,  such  as  fine  dry  lea\es,  straws, 


832  NOUTII  AMKlilCAN   lilKDS. 

sloins  of  j,'rasse.s,  tine  twif,'s,  bits  of  striiij,',  Viijjs,  etc.  Tlii'su  iire  ciiridcssly 
tlirowu  tui^L'tlifr,  ami  tlu'  wlmli!  is  usually  warmly  lini'd  witli  loatluM's  or 
otlior  aoi't  iimterials.  Tiiis  nest  is  dccupii'd  year  al'tiT  year  by  tliu  sauio  ])air, 
but  with  I'at'li  iiuw  brooil  tlit!  lu'st  is  tliniouj^lily  roi)aii'eil,  ami  ol'tuu  increasuil 
in  sizo  liy  tlio  accumulatiou  ol'  nnw  materials. 

Tlu!  Martins  do  not  winter  in  tlio  Uniti-d  States,  but  enter  the  extreme 
Southern  portions  early  in  February.  Auilubon  states  that  they  ftrrivo  often 
in  jirodi^ious  ilocks.  On  the  Ohio  their  advent  is  about  the  I'lth  of  ^huvli^ 
nnd  in  Missouri,  Ohio,  and  I'ennsylvania  aliout  the  Itlth  of  April.  Alnait 
Boston  their  app(!arance  is  from  the  LTith  of  Ajiril  to  the  middle  of  ]\biy. 
Mr.  Audubon  states  that  they  all  return  to  the  Soutla^rn  States  about  the 
20th  of  Auj;;ust,  but  this  is  hardly  correct.  Their  de])arture  varies  very  nmch 
with  the  .season.  In  the  fall  of  187l'  they  were  to  be  found  in  large  Hocks, 
slowly  moving  southward,  but  often  remaining  several  days  at  a  tinu!  at  the 
same  place,  and  then  proceeding  to  their  next  halt.  Their  favorite  places  for 
such  stoj)S  are  usually  a  high  and  uninhabited  hillside  wv.iw  the  .sea. 

The  Martin  is  a  bold  and  courageous  biid,  ])rom])t  to  meet  and  repel  dan- 
gers, especially  when  threatened  by  winged  enemies,  never  hesitating  to  at- 
tack and  ilrivo  them  away  from  its  neighborhood.  It  is  therefore  a  valuable 
protection  to  the  barnyard.  Its  I'ood  is  the  laiger  kinds  of  insects,  especially 
beetles,  in  destroying  which  it  again  does  good  service  to  the  husbandman. 
The  song  of  the  Martin  is  a  succession  of  twitters,  which,  without  being 
nuisical,  are  far  from  being  unpleasant ;  they  begin  with  the  earliest  dawn, 
and  during  the  earlier  periods  of  incubation  are  almost  incessantly  repeated. 
The  eggs  of  the  Purple  Martin  measure  .'.'4  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .?!•  in 
breadth.  They  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shaj)e,  are  pointed  at  one  end,  are  of 
a  uniform  creamy-white,  and  are  never  s])otted.  They  are  cpiite  uniform 
in  size  and  shape.  Eggs  from  Florida  are  proportionally  smaller  than  those 
from  the  Northern  States. 


Progne  subis,  \ar.  cryptoleuca,  Uaiud. 

CUBAN  HABTIN. 

Prague  cryptokvai,  IJAnu),  I'ev.  Am.  liinls,  lSii4,  L'"7.  Hiritndo  jmrpurrn,  D'Oiin.  Sagr.i's 
Cuba,  Ois.  1840,  9-1  (i'.\cl.  syii.).  Progne ptiqmren.  Cad.  Jour.  IHM,  3.  —  Gundlacu, 
Cab.  Jour.  ISCl. 

Sp.  CiiAlt.  (No.  .'i4,L'4'_',  (J).  Color  niiich  !i.<  ill  A  .s'v'd'.s-.  —  rich  ,-;t<'cl-l.liic,  witli  piiri)lu 
or  violet  fjloss ;  the  win  J,'.-;  and  tail,  however,  nnicli  more  ileeidedly  ijlossed,  and  with  u 
sliadu  of  frreeiusli.  The  leathers  around  the  anns  and  in  the  anterior  portion  of  eris.smn 
witli  dark  Ijhiish  down  at  base,  pure  snowv-wliite  in  thcnnddle,  luid  then  blackish,  pa.ssiug 
into  the  usual  .steel-lilue.  Tlie  white  is  entirely  concealed,  and  its  amount  and  pui'ity 
diminish  as  the  featlier.s  are  more  and  more  distant,  until  it  fades  into  the  usual  gray 
median  portion  of  the  feather.  The  usual  concealed  white  ])ateli  on  the  sides  under  tho 
wings.     Total  length,  7.*>0;  wiug,  5.r)0 ;  tail,  3.40;  perpendicular  depth  of  fork,  .80;  dil- 


uiHrNnixiD.H-rm';  s\vai,i,()\vs. 


^^ii 


I'O 


leivn.v  h,.tw,.,.„  first  and  niiill,  priMmry.  L'". :  l,.M^MlM.n,ill  r,„M,  lo.vlM.ml,  .-.:,;  li-.m. 
nustnl,..i4;  nlm,- nnpc,  .Ni;  wi,|tli,  ..".S;  i,„-s,i,  ..-,.);  inHl.llc  tor  ,m,l  .law,  .711 ;  ,.l,iw  aloiif. 
.'J  I;  hind  loc  lunl  claw,  ..Vj  ;  claw  alone,  .li'i. 

I-hmfr  (I7,7;J(»,  .M,.nic  Wnic,  Cnlm,  .May  li ;  (J.  \Vn,i,hi).  AIm.v  sIc..|-M,i,.,  less  flossy 
lliiin  ni  llic  male,  and  Urmuuu-^  liislivl,.ss  .lark  sniolvy-hi-own  ..n  the  lorehead  Head 
lalei-allyan.l  I.^mmIIk  wilh  jn-nhini  and  sides,  nnifonn    l,r..wnish-i-av   (with.,„t  darker 

sIimKs  „r  !if.i,ler  l.or -s  to  feathers,  as  i„  .„/,/..) ;  whole  aluloiuen,  anal  rcfrion,  and  criss,,,,. 

snowy-white,  ineludin-  ll„.  shafts.     Wiii^,  .V-lil;  tail,  '.'^sil ;  fork  of  tail,  .70  deep. 

_    Von,,,  n,.,h  (l(),;!(;,S,  Cap,,    K|,„.i,|a,  May  IS,    IS.'.S;  f}.  Wmdt mn).     Si,„ilar  to  the 

leniale,  l.iit  th.'  st,.el-hlne  above  nmre  hrillianl  and  c.iiliinioMs,  the  forehead  and  win..-s 
beni-  nearly  as  lustr.Mis  as  the  hark  ;  throat,  and  JnMnlmn  mixed  with  .steel-Mne  lealheis 
.m.lerwsMUi  with  so,,,..  i;.alh..is  .,f  sl.M.|-hl„..  honleiv.l  with  whitish,  \Vi„.^  ,:,4U-  fiii' 
2.!)();   r.M'k  ..f  fail,  .8(1  ,I,.,.p. 

IIaii.     (•,,ha,  an. I  Kloiida  K.'vs?     (P.'ihaps  Ualianias.) 

Tlii.s  species  litis  ti  close  e.Kteiiiiil  ivseiiihliiiin"  to  /'.  snhi^,  fur  wliidi  it  has 
usiiiilly  been  iiiistiikcii.  It  is  ..f  iictrly  the  same  si/e,  iiiit  tlu;  feet  tire  disimj- 
liortioimtely  siimller  iin.l  weiiker;  while  Mie  wiiigs  are  shniter,  the  tail  is  as 
loiit,' tiii.l  more  deeply  IWike.l ;  tlu!  letttliers  ennsi,|,.fal,ly  i,aiT..\v,.iMiii.l  more 
iittemiated  (the  outer  .40  wi.le,  iiisfeiid  of  .4(1).  Thi;  eulois  al.,)ve  aiv  iii.,ri 
hrilliiiiit,  luid  e.xteiid  more  over  the  ,i,'reiiler  wiiiir-eoverts  and  liiiino  „f  wino-s, 
while  the  (piills  and  tiiil-ieiithers  have  ii  richer  j-lo.ss  of  i.urplish"  chiinoii",o' 
to  ,e;reeiiish.  An  .ipptirently  o-ood  diiiono.stic  feittiire  is  the  coiicetiled  pure 
whitt!  of  the  feiithers  al.oiit  the  anal  reojons,  ivplaced  in  .sv/A/.s  l,y  orayisii, 
rarely  iipproximatine;  to  whitish. 

A  I'mpie  eoUecteil  i.y  Mr.  Wri-lit,  at  Monte  Verde,  is  duller  in  color  than 
that  from  IJemedios,  lint  has  .still  more  coiicaleil  white  l.elow,  in  the  median 
portion,  not  only  of  the  anal  feathers,  l.iit  of  tlio,se  of  the  entire  cri.ssiun  and 
of  the  belly.  A  female  bird,  which  I  presume  to  be  the  same  species,  can 
sciircely  be  <listinj,'tiished  from  the  female  of  (hynrnnrensU,  except  in  the 
brownish  shafts  of  the  lonoer  cri.s.sid  feathers,  and  an  almost  imiu-rceptible 
tin-e  of  brownish  in  the  webs  of  the  .stinic  feathers.  It  is  tdmost  e.Ktictly 
like  the  /'.  Inuv(jiisl,'r  of  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

This  species  is  included  in  the  North  American  fauna  in  eoiise(pi(.iice  of 
the  capture  of  a  specimen  (Ko,  l(),;!(iS  ^  j,n:,  May  l.S,  I.Sn.Sj  at  Cape  Flor- 
ida, which  is  with  scarcely  a  doiilit  refertil,le  to  it.  This  spinmiien  is  a 
youn-  male  in  its  second  year,  so  thtit  it  is  ditiicult  to  ascartain  positively 
Its  relationshii.  to  the  two  idlied  s])ecies  ;  but  tis  it  a-rees  perfectly  in  its  pro- 
portKms  with  vr!iptolcHm,-Am\  its  j-himaoe  dillcrs  from  the  corresponding  (uie 
ot  suhi>i  m  essential  respects,  we  Iitive  little  hesitation  in  referriii-.-  it  to  the 
for  liter.  " 

Nothing  distinctive  is  recorded  as  to  the  habits  of  this  bird. 


334 


XUUTII  AilEiaCAX  liiiins. 


1M333 


Gfnus   PETROCHELIDON.   (  auams. 

Pctrochclidiw,  V\\\.  Miis.  llciii.  isrid,  IS')!,  47.     (Type,  lliruinlii  mcldwijaster.  Swains. 

•=  ]'.  KirdiiiMiiii,  ScL. ) 

(li;x.  CiiAli.     Bill  .-itoiit  iiiul  ilci'ii,  soiiicwliiit  iis  iij   Pnit/ne.     Nostiil.f  oiitirely  snporior, 

o|)oii,  without  o\xTliiuij,'iiij( 
iiifiiiliriuu'  on  tlif  iiiiKU'  (or 
iipiicr)  sitlo,  but  .soinowlmt 
ovorliiiii},'  liy  short  hristlo.s, 
si'i'ii  also  aliiiiif  liiise  of  iiiiicr 
niaiiilililo  and  in  I'hin.  Lc<,'s 
stout ;  the  tarsi  .short,  not  ox- 
I'L'oilinj;  the  middle  too  exclu- 
sive of  its  eluw  ;  leathered  all 
round  liirliasal  third  or  I'ourth, 
thoMjih  no  I'ealliers  are  insert- 
ed on  the  posterior  liiee.     Tail 

I'allinjr  slmi't  of  the  closed  winirs,  nearly  sipiare  i^r  slii^htly  ennuyinatc  ;  the  lateral  leathers 

broa<l  to  near  the  ends,  and  not  attenuated. 

Of  tliis  ejoims  as  rostrictod  we  liave  but  one  .species  in  Xdith  America, 
nltli(iuj,']i  several  others  occur  in  tlie  AVest  Indies  iiiul  the  southern  ^.arts  of 
liie  continent.  All  have  the  back  steel-blue,  with  concealed  streaks  of  white  ; 
tlie  runii),  ciissuni,  and  a  narrow  nuchal  btiiid,  and  usu.illy  the  foreiiead, 
chestnut. 


^:^»\  ^ 


Pi  irnrh,  Inlon  luiiifruiix. 


Petrochelidon  lunifrons,  R-vikd. 

CLIFF  SWALLOW;  EAVE  SWALLOW. 

Iliriniilo  hinifninx,  .Say,  I.eiifi's  Exp.  II,  18'J;!,  17  (Kocky  Mts.).  Cassin  ;  B:ir,wr,t!,  X.  A. 
Oul.  I,  18")7,  !M,  pi.  V,  no.  (i8-7;!  (i^Ks).  -  liAO!l>,  Birds  N.  Ami.  ISSS,  3119.  —  l-AW- 
I!i:n(i;,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Eye.  1801,  :!17  (I'iuiiniia  I!.  I!.  ;  wintcrK  -  Vi;iiiiii.r,,  I'r.  liost.  N.  II., 
iSdi'.  l.'^iil,  •i7i)  (iiii.uratiiiii  ami  liisl(iry).  —  l.iuin,  I'r.  I!.  A.  Inst.  Woohvirli,  IV,  18(54, 
]()  (I'.r.  I 'el.  :  nesting').  -Coiu'i;!!  &  Si-cKi.r.v,  1'.  I!.  I{.  XII,  ii,  184  (Wash.  Terr.).  — 
Dai.i.  &  liANNisrii!,  •J7!>  (Alaska). -- Coon-.i;,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  187(),  104.  —  Samii-i.s,  2r.(). 
Pctriichdidon  I.  Baiiih,  Heview,  18()4,  ;288.  //.  o/ii/i.i;  t'l.isro.N,  18-24.  //.  rcn/iiih- 
liaiiKi,  Afl).  18''4.  Il.fiih-ii,  l!ox.  (not  of  Vii'.ii.i.or).  — Acii.  Orn  iliof;.  1,  pi.  Iviii. 
—  lu.  Birds  Am.  I,  pi.  xlvii.  —Maxim.  Vi\h.  .lour.  VI,  18r)8,  100. 

Sp.  f'llAR.  (Xo.  lS,:i22  (J.)  Top  of  lie;id  i;lossy  Mack,  with  fri-ccnish  lustre;  hack  and 
scapulars  similar,  hut  rather  duller,  ami  somewhat  sln^akeil  hy  the  appearance  (jf  the  white 
sides  of  the  feathers,  —  the  bases  of  the  Icallicrs,  however,  beiuii;  phnnbeous.  Chin,  throat, 
r.nd  sides  of  head,  ehestnut-l)rown,  this  oxtcndinu:  round  on  the  nape  as  a  distinct  con- 
tinuous collar,  whirh  is  bounde(l  postei'iorly  by  dull  L'rayish.  The  (■h<'stniit-  dark''st  on  the 
ehin,  with  a  lich  ])urplish  tinuc.  Riunp  above  and  on  sides  palci'  chesliml  (sometimes  fail- 
infr  iido  whitish).  rp|ici-  tail-coverts  <.'|-avish-br(iwn,  eilLfed  will:  p.'dcr,  liLrliler  than  the 
plain  brown  of  the  wiiiLis  and  tail.  Forehead,  for  the  li'iij^th  of  the  bill,  ercamy-white, 
somewhat  lunate,  or  exti-ndiiif,'  in  an  acute  aii<,de,  a  little  over  the  eye  ;  .i  very  narrow 
blackish  frontlet  ;  loral  region  dusky  to  the  bill.    A  patt-'h  of  (flossy  bluek  in  the  lower  part 


HIIlUNDIXin.'K  — TIII'J  SWALLOWS,  •^}^-y 

of  the  breast,  and  n  few  Mack  li'allu'is  in  tlic  cxlrciiic  diiii,  llic  latter  soniPtiinc-i  scarcclv 
aiipi'cciablc.  I'liilri'  parls  cliill  wliili'.  tiuLTril  willi  leililish-ui'av  mi  llic  sMcs  ami  inside  ol' 
till'  wiiij^s.  Fcallicis  ot'ciissuiii  liiowiiish-uniy.  cil^cil  wilii  wliitisii,  with  a  liiiire  otriilims 
aiitcriorly  (soiiicliiiics  aiiiidst  iiia|i|)r('i'ialiii').  Xcst  ni'  ii.iid,  lined;  luiill  a^aiiisl  rocks  or 
licaiiis;  opening:  sometimes  circular,  on  the  side  ;  somelimes  open  aliove  ;  e;,'L's  spotted. 

Total  lon.s;lli,  5.1(1;  winu',  4SM;  tail,  "J.  Id,  neaily  even:  ililVerencc  of  primary  ipiills, 
2.10;  lenjrlli  ofliill  I'rom  loreliead,  .:!S.  I'roni  nostril.  ."_'."),  alomr  j.'ape,  .(id,  wiillli,  ."iO ;  tarsu.s, 
.48:  niidtlli'  toe  and  claw,  .7-;  claw  alone,  .22;  himl  toe  and  claw.  .11  ;  claw  alone,  .20. 

II.vi!.  i'lnlire  I'niled  Slates  from  Atlantic  lo  I'ai'ilic,  mid  aloin;- cenlral  re;.noii  lo  Arctii; 
Oi'caii  anil  Fort  Yukon  ;  I'anaiua  in  winli'r.  .Nol  iioleil  .at  Cape  St.  Lucas,  in  Mexico,  or 
in  West  Indies. 

TIrto  is  no  (liirfi'dice  iKitwocu  flic  sc.xij.s,  Init  tlm  yomic;  liinl  is  vci'v  ilif- 
t'ciiMit  i'niiu  till!  luliilL  111  llii!  lullowiiio  jKirticiilars :  the,  slucl-liliu'  aiioM' 
is  rt'iilacod  liy  n  lustR'ies'^  (lusky-liruwn,  llic  rcutliers  (cxccpl  uii  iicad) 
liciiig  mai'.i^iiKHl  witli  a  ci'caiiiy  tint ;  tiic  neck  merely  liiiocd  with  iiircms  ; 
the,  throat  lias  only  a  diisUy  sull'iision,  and  the  chin  is  nuicli  iiii.xcd  willi 
white  ;  the  tVonlal  jiatcii  is  oli.s(dcte. 

A  closely  allied  species  tVom  ATexico,  /*.  siniinsoiii  (sixi  Hainl,  \U'\.  Am. 
IJii'ds,  bSt;."),  211(1),  po.ssibly  yet  to  he  i'ouiid  near  otir  southern  iiorder,  dill'ers 
as  I'ollows  :  — 

Frontlf't  re<lilisli-white,  with  narrow  band  of  likiek  aloiiir  iii>pci-  iiiandililc  .  hnv/roiiK. 
Frontlet  chestnut-brown,  without  black  at  liii>e  of  iip|ier  niaiidible.    Size  .smaller. 

mriiiiisDiii. 

Sonie<inies  fas  in  11,(127  9  iiiid  11,02.".  <^ ,  Fort  Rridoer)  tin-  Idack  patch 
extends  iijiward,  soiiiewiiat  lirokcn,  liow(!vcr,  lo  the  liill. 

Haiuts.  The  ciirly  history  ol'  the  (liiV  Swallow  must  always  remain  in- 
volved in  sonic  ohsciirity,  so  I'ar  as  concerns  its  nunilieis  and  distri'iiition 
liet'oi'c  the  tirst  scttlenieiit  ol' the  coiinlry,  and  c\cii  down  to  the  early  }iortioii 
of  the  present  century.  Its  existciuH^  was  unknown  to  Mr.  Wilson,  and  it 
was  unknown  to  oliuu-  naturalists  until  olitaincd  iiy  Say,  in  Lono;'s  expedi- 
tion to  the  liocky  Mountains  in  1S20.  It  is  now  known  to  occur  nearly 
tlirou,tj;hoiit  Nortli  Anieiica,  and  to  breed  IVom  rennsylvania  to  the  Arctic 
reoions,  and  t'roni  the  .Vtlantic  to  the  I'acilic.  ^'ct  to  many  parts  ol'  the 
country  it  is  a  ""W-cc  er,  where,  a  few  years  since,  it  vas  uitindy  un- 
known. It  .seems  to  li>  irohalilc  thai  at  lirsl  this  specie -was  to  lie  t'lMind 
only  in  certain  localities  tiiai  olfcrcd  lavoialtlc  jilaccs  whcrcoii  to  I'oiistriict 
tlieir  nests.  Where  liioli  linicstone  cjills  aiMuiml,  these  birds  may  have 
always  occurred,  altlicu.uii  esca]>in,o'  idiscrvatioii. 

in  tlu'  sanio  yea.'  that  I.ono  discovered  this  species  amoiij.;  tlu^  I'ocky 
Mountains  ( iS20),  Sir  .iolin  Franklin's  ]iarty  also  met  with  it  between  the 
Cunilierlaiid  Mouse  and  ImmI  Knler|irise,  and  on  the  banks  of  Point  Fake,  in 
latitude  (lo".  In  .luiie,  ISii.'i,  a  niimlicr  id'  these  birds  made  their  tirst  aji- 
pearance  at  Fort  ('hijipewyan,  and  btiilt  their  nests  under  the  eaves  ot  the 
liou.«a  This  fort  had  then  existed  many  years,  and  tri>diiio;-])osts  had  been 
in  existence  a  century  and  a  hall,  and  yet  this  was  the  lirst  inslance  of  its 


336  XORTH  AMKUICAN  JUliDS. 

])liiciii,n'  itsolf  iiiidcr  tlio  ]ir(itc(ti(in  dl'  man  tliionyliont  Mint  wide  cxtont  of 
tciTitoiy.  Mv.  Aii(liili(iii  met  witli  tliis  s[iecies  iit  llemleisuii,  0:1  tlie  Ohio,  in 
ISl').  Two  yi'ius  liitei'  lie  I'uiind  11  colony  breeding  in  Newport,  Ky.,  which 
dated  baek  to  the  same  year.  Several  other  colonies  in  that  nci.n'hhorliood 
also  first  appeared  in  the  .same  year.  In  1837  i  reei'ived  their  e,u;j;s  from 
Coventry,  \'t.,  at  which  'ime  they  were  a  new  species  to  me.  They  were 
there  known  as  the  '"  I-lave  Swallow,"  and  the  time  of  their  first  apjiearance 
could  not  he  determined.  I  first  met  with  them  in  18:!!),  at  JaflVey,  X.  II., 
where  they  had  made  their  first  apiH'arance  the  year  hef'ore,  anil  were  not 
then  known  to  be  anywhere  t-lse  in  that  vicinity.  The  same  year  I  r.ter- 
wards  foinul  them  in  lUirliiij^ton,  Vt.,  where  they  had  been  known  only  for 
three  years.  When  or  where  they  first  appealed  in  ^lassiiclmsetts  is  not 
known.  I  first  observed  a  larye  colony  of  tiiem  in  Attlelioroiifih  in  1842. 
Its  size  imlicatcd  the  existence  of  these  liirds  in  that  ])lace  for  .several  years. 
Tlic  same  year  they  also  ai)peared,  apjiareiitly  for  the  first  time,  in  Ijoston, 
llinyham,  and  in  other  ]ila('es  in  the  iiei,niiborlioo('. 

In  1824,  l)e  Witt  Clinton  read  a  paper  to  the  New  York  Lyceum,  stating 
that  he  had  met  with  the.se  birds  at  Whitehall,  X.  Y.,  at  the  southern  end  of 
Lake  Chaiii]ilain,  in  1817,  alxmt  the  time  of  their  first  a])iieaiance  on  the 
Ohio;  and  li\'v.  Zadock  Thompson  met  with  tluiiii  in  Randolph,  Yt.,  at  about 
the  same  period.  (Jeneral  Dearliorn  noticed  them  for  the  first  time  in  Win- 
throp.  Me.,  in  ISod.     They  first  apj'cared  at  Carlisle,  Penn.,  in  1841. 

Professor  Yerrill  discovered,  in  18(11,  a  large  colony  of  these  birds  breeding 
on  the  high  limestone  cliffs  of  Anticosti,  appari'iitly  in  their  original  condi- 
tion, and  entirely  removed  frnin  the  influences  of  man.  Tliis  suggested  an 
in([uiry  as  to  their  early  ]ireseiK'e  in  Xortheasteru  .Viiieiica.  from  the  in- 
formati<in  he  received,  lu^  was  led  t(,)  (Mjiicludc!  tiiat  tliis  Swalhnv  was  known 
to  certain  ]iai'ls  of  Maiiu^  earlier  than  its  first  discovery  anywhere  in  the 
We.st.  AVliether  these  birds  were  indigenous  to  the  West  t>v  not  cannot  now 
be  determined.  That  they  wert!  discovered  tiiere  only  so  reciuitly  as  1820 
|)rovcs  iiiithing.  U'e  only  know  that  in  certain  Incalities  —  such  as  llock 
liivcn"  <in  the  ^fississippi,  and  at  Anticosti  on  tiie  St.  Lawreiire  —  their  occur- 
rence  in  large  nnmliers  i'l  their  former  nornial  condilion  of  independence 
suggests  in  either  locality  an  ecpially  remote  liegiuning.  It  is  ]iossible,  and 
even  iiroliable,  tliat  in  favoralile  localities  in  various  parts  of  the  country  they 
existed  in  isolated  colonies.  The  sctllement  of  the  country,  and  the  multi- 
])lication  of  convenieiii,  sheltered,  and  safe  jilaces  fbr  their  nests,  gradually 
wrought  a  cliangi'  in  their  liabits,  and  greatly  multiplied  tiieir  niimliers.  At 
St.  Stephen,  X.  I'.,  and  in  that  neiglib(uliood,  Mr.  Pioardiiian  found  this 
s]iecies  as  abundant  in  1828  as  they  have  been  at  any  time  since.  They  wen; 
then  very  plentiful  under  the  eaves  of  several  olil  barns  in  that  jiart  of  the 
country.  Yet  twelve  years  afterward  they  were  entirely  unknown  on  the 
lower  Keiinebeclc. 

Ih'.  Coojier  fonud  this  to  be  an  abundant  s])ecies  in  California,  on  the 


HIIUTNDINID.l':  — THE  SWAIJ.OWS.  337 

mast,  wlipre  tlicv  ln'cod  on  tlio  clills,  iiiid  liavc^  nil  tlic  iipiPi'avaiici'  nf  Ikmii^- 
iii(li;4eiK)U.s.  Tlicy  ii]i]ieiii-  iit  San  Difyn  as  eaily  as  Mairli  !."),  a  wtx'k  l)i>f'or(! 
the  IJurn  Swallow,  and  do  not  iwivc  nnlil  OcIoIkt.  Tlioy  Imild  men  in  tlio 
noisy  streets  of  San  Fnuicisco.  I)r.  ('o(]])er  observed  lliciu  calcliiiiL^'  yonni,' 
grasslio]i])ers,  wliich  is  certainly  niinsnal  food  lor  Swallows,  and  one  Uiat  lias 
proved  fatal  to  yonnj;  IJarn  Swallows  wlieii  fed  to  tlie  latter  in  continenienl. 
At  Santa  Cruz  they  bred  as  early  as  April  12,  and  had  second  liroods  July  '>. 

The  nests  of  this  Swallow,  when  built  on  the  side  of  a  elilV  or  in  any  ex- 
j)osed  position,  are  eonstrneted  in  the  sha])e  of  a  retort,  the  lar.uer  [lortiou 
adhering  to  the  wall,  arched  over  at  the  toj)  and  projectin.^'  in  front,  witli  a 
covered  passage-way  o])ening  at  the  tiottoni.  The  normal  original  nest,  in  a 
state  of  nature,  is  an  elaborate  and  remarkably  ingenious  structure  shelter- 
ing its  inmates  from  the  weathe.  and  from  their  many  enemies.  Since  they 
]iave  sought  the  shelter  of  man  and  built  under  the  eaves  of  barns  and  houses, 
the  old  style  of  their  nests  has  been  greatly  changed,  and  the  riitort-like  shape 
has  nearly  disapi)eared. 

In  building  and  in  re])airing  their  nests  they  work  with  great  industry,  and 
often  conii)lete  their  task  with  wonderful  celeiity.  Where  they  exist  in  a 
large  colony,  it  is  not  an  uncomnuni  thing  to  see  several  birds  at  work  ui)ou 
the  same  nest,  —  one  liird,  aj)parenlly  the  female  owner,  always  assisting  and 
directing  the  whole.  After  the  work  of  coristruction  has  gone  so  far  as  to 
permit  the  occujiation  of  the  nest,  it  is  ofttui  to  be  observed  tliat  tlie  task  of 
completing  and  improving  the,  structure  is  kept  up  by  tlu;  male.  In  a  large 
eoh)ny  of  these  Swallows,  whose  nests  wen;  built  iinder  the  projecting  roof 
of  a  barn  in  a  small  island  in  tlu^  Hay  of  I'Vudy,  every  nesi  was  as  open  as  are 
those  of  the  ISarn  Swallow.  These  liirds  hail  been  eneouiagtMl  to  build  liy 
the  owner,  and  boai'ds  had  been  ]ilaced  almve  and  lielowtlieir  nests,  of  which 
they  at  once  took  advantage  to  build  an  unusual  nest.  These  nests  are 
made  of  various  kinds  of  adhesive  earth  and  mud.  They  are  neatly  and 
warmly  lined  with  line  dry  grasses  and  leaves,  intermingled  willi  I'eatheis, 
woo],  and  other  soft,  warm  substances.  It  has  been  thoughl  that  the  mud 
of  which  these  nests  are  composed  is  agglutinated  liy  the  saliva  of  tlie 
birds;  lint  of  this  I  liavi'  ne\ei'  lieen  able  to  detect  any  exideiice  in  ihe  nests 
themselves,  the  criimliling  nature  oj'  wiiich  wiieii  dry  is  against  this  supposi- 
tion ;  and  tlu^  birds  tiienisehes  ai'e  of  en  to  \n'.  seen  about  puddles  of  water, 
apparently  gathering  materials. 

When  the  nests  of  a  large  colony  are  in\aded,the  birds  manifest  great  un- 
easiness, collecting  in  a  swarm  over  the  head  of  I  lie  intruder,  wheeling  around 
in  circles,  uttering  loud  outcries,  and  e\-en  Hying  close  to  his  head,  as  if  to 
attack  him,  with  loud  snap]ping  of  the  liills. 

The  song  of  this  Swallow  is  an  unmusical  creak,  radier  tlian  a  twitter, 
I'recpuMit  rathe)'  tha  1  loud,  and  occasionally  harsh,  yet  so  earnest  and  genial 
in  its  expression  that  its  effect  is  far  from  being  unpleasant. 

The  ground-cuh)r  of  their  eggs  is  while,  and  they  are  marked  with  dots, 
■i;i 


338 


XORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


blotches,  and  points  of  nMldish-brown.  These  markings  vary  greatly  in  size, 
number,  and  distribution.  Tiiey  are  usually  chiefly  about  the  larger  end. 
In  .shape  they  are  u.sually  less  elongated  than  those  of  the  liarn  Swallow,  and 
their  markings  are  larger.  This  is  not,  however,  invariable,  and  the  two 
kinds  are  not  always  distinguishable.  In  length  they  vary  from  .875  of  an 
inch  to  .75,  and  their  average  breadth  is  .60. 


(J  EX  us   HIRUNDO,    Linn. 
Ilirundo,  LlSN.  Sy.st.  Xat.  1,  Idth  .mI.  17.58,  191.      (Type,  77.  rmlim,  I, inn.) 

Under  the  generic  head  of  Hirurulo  I  propose  to  combine  several  groups 

of  American  Swallows 
agreeing  in  moderate, 
dei)ressed  bill,  with 
straight  commissure, 
and  lateral  nostrils 
overhung  by  mem- 
brane; the  tarsi  feath- 
ered only  at  the  upper 
end,  or  else  entirely 
bare;  the  lateral  claws 
moderate,  not  extend- 
ing lieyond  the  base 
of  the  median  ;  the  edge  of  the  outer  primary  ^vithout  hooks ;  the  tail  varia- 
ble in  cliaracter,  from  a  very  deep  fork  to  a  slight  emargination  only. 

Subgenera. 

Tarsi  sli<:litly  foathero.l  m,  inner  faro  at  upp'T  end  ;  equal  ii,  length  to  niidcUe  toe 
without  elaw.  ,„        , 

Tail  verv  deeply  lork(>il  .....■• 

Tail  .sh.Lihtly  forked  or  einarirmate        ..•■•■•  '       ■> 

Tar.=i  entirelv  naked;  lenplhened  equid  to  middli"  toe  and  half  its  elaw. 
Tail  cousidei-ablv  lorked  ...••■• 


Uininilo  horrfoTinn. 


SuHdKxrs    HIRUNDO,     bixN- 

Okv.  CnAR.  Xostrils  lateral.  Tarsi  .short,  not  exeeodinfr  niiddl.'  toe  without  its  elaw  ; 
the  upper  joint  .'oveivd  with  feathers,  whii'h  extend  a  short  distance  along  the  iunor  faeo 
of  tarsus.  '  Tail  very  deepiv  forked;  the  lateral  feather  niueh  attenuated,  twice  M  lon/r  a.s 
the  middle.  Hasai  joint  i.f  mid.lle  toe  free  for  terminal  fourth  on  outside,  for  halt  on 
inside.      Nest  partly  of  muil.  and  lined  with  feathers;   eir^'s  spoiled. 

In  type,  and  in  Ameriean  .speei.^s.  the  lorohead  and  thnuil  rufons;  a  I. lack  pectoral  collar ; 
tail-feathers  with  lar^o  li.irht  spots  on  inner  wehs. 


1   ('.  ,;i<i,inn-ii-idls,  liiiVANT  ;    I'.Mlin,  Hev.  :'.o:!  (lialiamas). 


HIIiUNUINID.K— Tin:  SWALLOWS.  3;^(j 

Iiut  one  sj)ecies,  so  tar  as  known,  of  tliis  ,snl>^cnus  as  restricted,  lu'lonj^s 
to  America.     There  are,  however,  qnite  a  niunber  known  in  tlie  Old  World. 


Hirundo  horreorum,  Uakton. 

BARN  SWALLOW, 

Iliruudo  hirrrcorinii,  IJakton,  Fnigim'iit.s  X.  11.  I'cmiii.  17!i!>,  17.  —  H.viui),  IJiids  N.  Am. 
1858,  :W8;  licv.  294. —A.  &  K.  XKwroN,  Ibis,  l^.-iil,  (5(i  (.Stii.  Ciiiz  ;  tiiuisicut). — 
SiLATF.i!  &  S.vi.viN,  lliis,  18,'iy,  13  ((luatiMiialiO.  —  S(  LviKli,  r.  Z.  S.  18(U,  173  (City 
dl'  Me.\.)  —  Lawuk.ni  i;,  \\\\\.  N.  Y.  Vac.  I8t!l,  .!ltj  ( I'liiiiiina). — Cnni'KU  &  .Sicki.kv, 
1'.  U.  K.  licii.  XH,  11,  184  (south  of  Colutiibia  liivvi).  -  DAi.t.  >t  1!a\msti:ii,  U7y 
(Aliiska).  — CoiifKli,  Orii.  < 'al.  \,  1870,  l(l;i.  —  .Sa.ml-ki.s,  254.  Uii'iindo  ni/n,  Vli;iLl,. 
—  Cassis,  HI.  —  lii!i;\vi-.i;,  X.  Am.  Ool.  I,  1857,  91,  (il.  v,  li-;.  t):{-(i7  (I'g'^'s).  —  C'au. 
Juiir.  IV,  1850,  3  (Cuba  ;  siniiig  and  aiitmmi).  -  I!i:iniiai;iit,  Iliis,  18(>1,  5  ((iicciilaiiil  ; 
two  .speeiiuciis).  —  OfMiE.Arii,  Cab.  .lour.  18i!l,  328  (Culia  ;  coimiuou).  Uiruiiil.o 
amn- k(i lut,  Wihsos  ;  I'lcii  ;  La.mhioyi;,  Avcs  dc  Cuba,  lS5o,  44,  laiu.  vii,  lig.  2.  //('• 
rundu  riisliai,  Ari).  Oiii.  lUog.  II,  jil.  cLxxiii.  In.  liiiils  \m.  I,  jil.  .\lviii.  —  Jones, 
Nat.  Hist.  Boriiiuila,  34  (Ik'i'iuudas  ;  .Vug.  and  Sept.). 

Sp.  Char.     Tail  very  ilfcply  fdi-kcil ;  oulur  t'catliuf.s  suvt.Tid  u.idiu.s  loiiguf  than  the  iiiiioi', 
very  iianow  towaids  tho  oiid.    Above  _._ 

glossy  bhio,  with  coiiccaUMl  white  in 
the  niiddl<'  ol'tlie  bark.  Tlii'oat  eliest- 
iiut ;  rest  of  lower  paft  reddish-whife, 
not  (.'onspicuously  dilVeielit.  A  .steel- 
blue  eollar  on  the  upper  part  of  the 
breast,  interrupted  in  tho  middle.  Tiiil- 
lealheis  with  a  white  .spot  near  the 
luiddk',  on  the  iiuief  web.  Female 
with  the  oiitei-  tail-ti'athei-  not  cpiite 
so  long.  Length,  (i.DO  inches;  wing, 
5.00 ;  tail,  4.50. 

Hah.     Whole  of  the  I'niled  States;  ^  i^fci^^"^  "^^ 

noi'th  to  Foi't  liae,  Slavi;  Lake;  (ii-een-  ^^*^^tt^|E^?^"^°   '°^^'-^\J?[.  ]^^?^^^ 

land;  south  in  wintei-toCeiitial  .\ineri-  irimmin  hnrmmnn. 

ea  and  West  Indies  ;   I'anatua  (Lawk.); 

rialeau  of  .Mexico  (liieed.s,  Sl-.MicMi!A>;r) ;   Vei'agua,  Chii'iipii  (Saiain).     Not  found  at  Cape 
St.  Lucas.     South  Anu'ricay 

In  younj,'  Inrds,  tho  frontal  chustiuit  hand  is  smaller  and  loss  distinct. 

It  Is  still  a  ([iiestion  whether  a  South  American  resident  si)ecies  (//.  a-if- 
thriHjoder)  is  identical  or  not.  The  only  two  specimens  of  the  latter  (21,007 
and  iU,008,  Vermejo,  Feb.,  IHGO  ;  ('.  Wooil)  have  a  very  nuich  less  violaceous 
upper  jdnmage  than  ^'ortll  American  e.\ami)lcs,  the  blue  above  having 
even  a  oreeni.di  tinge.  They  are  moalting,  unfortunately,  so  tliat  they  cannot 
be  satisfactorily  com]iared  ;  except  in  the  resjiect  iiointed  out,  however,  they 
appear  to  be  identical  witli  Nortli  An.crican  exam])les. 

The  European  H.  rHx1iv(t  is  ])crfectly  distiiut,  thougli  closely  allied.  It 
dill'era  essentially  from  the  ximericau  //.  horreorum  iu  much  longer  outer 


340  NiiUTIl  A.Mi;i{l('AN   lilUDS. 

tail- It'll tliors,  and  in  Iiavinij;  a  very  lnoad,  continiKiits  ndlar  of  sti-fd-bliiu 
across  till'  juyiiliiiii,  ciitiridy  isoliiling  tlio  cdicstnut  ol'  tlai  tiiroal ;  tliu  abdo- 
iiicii  a|i|)('ais  to  lie  imu'li  iiiori!  wliitisli  tlian  in  tlic  Anu'i'icau  species. 

Many  s|)ecina'ns  of  H.  Iiurrcoritin  show  a  conlinudus  cii'lar,  but  tlien  tlie 
twolaleral  iicsfents  arc  liiit  just  barely  conncctetl.  lu  No.  :>.,\\)\  9,('arli.sle, 
I'enn.,  J\lay,  llien!  is  an  indication  of  as  broad  a  collar  as  in  tlie  Kuro|ieaii 
sjiccies;  but  tiu!  aica,  lliou.^li  sliarjily  iioiinded,  is  nut  uniformly  black,  beinj,' 
niucli  nn.xcd  centrally  witli  lij^lit  rufous. 

Specimens  of  IF.  /lormiriuit  from  both  coasts  of  North  America  appear  to 
be  perl'ectly  identical. 

JI.MilTs.  No  one  of  all  our  Xortli  American  birds  is  more  widely  dilfused, 
more  iicnerally  aliun<lant,  wherever  found,  or  better  known,  than  the  graceful 
and  familiar  IJaiii  Swallow.  ^Vnil  no  one  is  nioi'e  iiuiversuUy  or  more 
deservedly  a  fa\iirite.  Found  throughout  >i'orth  America  from  Florida  to 
tlreenland  and  I'rom  ocean  to  ocean,  and  breeding  nearly  throughout  the 
same  wide  e.vtent,  its  distribution  is  nnixersal.  W'litui'ing  with  a  confiding 
trust  into  our  crowded  cities,  and  l)uilding  their  ehiborute  nests  in  the 
porches  of  the  dwellings,  as  well  as  entering  in  greater  numbers  the  barns 
and  farm-])uildings  of  the  agriculturists  and  placing  them.selves  under 
the  ]irotectiou  of  man,  thtty  rarely  fail  to  win  for  themselves  the  inti'rest  and 
good-will  they  .so  well  deserve.  Innocent  and  blameless  in  tlu'ir  lives,  there 
is  no  evil  blended  with  the  many  btMiefits  they  cmiier  on  num.  They  are  his 
evei'-constaut  benefactor  and  friend,  and  are  never  known,  even  indirectly,  to 
do  him  any  injury.  For  their  daily  IVxxl,  and  for  that  of  their  offspring, 
they  destroy  the  in.sects  that  annoy  his  cattle,  injure  liis  fruit-tree.s,  sting 
his  fruit,  or  molest  his  person.  Social,  affectionate,  and  kind  in  their  inter- 
course with  each  other ;  faithful  and  devoted  in  the  discharge  of  their  conju- 
gal and  parental  duties  ;  exemplary,  watchful,  and  tender  alike  to  their  own 
family  and  to  all  their  race  ;  .syni]iathizing  and  benevolent  wlicn  their  fel- 
lows arc  in  any  trouble,  —  tliese  lovely  and  beautiful  l)irds  are  l)right  e.\am- 
]ilcs  to  all,  in  their  blameless  and  useful  lives. 

'i'his  Swallow  passes  the  winter  mnnlhs  in  Central  and  South  America  as 
far  south  as  ihiizil  and  I'aiaguay,  and  tiie  West  Indies,  and  is  found  through- 
out lh«'ycar  in  tiie  Plateau  of  Me.vico.  It  appears  in  the  Southern  States 
in  .March,  and  in  the  Central  States  early  in  April.  In  the  latter  ])artof  this 
month  it  reaches  New  York  and  Xew  Kngland,  becoming  abundant  near 
liosioii  aliout  the  first  of  May.  Sir  dohn  Itichardson  found  tiiem  breeding 
as  far  noith  as  latitude  (17°  :'>(•'.  They  reacheil  Fort  Chippewyan,  latitude 
57',  as  eaily  as  the  l.^lh  o|'  ,M ay,  taking  possession  of  their  nests.  It  has 
been  found  tliroiigli<iut  Canada  and  in  all  the  British  Provinces,  has  been 
met  with  in  New  Mexico,  and  is  comm<in  in  certain  ])ortions  of  Texas  and 
the  Indian  'rcriil(ay.  I  »r.  Cooper  states  it  to  be  less  abundant  on  the  I'acitic 
than  on  the  Kastcrn  coast,  —  a  fact  altril)Uta!ile  to  the  lack  of  suitable  places 
in  which  to  Imild.     A;o  .settlements  have  multiplied,  tiiese  birds  liiive  gradu- 


HIIUINDINID.K- Tin:  SWALLOWS.  34I 

ally  increased  uliuiit  t'linii.s  iiciiv  tlie  coiist.  In  the  wild  districts  tliey  build 
in  the  caves  llialalimind  in  the  lilulls  alunj;-  the  .sea-shore  I'nmi  San  Domingo 
to  ('i)lund)ia  liivin-.  Dr.  Suckley  I'ound  tlieni  also  moderately  almndant 
aliout  tiu!  hasidtic  clitVs,  near  Kort  Dalles,  Oregon.  They  are  nmch  more 
abundant  aliout  the  coast  than  t'artlier  inland. 

Mr.  Iiidgway  I'onnd  tliis  Swallow  a  very  common  s])ecies  in  all  the  rocky 
localities  in  the  vicinity  of  water,  lait  not  .so  numerous  as  tlie  liinij'rona. 

In  May  it  was  particularly  numerous  in  the  neighborhood  of  I'ynimid 
Lake,  where  its  nests  wi-re  biiilt  among  the  "  tufa  domes,"  attached  to  the 
roofs  of  the  caves.  It  was  .seldom  tliat  more  than  one  or  two  j)airs  were 
found  togetiier. 

In  July  he  found  a  ne.st  that  contained  young,  in  a  cave  among  the  lime- 
stone dill's  of  the  cafnais  of  the  Ivist  Humboldt  Mountains,  at  an  altitude 
of  about  eight  thousand  feet.  Many  of  their  nests  were  fouml  in  May,  in 
the  caves  of  the  tufa  rocks,  on  the  shores  of  ryramid  Lake,  as  well  as  on 
the  ishinds  in  tlie  lake. 

Mr.  Hepburn  writes  that  he  found  this  Swallow  widely  dilfused  along  the 
Pacilic  coast,  as  far  to  the  nortli  as  Sitka.  In  ("alifornia  he  found  it  very 
local,  common  near  the  coast,  rare  inland.  Its  earliest  a])])carance  is  March 
2(j,  the  great  bulk  leave  iu  August,  and  the  last  stragglers  are  gone  before 
the  last  of  September.  They  breed  iu  caves  and  crevices  of  rocks,  and  also 
under  the  sides  of  the  wooden  bridges  that  span  the  gullies  at  San  Francisco. 
Two  broods  are  hatched  in  a  year.  The  earliest  egg  was  found  on  the  .'lOth 
of  April,  l)ut  tlu'v  are  usually  a  fortnight  later.  The  second  laying  is  about 
the  first  of  July,  and  no  eggs  were  found  later  than  the  4tli  of  August.  It 
is  at  all  times  (|uite  conuuon  to  iind  nests  with  fresh  eggs  close  to  others 
with  half-grown  young. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  publishes  an  interesting  account  of  a  visit  made  by  a  s(di- 
tary  pair  of  liarn  Swallows  to  his  jiarty  when  encamped  at  Schyakwateen, 
in  IJritish  Colundiia.  A  small  shanty,  loo.sely  built  of  ])oles,  and  tightly 
rool'ed,  was  in  constant  use  as  a  lilacksmith's  sliojt.  Early  one  summer 
m<u-ning  late  in  ,\\\\\v,  a  pair  of  Swallows  juMclied  on  the  roof  of  this  siied, 
without  exhibiting  the  slightest  fear  of  the  noise  made  by  tlie  bellows  or  the 
showers  of  sparks  tliat  Hew  all  around.  I'ri'sently  they  entered  tlie  house 
and  carel'uUy  examined  the  roof  and  its  supporting  poles,  twittering  to  each 
other  all  the  wliile  in  the  mo.st  excited  manner.  At  length  the  impculant 
(piestion  ap])eared  to  be  setthd,  and  the  I'oUowing  day  tliey  commenced 
building  on  one  of  the  j)oles  immediately  over  the  anvil.  Tlumgh  the  ham- 
mer was  constantly  ])assing  close  to  their  structure,  these  birds  kt.'jjt  steadily 
at  their  work.  In  about  three  tlays  the  rough  outline  of  the  nest  had  been 
constructed.  Curious  to  see  Irom  whence  they  procuretl  their  materials,  jMr. 
Lord  tracked  them  to  the  stream  where,  on  its  edge,  they  worked  up  the 
clay  and  tine  sand  into  a  kind  of  mortar  with  their  beaks.  They  worked 
incessantly,  and  in  a  few  days  their  nest  was  tiuished,  the  mud  walls  having 


342  NOKTII   AMKUICAN   IflRDS. 

tiiiiilly  Lei'ii  waniily  liiiod  witli  soft  dry  ji;rii.sse.s  ami  tin;  loiitliurs  iukI  down 
of  ducks  and  ^'I'u.st'.  Tliis  tiustlul  ]iair  seoiiiiMl  to  know  no  Icar.  Tlio 
narrator  often  stood  on  a  loi,'  to  watdi  tlicni,  witli  liis  face  ko  near  that 
tliL'ir  foatliurs  fri'ijiicntly  lini.slicd  against  it  as  tlicy  toikul  at  tlaur  work. 
Soon  the  nest  was  completed.  Five  ej^'j^s  were  laid,  wiucli  were  never  left 
oneo  uncovered  until  they  were  hateheil,  the  female  sitting  the  j,'reater  i)art 
of  the  time.  They  were  fed  witli  great  assiduity  by  the  ])arents,  and  grew 
ra]>idly.  In  leaving  tlie  nest,  two  of  tlie  young  hirds  fell  to  the  ground,  hut 
were  jiicked  u\)  by  the  hlacksnuth,  and  jdaced  with  tiie  others  on  tlieir 
roosting-i)lace.  A  few  ilay.s'  training  taught  them  the  use  of  their  wings, 
and  they  soon  after  took  their  de]>arture. 

Professor  Keinliardt  records  its  occurrence  in  (Jreenland,  at  Fiskemussct 
and  at  Xenontalik. 

The  natural  l>reeding-]>laees  of  ihese  lards,  before  the  settlement  of  the 
country,  were  eaves,  overhanging  rocky  elill's,  and  similar  localities.  Swal- 
low Cave,  at  Xahant,  was  once  a  favorite  place  of  resort,  and  in  the  unsettled 
portions  of  llu^  country  they  are  only  I'ound  in  such  situations.  As  the 
country  is  settled  they  I'orsake  these  places  i'or  the  buildings  of  the  farm, 
and  tlieir  nninliers  rajiidly  increase.  In  the  fur  countries  and  in  all  the 
Pacific  coast,  they  still  breed  in  and  inhabit  caves,  chiefly  among  limestone 
rocks. 

Wlien^  the  op])ortunity  oflers,  they  ]>refer  to  iilace  their  nests  on  the  hori- 
zontal rafttds  of  barns.  P)uilt  in  this  situation,  flie  nests  have  an  average 
height  and  a  breadtli  of  aiuiut  fi\e  inches.  The  cavity  is  fwo  inches  deep 
ami  three!  inches  wide,  at  the  rim.  TIk;  nests  arc.  constructed  of  distinct 
layers  of  mud,  from  ten  to  twelve  in  number,  and  each  .sejiarated  by  strata 
of  fine  dry  grasses,  'i'liese  layers  are  each  made  up  of  small  jiellets  of  mud, 
that  have  been  worked  over  by  the  birils  and  jilaced  one  by  one  in  ju.xtaposi- 
tiiai  until  eacli  layer  is  complete.  The.se  mud  walls  are  an  inch  in  thickness. 
When  (hey  are  com]ileted,  they  are  warmly  .stuffed  with  fine  soft  grasses 
and  lined  with  downy  featliers.  \\'lien  iaiilt  against  the  side  of  a  Ikjusc,  a 
strong  foundation  of  mud  is  tii'.st  constructed,  up(ai  which  the  nest  is  erected. 
In  this  case  the  nest  is  much  more  elongate  in  shape  and  more  strongly 
made. 

A  striking  peculiarity  of  tlie.st!  nests  is  freciuently  an  extra  jdatform,  built 
against,  but  distinct  from  tlie  nest  itself,  designed  as  a  roosting-place  for 
the  parents,  used  liy  one  during  incubation  at  night  or  wiien  not  engaged  in 
procuring  food,  and  by  liofli  \\lieM  th(i  young  aiv;  large  enougli  to  occupy  the 
wliolc  nest.  One  of  thi'se  I  found  to  be  a  separiile  structiin;  from  tlu;  iiest, 
but  of  similar  materials,  tliree  inches  in  length  and  one  and  a  half  in  breadth. 
This  nest  had  been  for  several  years  occupied  by  the  same  pair,  tiiough  ntaie 
of  their  ofl'spring  ever  returned  to  the  same  roof  to  breed  in  tlieir  turn.  Yet 
in  some  instances  a.-<  many  as  fifty  i)airs  have  been  known  to  occujiy  the 
rafters  of  the  same  barn. 


inUUXDINin.K   -  TIIK  S\V.\I,I,()\VS  ..... 

Til  one  iiistniico  Ur.  Allen  luis  known  n  ])iiir  „C  (lu-sc  Swallows  to  take 
possession  of  tlie  nest,  of  a  pair  of  ('lilf  Swallows,  i)Iacu(l  niidcr  tlif  caves 
of  a  l.ai'11,  (Irivino  off  the  ri,iilitfnl  owners.  The  next  year  lliev  iaiilt  a  nest 
in  tlie  same  plaee,  the  (.Id  one  liavin^  fallen  (h.wn.  Mut  .leh  inslanees  are 
rare,  and  tiu!  atteni|)t  is  often  a  i'ailnre. 

Tlu^  wonderful  aetivity  of  iliis  hird,  its  rapidity  and  jtowers  of  flinlit,  are 
too  strikiiin;  a  ].eeuliarity  of  tiiis  species  not  to  lie  mentioned.  Kurini,^  iheir 
.stay  \vith  us,  i'roni  l\Iay  to  Septcinlicr,  from  morn  to  ni^lit  tliey  .seem  to  he 
ever  in  motion,  csjiccially  .so  before  iiiculiation,  or  after  their  youii;,'  have 
flown.  The  rapidity  of  their  tortuous  evolutions,  their  intricate,  involved, 
iind  re])eated  y.h^y.nn  lliuhts,  are  alto-ether  inde.serihal.le,  and  mu.st  he  wit- 
nessed to  be  a])preciated.  Wilson  estiniateil  that  these  birds  (ly  at  the  rate 
of  a  mile  a  minute,  but  any  one  m'Iio  has  witne.s.sed  the  ease  and  celerity  with 
which  they  seem  to  deli,L;Iit  in  ovci'takin|.r,  i.assin,^,  and  rejiassiiig  a  train  of 
cars  moviuj.'  at  the  rate  of  tin'rty  miles  an  hour  must  ivalize  tiiat  this  esti- 
mate is  far  from  doin,i;-  full  justice  to  their  real  speed. 

The  son,^  of  this  Swallow,  especially  when  on  the  wing,  is  very  ploasinir 
and  sin'ij^htly.  It  is  a  succession  of  twitteriuu-  notes  uttered  with  great 
rapidity  and  animation.  Wlien  alighted,  their  notes  are  delivered  more 
slowly  and  with  mucli  less  animati(Mi. 

The  ..'  eiitioii  oftlie.se  birds  to  each  other  when  sitting  ui.on  the  nest,  and 
to  their  young  when  hatched,  is  unremitting.  The  estimated  numbers  of 
small  insects  they  coHect  for  their  own  consumption  ami  that  of  their  nest- 
lings is  almo.st  incredible.  Wlien  the  pmng  are  ohl  enough  to  leave  their 
nests  the  maiKcuvres  of  the  parents  to  draw  them  out,  and  tiicir  assi.stancc 
to  them  when  jmictising  their  first  short  llights,  an;  among  the  most  curi- 
ous and  interesting  .scenes  one  can  witness  in  his  ornithological  experi- 
ences. ;  but  space  wouhl  fail  me  were  I  to  attempt  their  details." 

The  number  of  the  young  is  fnun  four  to  six,  and  there  are  often  two 
broods  in  a.  season.  As  soon  as  the  second  brood  can  lly,  or  early  in  Septem- 
ber, they  i.ll  prepare  to  leave.  They  usually  collect  in  flocks  of  from  one 
to  .several  hundred,  and  dejiart  within  a  few  days  of  their  Hrst  assembling, 
r^rge  Hocks  pass  along  the  coast  of  Massachusetts,  from  the  north  and  eas't, 
early  iii  .September,  often  uniting  us  they  meet,  and  passing  rapidly  on. 

Their  eggs  have  a  ground-color  of  clear  wiiite,  with  a  ro.s(.ate  tint  when 
nublown.  They  tire  marked  witii  spots  of  reddish  and  ].urplish-browii,  vary- 
ing in  size  and  number,  and  chiefly  at  tlu^  larger  end.  Tlu.y  are  smaller  and 
niore  elongate  than  those  of  the  /i'inj)vtis,;un\  the  markings  are  usually  finer. 
Their  greatest  length  is  .!)4  of  an  inch,  their  least  .7^,  and  their  mean  .78. 
Tiieir  mean  breadth  is  .5(j  of  an  inch,  the  greatest  .(lL^  and  the  least  .5U. 


344 


NORTri   AMEUIUAN  BIRDS. 


^'^^-- ■        "  ISO;. 

Ilinni'ln  l/iiitasuhin. 


SiM.M.:.M-s    TACHYCINETA,    r.vn. 

T<,r/n,,n„>„,  Cah.  .M„s.   Urhu  Ur.n,  18,1],  48.      (Typr,  //.  /M„ssi„„,  Sw.) 

r.FN.  ('MAM,     .Voslrils  l„t,.n,l,  ov..,Im„,,.  or  l,„n|pro,l  int,.m«lly  l,y  in..Mn,l„.nt.  M,<.ml,rnnP. 

Tiiisi  with  tlic  tibial  Joint  covoivd  l.y  ovorlmii.i,'- 

iiiu'  Ibiitlicis,  lulliurciit.  u  siiort  (li.stan<'<'  nloMfr 

iiiMiM- liic<.,  about  0(|iial  to  middln  too  without 

'law.     I,atonil  toes  o(|iinl.     A<llicsioii  of  basal 

Joint  or  iniiMIc  toe  variablo.     Tnil  cniarfrinato 

>    1^        "Illy,  oi-slio-hily  i;,rl^,„l  ;  tbi-|<  not  t'x,;-i;\\w^  half 

\      an  inch  in  depth.     Color  blue  or  ^-ccn  above. 

with  or  without  uu'tallic^  yloss ;  with  or  witli- 

v,,„      „    .    ,    ,       ,  '""    ''■'''"■   '■"'"!'•     Kiitiivly   while    bonuath, 

Act  nsnally  in  linlo..  of  trc.s  or  ronks;  r.^<r^  pun.  while,  unspotted. 

or  this  ,.ection  there  are  two  Nortli  Aineri,;an  .species,  difleriiijr  as  follows 
l-iotli  l)eiiig  <,'reeii  above  ami  wliite  lieiieatli  :  — 

Species. 

Plumn-e  nbove  .«,{)  and  v..|v.>ty  wilhoiii  mctalH,.  .-loss.  Side,  of  head  <,paoe 
nniiiud  eyes,  and  whol..  under  part..,  while  ;  with  the  feathers  all  pliuubeou.s  at 
I'aso.  iMMiiale  duller  in  pliuna.Lre.  Yoini-  with  ba.ses  of  throat-feathers  L'rav  to 
roots.  *'    • 

T.  thalassina.     .Vbove  velvety--reeii,   with  various  shades  and  tin-es  of 

violet  and  purple.  '" 

Pluinnn-e  above  eonipaet,  ami  with   ri,-h  -.ven  inetallin  .jloss.     Sides  of  head  to 

line  with   eys   like   its   upper  part,     lieiiealh  while;   tjie  (i.athers  of  eliin  and 

tIn-oat    and  nvuerally  of  erissuin,  white  to  base.     A  ..oueealed  .spot  in  ju-uluiu. 

J-oniale  .hill.'r.     Vouucf  Avith  bases  of  thmat-feathers  pinv  white  to  roots.' 

T.  bicolor.     Above  inetallic-reen.     Inside  of  wings  aii,l  a.xillars  asli-,..olor. 


Hirundo  bicolor,  Vwah. 

WHITE-BELLIED   SWALLOW. 

//mn,an  hichr,  V.kim,.  (Us.  .Am,.  Sq.t.  I,  181.7,  Ol,  ,.1.  xxxi.-Arn,  On,  Hio--  I  pi 
.xevui. -In.  Muds  Am.  I,  pi.  .xhi.  -Cassin.  -  linKWKii,  N.  ,\m.  ()„1.  I,  isr??,  loi) 
pi.  IV,  li;;.  17  (e.i,'j,'s).  -  I,r:.Miu.vi:,  Avcs  de  Ciihn,  LSod,  4(>,  lam.  vii,  \v,  '•>  -  |i\,ri,' 
nnils  \.  A,i,.  ]S.-,8,  :iin.  -  I.om,,  l>r,  1!.  A.  Inst.  Wo.ihviel,.  IV.  ]8ii4,  h",  (lir.  c.j,,',,,' 
Ilia;  ii'-^ti»K)-— Jo.SKs,  l!,.,niiida.s,  :j((Scpt.  22,  1840).  —  t'ooi'i;i!.t.Si-eK,,i  V  p  ]{  l; 
II'P.  XII,  n,  lS4.-I)A,,i,.t  ManxisikI!,  27i)  (.\laska).  .Samiki.s,  2.-;7.  -  -  c'mm'i-ii' 
"ill.  C'al.  1,  1870,  10(i.  J'i/i-»c/it-h;ij,it  hiru/iir,  Si'\,wKV.,  V.'/j.S  18.".7  ''()]  -I,,  IS",!)' 
■I.i4  (.\alap„V  _  Sei.ATKii  /c  .Sai.vin,  Ibis,  IS.",!.,  1:!  ((iuatmnda).  r„'h,a„r/„  /,/,.,X' 
Cam.  Mus.  Hein.  1S.-;(I,  48  ;  .lour.  Oin.  18,1(i,  4  (C.ilia).  -  (!rM„,Arn,  ,Ioiir.  On,  I8.il' 
;!--iO  (.■..iiiiimii  ill  Cnba).  /finnulo  {rm-l,,/an^/n)  hichn;  Haiiii.,  liev.  Am.  1?.  lS.i4| 
296.     lliriimlo  riri.li.i,  Wn.s.     llinuidu  Iciicoijaster,  .Stki-iik.ss. 

S,. CuAii.     (;iossy  inetalli-  bluish-reen  above  ;  ..nlirely  white  lieneath.     Female  duller 
111  <'olor.     I.eiijrili,  (i,2.-,  iii,.|„,,;;;  „.|,,„,^  ,-0,).   ,,,i|^.j,i5_ 

Young  bird  dull  .sooty-gray  above,  mueh  lik..  that  of  //.  thalnH^ma  ;  but  may  rea.lily  b.- 


HIRUNUINID.E  —  TIIK  SWALLOWS. 


345 


Hiriiiidii  biailor* 


(listinffiiislicil  liy  tin"  fi'alli<'rs  nl'  llic  lliront  licintr  imic  wijiU'  to  tlicii'  rncils,  instead  ol'luiv- 
inif  llio  coiicfiilcil  liasi's  o|-ayisli  as  in  that  sprcii's. 
k      Had.      Wliolc  Lliiiti'il  States,  ami  liollli  tn  Slave  I.aUe,  sniitli   to  (iiialeliiala;    Ueiiiiiida  ; 
('uba,  coiiimoii  in  wiiilei'.     lirceds  on  talije-lands  dl'  Mexieo. 

lI.MiiT.s.  This  Swallow  litis  (|iiiU'  tin  (jxtt'iiiluil  distribution.  Found 
throu;,diout  Xnrtli  Anieriua  in  tlio  sua.sons  of  its  niijfnitions,  or  Ijivediny,  it  is 
only  ii  littlo  less  riislrirtcd  in  its  iirca  of  noslinj,'  tluui  the  inccuding  spucies. 
It  bi'oc'ds  from  Lititnde  ;>.S'  to 
high  Arctic,  rej,'ions,  and  is  tilso 
rosidiMit  thr(Ui<ilioiit  tlio  yctir  in 
the  Plateau  of  Mexico.  It  is 
abundant  in  winter  in  tiie  West 
Indies,  in  (Vntnil  Anicricn,  tmd 
in  Xorthern  South  Ameiica.  It 
is  a  coninion  bird  tibout  IJoston, 
whore  it  rcjJaces  the  Piir])le 
Martin,  and  is  even  more  abun- 
dant in  the  liritish  Provinces. 
Dr.  Cooi)er  tilso  found  it  a  very 
(joninion   species   in  the  western 

portions  of  Washington  Territory,  where  it  was  invariably  found  to  breed 
in  hollow  trees.  In  Ciiliforniii  he  states  it  to  be  a  more  or  le.ss  constant 
resident,  a  few  wintering  in  the  .southern  portion  of  the  State.  He  met  with 
it  both  at  Siui  Diego  tiud  at  Stockton,  in  Fi^bruary.  He  regiirds  them  as 
the  hardiest  of  the  Swallows,  preferring  the  coast  and  the  mountain-tops 
for  their  residence  in  thtit  State.  At  Santa  Cru/  live  or  si.\  pairs  in  l.S'iCi 
were  resident  throtigii  the  winter,  where  he  stiw  them  in  Jiiiuiary  during 
the  coldest  of  the  se.ison.  Tliey  roosted  in  the  knot-holes  in  the  houses 
in  which  they  had  ])reviously  niised  their  young. 

Tills  Swallow,  in  tiie  more  thickly  .settled  ])ortions  of  the  country  in  which 
it  breeds,  exliil)its  a  marked  depiirture  in  mtuiy  of  its  habits  from  those 
observed  in  wilder  regions.  In  the  latter  jilaces  we  liiid  it  a  comiiaratively 
wild  siiecies,  avoiding  the  society  of  iiiaii,  and  breeding  exclusively  in  hollow 
trees  iind  stumps,  and  deserving  the  uaine  l>y  which  it  is  known  in  tlu^  Brit- 
ish Provinces,  of  the  "  Wood  Swallow."  In  the  islands  of  (iniiiil  Meiian, 
in  1851,  where  repeated  attempts  had  been  niiide  to  induce  tliese  hirds  to 
build  in  martin-boxes,  the  endeavor  had  l)een  entirely  unsuccessful.  Yet  the 
birds  weir  so  aliundant  that  hardly  ii  hollow  tree  or  stum]!,  on  ccrtiiin  of  the 
smaller  isltuids,  C(aild  be  found,  thtit  did  not  contain  a  nest  of  this  species. 
This  is  still  the  case  on  the  Patfilic  coast,  though  not  exclusively  so.  It 
was  not  until  after  the  publication  of  his  Ornithological  P.iogr;i])hy  that  Au- 
dubon was  aware  of  any  tU'imrture  from  this  mode  of  nesting  on  the  jtart  of 
this  Swidlow,  although  it  had  not  escaped  the  notice  of  AVilson. 

In  Eastern  Massachusetts  these  birds  have  undergone  an  entire  chtuige  of 
44 


346  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  BIRDS. 

habit,  breeding  Ihero  oxcbisively  in  iniirtiu-boxes,  iind  iiiroly,  if  ever,  nesting 
in  lidllow  trees,  —  a  tact  iierliap.s  attribiUalile  to  the  scarcity  ol'  these  opportu- 
nities along  the  sea-coast,  where  this  bird  is  principally  found.  In  Wesi.rn 
Massachusetts,  Mr.  AUcu  states  tliem  to  be  not  very  common  and  the  least 
abundant  of  the  Sw.dlow.s.  Any  sheltered  and  accessible  l)o.\,  however  rough 
it  may  be,  will  answer  its  iiiiri)ose.  whether  tlie  more  elaborate  martin-house, 
or  a  mere  candle-bo.\  with  an  open  end.  Mr.  Audubon  ha.s  known  them  to 
drive  away  a  Uarn  Swallow  from  its  nest,  and  to  take  possession,  but  this 
was  probably  exceptional.  In  one  ca.sc,  two  small  houses  Ibr  birds  put  up  in 
the  same  yard  were  taken  possession  of  by  a  single  ])aii'  of  Swallows,  and 
nests  built  in  each  ;  only  one,  however,  of  these  was  made  use  of.  Whether 
this  freak  was  the  result  (;f  indecision  or  from  a  grasping  selfishness,  it  is 
not  po.ssible  to  conclude,  but  a]i[)areully  the  foriuer. 

In  the  rural  districts,  even  on  the  coast,  these  birds  are  not  so  abundant  as 
in  the  cities,  as  in  the  latter  they  are  les^  annoyed  by  other  birds.  Tiie  com- 
mon liobiu  is  often  especially  aggressive,  seeking  to  drive  them  olf  his  as- 
sumed prenii.ses.  In  one  in.stance  the  liol)iii  has  been  known  to  .station  him- 
self on  a  platform  in  front  of  its  nest  for  hours,  and  persistently  refuse  to 
permit  its  visits.  A.ssistance  was  sougiil,  and  all  the  Swallows  in  the  neigh- 
boriiood  came  to  tlie  rescue.  They  sailed  with  angry  cries  over  the  head  of 
the  ollender,  at  times  darting  down  ujion  him  as  if  to  strike  at  him,  but 
accomjtlishing  nothing.  Tlie  besieger  maintained  his  ground  until  the  writer 
intervened  and  drove  him  away,  when  the  Swallows  once  more  took  posses- 
sion, and  fed  their  hungry  nestlings  in  ])eace. 

This  sjiecies  Ijreeds  from  about  latitudt!  08°  to  the  extreme  northern  regions, 
and  along  the  Arctic  seas,  where\ ci'  iacilities  for  nesting  are  found,  liichard- 
son  found  them  lireediug  in  hollow  trees  on  the  Mackenzie  IJiver,  in  latitude 
G.j°.  Everywhere  on  both  coasts  lliey  are  very  connnon,  but  are  less  numer- 
ous in  the  interior.  Mr.  Dall  found  it  in  Alaska  from  Fort  Yukon  to  the  seii. 
It  was  known  to  the  Kussians  as  the  Iii^'cr  Swidlow.  It  was  also  met  with 
in  Sitka,  by  Uisciiolf.     It  has  not  been  observed  in  (ireenland. 

During  the  breeding-season  this  s])ecies  is  more  (piarrelsome  than  any  of 
its  kindred,  and  is  often  more  than  a  n)atch  for  larger  birds.  Coming  earlier 
in  the  season  than  the  I'urple  Martin,  it  will  often  intrude  itself  into  its 
premises  and  maintain  possession.  They  are  devotedly  attached  to  their  off- 
.sjn'ing,  and  i)ewail  any  accidents  to  them  or  any  tlnvatened  peril.  The  same 
pair  will  return  year  aftiu-  year  to  the  same  ]u-einises,  an<I  they  soon  become 
on  familiar  terms  with  th'>  memlu":  s  of  a  family  they  freiiuently  meet,  so 
much  so  as  to  watcii,  when  they  have  received  materials  for  their  nests,  for  a 
further  sup])ly,  and  will  lly  cdo.se  to  the  |ierson  from  whom  they  receive  them. 
A  ])air  which  had  thus,  year  alter  year,  received  sup])lies  of  leathers  for  their 
nests  from  the  younger  members  of  the  family  in  wiiose  yard  their  lU'st  was 
built,  would  almost  take,  them  from  thii  hands  of  their  providers.  This  ])air 
sat  so  close  as  to  permit  themselves  to  be  taken  from  their  nest,  and  when 


ITTRTJXDINIDyK  —  THE  SWAIil-OWS.  347 

rclciiriC'd  would  at  oiicci  ily  luick  to  tluiir  brood.  Tliey  build  a  loose,  .soft,  and 
vv-arui  lU'st  of  iiuo  soft  loaves  and  hay,  aliuudautly  lined  with  down  a\id 
feathers,  with  wliicli  the  ei^gs  are  not  unfre(iuei,''ly  covered.  The  addition 
of  st)ft  and  warm  materials  is  oi'ten  made  iluring  incubation,  and  the  nest 
is  thorouL;hly  repaired  bel'ore  it  is  used  for  a  second  brood,  of  which  they 
usually  have  two  in  a  season. 

The  eggs  are  of  a  unilorni  pure  white,  and  are  never  spotted.  They  liave 
a  delicate  pinkish  shade  l)efore  tiiey  are  blown.  Tliey  are  of  an  ol)long-ovid 
sliajjc,  one  end  more  j.-inted  than  the  other,  and  they  vary  considerably  in 
size.  They  vaiy  in  length  from  .75  to  .875  of  an  inch,  and  in  breadth  from 
.50  to  .5(). 

Mr.  Hepburn  states  that  the  great  mass  of  tliese  birds  leave  California  in 
August,  lint  that  a  few  are  resident  during  tlie  winter.  The  |)rincipal  acces- 
sion to  their  numbers  takes  place  about  the  end  of  February,  and  tiiey  l)e- 
come  ([uite  abundant  by  the  end  of  March.  In  V^ancouver  they  are  a  month 
later.  In  l.S5;>  Mr.  Ilepl)urn  states  that  a.  pair  constructed  tiieir  nest  in  a 
piece  of  canvass  at  the  end  of  the  yard-arm  of  a  store-ship  that  lay  off  the 
levee  at  Sacramento.  He  first  noticed  them  on  the  28tii  of  A]iril,  when  the 
nest  had  already  made  some  jirogress.  V,y  tlie  lOth  of  j\Iay  there  were  seven 
eggs  in  it  wliicli  were  sliglitly  incul)ated.  The  Jiest  was  a  great  inass  of 
hay  and  dried  grasses,  in  the  midst  of  wliich  was  a  cup  shajied  depression 
very  neatly  lined  witii  feathers,  sonu;  ol'  which  bent  over,  forming  a  slight 
dome. 

Hirundo  thalassina,  Swains. 

VIOLET-GREEN  SWALLOW. 

Iliriindn  thnhisnuin,  Swainsdn,  IMiil.  Miij;.  I,  18-27,  3fi,')  (^[l•xico). — Arn.  —  BiiEWF.R,  N. 
A.  Oiil.  1,  1857,  102  (tlif  lig.  pi.  V,  lij;.  Ixxiv  of  egi;  licloiij,'s  to  nnolluT  species).  — 
nAii;i>,  lliiils  N.  Am.  IS.'i!*,  311.  —  I.ohd,  I'r.  It.  A.  Inst.  Woohvieli,  IV,  ISiU,  U') 
(Vuiiccmver  Isl.  ;  nests  in  holes  of  trees).  — ('(>(iri:it&  Sii'ki.kv,  P.  R.  K.  It'^p.  XII, 
n,  185  (W.  T.).  —  Cooi'Ell,  Oi-n.  Cal.  I,  1870,  107.  Chi-Hil,m  tlwhiss.'ioi,  BoiK,  Isis, 
1844,  171.  Ttdlnicincfii  thalit,isi)i(i,V\\\.  Mus.  tleiu.  1850,  48.  /finiiiilo  [Tuc/ii/ciiu/d) 
thfilii/ifiui'i,  li.Miii),  liev.  Am.  H.  1804,  2!»i).  I'd rm-lnUdnu  thahissinn,  Sclatkh  &.  Sal- 
vix.  Ibis,  1850,  13  (Ouiitenmk).  —  In.  P.  Z.  S.  18i)4,  173  (t'ity  of  M(X.). 

Sp.  CllAi!.  Tiiil  aoiitcly  cninrjriiiiitc.  Heiiciith  pure  wiiitc.  .Miovc  .^ol't  velvcty-srrcon, 
willi  a  vory  t'iiiut  slindu  <)l'piir]ilisli-vii)let  conci'iili-iiicd  aw  tlie  iiiipc  into  11  tr!iiisvcr.s('  liiiml. 
R\inip  rallii'i'  lining  vivid  given;  tiiil-cnverts  slmwiiit;-  a  jinod  dcnl  of  pin'|ili'.  Ciilors  (if 
feniiile  iiiiieli  more  oliseiii'(>.     Iipni;tli,  4.7"> ;  1  iiiu:,  4.50;  liiil,  li.OO. 

IJAii.  Western  and  Middle  Pioviiiees  of  t  iiited  Sl.ites.,  smith  to  (liiiitiMUida,  cast  to  the 
I'piier  Missouri.     lireeds  on  Plntean  of  Mexieo  (SfMteiinAST). 

Young  birds  are  of  a  dull  velvety  grayish-brown,  not  unlike  the  shade  of 
color  of  L'Dfjilc  riparlii,  )»ut  may  be  distinguislied  by  the  absence  of  the  tult 
of  feathers  at  base  of  toes,  and  the  gray  (not  white)  bases  of  tiie  feathers  of 
under  jiarts.  There  is  only  an  ashy  shiule  across  the  breast,  not  a  pectoral 
band. 


348  NORTH  A^fERICAN  BIRDS. 

Tliure  is  nuicli  variation  aiiKing  iiulividiials  roj,'ai'(liiii,'  the  distribution  of 
the  peiiii-UKitallic  tints  of  the  ii])[)('r  jjarts  ;  <i;eiK'rally  the  whoh'.  dorsal  region 
is  overhiid  by  a  "  (histing,"  as  it  were,  of  soft  browiiisli-purple  ;  in  sneitimens 
colored  thus,  the  n])per  tail-eoverls  are  ])ure  dark-green,  without  a  linge  of 
purido.  In  other  speeiniens,  on  the  contrary,  the  dorsal  region  is  nearly 
pure  green,  that  of  the  njiper  tail-coverts  less  golden,  and  mixed  with  a  very 
beautiful  rieli  soft  violet. 

Winter  specimens  from  Guatemala  and  Mexico  have  the  upper  secon- 
daries very  sharply  and  l)roadly  liordered  terminally  with  pure  white. 

H.vlilTs.  The  A'iolet-green  Swallow  is  a  common  bird,  from  the  central 
plains  of  Xorth  America  to  the  J'acitic  coast,  and  is  found  at  dilferent  sea- 
sons from  Washington  Territory  to  Soutli  Anu'rica.  It  lias  been  found  as  far 
east  as  Xcbraska,  and  in  abundance  at  Fort  Uridger,  in  Utah. 

As  oliserved,  in  Washington  Territory,  by  Drs.  Snckley  and  Cooper,  it  is 
said  to  arrive  at  I'nget  Sound  early  in  May,  ami  to  frequent  entirely  tlie  high 
prairies  bordered  with  oak  and  other  deciduous  trees,  in  the  knot-holes  of 
which,  or  in  deserted  Woodpeckers'  holes,  it  breeds.  Its  song  is  descril)ed  as 
l»leasing  and  vaiied,  I  ait  rather  weak.  They  found  it  to  be  (piite  abundant 
in  the  interior  of  Oregon  and  of  Washington  Territiny,  and  in  its  habits  and 
mode  of  tiight  hardly  ilistiuguishable  from  the  hiculov. 

In  (,'alifornia,  according  to  the  oliservations  of  Dr.  Cooper,  it  arrives  in 
Santa  Clara  Valley  as  early  as  ^fareh  1."),  where  it  chiefly  frecpients  the  groves 
of  oaks  along  tlie  sides  of  the  valleys,  ac'ross  the  whole  Coast  Ifange,  excepting 
in  the  immediate  neigliborhood  of  the  .sea.  Their  nest,  so  far  as  known,  is 
always  in  the  knot-holes  of  oaks,  and  they  have  never  been  known  to  breed  in 
th''  inunediate  vicinity  of  dwell ing.s,  e.vcepting  .only  when  tlieir  favorite  trees 
were  so  situated.  It  is  generally  in  an  inaccessible  place,  and  their  eggs 
are  not  often  ol)tained.  These  are  lau'c  white,  resemliling  tlio.se  of  the 
hico/or  and  the  ripufin.  Town.seiid  states  that  he  found  them  nesting  in  the 
deserted  nests  of  the  IF.  /luiij'roii.-i,  but  in  this  he  may  have  been  mistaken. 
The  eggs  he  gave  to  ^Ir.  Audulion  as  tlio.se  of  tliis  sjiecies  undonbtedly 
belonged  to  the  btnij'rdiin.  They  leave  Califoinia  for  the  south  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Dr.  Cones  filso  found  this  Swallow  in  Arizona,  wiiere  it  was  the  most 
abundant  and  characteristic  Swallow  of  the  pine  regions  of  that  Territory. 
It  is  a  summer  resident  at  Fort  Whipjtle,  where  it  arrives  about  March  2(1, 
and  remains  until  late  in  September. 

In  the  Province  of  Vera  Crn/,  ^Ir.  Sumichra.st  found  this  Swallow  resident, 
not  only  in  the  hot  belt  of  tlie  coast,  but  also  in  the  temperate  region  and 
througiioul  the  jilatcau,  at  almost  all  heights,  and  was  almost  everywhere 
very  common. 

Mr.  Salvin  also  states  that  early  in  March  great  numbers  occur  near  Du- 
enas,  (Uiateniala,  where  tliey  rtuuain  for  a  .short  time.  During  that  time  they 
are  to  be  found  Hying  over  tlui  open  land  to  the  south  of  the  Lake  of  Puenas, 


HIRTTNDIXID.E- THE  SWALLOWS.  349 

Mr.  Heplmrn  stat.is  tl.at  this  Swallow  l.as  .p.ito  an  oxtonsive  vai.-o  alon- 
the  I'acili.s  coast,  l)iit  is  irstricteil  as  to  tlu;  h.caiiti,.s  it  inhal.its.  ^ At  llm 
Pul-as  lianche,  near  Sau  Francisco,  it  is  oven  more  common  than  tlie  hin>/„r, 
while  a  few  miles  from  thence  not  one  is  to  he  seen,     ilc  has  also  seen  it  on' 
the  hank.s  of  the  Fresno,  near  its  junction  witli  the  San  Joaquin  Itiver  an.l 
again  in  the  Yoscniite  Valley,  without  nieetin-  witli  a  sin-lc  specimen  in  tlie 
intervening  country.    About  Victoria  this  was  the  [.nnaiiing  species.    These 
Swallows,  so  iiir  as  Mv.  Hepburn  obscrv..!,  always  l)uikl  in  holes  of  trees 
Their  nest,  he  states,  is  formed  of  a  few  line  dry  .stems  of  grass,  j.laced  at  the 
bottom  ot  the  hole,  c.nered  over  with  a  thick  ma.ss  of  leathers.     Tlie  e-s 
he  adds,  are  pure  white,  large  for  the  si/e  of  tlu3  bird,  measuring    .Sl'Tjf' 
an  inch  in  length  by  .50  iu  brea.lth.     These  Swallows  have  two  broods  in  a 
season.     In  ISli-l  he  noted  their  arrival  in  San  xMateo  County  on  the  2Sth  of 
March. 

]\rr.  lii.lgway  writes  that  he  first  met  with  the;  Violct-given  Swallow  in 
May,  on  the  islands  in  Pyramid  Lake,  Jl,.  there  found  it  verv  abundant 
among  the  dills  of  calcareous  tufa  of  whi,.],  tlu"  island  was  comp(',s,Ml.  They 
were  seen  to  enter  the  fissures  of  the  rock  to  their  nests  witliin,  which  it  was 
lound  imi.ossil,lc  to  reach.  Tliey  were  again  seen  in  Julv  amono  the  lime- 
stone cldls  along  the  canons  of  tiie  East  irnmb.,ldt  M.iuntains^  associated 
with  the  White-throated  Swift,  buil.liiig  like  them  in  the  small  h..nz..ntal 
crevices  or  fissuivs  on  the  face  of  the  precipice.  He  was  not  able  to  <n't  at 
more  than  two  of  their  nests,  tlie  first  in  a  horizontal  fissure  just  wide  enou<.]i 
to  admit  the  hand,  and  about  eight  in.'hes  from  th.;  entrance.  It  contained 
five  young.  Tiie  nest  was  siunlar  to  that  .>f  the  I'.ank  SwaUow,  and  was 
composed  of  sticks,  straws,  and  feathers.  I,,  the  other  the  femah,  was  dead 
on  her  nest,  and  the  eggs  were  broken.  They  were  white,  like  those  of  the 
ff.  h;rolo): 

In  its  flight  this  bird  is  .said  to  greatly  resemble  the  White-liellied  Swal- 
low, but  is  distinguishable  by  the  contmst  of  the  three  colors  of  its  up].er 
plumage.  These  two  .si)ecies  are  rarely  to  be  .seen  in  the  same  localities  the 
Imolor  lu'eferrmg  wooded,  and  this  species  rockv  h)calities. 

Mr.  Lord  states  that  this  beautiful  Swallow  was  common  from  the  coast 
along  the  entire  course  ..f  the  bonmlary  line,  to  tiie  .summit  of  the  Ifockv 
Mountain.s.  They  were  among  the  earli..st  visitors  at  ('olviUe,  arriving  in 
small  Hocks  in  March,  but  in  greater  numbers  in  May  and  June  They  Imihl 
111  Jnne,  making  their  nests  in  holes  in  dead  trees  as  hiuh  as  thev  can  -^..f 
and  lay  four  or  five  eggs.  The  nest  is  made  ..f  feathers  and  soft  hair.  Th..y 
ass(-mble  m  la.ge  flocks  before  migrating  in  September.  Mr.  Lord  f.'lt  iiirttV 
sure  their  nesting-lmles  were  excavated  in  the  soft  woo.l  by  themselves 
though  their  soft  beak  seems  ill  adapted  to  perform  such  labor. 


350 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


322C9 


Genmts    STELGIDOPTERYX,    Raiud. 

fitfl(ji(hj)trrji.r,  BAinn,  liinls  X.  Am.  18J8,  :112.     Olyi"',  llininilo  scrripcnnix,  Aid.  ) 

Okx,  riiAK.     Bill  riitliur  .'<iii!ill ;  nostiil.'^  oval,  siipcrinr,  iiiarfrinod  lichind,  but  srarcely 

lali'iiilly  l)y  mi'iiilininc,  liiit  not  at  all  ovt'itiung; 
the  axes  of  llio  outliiii;  ciinvciiriiijr.  Frontal 
Icatlier.-i  soft,  and,  like  chin,  without  bri.-itics. 
Taisi  ('(pial  lo  middle  toe  without  claw;  the 
upper  end  covcncil  with  featheis  all  round, 
none  at  lower  end.  I{a.<al  j(,iiit  of  middle  toe 
adherent  externally  nearly  to  end;  internall)', 
scarcely  half.  Lateral  toes  about  eiiiial,  their 
claws  not  reaching;  ')eyond  base  of  middle  daw. 
Tail  slinfhtly  eniar^inale  ;  the  feathers  broad,  and  oliliipiely  roun(le(l  at  end.  Kdjre  of  the 
winjj  lough  to  the  touch;  the  .shafts  of  the  librilhe  of  outer  web  of  outer  primary  pro- 
lonfjed  and  bent  at  right  angles  into  a  short  stilfhook.  Nest  (of  S.  sern'pennin)  in  holes 
in  banks ;  eggs  pure  white,  unspotted. 
Color  dull  brown  above. 


The  great  peculiarity  of  this  penu.s  cnnsist.s  in  the  remarkable  rou^lincss 
of  the  edge  of  the  wing,  said  to  occur  al.so  in  Psitlidoprociu-,  Cva  Tiie  ob- 
ject is  uncertain,  but  is  probably  to  enable  the  bird  to  secure  a  foothold  on 
vertical  or  inclined  rock.s,  among  or  on  wliich  it  makes  its  nest.  A  favorite 
breeding-place  of  »S'.  xn-ripciitiifi  is  in  the  piers  and  alaitments  of  bridges,  and 
these  hooks  might  render  essential  aid  in  entering  into  their  Iioles. 

The  birds  of  this  genus  have  usually  been  referred  to  Cofi//r,  which,  how- 
ever, they  resemble  only  in  color.  The  nostrils  arc*  exjiosed,  instead  ot  being 
overhung;  the  tarsus  is  bare  below,  not  leathered,  and  the  lateral  claws  are 
considerably  curved,  and  not  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  the  lateral,  as  in 
Coti/lr.     The  structure  of  the  wing  is  very  dillerent. 

There  are  at  least  five  species  or  races  of  tliis  geiuis  in  America,  although 
only  one  belongs  with  certainty  to  the  I'nited  States.  A  .second,  liowevcr, 
(S.fiilripc7nm),  Mexican  and  Guatemalan,  is  not  unlikely  to  occur  in  Arizona 
or  Xew  Mexico.  This  differs  in  having  the  chin  and  throat  reddish-fidvous, 
not  mouse-gray ;  the  belly  tinged  with  yellow. 


Stelgidopterjrx  serripennis,  Bairp. 

BOTTOH-WINGED  SWALLOW. 

Ilmnidi)  serriiiennU,  Arn.  Orii.  Tiing.  IV,  1838,  filKi.  —  In.  Hirds  Am.  I,  1840.  Ifl3,  pi.  li. 
Coljih  s.  Box.  f'onsp.  1S')0,  342.  —  Cassin.  _IJiiF,wi:i!,  N.  Am.  Oiil.  I,  IS;".",  lOii, 
pi.  iv,  fig.  M  (eggs).  —  liAiiiD,  liinls  X.  Am.  ISr.H.  313.  -  F-onn,  I'r.  li.  A.  Inst.  IV, 
18(i4,  IKMHr.  (Dhniihia).  — CooPKR&SicKi.KV,  1'.  [!.  I!.  licp.  XII,  ii,  ISii  (W.  Terr.). 
—  Ukkiimann,  W  W.  Ii.  X  ;  Willinn.son's  licp.  3(i  (.Sun  .Xntonio,  Tex.  ;  bnciling).  — 
Cooi'Klt,  Oru.  Cid.  I,  1870.  110.  Sleltiidoiilrnjj-  s.  lUlltn,  Itird.s  N.  Am.  IS.'iS,  312; 
Rev.  314. 


HIRUNDINID.E  -  THE  SWALLOWS.  35I 

Sp.  Ciiau.  (No.  ;i2.2(ii)  (J.)  .Minvi-  siiiokv-ln'own,  liillicr  dccpiM' 011  tlic  licsid,  pi'ihaps 
a  litlle  paler  on  tlio  iiiiii|i.  Liu-nvi- ((iiills  and  tail-IWitlii-is  diisky-lirown ;  the  .socondarics 
and  j;r('ali'r  covci  Is  .soiiiL'tinii's  lif^litcr  nlon;;  their  I'xteiiial  edyes.  The  under  paits  (for 
alioiit  hah'  the  total  length)  lioni  hill  to  and  inehiding  bieast,  witii  the  t:ide.s  of  body  and 
lining  of  wings,  luonse-gi-ay,  ratluT  liglilei' along  the  throat;  ihe  rest  of  under  parts,  in- 
elnding  erissnni,  white,  th(^  latter  with  the  shal'ls  sometimes  dusky,  and  very  rarely  with 
dusky  blotehes  at  the  ends  of  the  longer  leathers. 

Young  birds  fas  in  1,120)  ditl'er  in  a  tinge  of  reddish-fulvons  on  lh(>  upper  parts;  the 
wing-  'overts,  secondaries,  and  imier  [n'imaries  margined  more  or  less  broadly  with  a 
brighter  shade  of  the  same.  The  gray  of  tin;  under  [)arts  is  also  washed  v/itli  this  color, 
especially  on  the  eliin  and  across  the  breast.  The  hooks  of  the  edge  of  the  wing  have  not 
yet  become  developed. 

(\o.  32,2i>!)  (J,  fresh  spi'cimen  before  being  skiimeil.)  Total  length,  5.40 ;  expanse  of 
wings,  12.20;  wing  from  carpal  j<iint,  4.")0. 

(No.  ;i2,2(i'.)  ^,  prejiared  specimen.)  Total  length,  0.20;  wing,  4.')0;  tail,  2.25,  depth 
ol'  fork,  .1.");  dilfercMice  of  primai-ies,  2.2S  ;  length  of  bill  frcjin  forehead,  .40,  from  nostril, 
.24,  along  gajte,  .Gt!,  width  of  gape,  .4.');  tarsus,  .45;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .57  ;  claw  alone, 
.10  ;  hind  too  and  claw,  .41 ;  claw  alone,  .lii. 

Hah.  Whole  United  States  (exclusive  of  Northeastern  States  ?)  south  to  Central 
Mexico. 

Haiuts.  The  Eoiigli-winged  Swallow  wns  fir.st  met  with  by  Amliibon,  in 
Louisiana,  but  desciil)e(l  by  hiiu  i'loui  .spceinious  afterwards  jn'ocured  near 
Charleston,  S.  (.'.  He  knew  nuthino  in  regiird  to  its  habits,  and  its  distribu- 
tion was  et[ually  unknown  to  liini.  It  has  since  been  found,  l)ut  nowhere  very 
abundantly,  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States.  It  has  not  been  met  with 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  farther  to  the  north  tliaii  Mew  Jersey  and  rennsylvania. 
On  the  Pacific  coast  it  is  more  common.  Dr.  Suckley  sjjcaks  of  it  as  quite 
abundant  both  in  Oreoon  and  in  Washington  Territory.  J)r.  Cooper,  in  his 
Zoidogy  of  Washington  Territory,  siietiks  of  it  as  common  about  the  sandy 
elilfs  of  the  bays  and  iidets  of  that  coast,  arriving  near  the  Columbia  in 
May,  and  remaining  oidy  until  the  middle  of  August,  when  all  these  Swal- 
lows go  southwards,  though  their  last  brood  is  hardly  able  to  tiy.  He  says 
that  they  burrow  holes  in  the  soft  sandy  banks  near  the  tops  of  elifl's,  and 
have  generally  the  same  habits  tis  the  connuon  Uank  Swallow.  They  have 
no  song,  only  a  few  chirping  calls. 

Dr.  Cooper,  in  his  lieport  on  tiie  birds  of  California,  further  states  that  this 
Swallow,  iu  summer,  is  found  throughout  tlie  lower  ])ortions  of  that  State. 
He  saw  them  at  Fort  ^lojave  as  i!arly  as  the  27th  of  February,  and  as  he  has 
met  with  them  at  San  Diego  iu  Novend)er,  and  also  in  Jamiary,  he  thinks 
they  may  winter  within  the  State.  He  describes  their  burrows  iu  the  sandy 
banks  of  rivers  as  being  to  the  d('])th  of  three  feet,  crowded  very  near 
together,  and  near  the  u])])er  edge  of  the  bank,  in  no  wise  diil'orent  from  the 
nesting  of  the  common  V.  ripariu.  The  ne.sts  tire  composed  chietly  of  dry 
grasses,  with  a  few  feathers,  and  contain  (ive  white  eggs.  Occasionally,  how- 
ever, they  resort  to  natural  clefts  in  the  bank  or  iu  l)uildings,  and  to  knot- 
holes iu  trees.  In  the  fall  they  congregate  in  great  nundvirs  about  certain 
I'avorite  spots,  and  keep  much  together  iu  Hocks.     At  night  they  roost  iu 


352  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  JJIKDS. 

tlioir  huii'OMs.  Ill  Arizoim,  lU'covdiii^-  to  ]^r.  Coiios,  tlicy  aro  suininer  resi- 
dents, broeiliiig  al)iiiiiliiiitly,  arriving  hile  in  April  ami  remaining  until  iiearly 
tiie  last  of  Supteiiil )('!■. 

At  Kagle  I'ass,  Mr.  Dnssser  met  these  birds,  arriving  from  the  Soiitli,  on 
tlie  2 1st  of  Fcliruary.  Tiieiv,  and  also  at  .San  Antonio,  they  were  very  com- 
mon, liiccdiiig  in  tlie  towns,  malving  their  nests  under  the  eaves  and  in  holes 
ill  tlie  old  walls,  de]tositiiig  their  eggs  by  the  25th  of  Ajnil.  Dr.  Kennerly 
also  foMiid  this  Swallow  very  abundant  along  the  Colorado  IJiver  in  Febru- 
ary. Its  lliglit  si'emed  to  him  to  he  like  that  of  the  common  IJarii  Swallow. 
Dr.  Ilceiiiiaiiii  frcMiuently  met  Milii  lliis  species  during  the  journey  from  the 
junction  of  the  (iila  and  Colorado  liivers  through  Mexico,  New  Mexico,  and 
Texas,  to  San  Antonio.  In  the  latter  jdace  lie  ibund  them  breeding  almcst 
entirely  in  crevices  in  the  walls  of  houses. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  Dr.  Coues  found  this  Swallow  a  summer 
resident,  but  rather  rare,  arriving  in  the  third  week  of  April,  and  leaving 
about  the  middle  of  Seitteiuber. 

Mr.  Itidgway  speaks  of  this  bird  as  one  of  the  most  abundant  Swallows 
of  the  West,  inhabiting  the  river  valleys,  and  breeding  in  holes  in  the  banks 
of  the  rivers.  He  .siys  that  in  Soutliern  Illinois  it  is  much  more  abundant 
than  the  0.  riparUt,  though  both  nest  in  the  same  banks. 

This  sjiecies  was  first  found  breeding  in  Carlisle,  reiin.,  by  Professor  Kaird, 
in  the  summer  of  \SA?>.  The  following  year  I  visited  this  locality  early  in 
June,  and  had  an  o])])ortunity  to  study  its  habits  during  its  breed ing-.seasoii. 
AVe  found  the  bird  rather  cominoii,  and  examined  a  number  of  their  nests. 
Koiie  that  we  met  with  were  in  places  that  had  been  excavated  by  the  birds, 
although  the  ju'evious  season  several  had  been  found  that  had  apparently 
been  excavated  in  banks  in  the  same  manner  with  the  Uank  Swallow.  All 
the  ucsts  (seven  in  iiumber)  tliat  wo  then  met  with  were  in  situations  acci- 
dentally adajited  to  their  need,  and  all  were  directly  over  running  water. 
Some  were  constructed  in  crevices  between  the  stones  in  the  walls  and  arches 
of  bridges.  In  several  instances  the  nests  were  luit  little  above  the  surface 
of  the  stream.  In  one,  the  lirst  hiyiiig  had  been  flooded,  and  the  eggs  chilled. 
The  liirds  had  constructed  another  nest  aV)ove  the  first  one,  in  which  were 
six  fresh  eggs,  as  many  as  in  the  other.  One  nest  had  been  built  between 
the  stones  of  the  wall  that  funned  one  of  the  sides  of  the  Hume  of  a  mill. 
Two  feet  above  it  was  a  freijueiited  footpath,  and,  at  the  same  distance  below, 
the  water  of  the  mill-stream.  Another  ne.st  was  between  the  boartls  of  a 
small  building  in  which  revolved  a  water-wheel.  The  entrance  to  it  was 
throiigli  a  knot-hole  in  the  outer  partition,  and  the  nest  rested  on  a  small 
rafter  between  the  outer  and  tin;  inner  boardings. 

The  nests  were  similar  in  their  construction  to  those  of  the  Bank  Swal- 
low, composed  of  dry  grasses,  straws,  and  leaves,  and  lined  with  a  few  feathers  ; 
but  a  much  greater  amount  of  material  was  maele  use  of,  owing,  perhaps,  to 
the  exposed  positions  in  which  they  were  built. 


IirnCXDIXID.K  — TMK  SWALLOWS. 


353 


The  e<;jrs,  six  in  mmilMT,  in  .'vcry  iiistixiici!  that  wc  notiocd,  w.iv  piiiv  white 
about  the  size  cf  tliose  of  the  npari>,,  l.nt  ii  litt'e  more  imih.nnly  nl.hm-  in' 
sliape  and  pointed  at  one  end.  Their  h-n-th  varies  from  .7S  to  .09  of  an  iiieli 
the  average  being  .75.     Their  averagi;  breadtli  is  .5;{  of  an  inch. 


Gfa'is  COTYLB,   Boie. 

r„/,if,;  Hoik,  Lsis,  1822,  550.     (Type,  /tin,,,,/,,  ri/mrm,  L.) 

Tten.  CitAii.  Bill  ..mall ;  nostril.s  lateral,  ovcrhuno-  l.y  a  .-^liai<rht-oclgc<l  membrano  Tai-- 
sus  al,o„t  ,.(,ual  to  ,„i,l.ll.-  t,.,-  without  ..law  ;  li-atluMv,!  at  upper  on.l,  ..specially  on  inuor 
Ince,  ami  havin^r  al,<.,  a  ..n.all  tuft  of  f.Mth.Ts  alta.;h,.,l  to  post..,ior  .xlf^c  near  ti,e  Imul  toe 
Mi.I.ll..  t.w  with  Imsal  joint  a.lhe.ent  o.xten.ally  to  n.'ai- tl,..  ..n.l,  liMI-way  internally  the 
.•aw..  ..on>i.aratively  little  c,  ve.l,  the  lateral  reaehin-  heyon.l  the  l,ase  of  th..  n,i,l,lle.  Tail 
sh-htly  loik.MJ.  Cloi-  .lull  lustreless  brown  above,  in  ripuria  white  beneath  with  grav 
peetoral  band.     Nests  in  holes  in  banks;  cfrrrs  white. 

aiany  American  birds  have  been  referred  to  Cofi/lc,  but  tlie  only  one  really 
belonging  to  tlie  genus  is  the  cosmo- 
pnlitan  0.  ripari,,.  The  i)eculiarity  of 
tiie  genus  consists  essentially  in  tlie 
tuft  of  tarsal  featliers  at  the  base  of 
the  Iiind  ;<e,  and  the  unusual  leimth 
of  the  late.  1  claws,  combined  witli 
the  lateral  nosiii'-  overlmng  by  mem-  '"""//<•  ">,w«. 

braue.     IJy  these  characters  the  genus   is   very  easily  tlistinguished  from 
C'tilgidopknj.r. 


Cotyle  riparia,  Bote. 

BAKK  SWAUOW;  SAND  MABTIN. 

Hirundoripar^  L.nn.  S.  N.  I,   I7.i<i,  344.  -W,..s.  ;  Art.  -  LKvnKVK.   .\v,.s  ,1,.  Cuba, 
1850    47    lam.  v„,  |,g.  ,'i.  -  Jox,.:..,   N,.t.    Hist.    I!..r„,„.la,  34  (u.rasi„„al,  Auj;.   an.l 

Sl'*"ln-f '■'''''"'■'"'    """■•    ''■•'•    ^'"'    ^'^'"'— t'ASS.N-.-l!,MCWKU,    N.    A.    Oiil.    1, 

«r!'   ,??  '' ;  "•  "^'-  ^^  ^"^^^-  -  ^''^"-  •'"'"••  ^''■"''  ■'  (•'"l'">-  -  '5AMM..   l!ir.ls  N.  A,.,. 

8.,8,  .il  ;  li,.v.  18fi4,  :!ir..  In.  18.11,  (.3  (Costa  IJiea  [>.]).  --  .;,.Nh,,.v.„,  Cab.  .lour. 
1801,  u.iO  (v..ry  rar..  m  Cuba).  -^  M.m;,„.  IV.  A.  X.  S...  lS.i3,  2!l-  (.lan,„i,a  ;  v.mv  rar..) 
H!.:k...mann,  p.  I{.  H.  X,  3.i  (CalitWnia  ;  abu.ulaut /).  ^  Dam,  ><:  l!vNN,sri.V  -SO 
(Al.UKka).--Coo,.K.!,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  110.  -  .Sami'KI.s,  258.  Ilinn,d.,  ci..r„. 
>IKIM,.     JJinoii/o  ripariii  iiiiicriciiiKi,  .Max.  ' 

Sp,  TiiAn.  A<h,!f.  Above  prayi.sh-hrown,  somewhat  lulisrin.nis,  with  a  t.-uih^ney  to  paler 
inarfrms  of  the  leathers.  |!..neath  pur.-  white,  with  a  ban.l  a.-n.ss  th..  breast  au,l  the  '  i,l..s 
ol  th.!bo<lylik    th.^iaek.     L.^n^nh,  4.75  ;  win,?,  4.O0  ;  tail,  2.00. 

Youufr  binls  hav,.  l,.ss  ou.ai-inat..  tails,  an.l  the  leathers  .".f  ba.'k,  rump,  an.l  win-s  ...bre.l 
with  whitish.  f-        n 

Hah.     The  whole  .)f  North  Anu.ri.'a;  B..rum.las  ;  Greater  Antill..s;  C.sta  IJiea  •  W.^st- 
orn  Brazil  (Pki.z.).     Also  foun.l  in  the  northern  parts  .)C  the  Old  World, 
4''* 


354 


XOHTII   AMKHK'AX  UiltUS. 


A  (Titif'iil  oxaiiiiiiiitidii  lias  liiilcil  to  reveal  any  diflmv  3  between  Euro- 
pean antl  Anieriean  siieciniens  of  tins  liinl. 

Hauits.     The  connnon   liank  Swallow  as  we  know  it,  or  Sand  Martin  as 

it  is  called  in  England,  is  nearly  or 
iliiiteeosniopolitan  in  its  distribution. 
Found  throughout  Europe  in  the  sea- 
son of  reproduction,  and  in  portions 
of  Africa  in  tiic  winter  months,  it  is 
ecpially  common  througiiout  Nortli 
America  in  the  summer,  and  prol)- 
ably  winters  in  Mexico  and  in  Cen- 
tral and  South  America,  thouj^fli  it  is 
not  mentioned  by  Sumichrast  as  a 
liird  of  Vera  Cruz.  It  is  said  to  oc- 
cur in  various  parts  of  the  continent 
of  Afiica,  and  in  Europe  it  extends 
its  mii^rations  to  the  extreme  north- 
ern regions.  It  lias  also  been  jnet 
oiijf  ripana.  with  iu  Iiiilia  aiul  in  Siberia.     ]\Ir. 

Salvin  obtained  several  specimens  at  Duenas,  (iuatemala,  in   September, 
1.S(j1,  having  ])reviously  oliserveil  it  about  the  Lake  of  Yzabah. 

On  both  continents  it  is  somewliat  local  in  its  distribution,  in  favorable 
localities  being  (|uite  al)uudaiit,  and  in  others  not  known  to  exi.st.  It  is  an 
early  spring  visitant  wherever  found,  ai)])earing  in  England  by  the  24th  of 
March,  and  even  in  our  higli  Arctic  regions  early  iu  May,  often  in  such  in- 
clement weatiier  that  it  is  oliliged  to  take  refuge  in  holes.  Mr.  Dall  met 
with  this  s])ecies  in  Alaska,  in  favorable  situations,  in  immense  numbers. 
He  counted  on  the  face  of  one  .saiul-l)luir  over  .seven  hundred  ne.st-lioles 
made  by  tliese  birds,  and  all  (jf  them  api)arently  occupied,  so  that  the 
blulV  iircsenfed  the  appearance  of  an  immense  honeycomb  alive  with  bees. 
lie  states  that  it  takes  the  bird  four  days  to  excavate  its  nest.  liev.  F.  0. 
Morris,  on  the  other  hand,  who  has  closely  watched  their  operations  in  Eng- 
land, says  that  it  re([uires  a  fortnight,  and  that  the  weight  of  sand  a  pair 
of  these  birds  removes  is  twenty  ounces  in  a  day.  Pebbles  of  more  than  two 
ounces  in  weight  have  been  known  to  be  taken  out  by  them. 

The  lliglitof  this  sjiecies  is  rapid,  but  unsteady  and  flickering.  In  search- 
ing for  their  food  thi'y  skim  low  over  the  surface  of  both  land  and  water, 
drojiiiing  upon  the  latter,  as  they  fly,  to  drink  or  to  bathe.  Their  food 
consists  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  winged  insects,  which  they  pursue  and  cap- 
ture, dashing  at  them  at  times  even  on  the  water.  They  usually  feed  their 
young  with  larger  kinds  than  they  eat  themselves. 

It  has  not  been  observed  in  (Jreenland,  but  Iticiiardson  found  it  in  colonies 
of  thousands  at  the  mouth  of  Mackenzie's  IJiver,  in  the  OSth  parallel.  It  is 
a  very  social  bird,  usually  breeding  together  iu  large  communities,  and  is 


HIRTTXr)I\ir).K-!';iK  S\VAI,I,()\VS  or- 

•  Of)'J 

more  iiulependciit  of  niun  tliaii  iiu.st  of  its  fiiinily,  owino  I,!,,,  ,„,  „ti„.r  lavors 
tliaii  lliost!  iiicidont  to  cxciUiitioiis  tlmm-li  sun, l-l.anks,  uf  wliicli  it  avails 
itsulf.  The  iiosks  of  thcsf  Swallows  arc  placed  in  excavations  made  \>y 
them  in  tlio  l)aiikH  ol'  rivers,  eJills  hy  the  sea-shore,  and  similar  lavorahie 
situations.  These  are  usually  as  near  the  surface  of  the  -round  as  tlie 
nature  of  the  soil  pernnts  to  he  readily  lu'netrated,  thou-ii  tiie  l.ird  has 
hoon  known  to  work  its  way  even  tlirou-h  hard  ,i,Tavel.  Their  deptii  varies 
Irom  fourteen  inches  to  four  feet,  thounli  (wo  feet  is  the  usual  distance. 

Mr.  Au<,qistus  Fowler  nuMitions  a  remarkahle  instaiini  of  sa-acity  and 
provident  forethou',dit  in  tiiese  l.irds,  not  easily  separable  from  mison.  In 
the  town  of  Ueverly,  in  a  stratum  of  sandy  loam,  he  olwrved  each  sea.son  a 
colony  of  .some  twenty  or  thirty  pairs  ol'  these  l.irds.  In  this  j.lace  the.se 
birds  never  burrowed  more  than  two  or  three  feet.  Within  a  ndle  of  this 
idace  another  colmiy  excavated  a  bank  in  whicii  the  layer  of  loam  was  nd.ved 
with  small  stones.  In  this  baid<  they  excavated  to  the  dei.th  of  live,  .seven, 
and  even  nine  feet.  Why  was  there  this  extmordinary  ditference' in  the' 
length  of  burrows  made  l.y  the  .same  species,  in  situations  not  more  than  a 
mile  apart?  The  rea.son  for  this  dilference,  upon  examination,  became  very 
obvious.  We  <<ive  the  explanation  in  Mr.  Fowler's  own  words:  "In  one 
bank,  where  the  earth  was  of  a  linii  sandy  loam,  easily  jierforated,  from  the 
entmnce  to  the  extrendty  the  burrows  did  not  exceed"  three  feet  in  length  ; 
while  in  the  other  baidc,  with  harder  loam  to  work  in,  one  burrow  was  I'lmnd 
nine  feet  in  length.  After  examining  six  holes  of  nearly  equal  length,  it 
appeared  that  these  little  birds  had  sullicicnt  reason  for  exten.ling  llieirlab'or.s 
so  far  into  the  earth.  In  every  inslauce,  where;  they  met  witli  a  spot  free 
from  stones  they  finished  their  burrows  ;  thus  sla.wing  great  care  for  the 
welfare  of  their  eggs  or  young  by  avoiding,  in  the  .stony  soil,  a  cataslrojihe  so 
great  as  would  befall  their  treasures  if  by  accident  one'of  tiiese  stones  should 
fall  upon  them." 

The  work  of  perforation  they  ])erform  with  their  closed  bill,  swaying  the 
body  round  on  the  feet,  beginning  at  the  centre  and  working  outwards.  '''I'his 
long  and  often  winding  gallery  gradually  expands  into  a  small  spherical 
apartment,  on  the  floor  of  which  they  form  a  iiide  nest  of  straw  and  leatli- 
ers.  The  time  occupied  in  making  thes(!  excavations  varies  grciitly  with  tiie 
nature  of  the  soil,  from  four  or  five  days  to  twice  that  nund.er. 

Their  eggs  are  five  in  nund.er,  pure  white,  and  when  unblown  have  a  line 
roseate  hue.  They  are  oval  in  sliai-e,  larger  at  one  end.  and  pointed  at 
the  smaller.  Their  average  length  is  .72  of  an  incii,  and  their  aveia-e 
breadth  .47. 


350  NOUTIl  AMKUICAX  UIKDS. 


Wo  now  come  to  th'.\  (•(uisitlciation  of  tliroe  families  of  Oseine  hirds,  of 
lue-eiiiiiu'iitly  deiitinistiiil  type,  liiiviiig  certain  connuon  characters  by  wliich 
they  are  ilistinj^iiishalile,  with  but  little  (hHiculty,  from  all  others.  In  their 
close  relationshij)  it  lias  been  (lueslioneil  by  many  whether  they  do  not  all 
belong  under  one  head,  Itut  they  are  more  generally  considered  ilistinct. 
The  common  characters,  and  those  jjeculiar  Ut  each,  are  as  follows  :  — 

Common  ("iiahactkhs.  Hill  stout,  iiinl  coiisiilcriilily  liookcil  iit  lip,  or  wiili  tlic  ]ioinl  lit'iit 
aliniptly  (lo\viiwai-<l  ;  Avitli  ii  (li'i'|)  iioU'ii,  niiil  soiui'linios  a  tooth  or  loliu  just  bfliiud  tliu 
iioU'li;  tlir  lip  of'""  lower  uiauiliWlo  liki'wisc!  Irdiuoutly  bout  up,  and  with  a  notch 
licliind  it.  Tile  nostrils  lalcral,  tho  hrisllos  ol'  tlio  luoiilii  frcnorally  well  dcvclopcil.  The 
primaries  are  ten  (exeepi  in  a  lew  Virms),  the  outer  I'loni  one  fourth  to  one  hall'  liie  sec- 
ond. Tail  variable.  Tarsi  senh'llale  anteriorly  ;  sonielimes  wilh  a  leudeuey  lo  division  ou 
the  lateral  plales;  hillierlo  not  met  with.  Basal  joints  of  toes  more  adherent.  Separated 
I'rom  TitnliiliV  by  i^roater  adhesiou  of  toes  ;  lh)ni  'rroijlixli/lidif  by  notelied  and  hooked 
bill,  et(;. 

A.  liasal  phalanx  of  anterior  toes  abbreviated  ;  that  of  median  toe  deeidedly  .shorter  than 
the  l)asal  of  inner,  or  the  two  biisal  of  outer,  and  adherent  for  its  whole  length  on  both 
sides  to  llie  lateral  (i.  e.  not  free  at  all).  Lateral  plates  of  tarsus  undivided,  e.'cept  at 
e.\trenie  lower  end. 

Vireonidae.     fronys  more  than  half  the  lenjjtli  of  lower  jaw  (from  tip  to  nnjrle  of 

mouliij,  usually   louf^er  than  width  ol'  mouth,  which   is  nairow.     Hill  eouieal,  much 

eompiessed,  deeurved   at  end   and  notehed,   bnt  seareely  toothed.     Frontal  feathers 

l>ristly  and  erect,  or  bent  but  .slif;htiy   forward.     Nostrils  overhuii};  by  mend)raue. 

Tarsus  Ioniser  Ihau  middle  toe  anil  elaw.     Lateral  toes  fjeuerally  uneipial ;  outer  claw 

reaehinp;  half-way  aloiii;  middle  elaw. 

B>    Itasal  phalanx  of  middle  toe  about  as  lonjj  as  Ihe  basal  of  iimer,  or  the  two  basal  of 

outer;   fret^  (■xternaily.   at  least   for  about  one  third  its  lenfrlh,  internally  for  about  one 

half.     Lateral  plates  of  tarsus  with  deeided  tendency  to  subdivision  (except  iu  Mijiudes- 

liiitr). 

Ampelidae.  (Jouys  deeide<lly  less  Ihau  half  the  len^'th  of  lower  jaw,  or  than  width 
of  mouth,  wliieh  is  very  broad  and  dee|ily  eleft.  Bill  Iriaufjidar,  much  di'in'e.'^setl,  de- 
eurvcil  at  end  and  uolehed,  with  moderale  thoufrli  deeided  tooth.  Frontal  feathers 
rather  .soft,  .scarcely  bristly  or  erect.  Nostrils  overhun^j  by  membrane.  Tarsus  equal 
to  or  shorter  than  middle  lot;  and  claw.  Lateral  toes  nearly  eipud;  outer  elaw  reach- 
inir  only  to  base  of  middle  elaw. 

Laiiiidae.  (Jonys  about  half  the  lenu:lh  of  lower  jaw  ;  about  ocpial  to  width  of  niouth. 
Bill  very  powerful  and  raploiial,  mneh  compressed,  wilh  a  strongly  marked  hook, 
noleli,  and  tooth  at  end.  Frontal  feathers  very  bristly,  and  directed  forw.ard.s,  so  ns 
to  conceal  nostrils  and  biise  of  bill.  Nostrils  with  bony  walls,  except  behind.  Tarsus 
lonijfer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  sometimes  much  scutcUate  on  sides.  Lateral  claws 
nearly  eciual ;  outer  claw  rcauhiuf!:  a  little  beyoud  base  of  middle  claw. 


VIRl.;0XIDyE-THE  VIUEOS.  ggK 


Family   VIREONID^.  — The  Vikkos. 

The  essential  reat.ne.  „f  thi.s  family  appear  to  c.nsist  in  the  conibi..ation 
of  the  clent.mstral  bill,  notehed  in  bc.th  nmn.lible.s  ;  the  ten  i.rinmries  (except 
Fmosf/lviu),  oi  winch  the  m.ter  i.s  usually  IVoni  .,ne  fourth  to  one  half  the 
socoml;  the  rather  .short,  nearly  e v.-.  ail,  with  narrow  leathers,  an.l  the 
,.eat  amount  of  adhesion  of  the  anterior  toes,  -  the  whole  basal  joint  of 
Ihonnddle  ben,j.  j^enerally  united  on  both  sides  to  the  adjacent  joints  and 
decidedly  shorter  than  the  basal  oi'  inner  or  two  b,usal  of  outer,  'ihe  outer 
latera  toe  is  j^enerally  aj.preciably  longer  than  the  inner,  reaching  con- 
siderably beyond  the  base  of  the  middle  claw.  The  tarsi  are  always  dis- 
Unctly  scute  late  anteriorly.  The  young  .,.  never  .spotted,  or  streaked  as 
m  the  Ihrushes;  nor,  i.uleed,  do  the  adults  e.vhibit  such  markings 

riie  Vireonidcv  are  peculiar  to  the  New  World,  and  are  widely"distributed 
although  but  one  genus  belongs  to  the  United  States. 


Gexls  VIRBO,  Vikill. 

Virco,  Vmu..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  I,  1807,  83.     (Type,  ^hc..cky,^  v,,rh,nur,,.is,  r.^,.) 

No  great  violence  will  be  done  by  considering  all  the  American  Vireos  as 
belonging  to  one  ge.i«,s,  divisible  into  three  subgen.M'a,  as,  however  dilferent 
the  extremes  of  the  series  may  be  from  each  other,  the  gradation  is  .,uite 
complete.  '■ 

The  North  American  species  take  a  wide  range  during  their  .southern 
winter  migration,  only  paralleled  in  this  respect  by  the  ,S>/lvi,v/id„-  ■  they  do 
not  visit  the  ^\est  Indies,  save  as  very  rare  stragglers  to  Cuba  ( K  o/ivumts 
M,nu.,flov,from,  and  novcboracenxi.).  They  all  have  a  melodious  son-r  and 
so  ar  as  known,  make  a  deej)  nest,  snspen.led  by  its  up,,er  edge  between  the' 
forks  of  a  horizontal  twig.  The  eggs  are  white,  generally  with  a  lew  reduish 
or  brown  blotches. 

Quite  a   number  are  characterized   by  having  the  eyes  white,  red    or 
yellow.  ' 

£abgenera. 
Vireosylvia.     IJill  c<mipiv,.s..,l,  nam.w  ;  culnu.n  and  commk«nro  strai-rht 
the  t>p  al.n.ptly  cuiv.,!   (or,  if  thi.s  i.s  not  iIk-  ca.so,  thoro  i.s  no  truco  of  light 
bands  on  the  wn.fr;  sec  sce.ion  "6").     Snpereiliary  .stripe  continued  baek  to 
the  occiput.     i\o  trace  of  hght  han.l.  on  the  wing.     x\o  conspicuous  ring  round 

n.  Xo  .spurious  primary.    Bill  compressed,  its  tip  abruptly  hooVed ;  culmeP 
and  coannissurc  straight    Crown  decidetlly  more  ashy  than  tlu;  back. 

b.  An  acute  .spurious  primary.     Bill  .leprc.ssed,  the  tip  orly  slightly  hooked ; 

culmen  slightly  curved.     Crown  .scarcely  more  ashy  than  back'      ."        .       Sp.  ,,ih;,.. 


358 


KOlVni  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Lanivireo.  ]Jill  compressed,  stout ;  culnieii  aielied  IVoiii  the  base,  oommis- 
suru  curved.  Sujteiciliarv  stii|ie  stopping  at  posterior  angle  of  the  eye  and 
curving  under  it,  enelosing  (lie  eye  in  a  conspicuous  orbital  nng,  interrupted  only 
in  front.     Two  conspicuous  wliite  bands  on  the  wing. 

a.  No  spurious  primary Sp.  flavifrons. 

b.  Vi'ith  an  acute  spurious  primary         ....  Sp.  solitai-iits,  plumbeu.i. 
Vireo.     Bill  stout,  scarcely  compressed,  sub-cylindrical.     First  primary  not 
spurious,  or,  if  so,  not  acute. 

(/.  Two  cons])icuous  light  bands  on  wing    .      Sp.  atricapillnn,  novcboraceii.ii.i,  hutloni. 

h.  One  distinct  light  band  on  wing,  and  this  not  sharply  dclincd,  the  anterior 

one  being  almost  obsolete Sp.  belli,  pusiltus,  vicinior. 


Sub(;enus    VIREOSYLVIA,   Bon. 

Vircoxtilvia,  Hon.  Oeog.  Coiiip.  List,  1838.     (Type,  Mnsckapa  oUuacca,  LiN.) 
riujlliimaws,  V\\\.  Arcli.  1847,  1,  321.     (No  type  meiitioucd  ;  uaiue  propo.si'd  as  substitute 
I'ur  Vircosijlviu.) 

Gv.-n.  CiiAR.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  one  third  or  one  fourth  longer  than  the  nearly 
even  or  slightly  rounded  tail.  First  quill  very  snuiU  (less  than  one  third  the  second),  some- 
times apparently  wanting.    Second  quill  longer  than  tlio  seventh,  much  longer  than  the 


VirfO  olivareus. 


secondaries.  Tarsi  short  (.scarcely  exceeding  .70  of  an  inch) ;  toes  rather  long.  Hody 
slender  and  elongated.  Bill  slender,  narrow,  straight ;  the  culmen  straight  for  its  basal 
half,  the  commissure  quite  straight ;  light  horn-color,  paier  beneath.  Feet  weak.  Type, 
V.  oUvaceus. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

C0M.M0N  CiiAHACTERS.  All  .species  olive  above,  white  or  yellowish  beneath. 
.An  ashy  or  brownish  cap,  contrasting  more  or  less  abruptly  with  the  olivo  back. 
A  whitish  superciliary  stripe  extending  to  the  na[)e,  and  a  dusky  one  to  ami  lie- 
hind  the  eye.  No  light  l)an(ls  on  the  coverts.  Inside  of  wings  (Hanks  some- 
times) and  erissum  yellowish,  otherwise  usually  white  beneath. 

No  spurious  primary Serien  I. 

A  spurious  primary        ...  Series  II. 

Series  I.     (Xo  spurious  priiiiiirt/.) 
A.   A  dusky  "  mustache  "  or  cheek  stri|)e  along  each  side  of  the  throat. 
1.  V.  caUdris.     Eyes  red? 

Q.  No  distinct  dusky  line  along  side  of  llie  crown. 

Light  stripes  of  the  head  dingy  lirownish-bulT;  crown  scarcely 
ashy;  l>aek  olive-brown  ;  cri.ssum  and  lining  of  the  wing  pure  pale 


VliaiOXID.E  — THE  VIKKOH.  o.-q 

yellow.     Win-   3.20 ;  tail,  •2.2.-, ;  Wll,  .42.     Hah.   Jamaica;  Santo 
Doniiiigo.  Porto  Iliuo,  Santa  C'lnz,  St.  Thomas,  and  Sonili 


lii'cro. 


var.  c  II I  id  c/.s'.' 
Light  stripes  of  the  head  diiifry  grdyish-wlilte ;  crown  distinctly 
ashy  ;  hack  j,'rayish-olive  ;  crissiim  and  linin-  of  the  win.,  scarcely 
yellow.    Win-    3.20;  tail,  2.3:,;  bill,   .42.  " Ilab.  Cuba,  Bahamas, 

and  South  Florida      .        .  ,..,,.    ,        ,     ,    , 

...  \fii.    (>  II  r  bal  III  UK . 

0.    A  distinct  dusky  lino  along  each  side  ol'  crown. 

Colors  as  in  harhatuht,  but  "  mustache  "  broader  and  more  con- 

.spicuou.s  and  crown  much  purer  ash.    Wing,  3..30;    tail  2..-,0-  bill 

«    M    .<        f\     ""'•    ^'"■'''•"•'-''  •        •        •        .         .        .         var.i;,-6<;,/e«,,..« 
M.   No  "  mustache." 

a.   A  dusky  lino  .niong  each  side  of  crown. 

2.  V.  olivaceus.  Grayish  olive-green  above;  beneath  white,  tin-e.l 
laterally  with  dull  olive;  crissum  and  lining  of  wing  scarcely  ycll.nv ; 
inner  edges  of  quills  white.     Eyes  red. 

1.  Wing,   3.J0;  tail,   2.40;"  bill,  .38.     Hah.     Eastern    Provinc..  of 
North  America,  .south  to  Northern  South  America        .     var    olhutcfu^ 

2.  Wing,  2.50;  tail,  1.80;  bill,  ,33.    Huh.  Eastern  South  AiucrL^a. 

3.  V.  flavoviridis.    Yellowi,.h  olive-green  above ;  beneath  white  mwli- "  " '"' ' 
ally,  bright  greenish  olive-yellow  laterally  ;  crissum,  lining  of  win-s  and 

inner  edges  of  quills,  light  yc^llow.     Eyes  yellow.  '    ' 

1.  Wing,  3.ir, ;  tail,  2.55  ;  bill,  .41.     Hub.  Middle  Anieri.'a  north  of 

Panama         .        .         .  ^,  •    .  ,  . 

„    „..  '^■M\  Jlavovtriihii. 

2.  \\uig,  2..^0;  tail,  2.25;  bill,  3G.      Hah.    South   America,    froni 
Buenos  Ayrcs  northward;  Guatemala      ....        var.    an  His* 

b.  No  dusky  lino  on  side  of  crowi.. 

4.  V.  magister.'  Large.  Above  sooty-olive,  more  vireseent  posterior- 
ly; crown  without  ashy  tinge.  Beneath  similar,  but  liahter,  whiti.sh 
medially.  Cri.ssnm  .ind  lining  of  wing  very  faintly  yellow  ;  inner  eil.^es 
of  quills  white.  Eyes?  Wing,  .3.05  ;  tail,  2.40  ;  bill,  .45.  Hab.  Hon- 
duras fHclize). 

5.  V.  philadelphicus.  Sm.all.  Above  gray i.sh-green;  .•row u  a.^hy. 
Beneath  light  yellow,  deepest  on  the  jiignlum,  whitish  on  bell  v  Eyes  ? 
Wing,  2.70;  tail,  1.95;  bill,  .27.  Hab.  Eastern  Province 'of  North 
America;  in  winter  south  to  Costa  iliea. 

Series  II.     (.1  .ymrinim  priiiiiiry.) 
C.   No  dnsky  line  along  side  of  crown.     No  "  mustache." 
0.  V.  gilva.     Eyes  hazel  (in  all  ?). 
a.  Crown  nearly  like  the  back. 

Above  olive-grav,  rump  more  vire.scent;  crown  more  n.shy.     Be- 
neath dingy  whitish,  with  a  strong  tinge  of  dingy  bulf  from  bill 

lolh^od?'""'"'"'"^'  "'"""'  ''*''■  *^"''  '"'''''  ^^"^'  ^^^'     ^^'^''"^'""  '"''■'''■'■''  L-  Syi^t.  Nat. 

^   K.  cir  I  iiir  is  xiiv.  barlKidauie,  Hi  no  way. 
J"   r.  oUmcea  var.  chivi.      Fim,si,lvia  chii-i,    IVuim,  li.-v.  327.     {Si,h-ia  ehiri,  Vnu.l.   Nouv 
Diet.  XI,  1817,  174.) 

♦   r.Jhnvviriilis  var.  „,„ris.     rircosylviu  agilis,  Uaiiu.,   liev.  33S.     iLiviius  anilis,  Ll.iiT 
Vm.  Doubl.,  18'.'3,  no.  62(J.)  y      .     ■  "i. 

'  V.  muijislci;  IJaiiu). 


360 


NORTH  AMKIIICAN  UIHDS. 


iiloiii^  sides  aiul  ai'i'nss  lircast.     Hill,  .14  deep,  .:!0  loiifr ;  wiiijr,  2.S5  ; 
tail,  12.05.     //(//;.    Kiistciii  Fioviiicc  of  I'liiti'd  Slates  .      var.    i/ilrim. 

Similar,  lint  aliove  moiv  fj;rayisli,  and  beiii'atli  with  the  Imfl"  tinge 
almost  al)sent,  Hill,  .11  deep,  and  .'22  loiijr ;  wiiiir,  2.80;  tail,  2.iri. 
Ilah.    Western  I'rovinee  of  Unitc^d  Stales  .         ,         var.  n  ira  in  son  i. 

h.  Crown  very  dillereiit  IVoiu  the  back  (dark  lirown). 

Above  olive-brown;  nnnp  more  vireseeut;  crown  dark  .snull- 
brown.  Beneath  nniliirm  li;Trht  yellow,  throat  whitish.  Hill,  An 
deep,  .30  long  ;  wing,  2.(iO  ;  tail,  2.10.  Ilah.  Middle  Ameriea,  Iroin 
Ecuador  to  Honduras xuy.  Jo  Kep  h  k.' 


Vireosylvia  calidris,  var.  barbatulus,  IJaikd. 

FLORIDA  OBEENLET. 

P/i;/llt)iiia7ic.<il)iirhrihihi><,C\ii.  .Unir.  HI,  lS,"i5,  4ti7  (Cuba). — (JfNlil.Acil,  ("ab.  ,Iour.  ISfil, 
324  (Cuba).  —  III.  Krpi'rtoiiii,  Cidia,  18t).").  rirejiii/fciii  liiirl/ti/ii/d.,  Haiiid,  Kcv.  Am. 
B.  lS(i4,  3:n.  riiro  (il/ih'iniis,  (iA.MliKl,,  I'r.  A.  X.  Sr.  MHi<,  l-_'7  (Florida).  —  lUlim, 
Birds  N.  Am.  IS'iS,  354  (Florida).  Viiro.vilvin  (illiloqim,  Cassin,  I'r.  A.  N.  Sc.  1851, 
152.  —  lli.  Illust.  1S54,  8,  and  221,  pi.  .\x.\vii  (Florida).  --  Bkvant,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  V, 
1850,  113  (Bahamas).  —  Lawukxck,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  1800  (Cuba). 

Sp.  C'mai!.  (Xo.  2r),9r)8  (J,  Cuba.)  I'roportion  of  quills  as  in  var.  rnliilfis,  2  =  .'!,  4,  1,  /i, 
but   the   tips  of  the  ([uills    elosser   together,  and   the  lirst.  tpiill  aliout   half  'iv  a  little  less 

than   half  the  distance   between   (illh 

and  fourth  ;   the  quills  narrower. 

Cdlois  similar  to  tlio.se  of  var.  ralidris, 
but  of  a  purer  and  paler  olive  aliove  ; 
the  liaek  tinged  with  ai<h ;  the  cap 
purer  ash,  and  hotter  defined,  without 
olivareiius  wa.sh.  its  dusky  edge  more 
distiiiet.  The  supeicMliary  stripe  wliit- 
i.sh  or  grayi.sli,  with  the  cheeks  paler, 
and  both,  a.s  well  as  the  chin,  with- 
out till!  bull'  tinge.  Under  jiarts  nearly  pure  white,  very  faintly  tinged  across  the  breast 
with  ashy:  the  sides  olivaceous:  the  cri.ssum  and  axillars  pale  sulphur-yellow.  Total 
length,  .'i.'iO ;  wing,  .'i.l");  tail,  2."j0  ;  dillereiicu  of  first  and  ."second  quills,  .18;  of  lifth 
and  secdud,  .22  ;  length  ol'  bill  from  forehead,  .82,  from  nostril,  .40,  along  gape,  .8!) ;  tarsus, 
72;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .(50 :  claw  alone,  .21  ;  hind  toe  and  claw,  .50  ;  claw  alone,  .23, 
Hah.     Cuba;   the  Jialiainas;  and  Charlotte  H.irbor,  Florida.    (Western  Coast.) 

This  rinv  lia.s  hecn  taken  several  time.s  at  Cliarlotte  Harlior,  in  Florida, 

'  /'.  ijihn  \-,ix.  jdsiplin:  I'hrtisylviii  jnsepjia;  IIaikIi,  liiv.  lH(i5,  344  (  f'/rm  jmcy/Aii',  Scr.A  rr.li, 
r.  Z.  8.  185!),  137,  111.  cliv).  C(Piii|iariiig  typicid  examples  nf  this  "  spnics "  with  those  ot 
(jilriis  from  North  America,  they  a|ipi'ar  very  widely  dillcivnt  indeed,  .so  far  as  coloration  is 
i;oiiL'criied,  though  nearly  identical  in  form.  But  a  s|)cciiiii'ii  from  an  iiitcriiicdiate  locality 
(54,2112,  Orizaba,  >[cxiio,  F.  Sl'MlcllUA.vr)  ciniihiiics  .so  iH'rl'i'dly  all  the  characters  of  the  twi), 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  ri'lcr  it  to  oiii'  or  the  other  as  distinct  species.  It  therefore 
lici^oiiics  necessary  to  assume  that  the  /'.  jusijihir  is  a  permanently  resident  tropical  racM'  of  n 
sjM'cics  of  which  /'.  (li/riis  is  the  iiortlicin  representative  ;  wliich  tlieory  is  strciigtlieiicd  by  the 
fact  that  of  the  latter  there  aiv  no  sjieciinens  fomid  south  of  the  riiited  States,  indieating  that 
in  winter  it  does  not  pass  bi-yond  their  limit,  or  at  least  not  tUr  to  the  soiiihward. 


Viriostjivia  ttarhntttltts. 


VIHE;)\II)vE  — TFIK  VIIM'IOS.  ggl 

iiiiil  is  tlms  eiititlod  to  a  ])lii('(!  in  our  fiiuiiii.     Its  (listiiiction  I'roia  a  closely 
alliwl  race  in  Jamaica,  llayti,  etc.,  var.  mlidrix,  is  shown  on  paj^o  lifjQ. 

A  specimen  belonjfing  to  ,Mr.  Salvin  ("  No.  187  "),  from  "  Istlunus  of  I'ana- 
ma,"  we  cannot  distinguish  satisfactorily  i'roui  typical  examples  ol'  tlu*  jiresent 
race,  with  which  it  is  to  lie  compared,  and  not  with  nilit/ri^.  Tlie  colors  are 
quite  identical  witli  tliose  of  hiirlm/iih's  In  si/e  it  is  .'iliLditly  larj,'er,  the 
wing  ineasurin.t,'  0.20  instead  of  :>.l.-)  ;  tiie  tail  2.50,  instead  of  2.l').'i  (from 
exposed  biv.se  of  feathers)  ;  the  hill  is  'Ididvcr,  lieiiiu'  .2(1  instead  of  .18  dceji ; 
tlie  third  (piill  is  lonj^est,  the  second  interinediati!  Iietwci'u  it  and  tlie  fourth; 
the  first  intermediate  lietween  tiie  fourth  and  tiflh.  In />^(////'/«/«.s  tlie  .second 
is  longest,  the  third  and  fourth  successively  a  little  shorter.  It  is  not 
improliable  that  other  s])ecimens  fi'oni  that  locality  niny  show  greater  difl'er- 
ences,  as  the  specimen  under  examination  is  in  rathei  worn  ]tlumage,  and 
has  the  tip  of  the  bill  broken  olV. 

ILviiiTS.  This  species  imly  claims  a  place  in  oin-  .ivifauna  on  the  ground 
of  its  presence  in  Florida.  How  abundaut  it  is  theri;  is  not  determined,  fur- 
ther than  it  has  been  olwerved  within  a  restricted  locality  by  Dr.  Heernuinn. 
This  Avas  at  Charlotte  Harbor,  on  tlie  southwestern  coast.  They  ajipeared 
to  be  visitors  only,  from  a  more  .southern  clinie.  They  reached  Florida  in 
their  northern  migrations,  remaining  only  for  a  short  season,  but  evidently 
staying  long  enough  to  breed.  Dr.  Hecrmaiin  states  that  this  sjiecies  resem- 
bles, in  manners  and  in  appearance,  the  common  I{e<l-eyed  X'ireo  of  the 
more  northern  States.  He  descrilies  its  song  as  clear  and  musical,  and  very 
distinctly  uttered.  It  was  constantly  on  the  search  for  insect.s, and  apjKN'ired 
even  more  active  than  any  of  the  northern  species,  darting  among  the  foliage, 
peering  into  cievices  and  cobwebs,  susiiended  i'roni  brandies  with  its  kick 
downward,  and  occasionally  chasing  a  Hying  insect  in  the  manner  of  a  true 
Flycatcher.  These  movements  were  usually  accom]ianied  by  a  song.  This 
species  was  not  abundant,  though  Dr.  Heermaim  .saw  it  frequently,  and 
obtained  .sevevil  fijjecimens. 

Dr.  Bryant  found  this  sjiecies  very  almndant  at  tlie  P>aliamaR,  arriving 
there  alxmt  the  first  of  May.  All  tlie  specimens  he  obtained  were  males, 
the  females  not  arriving  there  until  after  the  l:U!i  of  .May.  The  notes  of 
tho'se  birds,  he  states,  vary,  though  the  most  common  one  resembles  v/iJj> 
torn  JM/p  phi'un,  iironounciiig  the  first  Mord  distinctly. 

This  bird,i  in  Brown's  History  of  Jamaica,  is  called  "  Whip-tom-kelly," 
from  the  suitposed  resemblance  of  its  notes  to  tliesii  articulate  sounds,  and 
this  pojiular  ajijiellatioii  has  been  given  it  by  various  other  writers.  Mr. 
(losse,  however,  in  his  Birds  of  Jamaica,  calls  this  bird  "  John-to-whit,"  and 
can  find  no  resemblance  in  its  notes  to  the  words  referred  to.  He  describes 
its  song  as  uttered  with  incessant  iteration  and  untiring  energy,  and  as 
resendiling  Siarf-Jdhn  !  Joint,  to  irliit  !  surct  John  to  vliif  !     After  July  the 

'  The  Jiuimican  liiril  is  V'.  ra/iilrii,  imt  hdrhnliihi.i.     In  all  luolmlnlily,  liowevcr,  tlicy  (li>  nut 
(lill'cr  in  habits  and  notes.       15.  K. 
4G 


362  NORTH  AMEllICAN  -BIKDS. 

notes  cliange  to  to-vhil-to-wlnni,  and  sonuitiini's  to  a  soil,  sin^ple  chirp,  whis- 
pered so  gently  as  scarcely  to  l)e  audible.  The  name  of  Wliip-tom-kelly 
Mr.  CJossc  never  heard  applied  to  it  in  Jamaica.  Yet  it  is  a  bird  olteu  heard, 
and  one  whose  notes  liave  a  similarity  to  articulate  sounds,  and  naturally 
8uj,'<i[est  a  common  appellation.  It  is  ver  vociferous  and  ])ertinacious  in  its 
calls,  repeatinf,'  them  with  enerjfy  every  two  or  three  secoiuls. 

This  species,  he  states,  does  not  ordinarily  sit  on  a  i)rcminent  twig,  or  d.art 
out  after  insects,  thouj^h  it  has  been  seen  in  eager  pursuit  of  a  butterfly.  It 
seems  to  live  in  the  centre  of  thick  woods.  It  does  not  pass  the  winter  in 
Jamaica,  but  leaves  at  the  beginning  of  October,  returning  as  early  as  the 
2ilth  of  March.  Its  food  he  states  to  be  both  animal  auv.  vegetable,  as  he 
found  in  its  stomach  the  seeds  of  the  tropical  plants  and  jerries.  In  April, 
Mr.  (Josse  observed  it  hunting  insects  by  the  borders  of  tl;e  rJuetields  IJiver, 
and  so  intent  u])on  its  o(!cupat)on  as  to  aUow  of  a  very  near  approach.  It 
sought  insects  among  the  grass  and  low  herbage,  perching  cm  the  stalks  of 
weeds,  and  darting  out  after  both  vagrant  and  stationary  prey.  They  incu- 
bate in  June  and  July. 

Like  all  this  genus  the  Long-billed  Vireo  builds  a  pensile  nest  of  great 
architectural  ingenuity  and  beauty.  It  is  a  deep  cup,  usually  about  two 
thirds  of  a  sjihere  in  shajic,  truncated  at  the  top.  The  materials  of  which 
it  is  made  are  often  somewhat  coarse.  Mr.  (iosse  describes  it  as  about  as 
large  as  an  ordinary  teacup,  narrowed  at  the  mouth,  conipo.sed  of  dry  grasses, 
silk,  cotton,  lichens,  and  spiders'-web.  It  is  usually  suspended  from  the  fork 
of  two  twigs,  the  margin  very  neatly  overwoven  to  embrace  them.  The 
materials  are  well  interwoven,  and  the  walls  firm  and  close,  though  not  very 
thick.  The  whole  is  smoothly  lined  with  slender  veiietable  fibres  resembling; 
human  hair.  One  nest  had  its  cavity  nearly  fdled  with  a  mass  of  white  cot- 
ton, interwoven  with  the  other  materials,  wliich,  being  picked  cotton,  had 
evidently  been  tak(in  from  some  yard  or  building. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  three  in  number,  of  a  brilliant  white,  deli- 
cately tinted  with  pink,  and  marked  with  a  few  line  red  and  red-brown 
spots,  usually  about  the  larger  end. 

An  egg  of  the  variety  from  (Juba  is  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  slightly 
pointed  at  one  end,  and  the  markings  of  faint  ])urple  and  of  dark  ])urplish- 
brown,  in  bold  dashes,  are  all  about  the  larger  end.  Another  from  the  same 
locality  is  more  distinctly  rounded  at  one  and  pointed  at  tlu;  other  end,  and 
is  marked  with  fine  brown  dots  distributed  over  the  whole  egg.  These  eggs 
measure,  one  .825  by  .5")  of  an  inch,  and  the  other  .78  by  .55.  An  egg  from 
Jamaica  is  of  an  extremely  oblong-oval,  measuring  .88  by  .55  of  an  inch,  and 
is  boldly  marked  more  or  less  over  the  entire  egg  with  large  blotches  of  pur- 
plish-brown. 

The  Messr.s.  Newton  describe  the  nest  of  the  caliihu  of  St.  Croix  as  a  beau- 
tiful structure,  shaped  like  an  inverted  cone,  composed  outwardly  of  dried 
blades  of  grass,  dried  leaves,  and  wool,  woven  round  the  twigs,  to  which  it 


VIREONID.E  —  THE  VIHEOS. 


363 


was  attaclied  with  spi.lers'-wobs,  line.l  iii.siile  willi  finor  l.lades  of  gniss  ami 
about  three  inehes  and  a  half  in  diameter,  an.l  five  in  hei-ht.  The  o<m.s 
throe  in  number,  were  white,  with  a  few  black  spots,  chieflv  disposed  about 


the  larger  end 


Vireosylvia  olivaceus,  Bonap. 

BES-&TED  GBEENLET. 

Mvsck;,pa  olivu.-e^,  L,nn.  Syst.  XmI.  I,  17(iG,  :i27  (I.i.s.mI  on  Ei.waim.s,  tnl>.  2.-.;i,  andCArKs- 
liV,  |>1.  liv).  —  Wii.s.  Ln.iiis  ulicacuiH,  Ll.ilT.  Viiz.  ISiiS,  4<)  (N.  A.nci-.K  I'mo  olh;,- 
.r«.v,  ViKii,,,.  ;  Bon.  ;  Swains.  II.  -  All..  -  lUni.,,  IJir.ls  N.  Am.  18:^8,  331.  -  Sam- 
ri;i,s,  Birds  N.  Kn^-.  270.  nmsiih-l,,  olio.  Box.  (Jcog.  Comi..  I^i.st,  1838.  —In.  t'oii.s].. 
1850,  329.  -UKiNiiAlil.T,  Vid.  M..d.  r.  1853,  1854,  82  ((irecuhuid).  -  In.  Ibis,  III,  7. 
—  ScLATKR,  I'.  Z.  S.  1855,  151  (Bos.ita)  ;  lS5i»,  137,  3(i3  (XalaiPiO.  -^  A.  &  K.  Nkwtox, 
Ibis,  1859,  145.  — ScLATK I!  &  SA1.VIN,  Ibi.s,  1859,  12  ((limt.-nuila).  -  Lawiuonck,  Aim. 
N.  Y.  Lyo.  VII,  18(iO,  24ti  (Cuba).-  t  Ibi.s,  1804,  394  (Dfiby,  Kn-l.  Jlav,  1859).  -  Baiku, 
Rov.  Am.  B.  1804,  333.  J'/n,/lom,ni<Kii!lr.  Cad.  Mils.  Hciii.  1850  51,  63.  —  lu.  Jour. 
18(i0,  404  fCo,sta  Kica).  —  (iiNl.L.  t'ab.  Jour.  ISlil,  324  (Cuba;  very  rare),  t  rircu 
vircscem,  Yiv.iu..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  I,  1807,  84,  y\.  liii  iPcnua.). -?  Uiiav,  Genmi,  I, 
2()7,  1)1.  Ixv.  Vino  hoijulcnxis,  Biiyant,  i'r.  Bo.st.  Sue.  VII,  18C0,  227  (Bogota). — 
Lawuknck,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  1803  (Birds  I'anama,  IV,  Xo.  378). 

Si'.  CiiAH.  (Xo.  1,418  $,  CailisI,.,  P,Min.,  May,  1844.)  Uppor  parts  olivo-<rrwn.  Top 
of  head,  Irorii  bill  to  nape,  lusli-color.  A  wliito  line  from  nostrils  aljove  and  beyond  the 
eye,  bordered  above  by  a  dusky  lino  forming  the  edge  of  the  ashy  cap,  and  bJlow  by  a 
similar,  perhaps  paler,  loral  and  post-ocular  cheek-stripe.  Heneatli,  'iMchiding  tibia-,  white, 
with  perhaps  a  tinge  of  olivaceous-ash  across  the  breast;  the  sides  of  the   ueek  like  the 


100S9 


Virea  olivaceus. 

back;  sides  of  the  body  with  a  faint  wasji  of  olive.  Axillars  and  crissuin  faintly  tinged 
with  sulphur-yellow;  lining  of  wings  and  its  edge,  the  lalter  especially,  nearlv  wldte. 
guills  blacki.sh-brown,  edged  c.Mernally,  except  at  ends  ol' primaries,  with"  olive,  iiiternally 
with  wliite.  Tail-feathers  lightci-  brown,  (Mlged  exlernally  like  the  back,  internally  Avith 
pale  olivaecous-white.  l?ill  dusky  abov,  pale  below  ;  tarsi  plumbeous  ;  iris  red.  Length, 
0.33;  extent  of  wings,  10.2.");  wing,  3.3.! ;  tail, '_'.">(). 

Female  similar,  but  duller  in  phima,i;e. 

ILvn.  Whole  of  Eastern  .\orth  America  (Greenland.  Halifax,  Fort  Simp,«oii),  west  to 
hase  of  Rocky  irounlains,  rea.'bing  Fort  Hridger,  and  still  lartluM'  northward  to  Bitterroot 
Mountains  and  Ivootenay  ;  south  to  Fanama  and  Bogota,  in  winter  (Xalapa  only  in  Afex- 
ico)  ;  very  rare  in  Cuba  (only  West  In.lian  locality).     Accidental  in  England.  "  Trinidad. 

(FiNSCII.) 


364 


NORTH  AMKUK'AN  lilUDS. 


Vino  nlirareits. 


Haiuts.  Till!  I'oiniiioii  Ilod-oycd  ViriMi  is  an  almndaiit  s])ocii'a  tliroufvlioiit 
Eiistuni  North  America,  t'loiii  Kluricla  to  Nova  Scotia  on  tlu'  iiortlKiast,  to 
Lai<o  WiiiiiL'iieg  on  tlic;  noilliwi'st,  and  as  I'ar  west  as  the  Itoeky  Mountains. 
It  aitpareiitly  l)reeds  wherever  found,  and  in  especial  abundance  in  the  Central 
States.     It  is  a  I'aniiliar  and  tearless  s])eci(>s,  olten  found,  like  the  Warl)ling 

Vireo,  in  the  very  midst  of  crowded  cities, 
and  making  its  lively  and  pleasant  notes 
heard  in  tiieir  public  scpiares  and  private 
gardens,  amid  the  ruder  sounds  of  the 
neighboring  streets.  It  breeds  in  Texas 
and  Louisiana,  at  the  Southwest,  and  also 
in  abundance,  at  least  as  far  as  Halifax, 
in  the  opposite  direction.  At  Fort  Reso- 
lution, at  the  Cumberland  House,  and  at 
Fort  Simpson,  the  nests  and  eggs  of  this 
S])ecies  were  procured  by  Keiniicott  and 
Iioss.  A  single  specimen  of  the  bird  has 
been  procured  in  Greenland,  and  another 
accidental  specimen  was  shot  in  England.  Specimens  have  also  been  pro- 
cured in  Central  America. 

This  Vireo,  like  all  of  its  peculiar  and  well-marked  genus,  prefers  the 
forests  or  tiie  tops  of  large  and  shady  trees,  obtains  its  food  usually  among 
their  upper  branches,  and  very  rarely  approaches  the  ground.  It  is  not  ex- 
clusively sylvan,  as  at  times  it  nuiy  be  found  around  dwellings,  hunting 
for  insects  and  sjjiders ;  and  although  it  hunts  for  food  atnong  the  tree-tops, 
its  nest  is  not  always  in  such  liigh  situations,  often  not  more  than  four  or 
five  feet  from  the  ground. 

In  their  migrations  these  birds  enter  the  T'niteil  States  early  in  March,  but 
do  not  make  their  ai)pearance  in  IVnnsylvai.la  until  the  last  of  April,  or  in 
New  England  until  tiie  nuddle  of  May. 

The  Yireos  procure  their  food,  for  tiie  most  part,  by  moving  about  and 
along  branches,  and  among  the  twigs  of  trees,  hojiping  from  one  position  to 
another,  and  securing  their  prey  without  the  dick  of  a  Flycatcher.  The  in- 
sects they  capture  are  usually  not  in  motion,  though  occasionally  they  will 
take  them  on  the  wing.  They  also  feed  on  several  kinds  of  ripe  berries  in 
the  autunni. 

The  song  of  this  Vireo  is  loud,  musical,  simple,  and  ])leasing.  It  is  uttered 
in  short,  emphatic  bars,  and  at  times  has  a  very  marked  resemblance  to  the 
melodious  chant  of  the  liobin,  though  withoiit  its  volume  and  power.  This 
Vireo  is  one  of  the  earliest  of  our  spring  musicians,  as  it  is  also  one  of  the 
most  constant  and  untiring  in  its  song,  continuing  to  sing  long  ai'ter  most  of 
the  other  vocalists  liave  liecome  silent,  and  even  until  it  is  about  to  leave 
us,  at  the  close  of  September.  The  tender  and  ])athetic  utterances  of  this 
Vireo,  uttered  with  so  much  apparent  animation,  to  judge  from  their  sound, 


VlREONID^i;  — THE  VIREOS.  365 

are  in  striking  contrast  to  the  apparent  inclifl'urence  or  unconsciousness  of  the 
little  vocalist  wlio,  while  thus  delighting  the  ear  of  tlie  listener,  seems  to  be 
all  the  while  ciiietiy  bent  on  procuring  its  daily  supply  of  food,  which  it 
pursues  with  unalnitod  ardoi-. 

This  Vireo  builds  the  neat  pensile  nest  of  its  race,  suspending  it  from  the 
fork  of  two  or  more  twigs  of  a  forest  tree,  at  various  heights  of  from  five  to 
fifty  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  cup-like  in  shape,  and  always  depruulent 
from  small  twigs,  around  which  its  upper  edges  are  firmly  bouiul.  Exter- 
nally it  is  woven  of  various  miitiaials,  fine  strips  of  bark,  the  hempen  fibres 
of  vegetables,  and  webs  of  spiders  and  of  various  caterpillai-s.  These  are 
comj)actly  pressed  and  woven,  and,  as  some  su])p()se,  agglutinated  by  the 
saliva  of  the  builder.  Sometimes  the  unmanageable  materials  give  to  the 
outside  of  the  nest  a  rude  and  unfinished  appearance,  at  others  they  are 
evenly  and  smoothly  wrought.  They  are  very  strong,  uninjured  by  the 
storms  of  winter,  and  are  often  made  use  of  by  other  birds,  by  mice,  ami 
even  by  the  same  bird  a  second  season. 

A  nest  of  this  bird  (S.  I.  Coll.,  3,1553)  was  obtained  at  the  Cumberland 
House  by  Mr.  Kennicott.  It  is  pensile,  like  all  others,  but  is  composed 
almost  exclusively  of  pine-needles, —  a  dry  and  hard  material,  difficult  of 
management  in  making  such  a  nest.  With  these  are  intermingled  a  few  bits 
of  moss,  fine  strips  of  bark,  and  fiax-like  vegetable  fibres.  Within  this  rude 
basket  is  an  inner  nest,  made  up  tif  fine  dry  grasses,  strips  of  bark,  and  pine 
leaves.  The  external  fabric  is  loosely  put  together,  —  an  unusual  feature, — 
but  the  inner  portion,  in  the  firmness  and  stivngth  with  which  it  was  made, 
is  in  remarkable  contrast. 

The  Ited-eyed  Vireo's  nest  is  often  chosen  by  the  Cowbird  for  the  deposi- 
tion of  her  parasitic  eggs,  and  these  foster -i)arents  are  singularly  devoted  in 
the  care  of  their  alien  guests,  mIioui  they  tenderly  nurture,  even  to  the  neg- 
lect of  their  own  ofl'spring.  In  one  instance  three  eggs  of  a  Cowbird  were 
deposited  in  the  nest  of  the  Yireo  before  any  of  her  own,  and,  without  laying 
any,  the  female  Yireo  proceeded  to  sit  upon  and  hatch  the  intruders.  In 
another  case,  where  two  of  the  Vireo's  had  been  laid,  two  (,'owbird's  eggs 
were  added.  The  Vireo  stojiped  laying,  and  proceeded  to  incubate.  In  each 
instance  the  female  Vireo  seemed  to  forego  her  own  natural  aspirations,  and 
at  once  conform  to  the  new  situation. 

The  male  Vireo  often  evinces  great  courage  and  spirit  in  the  defence  of  his 
nest,  when  the  young  are  hatched  driving  away  intrudei-s,  and  even  Hying  in 
the  face  of  a  man  who  approaches  too  near. 

jMr.  Nuttall  states  that  the  young  of  the  Ilcd-eyed  ^'ireo  feed  eagerly  upon 
the  berries  of  the  cornel  and  the  Vibiiniinii  dcntidum,  and  other  shrubs.  A 
young  bird  kept  in  confinement  soon  became  very  gentle,  and  readily  ate  flies 
and  grasshoppers  from  his  hand,  and  viburnum  lierries.  A  tame  Kingbird 
in  the  same  room  was  very  jea^)us  of  and  tyrannized  over  him,  so  as  to 
compel  him  to  seek  protection  from  his  captor.    The  Vircos,  like  Flycatcher.s, 


oG6 


NORTH  AMKRirAN  UIKDS. 


liavo  the  power  to  reyui'sitiite  by  the  bill  jjcllcts  of  indigestible  portions  of 
their  lood. 

The  eggs  of  this  Vireo  vary  greatly  in  size,  iiccon.ing  to  the  locality;  the 
farther  soutli  the  smaller  they  fire  found.  One,  ma'-ked  on  the  shell  East 
Tennessee,  June  1,  ISiiS,  Alex.  (Jerhardt,  measures  .1C  by  .52  of  an  inch, 
while  one  from  Halifa.x,  Nova  Scotia,  measures  .95  by  05.  Ti.e  ground- 
color of  all  is  a  clear  crystal-white,  and  they  are  marked  *■'  '  itly  at  the  larmier 
end  with  si)ots  and  finer  dots  of  n^tl-brown. 

Mr.  liobert  Kennicott,  in  his  notes,  s[ieaks  of  findin;,'  a  nest  of  the  Red- 
eyed  Vireo  at  the  Cumberland  House,  Saskatcliewan,  June  li8.  Incubation 
had  not  yet  commenced.  The  pensile  and  neatly  built  nest  was  suspended 
about  four  feet  from  the  ground,  upon  a  hazel-bush.  The  ]>arent,  when 
scared  from  it,  remained  near  until  she  was  killed. 


Vireosylvia  flavoviridis,  Cassin. 

TELLOW-GBEEN  VIBEO. 

Vii-eosjilma  flav.  Ca.s»ix,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sl-.  V,  Feb.  1851,  mi. —  In.  VI.  pi.  ii  (raiiama). — 
S<L.\TKI!,  r.  Z.  S.  185(),  298  (Cordova).  —  1 B.  U  ;"<!»,  37;')  (Oa.vaoa  ;  April). —  In.  Catal. 
1801,  44,  no.  ^(U.  —  .Sci,.vrKU  &  S.M.viN,  lliis,  I,  1859,  12  ((iuateniahO.  —  lUlKl),  licv. 
3'it).  Fireo  jhiv.  IUii!i»,  Uirds  N.  Am.  1858,  332.  I'hijllumaiics  Jtao.  t'.vu.  Jour. 
18U1,  93  (Costa  Hica). 

Sp.  Char.  (N"o.  3,976  ^.)  Above  olive-groeii ;  the  whole  top  of  head  and  nape  ash- 
color,  the  edges  of  this  cap  and  a  loral  line  dusky,  but  not  very  decidedly  so.  A  grayish- 
white  lino  from  nostrils  over  the  eye. 
Beneath  white,  the  sides  of  the  neck, 
breast,  and  body  bright  olivaceous-yel- 
low ;  the  a.xillars  and  erissuni  rich  sul- 
phur-yellow. On  the  breast  the  3'ellow 
ext<'nds  almost  to  the  median  line,  the 
color  of  opposite  sides  .separated  by  a 
narrow  interval.  Quills  dusky-brown  ; 
margined  exti'mully,  except  at  ends  of 
primaries,  with  olive-green,  internally 
with  grayish-white  of  a  deciiled  yellow 
shade.  Tail-feathers  dark  olivaceous-brown,  bright  olive  externally,  internally  olivaceous- 
yellow.     Iris  yellow  or  "  red." 

Bill  horn-color,  paler  below.     Legs  plumbeous.     Wings  long  and  pointed.     Second  and 
third  quills  nearly  equal;  fourth  a  little  less;  first  about  intermediate  between  fourth  and 
liilh.    Total  length,  G.OO ;  wing,  3.20 ;  tail,  2.0t). 
ILvn.     From  northern  border  of  Mexico  to  Isthmus  of  Panama,  especially  on  west  side. 

This  species  has  not  yet  been  recorded  as  taken  within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  but  it  comes  so  near  to  our  southern  border  that  it  doubtless 
sometimes  crosses  the  line.  Nothing  distinctive  ajipoars  to  be  known  of  its 
habits. 


Vireo  Jlavoviriilis. 


VIRKOXID.K-TIIK  VIHEOS.  3,jj 

Vireosylvia  philadelphicus,  Cassin. 

PHILADELPHIA  OREENLET. 

VirensyhmphiMfllihicn,  Cassis,  I'r.  A.  X.  Sr.  V,  Fob.  l,sr.7.  1.'.3.  —  In.  VI,  pi  i  li-  1 
(l'luhi,l.l,,l>i,0.  --S.:i,AT|.;u&  Sai.mx,  Ibis,  I,  1850,  12  ((Juafinala).  -  'lU.Kl.',  Krv. 
Am.  Bulls,  -AM.  firco  phila,Hi,hi,;ix,  liAini),  Hlnls  X.  Am.  18.->.s,  ;i;).-,,  pi.  Ixxviii, 
fig.  ;i.  Viiroxyh-h  colmnensis,  .Sci.atkii,  V.  /,.  S.  18(iO,  4(53  (C'obaii).'— In.  Ann' 
Mag.  N.  II.  ISO],  ;)28. 

Sp.Char.     (No.  20,(M;J^J.)     Ab„v.-  .lark  oliv.-m.,,,  lin.irr'.l  ,vitl.  plMmb.>o„.-asl,   ex- 
cept on  the  rump;  lop  of  head  anil  nap.'  purer  plumbeous-ash,  not  e.l-...l  wilh  .lusky,  tlu, 
lino  of  (leniarcation  indistinct.     Beni>ath  lij,dit 
sulphur-yellow,  paler  and  almost  whit."  on  eiiin 
and  middle  of  abdomen  ;  si.l.\s  niori;  olivaceou.s. 
A  whitish  .stripe  from  bill  over  ey.',  lus  also  a 
patch    beneath    it   fin.l  the  eyelids.     A  dusky 
loral  and  post-ocular  spot.     Quills  an.l  rcctrics 
brown,  edge.l  cxtornally  with  olive,   internally 
with  whitish;    the   larjrer  coverts   with   paler 
outer  edges.     Bill    blacki.sh,    paler    plumbeous 
below.     Legs  plumbeous.     .Spurious  outer  or  (irsi  .piill  (.seen  in  r/ilra)  wanting;   the  out.T 
about  etiual  to  lil'th;  thir.1  longest;  .seeon.l  and  Iburth  not  much  shorter.     Total  Lm.-ili 
4.80  ;  wing,  2.G") ;  tail,  2.2;").  ''    ' 

IlAn.    Eastern  North  America  to  Hudson's  Bay  and  ^fain.-,  .south   (in  winter)  to  Costa 
Rica  and  Guatemala.     Veragua  (Salvi.v).     Not  recorded  from  Jlexico  or  West  In.lie.s. 

Specimens  vary  .somewliat  in  purity  of  tints,  and  especially  in  intensity 
of  yellow  of  under  parts,  which  color  is  deeper  in  autumnal  skins. 

Specimens  from  Costa  IJica  and  Guatemala,  bein<>-  merely  winter  visitors 
to  that  region,  are  .piite  identical  with  North  American  e.\amples. 

irAr.lT^-,.  This  but  little  known  S])ecies  was  first  described  by  .Afr.  Ca.ssin, 
in  LSr.l,  from  a  s])ecimeu  shot  by  him  in  some  woods  near  riiiladelphia  nine 
years  previously,  which  was  then  iinique,  and  remained  so  for  some  time  iifter. 
This  fact,  and  its  resemblance  to  F.  ffi/va,  led  to  the  impression  that  it  mi.i^ht 
be  only  a  variety  of  that  species.  Since  the  i)ublication  of  the  descriptTon 
other  specimens  have  been  procured  from  different  localities,— Moose  Fac- 
tory, Maine,  Oiiio,  Wisconsin,  ( 'osta  liica,  and  ( hiatemala.  llut  little  is  as  yet 
known  in  regard  to  its  habits  or  its  (listril)ution.  It  is  quite  iibundaut  in  the 
s])ring  in  Southern  AViscoiisin,  where  it  appears  only  as  a  migrant  passing 
north,  none  remaining  to  breed.  As  it  makes  its  api)earance  late  in  Alay,  and 
usually  ])asses  rapidly  on,  it  seems  natural  to  infer  that  it  cannot  be  far  from 
its  breeding-place  at  the  period  of  its  appearance.  The  specimen  obtained 
by  m-  Cassin  was  .sliot  in  September,  on  its  southward  journey.  It  was  in 
the  upper  branches  of  a  high  tree,  capturing  insects  ;  and  his  attention  was 
drawn  to  it  by  its  slow  and  deliberate  movements. 

Mr.  Thure  Kumlien,  of  Dane  County,  Wis.,  informs  me  that  he  has  been 
familiar  with  this  Vireo  since  1849,  and  has  collected  it  every  year  since 


368  NOUTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tliat  period,  finding  it  both  in  tlio  spring  and  fall.  It  appears  occasionally 
as  early  as  tlic  lotli  of  May,  the  time  varying  with  the  season  frcjni  the  Idtli 
to  the  liTth.  In  IS'iT,  when  the  season  was  very  backward  and  May  very 
cold,  they  did  not  arrive  until  June  2.  They  were  unusually  numerous,  and 
remained  only  a  ilay  or  two.  So  far  as  he  has  been  able  to  ascertain,  none 
stop  to  lireed.  They  are  very  c[uiet,  iiave  no  song  at  the  time  they  are  pass- 
ing, and  .seem  only  intent  on  collecting  their  food  and  in  proceeding  on  tiieir 
way.  They  are  very  tame  and  unsuspecting,  and  one  can  readily  get  to 
within  a  few  feet  of  them.  In  the  i'all  they  are  returning  south  from  the  7th 
to  the  lltth  of  Septemlier. 

The  nest  and  eggs  remain  to  bo  obtained. 


Vireosylvia  gilvus,  Cassin. 

WABBLING  OBEENLET. 

Mttscicnpit  gih-ft,  Vir.ii.i,.  Ois.  I,  1807,  (>."),  pi.  xxxiv.  !'iirn  fiilni.i,  Hon.  Ol)s.  Wils.  182,'), 
no.  12.'t. — All).  Oni.  liiog.  II,  )il.  c.wiii.  —  In.  Hiids  Am.  IV,  |il.  ('(xii.  —  ISaiui), 
Uinls  N.  .Aim.  1858,  ;!3.').  —  JSAMrr.i.s,  liiiils  X.  Kiig.  273.  J'irwui/lfia  ijitcn,  (:)a.s.sis, 
Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  18,-)],  1,')3.  —  .Scr.AiKi!,  I*.  Z.  .S.  18,->t),  208  (( 'onlova)  ;  (0  lS.-)8,  ;i02 
(Oa.xiKii  ;  .luiic)  (iicrliiips  J',  siniiiisuiii).  —  lUiui),  licv.  Am.  15.  342.  Muscimpa  mc- 
liiiliii,  Wil.s.  Am.  Oiii.  V,  1812,  85,  pi.  xlii,  lij,'.  2. 

Sp.  CiiArt.  (Xo.  1,0179  •)  Alxivo  oiivL'-nrrccii,  .-itroiiiily  fjlossod  with  asliy;  flio  hotxil 
aiul  nape  iibovo  inoro  disliiictly  aaliy,  but,  witliDiii,  dcM'idoil  line  of  dcmarcntion  l)('liiiHl,  and 

witliout  dusky   cdpto ;   rump  pure    olive. 

-^__Tr-^___  "  " "y  Stripe   from   nosstrils   over   eye   to   nape, 

\  /  ^^'^       eyelids   •'""1    .«p,ice  below    eye,  croaniy- 

\  '"'' —    ^-^  —^^^^^"^  wliite.     A   rather  du.sky   po.^t-ocnlar  an<l 

A      A        X     A  _^^;:==^  loral  .spot,  the  latter  not  e.xtendinj,'  to  the 

/  \    "^     /  \  — '~Z^^}k      "*"*  '''"■     f^'i'l'''"   parts   white,   with  tinge  of 

'|i  r»  r\       -^^yyh  green ish-yellow    (oeeasionally   of  creamy 

fulvons  or  bull'),  e.speeially  on  i)reaf!t ;  .sides 
more  olivaeeouis.  Cri.<.sum  and  a.xillars 
.scareely  more  yellowish.  Quills  and  ree- 
triees  wood-lirown,  edged  infernallj' with  whitish,  externally  with  olivaceous,  exeept  per- 
haps on  longer  priniarie.s.  Edge  of  wing  white.  Larger  wing-eoverts  gr.iyi.sh-brown,  with 
paler  edge.s,  and  no  tr.ice  of  olivaceous.     Bill  horn-eolor  above,  paler  below. 

First  quill  very  .short  or  .spurious ;  .seeond  about  equal  to,  generally  rather  longer  than 
sixlli;  third  longest  ;   lourth,  then  lil'th  a  little  shorter. 

Eresh  specimen:  Total  length,  r),;!3;  expanse  of  wings,  8.;5.");  wing  from  carpal  joint 
2.8").  Prepared  .specimen  :  Total  length,  4..S() ;  wing,  2.7o;  tail,  2.2,").  Sexes  alike.  Iris 
lirown. 

IIah.  Eastern  North  Ameri<'a  to  Fort  Simpson,  Cordova  and  Oaxaca  only  southern 
localities  recorded.     Not  West  Indian. 


Xirto  ^ilvitx 


A  very  young  bird  has  a  very  cottony  plumage,  and  differs  in  tints,  having 
the  top  of  the  iiead  and  the  nape  a  soft  whitish  isabella-color,  this  tingeing 
the  back ;  the  lower  j)arts  are  wholly  unsoiled  white ;  tiie  middle  and  sec- 


VIREONrD.E  — TIIK  VIKKOS.  3f)9 

ondarj'  covorts  aro  ol)scui(:ly  tiiipud  with  liji;lit  Ipi'dwh,  turiuiiij;  two  indistinct 
liunils  iici'Dss  till)  wing. 

A  spci'inu'n  (Nit.  ,")4,l.'(lli)  IVoni  Oiizalia  is,  in  jiositivdy  iivi-ry  rospcot, 
exactly  intenniMliuto  Itetwci'n  tliis  spci'it's  and  l'.  Juscji/hv  of  Custa  Itica, 
Ecuador,  etc.  (Sec  footnote  on  jiaj^c  IKKt.j  The  crown  is  brown,  decidedly 
darker  than, and  difl'orent  in  tint  from,  the  liack,  but  less  so  than  injo.scjili<r; 
the  back  is  less  olive  than  in  the  hitter,  and  less  gray  than  in  the  former. 
The  lower  parts  arc  more  yellow  than  in  //i/ni.f,  and  less  so  than  in  jamplnv, 
the  superciliary  stripe  whiter  and  extending  farther  back  than  in  the  former, 
and  less  pure  white  and  shorter  than  hi  the  latter,  etc. 

Habits.  The  Warbling  Vireo  has  only  a  slightly  less  extended  distribu- 
tion than  the  Iicd-eyed,  being  found  throughout  all  Kastcrn  Xortli  America, 
as  far  ninth  as  Fort  Simpson  and  Selkirk  Settlement,  and  west  to  the  Mis- 
souri lliver,  and  breeding  as  far  south  as  Louisiana.  It  is  stated  by  Audu- 
bon to  be  found  on  the  t'olumbia  lliver,  but  in  this  he  probal)ly  referred  to 
the  Western  race,  V.  sivninsoni.  That  writer  never  observed  this  species 
in  Louisiana  or  Kentucky,  nor  in  the  maritime  part  of  (leorgia,  and  its  man- 
ner of  entering  the  United  States  he  was  unable  to  ascertain.  AVhere  it 
moves  to  in  the  \  'tter  is  also  unknown,  none  having  been  met  with  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  only  at  a  few  jujints  in  ^lexico,  Cordova,  Oaxaca,  and  the 
State  of  A'era  ("ruz.  It  was,  liowever,  found  breeding  at  Calcasieu,  Lt)uis- 
iana,  by  ^Ir.  Wiirdemann. 

It  breeds  abnixlantly  from  Virginia  to  Xcn-a  Scotia,  and  throughout  the 
Northwestern  States.  West  of  the  Hocky  Mountains  it  is  replaced  by  a 
closely  allied  S[)ecies,  the  V.  .Hwaiitsoiii.  This  N'ireo,  more  than  any  other  of 
its  genus,  if  not  exclusively,  is  to  a  large  extent  a  resident  of  villages,  towns, 
and  even  cities.  It  is  by  far  the  sweetest  singer  that  ventures  within  tiieir 
crowded  streets  and  public  .sipiares,  —  although  Mr.  ("assin  gives  his  prefer- 
ence to  the  notes  of  the  lied-eyed,  —  and  the  melody  of  it.^  song  is  excjuis- 
itely  soft  and  beautiful.  It  is  chielly  to  be  found  among  the  tall  trees,  in 
the  vicinity  of  dwellings,  where  it  .seems  to  delight  to  stay,  and  from  their 
highest  tops  to  suspend  its  pensile  nest.  It  is  especially  abundant  among 
the  elms  on  Boston  Common,  where  at  almost  any  hour  of  the  day,  from 
early  in  the  month  of  May  until  long  after  summer  has  gone,  may  be  heard 
the  prolonged  notes  of  this,  one  of  the  sweetest  and  most  constant  of  our 
singers.  Its  voice  is  not  powerful,  but  its  melody  is  tlute-like  and  tender. 
Throughout  the  last  of  May,  and  in  June  and  July,  their  charming  song  may 
be  heard  amid  the  din  of  the  city  from  esirliest  dawn  till  nightfall,  and  rarely 
ceases  even  in  the  noontide  heat,  when  all  other  birds  are  silent.  It  is  ever 
in  motion,  while  thus  singing  ;  and  its  sweetest  notes  are  given  forth  as  it 
moves  among  the  tree-tops  in  search  of  insects.  It  is  not  only  one  of  our 
most  constant  singers,  but  it  remains  musical  almost  until  its  departure  for 
the  South  in  October. 

The  Warbling  Vireo  appears  in  the  Middle  States  about  the  IStli  of  iVpril, 
47 


370  NORTH  AMI'JIUCAN  niUD.S. 

iiiiil  roaolipa  Xow  Enu'land  cailv  in  ^fay-  TIio  pntli  of  its  iinrtliciii  mif^m- 
tidiis,  iiiid  III'  its  ri'tiini,  is  soiiit'w  liiil  in  doiilit.  It  is  abuiuliiiit  in  winter, 
aoconlinj^'  to  Sumichrast,  about  Ori/.alia,  and  probably  enters  Texa"  and 
passes  north  and  uastalon*;  the  Mississippi  and  tlie  Oliio  Itivers.  In  certain 
portions  of  tiie  conntry  tiiis  species  is  evith'ntly  on  the  inrreaso,  beeoinin<i( 
more  and  more  common  as  the  country  is  settled,  and  towns  and  villaj,'us 
spring  up. 

T!ie  Warbling  Virco  builds  its  nest  usually  in  more  elevated  positions  than 
any  others  of  this  family.  For  tlie  most  part  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings, 
often  over  freiiuented  streets,  they  suspend  their  elaboratidy  wo\  :'n  and  beau- 
tiful little  bnsket-like  nest,  secure  from  intrusion  from  their  human  neighlnirs, 
and  i)rotC('ted  by  the  near  jjreseuce  of  man  from  all  their  more  dreaded  enc;- 
mies.  Audubon  narrates,  in  an  interesting  maimer,  the  buihling  of  their  nest 
by  a  ]tair  of  these  birds  on  a  poplar-tree,  near  his  window,  in  Caimleii,  N.  .1. 
It  M'as  suspended  between  the  body  of  the  tree  and  a  branch  coming  out  at 
an  acute  angle.  The  ])air  were  at  work,  morning  and  evening,  eight  days, 
tirst  attaching  slender  blades  of  grass  to  the  knots  on  tlui  Iminch  and  the 
l)ark  of  the  trunk,  and  thence  working  downward  and  outward.  They  varied 
their  materials,  from  time  to  time,  until  at  last  he  traced  them,  after  a  pro- 
longed al)sence,  to  a  distant  haystack,  from  which  they  l)rought  fine,  slender, 
dry  grasses,  with  which  they  completed  and  lined  their  nest. 

The  nests  of  the  Warbling  A'ireo,  while  they  resemble  closely  those  of  the 
other  species  in  all  the  characteristics  of  this  well-marked  family,  are  yet,  as  a 
rule,  more  carefully,  neatly,  and  closely  iiuilt.  They  are  usually  suspended  at 
the  height  of  from  thirty  to  fifty  feet,  in  the  fork  of  twigs,  under  and  near  the 
extremity  of  the  tree-top,  often  an  elm,  protected  from  the  sun  and  storm 
by  a  canopy  of  leaves,  and  quite  out  of  reach  of  most  enemies.  They  vary 
little  in  size,  being  about  two  inches  in  height  and  three  and  a  half  in  their 
greatest  dianuiter,  narrowing,  toward  their  Junction  with  the  twigs,  to  two 
inches.  They  are  all  secured  in  a  very  lirm  manner  to  the  twigs  from  which 
they  are  suspended  by  a  I'elting  of  various  materials,  chiefly  soft,  flexible, 
flax-like  strips  of  vegetalile  fibres,  leaves,  stems  of  plants,  and  strips  of  bark. 
With  these  are  interwoven,  and  carried  out  around  the  outer  portions  of  the 
nest,  long  strips  of  soft  flexible  bark  of  deciduous  trees.  They  are  softly  and 
compactly  filled  in  and  lined  with  fine  .stems  of  plants. 

The  eggs  are  usually  five  in  number,  and,  like  those  of  all  the  Vireos,  are 
of  a  brilliant  crystal-white,  sparingly  spotted  at  the  larger  end  with  markings 
of  dark  brown,  and  others  of  a  lighter  shade.  They  are  less  marked  with 
si)ots  than  usual  in  the  genus,  and  are  often  entirely  unspotted,  and  pure 
white.  Occasionally,  however,  they  are  found  with  well-niarked  blotches 
of  reddish -brown.  They  vary  in  length  from  .75  to  .70  of  an  inch,  and 
average  about  .55  in  their  breadth. 


VIUEONID.^i-TllH  VUims.  gi^j 

Vireosyivia  gilvus,  vai  swainaoni,  Baiuu. 

WESTEBN  WAHBLINO  OBBEKLOT. 

Firco>„vau.,oni,   lU.,...,   Iiir.ls  N.  A.m.   Xxt.H,  W.I  (l-,„.i,i,.  ..,.,..0.    -Ku.u,y,  111,,.,     Mi,.,|, 
IN.  A.  I.  vii       ;  m:,..,,/n„.  ,v«vn«,v,„u,  ItAllil.,  iirv.  Am.  I!.  ;i|.(.      rinus^lri.,  ,„/„,    v,„- 

ivn    ....-    ■  '     '         '  i'n,/„ni,;i.iiu,  Sw.u.SsuN,  F.  U.  A.  II, 

ISJl,  J.).)  (Ml  [lait  ;  sjicr.  Iiulii  ruliiiiil,ia  l!i\i>i'  !). 

(No.  '',■•'-' '^.)     Sin.ilar  U,   V.  ,,iln,,  l„,t  .s,„aller;  coiur.s  paler.     IJiil  ...uro  .lquc...sc.e!. 
Lpiiei'iiiiiiiiliiiNMiiiuo.sl  lilack.     Socoiiil  (iiiill  ' 

luiicli  .slioitei-  limn  si.xll,.  Total  lenjrtli,  4.7o; 
will},',  2.71;  tail,  'i..'!") ;  dillm'iicu  bc'twmi 
tuiitli  quill  unci  louircst,  .r>S;  fxpo.si'd  poition 
of  liist   pfimary,    S,^,    of  second,    1.82,    of 

longest    (nii'asurcd    I'loin    exposed    base   ol'  ^  \     '  "     j  \ Z^        18801 

lirst  pritnnry),  2.10;  length  of  l)ill  r,(„n 
forehead,  .'M,  (Vom  nostril,  .2!),  along  gape, 
.Go;   depth  of  hill,  .1,3;  tar.sus,  .70;  middle  ,. 

toe  and  elaw,  .50;  hind  (c2  and  daw,  .|,t. 
Had.     United  States,  from  Kooky  Moinitains  to  Pacific  coast. 

In  the  pmsent  bird  the  bill  is  darkor  in  color,  much  smaller,  and  more 
depressed,  the  depth  at  the  base  belt,.,'  less  than  the  width,  instead  of  bein.^ 
equta  to  It  as  in  var.  ;,ihu..  The  wing  is  more  rot.nded,  tlte  second  ouill 
much  shorter  than  the  si.xth,  generally  shorter  or  but  little  longer  than  the 
seventh.  In  var.  y//.«,,,  the  .second  .p.ill  is  «bout  etiual  to  the  sixth  The 
second  (luill  is  about  .30  of  an  inch  (or  more)  shorter  than  the  lon-'-est  in 
swamso7ii,  whUe  in  uihns  it  is  only  about  .2(1  shorter.  The  feet  of  .wran^ou i 
arc  weaker,  and  the  colors  generally  paler  and  grayer.  The  iris,  according  to 
Loues,  is  dark  brown.  ° 

Young  birds  in  tintumnal  plumage  have  the  crown  decidedly  ash  the  sides 
more  g,-nish;  the  wing-coverts  pass  terminally  into  u  light  brownish  tint 
prochicing  an  mconspicuous  band. 

Habits.  This  Western  representative  of  the  Warbling  Vireo  is  found 
tl.roughout  the  western  portions  of  our  Union,  from  the  Gretit  I'lains  to  the 
racific,  and  from  Arizona  to  the  extreme  northern  boundary  of  Washington 
Territory.  " 

Dr.  Cooper  characterizes  this  as  a  li\-ely  and  familiar  songster.  It  arrives 
he  states,  at  San  Diego  ahout  April  10,  and  reaches  Puget  Sound  toward  the 
middle  of  May,  occupying  nearly  all  the  intermediate  country  throuohout 
the  summer.  It  frequents  the  deciduous  trees  along  the  borders  of  streams 
and  prairies,  coming  into  gardens  and  orchards  with  familiar  confidence 
wherever  cultivation  has  reclaimed  the  wilderness.  Like  its  Eastern  proto- 
type, Its  cheerful  and  varied  song  is  heard  all  day  long  until  quite  late  in  the 
autumn.  They  too  build  their  nests  in  the  shade-trees  of  the  parks  of  busy 
cities  singing  ever  Mieir  delightful  strains,  unconscious  of  the  busy  and  noisy 
crowd  that  throngs  the  neighboring  streets. 


372  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Dr.  ('(ini)er  states  that  its  nests  are  i)omleiit  from  tlui  forks  of  a  branch 
lii,nh  ultove  tlie  around,  sometiiiu's  to  the  hei<j;lit  of  a  hiuuh'cd  feet. 

Mr.  Uidgway,  who  observed  tlie  habits  of  this  apucies  in  Utah  and  Ne- 
vada, sjieaks  of  it  as  the  cliaracteristic  Vireo  of  the  West.  It  was  found  by 
liini  in  all  the  I'ertile  localities,  and  was  one  of  the  most  common  birds  in  the 
wooded  reyions.  lie  found  it  vevy  ;j;enerally  distributed  through  the  sum- 
mer, inhaliitinj;  the  copses  along  the  streams  of  the  mountain  canons,  and 
the  open  groves  of  the  parks,  as  well  ivs  the  cottonwooils  and  willows  of  the 
river  valleys.  In  the  fall  the  berries  of  a  species  of  the  cornel  that  grows 
along  the  mountain  streams  constitute  its  princijjal  food.  Its  notes  and  man- 
ners are  identical  with  those  of  the  Eastern  species. 

The  nests  of  this  species  are  not  distinguishable,  except  in  the  necessarily 
varying  materials,  from  those  of  the  Eastern  bird,s.  In  position,  size,  and  shape 
they  are  the  same.  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  number,  are  white,  spotted  with 
brown  and  reddish-brown,  and  measure  .78  by  .58  of  an  inch.  The  spots  are 
somewhat  darker  than  those  of  the  V.  (jilvus,  and  the  shape  more  of  an  ob- 
long-oval, in  all  that  1  have  seen.  But  this  dill'ereuce  may  disajjpear  in  the 
examination  of  a  larger  number. 

A  nest  found  by  ]Mr.  Kidgway  near  Eort  Churchill,  Nevada,  June  24,  was 
susjjended  from  the  extremity  of  a  twig  of  a  sapling  of  the  cottonwood, 
in  a  copse  of  the  same  growing  in  a  river-bottom.  It  has  a  height  of  two 
and  a  half  inches,  and  a  diameter  of  three.  It  is  composed  externally  of 
an  elaborate  interweaving  of  spiders'-webs,  willow  and  cottonwood  down, 
and  strong  cord-like  strips  of  tine  inner  bark.  These  are  strongly  bound 
around  the  twigs  from  which  the  nest  is  suspended.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
elaborately  interwoven,  homogeneous,  and  well-felted  nests  of  this  bird  I 
have  ever  met  with.  Another  nest,  from  I'arley's  Park,  Utah,  obtained  June 
28,  differs  in  having  the  external  jjortion  woven  almost  exclusively  of  fine 
strips  of  bleached  bark,  and  is  lined  ■.vith  fine  wiry  grasses.  In  each  of  these 
the  eggs  were  lour  in  number,  all  oblong-oval  in  shape,  but  much  more 
]iointed  at  one  end  in  the  latter  nest. 

This  sjtecies  was  ibund  breeding  in  Napa  Valley,  Cal.,  by  Mr.  A.  J.  Gray- 
sun,  and  at  Fort  Tejon  by  Mr.  Xautus. 


Subgenus   jjANIVIREO,    Hauiu. 

Cii.ut.  Body  stout,  lioad  Itroiid.  Bill  .sliort  niid  ,<itout,  liroiid  iit  tlio  lin.w,  the  imltncn 
cnrvcd  from  tlie  base,  tlie  eoiumi.s.-iiiro  considerably  urched.  Bill  bluc-blauk.  I'oet  stout. 
Type,  1'  JktviJ'rons,     For  figure,  .sue  page  379. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

Common  CiiAKA('Ti:iis<.  A  broiid  stripe  froiu  bill  to  and  around,  but  not  beyond, 
the  eye.  Two  brnad  white  banils  across  the  wings.  Bill  pluuiboous-blue,  black 
toward  culuien.     Iris  brown  in  all  .species? 


VIREONID.'E  —  THE  VIREOS.  373 

1.  L.  Bolitarius.     Spurious  pi-imiry  exposed.     Throat  and  orbital  ring  wliite. 

a.  Si)urious  primary  well  developed,  —  .(10  or  more  long,  .10  broad. 

Nape  and  side  of  neck  plumbeous;  iipper  tail-eoverUs  olive-green. 
Crissum  tinged  with  yellow,  but  none  on  side  of  throat,  nor  aeross 
breast.  Win};,  ;?.0.') ;  tail,  2.40 ;  bill,  from  nostril,  .27  ;  tarsus,  .C().  Hub. 
Eastern  Province  of  fniled  Stal"s,  straggling  westward  to  the  I'acilie 
Coast,  esi)eeially  in  its  migration  southward  into  Mexico,  where  it  pene- 
trates in  winter  as  far  as  (iuatemala  vai:  solilari ux. 

Ab-n-o  continuous  olive-l..,)wn ;  below  ochraeeous-white,  with  a  butl'y 
thige  across  breast,  and  deeply  olivaceous  along  sides.  Crissum  tinged 
with  yellow.  Wing,  2.80;  tail,  2.15  ;  bill,  30  ;  tarsus,  CO.  Hab.  I'acilie 
Province  of  Uiiited  States,  straggling  in  aulunui  eastward  into  the 
Middle  Province var.  cassiiii. 

Above  continuous  ashy-plumbeous.     Beneath  pure  white,  ashy  along 
sides,  and  very  slightly  so  across  breast.     A'ing,  ;{.2o  ;  tail,  '.iltO ;  bill, 
.30  ;  tarsus,  .GO.    Hab.  Middle  Province  of  United  States,  co.^th,  in  win- 
ter, through  Western  .Mexico  to  Colir.ia     ....        var.  ^j^M  wtc  H  .V. 
6.  Spurious  primary  very  minute,  —  about  .30  long  by  .O-l  wide. 

Nape  and  side  of  neck  olive-preen;  upper  tail-eovertvS  plumbeous. 
Crissum  not  tinged  with  yellow,  but  sides  of  the  throat  ami  aeross  the 
breast  are.  Wing,  3.10  ;  tail,  2.20;  bill,  .20;  tarsus,  .04.  Hab.  Coban, 
Vera  Cruz,  Guatemala ;  resuUnit?  \iiv.  propimj  ii  as  ' 

2.  It.  flavifrons.    Spurious  primary  concealeil.     Throat  and  orbital  ring  yellow. 

Anterior  half  of  body  olive-green  above,  lemon-yt^llow  below  ;  pos- 
terior hall  plumbeous-ash  above,  while  below.  Wing,  3.00  ;  tail,  1.00  ; 
bill,  .32  ;  tarsus,  .70.  Hah.  Eastern  Province  of  Uuited  States,  south, 
in  winter,  to  Costa  Rica,  and  very  rare  in  Cuba. 


Lanivireo  solitarius,  1>aird. 

BLVE-HEASED  VIBEO. 

Muscicapa  solitaria,  WiLS.  Am.  Orn.  II,  1810,  ll;i,  pi.  xvii,  fig.  (i.  Virto  mUtnriH.%  Vieill. 
—  Aim.  I.  — Cassin,  Sc.  —  Sci..vrKii,  P.  'A.  S.  Ks.-,ti,  'JlkStCordnvii) ;  18.'>i),  ;i()y(.\iilaprt); 
375  (Oaxaca?). — Sci.atku  &  Sai.vin,  Ibis,  ISliO,  31  ((Jiiati'iiiala). — Caii.  .lour.  Ill, 
408  (Cuba). — GuNDLAill,  Cab.  Jour.  1801,  324  (I'uba  ;  very  rare). -"SAMina.s,  Birds 
N.  Eng.  277.  Vireo  (Laniciiro)  sol.  IJaiimi,  liirds  N.  .Vui.  18;")8,  32S).  Viirosijh-ia 
(Lanivireo)  soUttiria,  BAiltl),  Itev.  Am.  15.  1S04,  347. 

Sp.  Cmak.  (No.  300  J.)  Above  olive-green,  including  upper  tail-coverts;  the  top 
and  sides  of  head  and  nape  ashj^-pluudn'oiis  ;  siiles  of  the  neck  phunbeous-olive.  Broad 
liue  from  nostrils  to  and  around  eye,  involving  the  whole  lower  eyelid,  white.     A  loral  lino 

'  Vifcosylvia  propinqnn,  Uaiiu),  TJi'v.  18()."i,  p.  348.  This  ai)p('ars  to  be  mrrdy  a  ptMiiiaiient 
resident  race  of  nolitariua,  which  itsi'lf  visits  (iunlcnmla  only  in  winter.  Closely  ri'siMubling  the 
latter,  it  dillers  essentially  in  the  respects  jioinled  out  above.  The  ililleienee  in  <'oloration  is 
jirodueed  by  a  shifting,  as  it  were,  toward  the  head  of  th(^  yellow  and  olive,  leaving  the  ujiper 
tail-coverts  clear  ash,  and  the  lower  pure  white,  and  eneroacliing  upon  the  a.sh  anteriorly  to  thn 
orown  ami  ear-eoverts,  and  the  white  alongside  of  the  throat.  In  the  V.  plnmbcus  these  tints 
are  simply  almost  entindy  removed,  leaving  eh'ar  ash  and  pure  white,  with  a  tinge,  however,  of 
olive  on  the  riunp  and  of  yellow  on  the  sides.  In  /'.  oissiui  the  tints  ari^  darkened  and  biowued 
by  the  peculiar  iidhienec  of  the  region  whei-c  found,  there  being  neither  clear  ash,  nor  olivo-groeu, 
uor  pure  yellow  or  white,  iu  the  pluniiigo. 


20274 


Lanioireo  soiitariui. 


374  NOUTIl  AMERICAN  piKDS. 

involving  the  edge  of  the  eyoHd,  and  a  space  beneath  the  eye,  dusky  phnnbcous.     Beneath 
white;   tlie  sides  yellow,  overlaid  with  olive,  tliis  color  not  extending  anterior  to  the 

breiu^t.  Axillars  and  base  of  crissuin 
pale  sulpinn--yellow,  the  long  feathers 
of  the  latter  much  paler  or  nearly 
white.  Wings  with  two  bands  and 
outer  edges  of  innermost  secondaries 
olivaceous-white ;  the  quills  dark 
brown,  edged  externally  with  olive- 
green,  internally  with  white;  tail-feath- 
ers similarly  marked,  except  that  the 
lateral  feather  is  edged  externally  also  with  white,  the  central  without  internal  border. 
Hill  and  legs  blaekish-phunbeous.     Iris  brown. 

First  quill  spurious,  rather  more  than  one  fifth  the  second,  which  is  intormediate  be- 
tween the  fifth  and  sixth  ;  third  longest. 

Fresh  specimen  :  Total  length,  rj.40  ;  expanse  of  wing,  9.00.  Prepared  specimen :  To- 
tal length,  5.25 ;  wing,  2.95  :  tail,  2.35. 

H.\D.  United  States,  from  Atlantic  to  Pacific ;  Cape  St.  Lucas.  Not  recorded  from 
Southern  Rocky  Mountains,  where  replaced  by  L.  jilumbeits.  South  to  Mexico  and  Gua- 
temala.    Vera  Cruz  (winter,  Su.micurast).     Very  rare  in  Cuba. 

Spring  specimens  show  sometimes  a  gloss  of  plumbeous  on  the  back, 
obscuring  the  olive,  the  contrast  of  colors  being  greater  in  the  autumnal  and 
young  birds.  Sometimes  the  crissum  appears  nearly  white.  The  length  of 
the  spurious  primary  varies  considerably,  from  .45  to  .75  of  an  inch. 

In  autumn  the  colors  are  similar,  but  slightly  duller  and  less  sharply  de- 
fined, while  the  back  is  considerably  tinged  with  ashy. 

Habits.  The  Solitary  Vireo  appears  to  be  found,  irregularly,  throughout 
the  United  States.  Nowhere  abundant,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  it  seems  to  be 
more  connuon  in  California  than  on  the  Atlantic,  while  there  are  also  large 
tracks  of  intervening  territory  in  which  we  Iiave  no  knowledge  of  its  pres- 
ence. On  the  Atlantic  it  has  been  met  with  from  Georgia  ti  he  Bay  of 
Fundy.  In  ^lassaclmsetts  it  has  been  found  in  a  few  restricted  localities  ; 
in  one  or  two  of  tliem,  they  are  as  abundant  as  the  White-eyed.  Mr.  Dresser 
found  it  in  Texas,  near  San  Antonio,  late  in  the  autunm,  and  early  in 
spring,  but  none  remained  to  breed.  Mr.  Boardman  gives  them  as  a  summer 
visitant  at  Calais,  but  not  common,  and  Professor  Verrill  mfikes  a  similar 
statement  for  Western  Maine,  where  it  arrives  in  the  second  week  of  May. 
jVccording  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  reaches  Western  Massadmsetts  by  May  1, 
but  it  is  there  quite  rare.     A  few  are  ])rcsumed  to  stop  and  breed. 

In  California,  Mr.  Gambel  states  that  it  is  (juite  abundant  in  the  latter 
l)art  of  summer,  and  throughout  tlio  winter,  ireipienting  low  buslies  and 
thickets.  Dr.  Heermann  also  frequently  met  witli  it.  Botli  at  the  East  and 
the  West  it  is  undoubtedly  only  migratory  to  about  tlie  40th  parallel,  and 
does  not,  except  in  mountainous  localities,  breed  south  of  that  line.  Pro- 
fessor Baird  found  it  breeding  in  the  South  ^lountains,  near  Carlisle,  Peun., 
in  May,  1844.     It  occurs  in  Guatemala  in  the  winter. 


VIRE0NID.1?.  —  THE  VIREOS.  375 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  it  roaches  Pnget  Sound  by  the  first  of  May,  and  he 
has  also  observed  it  in  tlie  Colorado  Valley,  alter  the  14th,  wiiere  tlujy  made 
tlieniselves  conspicuous  by  their  song,  but  in  a  few  days  had  all  passed 
northward.  He  has  met  tliem  nesting  in  ^lay  at  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Coast  IJange,  and  has  also  found  them  quite  common,  in  summer,  on  the 
Columbia  River.     Their  favorite  resorts  are  the  deciduous  oaks. 

These  birds  were  found  breeding  at  Fort  Tejon  by  JNIr.  Xantus,  and  at 
Vancouver  by  Mr.  Hepburn. 

jNIr.  liidgway  met  with  a  few  in  September,  in  the  thickets  along  the 
streams  flowing  from  the  Clover  Mountains. 

This  species  was  taken  in  winter  by  Mr.  Boucard,  at  Talew,  in  the  State 
of  Oa.xaca,  Mexico. 

Mr.  Aiulubon's  statement  that  this  bird  is  rather  abundant,  and  that  it 
breeds  in  Louisiana,  is  undoubtedly  incorrect,  and  his  description  of  its  nest 
and  eggs  belongs  rather  to  the  Yellow-th>.iated,  and  agrees  with  none  that 
I  have  ever  seen  of  tliis  species.  That  he  found  them  abundant  in  Maine, 
and  ti-aced  them  as  far  north  as  Pictou,  Nova  Scotia,  is  more  probable.  Dr. 
Bachman  speaks  of  this  species  becoming  each  year  more  abundant  in  South 
Carolina,  coming  in  February  and  remaining  through  March. 

jMr.  Nuttall,  who  met  with  this  species  on  the  Columbia,  about  the  begin- 
ning of  ^lay,  describes  its  song  as  a  plaintive,  deliberate  warble,  interme- 
diate between  the  song  of  the  olivarcus  and  the  Jltxi-ifroHH.  Mr.  Burroughs 
describes  the  love-notes  of  these  birds  as  being  inexjiressibly  sweet  and  ten- 
der in  both  sexes.  The  song  of  tlie  male,  as  I  have  heard  it,  bears  no  resem- 
blance to  that  of  any  other  Vireo.  It  i.s  a  prolonged  and  very  i)eculiar  ditty, 
repeated  at  frequent  intervals  and  always  identical.  It  begins  with  a  lively 
and  pleasant  warble,  of  a  gradually  ascending  scale,  which  at  a  certain  pitcli 
suddenly  breaks  down  into  a  falsetto  note  The  song  then  rises  again  in  a 
single  high  note,  and  ceases.  For  several  summers  the  same  bird  has  been 
heard,  near  my  house  in  Hingb.am,  in  a  wild  pasture,  on  the  edge  of  a  wood, 
always  singing  the  same  singular  refrain,  divring  the  montii  of  June. 

Mr.  Nuttall  found  a  nest  of  this  species  suspended  from  the  forked  twig 
of  a  wild  crab-tree,  about  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  The  chief  materials 
were  u,  id  and  withered  grasses,  with  some-  cobwebs  agglutinated  together, 
externally  partially  covered  with  a  few  shreds  of  hypnum,  assimilating  it 
to  the  branch  on  wliich  it  hung,  intermingled  with  a  few  white  paper-like 
capsules  of  the  spiders'  nests,  and  lined  with  a  few  blades  of  grass  and 
slender  root-fibres. 

Seven  nests  of  this  species,  found  in  Lynn  and  Hingham,  Mass.,  exhibit 
peculiarities  of  structure  substantially  identical.  In  comparison  with  the 
nests  of  other  Vireos,  they  are  all  loosely  constructed,  and  seem  to  be  not  so 
securel;  •'astened  to  the  twigs,  from  which  they  are  suspended.  One  of  these 
nests,  typical  of  the  general  character,  olttained  in  Lynn,  May  27,  ISriO,  by 
Mr.  George  O.  Welch,  was  suspended  from  the  branches  of  a  young  oak, 


376  NORTH  AMERICAN- BIRDS. 

about  twelve  feet  from  the  ground.  The  external  depth  of  this  nest  was 
only  two  and  a  half  inches,  tlie  diameter  three  and  a  quarter,  and  its  cavity 
one  and  three  quarters  inches  deep,  and  two  inches  wide  at  the  rim.  It  was 
constructed  externally  of  strips  of  yellow  and  of  gray  birch-bark,  intermin- 
gled with  bits  of  wool  and  dry  grasses.  The  external  jiortion  was  quite 
loosely  put  togetlier,  but  was  lined,  in  a  more  compact  manner,  with  dry 
leaves  of  tlie  white  pine,  arranged  in  layers.  Anotiier  nest,  found  in  Hing- 
ham,  was  but  two  feet  from  the  grounil,  on  a  branch  of  a  hickory  sapling. 
In  its  general  structure  it  was  tlie  same,  only  differing  in  shape,  being  made 
to  conform  to  its  position,  and  being  twice  as  long  as  it  was  broad.  It  con- 
tained four  young,  when  found,  about  the  10th  of  June.  One  nest  alone, 
built  on  a  bush  in  Lynn,  exhibits  even  an  average  degree  of  compactness  in 
its  external  structure.  '''Iiis  is  largely  composed  of  cocoons,  which  are 
woven  together  into  a  .somewhat  homogeneous  and  cloth-like  substance. 
Within,  decayed  stems  of  grasses  take  the  jdace  of  the  usual  pine-needles. 

In  the  summer  of  1870  a  ])air  built  their  nest  in  a  dwarf  ])ear-tree,  within 
a  few  rods  of  my  house.  They  were  at  first  very  shy  and  would  not  permit 
themselves  to  be  seen  at  tlieir  work,  and  suspended  all  labor  when  any  one 
was  occupied  near  their  cliosen  tree.  Soon  alter  the  construction  of  the  nest 
two  Cowbird's  eggs  were  deposited,  which  I  removed,  although  the  female 
only  laid  two  of  her  own  before  she  began  to  sit  upon  them.  By  this  time 
she  became  more  i'amiliar,  and  would  not  leave  her  nest  unless  T  attempted 
to  lay  hands  upon  her.  She  made  no  complaints  in  the  manner  of  the 
White-eyed,  nor  sought  to  attack  like  the  Yellow-throated,  but  kept  witliin 
a  few  feet,  and  watclied  me  with  eager  eyes,  until  T  left  her.  Unfortunately, 
her  nest  was  pillagetl  by  a  I'lack-billed  Cuckcjo,  and  I  was  unable  to  observe 
her  feed  her  young,  as  I  had  hoped  to  do. 

Tlie  eggs  are  of  an  oblong-oval  sliape,  moderately  pointed  at  one  end,  and 
of  a  white  ground,  less  crystalline  than  in  the  otiier  species  of  its  kind.  They 
are  spotted  pretty  uniformly  over  tlie  entire  egg  with  dots  of  dark  red  and 
reddish-brown.     They  are  usually  five  in  number. 


Lanivireo  solitarius,  var.  cassini,  Baird. 

CASSIirS  VIKEO. 

Vireo  cassini,  Xantus,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  Phil.  Mny,  1858,  117.-11x11(0,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858, 
340,  pi.  Ixxviii,  fig.  1  ;  Review  Am.  B.  I,  1865,  347  (sub  F.  soliUiria),  Ridoway. 

Sp.  Char.  Third  and  fourth  quills  nonrly  pqnal,  fifth  shorter,  second  lonjrer  tlmn 
seventh.  Spurious  primary  very  narrow,  falcate,  acute  ;  less  than  one  third  the  second  quill, 
and  a  little  more  than  one  fourth  the  third.  Aliove,  inchulinjr  edges  of  winji;  and  tail- 
feather.s,  clear  olive-gre(Mi,  becoiniufj;  dusky  asliy  on  the  top  and  sides  of  hea<l.  Beneath 
fulvous-white,  tinged  with  ill-defmcd  olive-greim  on  the  sides  (scarcely  on  the  crissum). 
Two  broad  hands  on  the  wing-coverts  and  the  outer  edges  of  the  innermost  sec- 
ondaries greenish-white ;  the  outer  edge  of  outer  tail-fei'ther,  with  a  broad  ring  round 


VIREONID.E  — THE  VIIJEOS.  ..77 

the  eye,  extending  to  a  liontal  bmul,  dull  wl.ite.     L,.„j;th  about  o  inohes;  winc^  2  70' 
tail,  2..'50.  '         "^  ' 

Il.vn.     Eon  IVJon,  Cal.  (  Xami;..)  ;   West,  lliiniliol.U,  Mountains,  X<n-ada  (liri.nvAV). 

Since  the  type  of  tlii.s  vaii.>ty  was  ol.taim-d,  two  other  specimens  (Nos 
53,418  9,  and  r,:i,4l!)  ^,  ,S(3,,teuil.er,  1,S(;7  ;  II  h'id-way)  have  hcen  secured 
by  the  I  nited  States  Geological  .Survey  of  tiic  4utli  I'arallel,  in  conuuand  of 
Mr.  Clarence  Kin-,  in  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada.  These 
specimens  are  even  more  ditlcrcnt  from  true  m/ifarias  tlian  is  the  type  of  this 
race,  showing  that  it  is  really  distinct,  as  a  variety.  In  the  sanu>  tliickets 
at  the  same  season,  perfectly  typical  specimens  of  V.  Holitarim  were  obtained  : 
the  latter  having,  no  doubt,  come  from  their  more  northern  sunmier  home 
on  their  pas.sage  southward  into  ]Mexico. 

In  ilie  Humboldt  Mountain  sjiecimens  the  crown  shows  no  trace  of  ash, 
and  is  even  darker  and  more  brownish  than  the  back.  In  fact,  the  relation 
of  the  V.  casKlni  to  F.  xolitaru,  is  an  almost  exact  parallel  to  that  of  V. 
josqyha'  to  V.  i/ihiis,  as  lar  as  c(.loration  is  concerned,  in  each  case  tlie  ex- 
treme being  widely  dilferent,  but  connected  by  specimens  showing  inter- 
mediate characters. 
Nothing  is  known  of  the  habits  of  this  race. 


Lanivireo  solitarius,  \ar.  plumbeus,  Coues. 

LEAD-COLOBED  VIBEO. 

Viro>.sylvia  phimh,;,,  Cori.;s,  P,-.  A.  N.  .S,-.  I'liila.  IS.iii  (Fort  Whipple,  near  Pmscott  .\ri- 
zona).  -Cooi-Ki;,  Om.  Cal.  J,  1870,  119.  -  Elliot,  Ulust.  IJinl.s  N.  A.  I,  vii.  V. 
{Lanivireo)  p/idiilmi,  HAiiiD,  l!cv.  349. 

Sp.  C[tAR.  (No.  ;!7,()1 1.)  Who!.,  upper  i)aits  and  sides  of  liead  uniform  plumbeous  •  the 
lower  part  of  the  back  wit),  a  faint  wash  of  olivaceous.  A  white  line  from  bill  to  and 
around  eye;  a  dusky  lin.>  (rem  eonier  of  eye  to  bill.  Sides  of  bieast  and  (lanks  ph;ni- 
beou.s,  paler  than  the  baek  :  the  llaid<s  veiv  sli-htly  tinned  will,  olive-green  Rest  of 
under  parts  white;  the  a.xillars  a.shy,  edged  with  white.  \Vings  above  with  two  conspie- 
uoiLS  white  bauds;  the  innermost  quills  ..dged  externally  and  the  lonu'er  ones  internally 
with  white,  the  latter  edge.l  .■xternally  will,  light  ash.  ]iill  and  legs  dark  pltnnbeon.s. 
'•  Tris  hazel."  Tail-feathers  narrowly  edged  all  n.un.l  with  white,  narrowest  internally,  and 
niereasing  from  eeutial  I.,  lal.Tal  li.athers.     fpper  tail-coverta  clear  ash. 

As  the  specimen  in  linest  plumage 
(described  above)  is  moulting  the 
quills,  th(>  measurements  are  taken 
from  another  (,^7.01()).  In  this  the 
first  qnill  is  not  quite  one  third  the 
second,  wliieh  equals  the  sixth,  the 
third  and  fourth  longest. 

(No.  ;!7,01^).)  Fresh  specimen: 
Totallength,  0.10;  expanse  of  winu's  Vinosylvia  plumbta. 

10.80.     Prepared  speeimeu  :  Total  length.  5.75;  wing,  .3.25  ;  tail,  2.70  ;  dilTeroncc  between 
tenth  and  longest  quill,  .05 ;  exj.o.sed  portion  of  lirst  primary,  .75,  of  second  *>  34  of  lou- 
48  .  ,    .     , 


378  Nt)RTii  amp:iu('an  birds. 

gest,  third  (measured  from  exposed  base  of  first  priiniiry),  2.54;  length  of  bill  from  fore- 
head, .05,  from  nostril,  .Jil.  aloiijr  f^iipi',  .70;  tarsus,  .7."> ;  iiiiddlc  toe  and  claw,  .GO,  claw 
aloiio,  .21 ;  hind  toe  and  claw,  .50,  daw  alone,  .23. 

IIah.  Sontliein  Uoeky  Monntains;  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada  (Hidowav), 
In  winter  to  Coliinu,  Mexico. 

While  the  pattern  of  coloration  is  precisely  similar  to  that  of  Lanivirco 
solitarius,  the  diflbrence  in  tlie  colors  upp(;ars  to  be  occasioned  merely  by  re- 
moving, a^  it  were,  tlie  yellow  stain,  wliich  on  the  plnmbeous  i)ro(liices  the 
olive-green  tinge,  and  exists  in  a  purer  tint  along  the  sides,  leaving,  essentially, 
only  clear  plundjemis  and  pnre  wliite  ;  there  is,  however,  in  the  most  typical 
specimens,  always  a  faint  tinge  of  green  on  the  rump,  and  a  stain  of  yellow 
along  tiie  side.  Though  identical  with  so/itariuti  in  most  of  its  proportions, 
tiie  wings  and  tail  are  considerably  longer  than  in  the  average  of  that  form. 

There  are  many  specimens  from  the  llocky  Mountains  and  westward  that 
are  so  decidedly  intermediate  between  solifariiis  and  plumhcuH,  that,  consider- 
ing also  the  lack  of  essential  ilifl'erence  in  foj'm  and  coloration  between  the 
two,  we  do  not  hesitiite  to  consider  them,  along  with  cussuii  and  propinqiias 
(see  page  373),  as  races  of  a  single  species,  of  which  each  is  the  representa- 
tive in  a  jxirticular  region.  Thus,  V.  solitarius  breeds  in  the  Eastern  Prov- 
ince of  the  United  States  (and  possibly  in  the  Western,  following  tlie  same 
route  far  to  the  northward  that  many  Eastern  birds  pursue  in  straggling 
westward),  and  migrates  in  winter  into  Middle  America  as  far  as  Guatemala  ; 
those  wliich  breed  in  the  Xorthwest  pass  directly  southward,  thus  crossing  the 
region  where  mssiiii  and  ijlioitbcus  breed,  which  accounts  for  their  being  ob- 
tained together.  V.  cassini  is  the  representative  on  the  ojiposite  side  of  the 
continent ;  but  the  history  of  its  migrations  is  yet  obscure.  V.  phnnhcns  is 
the  Middle  Province  and  Kocky  Mountain  representative,  breeding  alone  in 
that  region,  and  in  winter  migrating  southward  througli  Western  Mexico  as 
far  as  Colima.  V.  j)vopinquus  is  anotlier  permanent  race,  but  a  local  one,  be- 
ing resident  in  the  coimtry  where  found,  though  mixed  in  winter  with  visitors 
of  solitarius  from  the  North. 

Habits.  Of  this  very  recently  discovered  race,  very  little  is  at  present 
known.  It  was  first  described  by  Dr.  Coues,  who  met  with  it  in  Arizona, 
near  Fort  Whipple.  He  says  it  is  especially  abundant  in  the  northern  part 
of  that  Territory.  It  was  by  far  the  most  common  Vireo  at  Fort  Whipple, 
where  it  is  a  sunnner  resident,  arriving  there  about  the  15th  of  April  and 
remaining  until  October. 

It  was  found  to  be  common  about  Laramie  Peak,  by  Dr.  R.  Hitz,  and  was 
also  met  with  in  winter  on  the  plains  at  Colima,  ^lexico,  by  Xantus. 

It  was  seen  in  the  summers  of  1868  and  181)9,  by  Mr.  Ridgway,  among 
the  cedar  and  nut-pine  woods  on  the  slopes  and  among  the  brushwood  in  the 
canons  of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  being  most  partial  to  the  former 
situations.  There,  too,  it  undoubtedly  breeds,  as  in  tlie  latter  part  of  July 
young  birds,  luiable  to  fly,  were  met  with  by  him.     He  also  states  that  the 


VinEOXID^E  —  THE  VIUEOS. 


379 


common  notes  of  this  Vireo  very  closely  rescnil.le  Iho.se  of  the  Western  Wood 
VV  reu  (Tivi/ludi/ks  jjudiuunni). 


Vireosylvia  flavifrons. 


Lanivireo  flavifrons,  IJaiku. 

YELLOW-THBOATED  VIBEO. 

Vireoflavifrmts,\n,iu..  Ois.  A.n.  Sept.  1.  1807.  85.  pi.  liv.  -  Aud.  Om.  Bio.    II    1834 
pl.  C.V.X.-IU    Bhcls.  An..   IV.  pi.  c....x.xxviii.  _  C..s,s,.s-,   IV  A.  N.  ^.^:^'^t 

lbs.  I,  18.9,  12(G,mt,.n,ak)._rA.K  ,Io«r.  III.  408  (Cuba  ;  wint,.,).  -  (irsm  v,„ 
Cub.  Jour.  801.324(Cuba;  ,.a..).-C.vu..Iou,..  18«0.  405  (Co.sta  Hica  .  T/ <«  ^  „  ! 
^^Jl^.  1U,K,,.  H„..ls  X  An..  1858.  341.  nrcs.l.,.  iL„.Uirc^  J„„frons,  i^Z, 
lt(^.  o4b.     Muscicapa  sulvicula,  WiLs.  Am.  Oiii.  11,  iSKi.  117,  j,i.  vii,  f.  3. 

bnglu  oIuo-gn.en.     Lower  buok,  run.p.  tail,  and  winfr-uov.rt.  ashy.     Win-^s  brow,  ^vitli 
two   white    bands   across   the    coverts,   the  in„s  oiown,  « ,tl, 

outer  edges  of  inner  secon(hu-ies,  and  inner 
edges  of  all  the  qtnlLs,  with  inside  of  wing, 
white.  Outer  primaries  edncd  with  grav.' 
the  inner  with  olive.  Tail-feathers  browli,' 
entirely  encirelwl  liy  a  narrow  edge  of  white! 
Under  parts  to  middle  of  body,  a  line  from 
nostrils  over  eye,  eyelids,  an.l  patch  be- 
neath the  eye  (bordered  behind  by  the  olive 
of  neck)   bright   gamboge-yellow;   rest  of 

;;;™be:s,:!f'"'^  ""^^  '^"""^■^'"^-"  -""  -^'^-  ^-  ^^-^y-  ^^^  -<>  -^.^ 

No  spnrimr.  prin,ary  evident :  .second  quill  longest ;  first  a  little  shorter  than  third 
ta«;        '  "'"'''•""'  ''"''•""  '""''•'^"'^^  •"■  '"■•"-'  -'   -~t   quills    .90; 

Cuba.""     ''''^'""  ""'"'"'  '^'"'"'  '"'"'  '"  "-'"^'^  ^'^"     ''^"-''^"'^  («--•'«•)•     ^'-y  '-e  iu 

Autumnal  birds,  perhaps  more  especially  the  youn.sj,  are  more  glossed  with 
olmiceous.  winch  nivades  the  ashy  portions,  and  tinj,res  the  white 

Habits  All  the  older  ornithological  writers,  in  speaking  of  the  Vellow- 
throated  Vireo,  repeat  each  other  in  descrihing  it  as  peculiarly  attracted  to 
the  iorest.  seeking  its  solitudes  and  gleaning  its  food  chieHy  amon-  its  top- 
most branches.  Such  has  not  been  my  experience  with  this  interesting  and 
attractive  little  songster.  I  have  found  no  one  of  this  genus,  n<.t  even  the 
fva,  so  common  in  the  vicinity  of  dwcdlings,  or  more  familiar  and  fearless 
m  Its  intercourse  with  man.  All  of  its  nests  that  I  have  ever  met  with  have 
been  built  ,n  gardens  an.l  orchards,  and  in  clo.se  proximity  to  dwelling,s,  and 
they  have  also  been  exclusively  in  comparatively  low  positions  In  one  of 
the  most  recent  instances  a  i,air  of  these  birds  built  one  of  their  beautiful 
mo^s-covered  nests  in  a  low  branch  of  an  apple-tree  that  overhung  the  cro- 
quet-ground, within  a  few  rods  of  my  house.     It  was  first  noticed  iu  conse- 


380  xoHTii  amf;uican  .niitDs. 

qiu'iico  of  its  linkl  litth;  Itnildor  flyiiit,'  in  my  I'lin'  wlii'iiovor  I  a|)])roacliod  too 
iioiir,  oven  bel'ore  its  nest  coiitiiiiuMl  any  ejxjf.s.  The  j,'rmiii(l.s  were  in  i'ret|ueiit 
use,  unci  the  jiair  wen^  at  first  a  j,'i)(k1  deal  disluihed  hy  these  constant  inti'u- 
si(ins,  lint  they  sdcm  liccanic  icconcilcd  to  their  company,  and  wonld  not  leave 
their  position,  even  thouji'h  the  j^ame  was  contested  ininiediately  under  their 
nest,  which  was  thus  often  l)r(nij;ht  within  a  foot  nf  the  lii^ids  of  the.  ])layers. 
Before  this  nest  was  quite  finished,  the  female  hej^an  her  duties  of  inc^nbation. 
Her  assiduous  mate  was  constantly  tmjiaj^ed  at  first  in  com]iletiuf,'  the  ex- 
ternal ornamentation  of  the  nest  with  lichens  and  mosses,  and  then  with  a 
renewid  of  his  interrupted  concerts  of  sonj,'.  These  duties  he  varied  by 
fre([Uent  ca])tures  of  insects,  wiuj^ed  and  creepinjf,  most  of  which  he  duly 
carried  to  his  mate.  His  son^'  was  varied,  sweet,  and  touchin^uly  beautiful. 
Less  jiowerful  than  tlu!  notes  of  several  others  of  its  family,  except  those  of 
the  Warhiintj,  I  know  of  none  more  charminj;. 

These  birds  reach  New  P^uuland  about  the  lOth  of  May,  and  usually  have 
their  nests  constructed  early  in  June.  Their  habits,  in  all  essential  respects, 
are  the  same  as  those  of  all  its  family.  They  are  somewhat  contiiling  and 
trustful  of  man,  are  readily  approached,  and  soon  become  so  well  acquainted 
with  those  amon<f  whom  they  have  a  luune  as  to  fearlessly  come  to  the  win- 
df)ws  of  the  house  in  ]>ursuit  of  spiders  or  flies,  and  even  to  enter  them.  In 
the  latter  case  thi'y  cannot  readily  make  their  exit,  and  soon  lose  their  self- 
possession,  beatinjj;  their  heads  ajjainst  the  walls  and  ceiling  in  vain  attempts 
to  get  out,  unless  caught  and  releascid.  In  one  instance  a  young  bird,  that 
had  entered  my  barn-chaml)er,  became  so  entangled  in  cobwebs,  around  his 
wings  and  feet,  as  to  be  unable  to  escape  again.  When  taken  in  the  hand, 
and  his  meshes  one  by  one  picked  out  from  al)out  his  feet  and  (piills,  he 
was  very  docile,  made  no  resistance  or  outcry,  nor  any  attempt  to  escape, 
until  he  was  entirely  freed  i'rom  his  Ixjnds,  although  it  required  some  time 
and  care  to  accomplish  it.  When  entii'ely  freed  from  these  clogs,  and  ])er- 
mitted  to  go,  he  llew  away  very  deliberately  to  a  short  distance,  and  occupied 
himself  with  dressing  his  disordered  plumage. 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  also  a  ])endent  structure,  and  hemispherical  in 
shajx?.  It  may  always  be  readily  distinguished  from  any  other  nest  of  this 
family  by  the  profusion  of  lichens  and  mosses  with  which  its  outer  portion 
is  jidorned  and  covered,  giving  it  the  appearance  of  a  large  moss-covered 
knot. 

In  most  of  the  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  this  species,  though  not 
abundant,  is  (|uite  common.  Their  nests,  built  usually  in  low  and  rather 
cons]ncuous  positions  for  birds  of  this  kind,  occur  most  frequently  in  gardens 
and  orchards.  One  of  these,  found,  suspended  from  a  moss-covered  branch 
of  an  apple-tree  in  Iloxbiny,  may  be  taken  as  typical  of  its  kind.  Its 
rim  was  firmly  bound  around  the  fork  of  a  branch  by  a  continuation  of  the 
materials  that  form  the  outside  of  the  nest  itself.  These  are  an  interweaving 
of  spiders'-webs,  and  silky  threads  from  insect  cocoons,  largely  intermingled 


/  VIFlEONID.K-TiriO  VFREOS.  ggj 

;yitli  mosses  and  lidu.ns,  an.l  tlms  made  to  ...mform  closely  in  appeamnee  to 
the  moss-Krown  hark  of  tl.e  tree.  The  u„.ler  portion  of  tlie  „est  is  strennth- 
eiUHl  l.y  lonj,.  strips  of  tlie  inner  hark  of  th.,  wild  ^n-npe.  Within  i "  an 
inner  nest  made  of  fine  grassy  stems  and  hark.  It  forms  exaetly  a  half- 
sphere  m  shape  ,s  symmetrieal,  an.l  is  very  thoronj,ddy  made.  Its\liameter 
's  fonr,  and  its  heij-ht  two  and  one  fonrtli  in('he.s. 

Mr  Xnttall  .le.scrihes  a  nest  of  this  hini,  Im.nd  by  him  snspend.d  from  the 
orked  twig  ol  an  oak,  near  a  dweliin-house,  as  cated  over  with  -reen 
hehens  attaehed  very  artfnlly  hy  a  slender  string  of  eaterpillars'  silk^  tlu, 
whole  afterwards  tied  over  hy  alnu.st  invisible  threads  ol'  the  same  so  niixdv 
done  as  to  appear  to  be  glned  on.  The  whole  fabric  was  thus  ma,le  to  rJ- 
semble  an  accidental  knot,  of  the  tree,  grown  o^•er  with  moss.  Another  nest 
observe.1  by  the  same  writer,  was  fixed  on  the  depen.ling  branches  of  a  wild 
cherry  and  was  fifty  feet  from  the  ground.  So  lofty  a  position  as  this  is 
probably  very  unusual.  I  have  never  met  with  any  higher  than  ten  feet 
irom  the  ground. 

The  food  of  this  Vireo  is  chiefly  insects,  and  in  the  breeding-season  is 
a]to.g«  her  so.  Later  in  the  season  they  .mingle  with  these  various  kinds  of 
small  berries. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  from  .95  to  .SS  of  an  inch  in  length,  and 
from  .65  to  .60  in  breadth.  Their  ground-color  is  white,  often  with  a  very 
percep  ible  tint  of  ro.seate  Avhen  fresh.  In  this  respect  they  differ  in  a  very 
marked  nianner  from  the  eggs  of  any  other  of  this  genus,  except,  perhaps, 
the  bnrbatnla,  and  may  thus  always  be  very  easily  recognized.  They  are 
more  or  less  boldly  marked  with  blotches  of  a  dark  r.jseate-brown,  also  pe- 
culiar to  the  eggs  of  this  species,  though  varying  greatly  in  their  size  and 
depth  of  color. 

This  Vireo  winters,  in  great  numbers,  in  Central  America,  and  was  lar-ely 
represented  in  the  collection  of  Dr.  Van  Patten  from  Guatemala.  It  was 
also  found  at  Tirico,  in  Colombia,  South  America,  by  Mr.  C  W  Wya't 
It  occurs  in  abundance  as  far  to.  the  west  as  Crinnell,  Iowa,  where  Mr." 
W.  H.  Parker  found  it  to  be  a  very  common  summer  resident. 


382 


NUUTII  AilKlUCAN  BIRDS. 


SUUOKNUS     VIREO,    VlEll.U 
Vii-      ViKii,!.,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  1,  1807,  83.     (Tyix-,  Musciaijui  noveboracensh,  O.m.) 
CiiAH.     Wiiijrs  short  uiul  loiiiulud,  a  littlo  longer  tlum  tlic  tail,  equal  to  it,  or  shorter. 


Virpo  iiovebnractnsis. 

Fiist  primary  (li.stiiict  ami  larsrc,  from  two  firtiis  to  half  or  more  the  length  of  the  second, 
shorter  or  not  longer  than  the  eighth. 

Tlie  characters  of  Virvo  are  essentially 
those  of  VireoHijlvia  ;  the  bill,  however,  is 
shorter ;  the  first  (|iiill  always  present,  better 
developed,  sonietiuies  more  than  half  the 
second.  The  wings  are  shorter,  and  more 
rounded;   the   tarsi    usually   longer.      The 

Yireo  noveboracensh.  SeCtionS    are    aS    foUoWS  I  

Vireo.  Wing.s  iminteil ;  first  quill  less  tlian  half  the  .seooiid,  which  is  about  equal 
to  seventh  or  eighth,  and  decidedly  longer  than  the  tenth  primary  and  the  secondaries. 
Type,  V.  novehnracenms. 

VirecneUa.  Wings  rounded,  scarcely  longer  than  the  tail ;  the  first  quill  half  as  long 
as  the  second  (or  more  than  half),  which  is  not  longer  than  the  tenth  piimary  and  .secon- 
daries, or  even  less.  Bill  and  feet  generally  much  stouter  than  the  preceding.  Type,  V. 
gundlachi 

None  of  the  species  of  Virconella  are  found  in  the  United  States. 

Species. 

C0M.M0N  GiiARAOTKns.     All  the  .species  olivaceous  or  ashy  above,  beneath  whit- 
ish, or  olivaceous-yellow.     Wings  with  light  bands.     A  light  stripe  from  bill 
over  the  eye,  but  not  beyond  it,  except  in  carmioU.    Iris  brown,  as  far  as  known, 
except  in  F.  noveboracensis,  where  it  is  white. 
A.   Two  conspicuous  light  bands  mi  wing. 

a.  Sexes  dilfercnt.     Whole  lore  white. 

1 .  V.  atrlcapiUuB.  Above  olive-green,  outer  edges  of  tail-feathers 
bright  yellov/isli  -green  ;  wing-bands  greenish-white.  Sides  oliva- 
ceous-jellow.  Male.  Head  and  neck  (except  lore,  orbital  ring,  chin, 
and  throat)  deep  black  ;  lower  parts  pure  white  medially.  Female 
with  the  black  replaced  by  dull  .slate  ;  lower  parts  ochraceous-white 
medially.  Wing,  2.30;  tail,  1.80;  tarsus,  .08;  bill,  from  nostrU, 
.24.     Hab.   Southern  Texas ;  llazatlan,  Mexico. 

b.  Sexes  alike.    Lore  dusky,  with  light  mark  above  it. 


VrRKOXID.K-TIIE  VIRKoH. 

2.  V  oarmloll-  AI,ovo  hiownisl.  olivo-.n-on.  I}o„..a,l,,  with 
sni-ra-lora  stni,..,  oH.ital  ring,  an.l  ligl.t  .narkings  „„  ,1,,.  .vings  li.|,t 
ocl.r..y-y,.|l„vv  inoro  whiti.sl.  on  the  tl>ront.  Wing,  2.or> ■  tail  2  00  • 
taivsns,  .00 ;  bill,  .20.     //,,/,.  c„sta  Ri.a.  '         '  ' 

3.  V.  noveboraoonsls.  Alx.vo  olivt.-gr,.,,n,  a.I,y  acros.s  tin-  nnpc. 
feuiHa-lo.alstni,e  and  orl.italnMg,L...|, yellow.  Bunoath  ashy-wlL 
on  throat,  purer  white  on  al.clo.nun;  .si.les,  an.l  a  tinge  ann.ss  ti„. 
brca.s,  hght  ydlow.  Iris  white.  Wing,  2.40;  tail,  2...0  ;  tarsns, 
.CJ  ,  hil ,  .2  ..  Ilah.  La.stern  Province  of  Unite.l  .Stafs,  south  ,„> 
wnner)  to  Guatemala  (and  Uogotuy) ;  very  rare  in  Cuba ;  ah.n.lant 
anil  resident  ni  JJerniiida. 

4.  V.  huttonl.  Above  grayish-olive,  more  olive-gre..,  toward  tail. 
B.;low  ,,a  e  gray,sh-bnir.    Orbital  ring  very  broad,  yellowish-white. 

?    w  '■       '■w'"'  ""■""'•"■'  ''"'-  •24-     //"*•   (Mlbrnia;  in 
waiter,  Western  Mexico  to  Oaxaea. 

B.   Only  one  band  on  wing,  and  this  indistinct, 

5.  V.  belli.  Above  ashy-ohve,  more  viroscent  posteriorly.  Mark- 
ings on  s.le  01  head  not  well  define.l.  Below  dull  wluie,  with  a 
slight  buny  tn>ge,  strongly  stained  with  yellow  on  sides  an.l  flanks. 
Upper  leathers  of  n.iddle  row  of  wing-eoverts  passing  into  paK-r  at 
tip,  prodncmg  an  indication  of  an  anterior  band.  Win.^  2  •>0  •  tail 
h80;  ta...s  09;  bill,  .2;^.  JM.  V.ains  between  thrMLi;sippi 
Valley  and  he  Iloeky  Mountains,  from  Dakota  to  Te.xas  ;  in  winter 
south  to  Tehuantepe.!,  Mexico. 

C.  V.pusillus.  Abovegrayisl,.ash,very.slightly  tinged  with  olive 
on  nunp.  lie  ow  dull  white,  ashy  laterally,  the  Hanks  with  the 
sl-ghes   possible  tmge  of  y..llow.     Wing,  2.;30;  tail,  2.20;  tarsus, 

P  V  •'  i;  ''''''•  ''"'■  •"•""•"''  ^•"^'"  «'■  L-cas,  Lowe; 
California;  Cahlorma  north  t.)  Sacrninento  City 

7.  V.  vlcinior.  Above  bluish-ash,  below  ashy-white,  .scarcely 
more  ashy  laterally.  Lores  entirely  ashy-white.  Wing,  2.00;  tail 
2.40;  tarsus,  .67  ;  bill,  .20,  .18  deep.    Hub.  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona. 


383 


Vireo  atricapillus,  Woodhouse. 

BLACK-CAFPEO  VISEO. 

A.ri858   S     r'     :,t'~r"'  I""'-  ''''•  ''''  '"•  --'•-»-^"">.  Birds  N. 
Am.  1858,  337  ;  Kev.  353.  —  Coopeii,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  121. 

Sp.  Char.  (No  0,8ia)  Top  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  black ;  rest  of  upper  parUs  olive- 
proen.  Wing  and  tad  feathers  almost  bla.'k  on 
their  upper  surface,  the  quills  and  reetrices  e.lged 
with  olive  (paler  on  the  exterior  primaries),  the 
wing-coverts  with  two  greenish-white  banil's  on 
a  blackish  grouiiiL  Broa.l  line  from  bill  to  and 
around  eye  (not  meeting  on  forehead)  with  under 
parts  white;  the  .oi.Ies  of  bo.ly  ..livaceous;  the 
axillars  and  inner  wing-covertsOiorhaps crissum)  nr^a,nrapiu,.. 

»  Fireo  earmioli,  Baii.d,  Review  Am.  B.  I,  1865,  p.  356.     IM.  Costa  Ri,a. 


6818 


384  NOKTll  AMKKICAN  JHUDS. 

j'i'llowisli.  Hill  Mai'k  ;  feel  iiliiiiitii'diis ;  iiis  liii>.'lil  ri'(l.  First  quill  Ics.s  lliaii  half  tho 
si'ciiiiil,  which  alHiiil  ('(|iials  the  Iciilh;   lliiiil  littlr  NJioi'tcr  than  limilh  (li>ii},'('st). 

h'viHdle.  With  the  lilacU  ii'iilaccil  hy  dull  slate;  lowcf  pailf  oi'hiautMiii.s-whih'  iiu'dially. 
INissihly  udisliiii't  s|)t'cli's  (Mazatlaii)- 

(N'o.  (!,81>^.)  Fi't-'sh  wpcciiiu'ii :  Totalli'ii<,'lli,  4.7');  eximiisi' of  wiiifjs,  7.1i");  \viii<;t  from 
carpal  jniiit,  2.12.      I'icpaivil  .^ipt'ciiiicM  :   Tnlal  li'iijrlh,  4. 10  ;  win;,',  2.2");  tail,  l.il"). 

\\\\\      Soutlierii  bolder  111'  We.'^leru  Te.vas;    .Ma/.allali. 

Tlu)  Mack  lioiid  of  tlii.s  .spwius,  as  far  nn  known,  makes  it  niiitnie  in  tlio 
yt'iius.     It  is  nxtriMiiclv  raro,  Ijiit  tlirce  or  four  spticinu-ns  beinj,'  known. 

We  refer  to  tliis  s])eeies  a  s]ieeiineii  —  probalily  a  female  —  obtained  at 
Afa/atlan,  on  the  western  eoast  of  Mexico,  in  April,  by  Colonel  (Jraysun  (S. 
I.,  Xo.  7\'),{)\{)).  This  specimen  dilll'rs  from  those  from  Texas  in  having  the 
black  of  the  heati  replaceil  by  a  dull  dark  slate-color,  the  olive  above  ratlun* 
less  virescent,  and  the  lower  parts  not  pure  while,  Imt  somewhat  bully.  A,s 
all  the  other  essential  characters  art;  itleiitical,  there  boini,'  in  bolh  the 
white  space  coverinj,'  tiie  whole  lore,  and  orbital  riniii  internipted  on  top, — 
features  not  .seen  in  any  other  species,  —  we  have  little  hesitation  in  con- 
sidering; them  the  same  ajjecies;  which  opinion  is  moreover  strengthened  by 
the  fact,  that  among  the  Texas  s])ecimens,  all  with  black  caps,  there  are 
no  females. 

Hahits.  (.)f  the  geneml  history  and  habits  of  this  rare  species  very  little 
is  known.  It  was  first  met  with  by  Dr.  Woodhouse,  on  the  2()th  of  May, 
18;") I,  in  Western  Texas.  This  was  on  the  IJio  San  I'edro,  within  ten  miles 
of  its  source.  He  found  it  among  some  cedars,  and  was  attracted  by  its  very 
singular  notes.  It  was  in  continual  motion,  like  a  Wood  Warbler,  and  was 
by  him  at  first  supi)ose,d  to  be  one  of  those  birds.  He  obtained  two  speci- 
mens, both  of  which  ])roved  to  be  males. 

Mr.  .lohn  II.  ('lark,  the  naturalist  of  the  Mexican  Boundary  Conunission, 
likewi.se  found  this  s]iecies  in  Texas,  and  not  far  from  the  same  locality  in 
which  it  was  discovered  i>y  Dr.  Woodhouse.  His  attention  also  was  drawn 
to  the  bird  by  its  shrill  (lis(!ordant  chir]),  whitdi  it  uttered  incessantly  in  its 
pursuit  (jf  in.sects.  Thi'ee  specimens  only  were  seen,  and  all  of  them  at  one 
locality,  the  valley  of  the  Iiio  San  Pedro,  to  which  it  seemed  to  be  confined. 
It  was  not  at  all  shy,  and  showed  no  concern  when  Mr.  Clark  ap])roaclied 
within  a  few  rods.  Its  constant  motion,  hopping  incessantly  from  branch 
to  branch,  made  it  a  matter  of  some  ditticidty  to  procure  specimens.  It 
was  found  in  June,  and  the  single  specimen  shot  by  Mr.  Clark  was  also  a 
male. 


J  \  lltKiiNID.i;  — TIIK  VlltKOS.  3g5 

Vireo  noveboracensis,  I'iunap. 

WHITE-EYEO  VIREO. 

Musricnitd  iiinrliiiriifciiHls,  Om.  Sysl.  Nut.  I,  17XH,  iM7  {(Inin  Fhli'iitehcr,  I'knnant,  Arctic 
Ziiiil.  II,  :i!S!t).  I'iini  //()<•.//.  |l(i\.  Olis.  Wilson,  IS'.Vi.  Aril.  ;  C.xsMx.  -lUiiiit, 
llir.l.s  N.  Am.  IHAH,  WM  ;  Kcv.  ;t.-i4.  Max.  — Sci.ur.li,  I'  /,.  S.  l,s-,7,  l>()4  (Xalu|pa)  ; 
•J-J.'S  (Vera  fill/). —  Sci.AiT.li  &  Sai.vin,  IMh,  II,  l.sili),  -.'74  (<'»liaii,  (limt.).  ,I<p\f,.s, 
Nat.  ISciimiila,  IHr.it,  71  (icsiilciitK  •  fAli.  .Imir.  Ill,  lii!i  (( 'iilia).  (IrNDi.Arii,  Call, 
.lour.  ISlil,  \S->\  (Ciilia  ;  iiirc).  — Sa.mikl.s  Itirils  \.  Kn;,'.  •J7."i.  I'irni  iiiiisinis,  Vii;ii.l,. 
Ois.  .\iii.  Sept.  I,  l.S(i7,  M,  |il.  liii.     Miis<'ic<i,)i  n:  t„li-u;  Wti.s.  II,  IMii,  liiiii,  pi.  xviii. 

Figures  :  Ani.  Oiii.  Itiiij,'.  jil.  I.\iii.    -  In.  liinls  N.  A.  IV,  pi.  ccxl. 

Sp.  CiiAit.  (N'fi.  l(),l!i;i  ^.  Illiiiiii-;.)  First  piiiuar.v  iilunil  liall'  the  Icii'-'lli  til'  .sccmuhI, 
wliii'ii  is  IdiiLTtT  lliiili  .scciiiularii's,  iiiiil  al»iiit  cipial  in  llic  cinlitli;  tiic  roiMlli  Iciiijji'st  ;  tliiiil 
iiimI  lil'lli  littl(!  shorter. 

Aliovi!  ipiili'  olivr-^jrcon ;  .siiK^.s  ol' iiuck,  mid  it  ^inss  <iii  its  iipprr  surliiiM",  asliy.  The 
liiidillt!  coiii'I'mIimI  [mrliou  ot'  fciitlicrs  of  lower  luiek  and  niiiip  pale  siilpliiir-velluwisli. 
Ht'iiealli  wliile;  tlie  eliili  and  lower  clieeks  with  a  j.'rayisli  liiij;e;  tlie  sides  ol'  liicasl,  and 
body,  with  axillars  and  liase  of  eri-isiiiii  (iiiore  liiiiillyi,  lirij.''ht  yellow;  (he  inner  winj;- 
coverts  atid  rest  of  eris.suin  iniicli  jialrr,  nlinost,  wliiie.  A  liroiid  yellow  line  lioni  nostrils 
to  and  eontiniions  with  a  yt'""W  'il  round  the  eye,  whii'li  is  eneiicled  exierioilj-  liy 
olivaceous;  a  '"iisky  loiiil,  lint  no  post-oeiilar  spot.  Wind's  willi  two  I'overt-liiinds  and 
innermost  .sec  iiiliiries  externally,  liroadly  yellowish-white;  rest  ol'iiiiills  edired  externally 
with  olive,  except  the  two  outer  and  lips  ol'ollier  primaries,  which  are  frrayish.  Rccliiccs 
edged  externally  with  olive,  except  outermost,  which  is  liordered  liy  fjrayish.  All  the  loii^r 
quills  hordered  internally  liy  whitish,  liill  hlue-lilack,  paler  on  the  cd<;es ;  Ic^'s  dark 
plumheon.s.     Iris  white.     Total  lenjrlli,  4.110  ;  wing, '.i.lO  ;  tail.  2 'JO. 

Hah.  United  State.s,  west,  to  lia.se  ol"  Rocky  Mountains;  south  to  (iiiatemala;  Bogota? 
Very  rare  in  Ciilia.     Aliinidant  and  resilient  in  (he  lieriiiiida.s. 

SpcciineiLS  vary  slij,'litly  in  a  ftroater  aiufuuit  of  ashy  on  tlic  hend,  and  less 
brilliaiicv  of  the  yellow  of  head  ami  sides.  Sometimes  tliere  i,s  a  decided 
iishy  shade  in  the  white  of  throat  and  jiigtihini,  whicli  aotiin  lias  ii  very  faint 
tinpe  of  yellowi.sh. 

Haiiits.  Tiie  White-eyed  Vireo  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  one  of 
the  most  widely  diffused  of  its  .t,'ein.'i  in  all  part.s  of  tht;  Fiiited  States  east 
of  the  liocky  Mcmntains.  It  aiiiiaieiitly  breeds  in  all  parts  nf  the  Union, 
from  Texas  and  the  Indian  Territory  on  the  sonthwest  to  Iowa  and  ^Viscon- 
.sin,  and  as  far  to  the  northeast  as  Massac^imsetts.  Tn  the  last-named  State 
it  becomes  ex('eedinjj;ly  rare,  and  beyond  it  is  apparently  not  found,  none 
having  been  met  with  either  by  Messrs.  Verrill  or  lioardinan  in  any  jiart  of 
Maine.  In  Western  IMassaehusetts  it  was  not  found  by  Mr.  Allen,  thougli 
it  occurs  in  the  eastern  jtart,  along  tlie  coast.  Mr.  Dresser  found  it  common 
in  Western  Texas,  many  remaining  there  to  breed,  and  Dr.  Woodliou.se  also 
found  it  abundant  in  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  the  Indian  Territory,  when; 
it  fre([uented  the  thickets  bordering  on  the  streams.  It  breeds  abundantly 
i;i  the  Northwest  States  of  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Wiscousiu.  It  also  breeds  in 
the  isliinds  of  Hermuda. 
49 


38g  NOUTIl  AMERICAN*  BIRDS. 

In  tlio  winter  nidntlis  tliis  sjiecies  retires  to  the  more  southern  States,  and 
to  Jikxieu  and  Conlral  and  Soiitli  Anieriea,  tiiough  Suniiclirast  dues  nut  give 
it  as  occnrring  in  the  J  department  of  A'eni  Cruz.  Nuttall  found  it  in  South 
Carolina  in  tlie  middle  of  January,  and  Wilson  met  with  them  in  full  song  in 
( ieornia  in  February.  The  fact  that  it  was  seven  weeks  after  this  before  they 
made  their  ai)i)earance  in  rennsylvania  is  given  by  that  writer  as  evidence 
of  the  gradual  progression  made  by  ilii.i  species  in  its  movements  northward, 
re^^ulated  by  the  devehjpment  of  the  season.  Audubon,  however,  states  the 
first  of  March  as  abiuit  the  time  of  its  first  appearance  in  Louisiana.  He 
also  mentions  that  this  species  is  a  constant  resident  in  the  Floridas  (hir- 
ing winter,  and  also  in  the  lower  jioitions  of  Alabama  and  Georgia.  A 
large  number  also  jiass  farther  south,  as  is  shown  by  the  abundance  of  the 
arrivals  in  early  spring  on  tlie  coast  of  Texas.  Mr.  Audubon  states  also 
that  Townseud  met  with  them  on  the  Cohunbia  River,  and  that  he  himself 
found  them  along  the  coast  in  Elaine,  Xova  Scotia,  and  Labrador.  This, 
however,  I  am  inclined  to  consider  a  misstatement,  as  they  have  not  since 
been  detected  either  west  of  Dakota  or  north  of  the  42d  parallel. 

This  Vin^o  is  <ine  of  the  most  conspicuous  singers  of  this  family.  Its 
songs  are  more  earnest  and  louder  than  those  of  any  of  our  Jlastern  species, 
and  exhibit  the  greatest  variations,  beginning  in  tiie  earlier  part  of  the  sea- 
son with  a  simple  low  whistle,  but  changing  in  May  into  a  very  quaint  and 
peculiar  succession  of  irregular  notes.  Some  of  these  i.re  very  softly  and 
sweetly  whistled,  while  others  are  uttered  with  a  vehemence  and  shrillness 
that  .seen>  hardly  ])ossiblc  in  so  small  a  bird. 

This  is  an  unsus]K'cting  and  familiar  bird,  permitting  a  near  approiich,  and 
when  whistled  t(j  will  often  stop  and  eye  you  with  marked  curiosity,  and 
even  approach  a  little  nearer,  as  if  to  obtain  a  better  view,  entirely  uncon- 
scious of  any  danger.  This  is  not  so",  however,  when  they  have  a  nest.  On 
this  occasion  they  exhil)it  great  uneasiness  when  their  nest  is  visited,  ap- 
proaching very  near  to  the  intruder,  looking  down  u])on  him  with  marked 
expressions  of  uneasiness,  and  scolding  all  the  while  with  great  earnest- 
ness, and  with  a  hoarse  mewing  that  is  very  peculiar.  This  disj)lay  is 
contnuied  even  after  the  fledglings  are  full  grown  anil  able  to  take  care  of 
themselves. 

The  food  of  this  sjiecies  in  early  summer  is  almost  exclusively  small  in- 
sects, which  it  gleans  with  great  assiduity.  In  Eastern  Massachusetts,  like 
all  its  kindred,  it  feeds  eagerly  ui)on  the  young  larva;  of  the  destructive 
canker-worm,  and  doubtless,  in  tiie  wilder  jxn'tions  of  the  country,  is  of  con- 
siderable service  in  restricting  the  increase  of  this  scourge. 

The  AVhite-eyed  Virco  may  usually  l)e  found  in  wild,  swampy,  open 
grounds,  near  the  edges  of  woods,  and  where  tliere  are  small  thickets  of 
smilax  and  other  briers  and  wild  vines,  in  the  midst  of  which  it  often  builds 
its  pensile  nest.  These  nests  are  rarely,  if  ever,  more  tiian  three  or  four  feet 
iVom  the  ground.     Two  nests  of  tliis  liird,  one  from  Neoslio  Falls,  Kansas, 


VIREDXIDvK  —  THE  VIREOS. 


o87 


the  other  from  Lynn,  Mass.,  iimy  he  tiikeu  as  c]iariieteri.stic  of  the  sixicies. 
They  are  ahnost  exactly  hemispherical  in  shape,  tlieir  hei<;lit  and  diameter 
being  the  same,  —  tiiree  indies.  They  were  suspended  from  low  huslu's, 
hanging  from  the  extreme  ends  of  the  twigs,  among  whicli  tiie  nests  were 
fastened  l)y  fine  impacted  masses  of  wood-mosses,  wiiicli  are  very  nicely  and 
elaborately  interwoven  witli  the  lower  portions  of  tlie  outer  covering  of  the 
nest.  Tlie  latter  is  composed  of  a  singular  medley  of  various  materials, 
among  whicli  may  be  noticed  broken  fragments  of  dry  leaves,  bits  of  de- 
cayed wood  and  bark,  cijarse  blades  of  grass,  various  vegetable  libre.s,  lichens, 
fragments  of  insects,  mosses,  straws,  stems,  etc.  These  are  all  wraj.pcd  round' 
and  tirndy  bound  together  with  strong  hempen  filires  of  vegetables.  AVithin 
this  outer  enveloiie  is  an  iinier  nest,  made  of  the  liner  stems  of  grasses 
and  dry  needles  of  the  wliite  pine,  tirudy  interwoven.  For  the  size  d'  the 
bird,  these  nests  are  projwrtionally  larger  and  dee])er  than  any  others  of  the 
conuuon  kinds.     The  cavity  is  two  or  two  and  a  half  inches  deep. 

The  eggs  are  usually  live  in  nundier.  One  from  (leorgia  measures  .77  by 
.r.5  of  an  inch,  and  is  of  an  oljlong-oval  shai)e  ;  anotlier,  from  Massachusetts, 
is  nuich  more  broadly  ovate,  measuring  .80  by  .&!  Their  greatest  breadth' 
is  .Go  of  an  inch,  and  their  length  .80.  They  have  a  clear  crystal-white 
ground,  spotted  about  the  larger  end  with  line  dark-purple  and  redilish-brown 
dots. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  most  common  foster-parents  of  the  Cowbird, 
the  eggs  of  whi-h  are  always  lendcrly  cured  lor,  and  the  offspring  nurtured 
by  them,  always  to  the  destruction  of  their  own  nestlings. 


Vireo  huttoni,  Cassin. 

BUTTON'S  VIHEO. 

Vireo  hutf on!,  C.\ssix,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  Pliila.  1851,  If.O  (Moiiteivy,  Ca\.).^  In.  1832,  pi.  i, 
tig.  1.  —  B.viiii),  liinls  N.  Am.  1858,  33i),  \<\.  I.x.vviii,  W'^  -i;  l!,.v.  :i57.  SiLvrrii' 
P.  Z.  S.  1858,  ;iO-2  (Oa.xa.'^)  ;  18(12,  1!)  (La  Paiucla). -lii.  Catul.  ISGl,  358,  no.  25o! 
—  t'ooi'Eit,  Oni.  Cal.  I,  1870,  121. 

Sp.  Cpar.  (Xd.  .3,725.)  First  (luill  latli.T  loss  tliaii  lialf.sooond.  wliioh  aixnit  equals  tlu> 
tenth  ;  thinl  a  little  ImigiT  than  sovonth  ;  fourth  and  ni'tli  nuaily  equal,  uud  longest.  Tail 
slightly  rounded,  shorter  than  wings.  Bill  very 
small. 

Aliovo  olivc-grcoii ;  liri.ditcst  behind.  csprcMal- 
ly  on  rump  i  nd  edfring  of  tail,  duller  and  more 
a.sliy  towaids  and  on  top  an<l  siiles  ol'  head 
and  neck.  Wind's  with  two  hand:,  on  eoveits, 
and  outer  edi;es  cif  innermost  secondaries  ratlier 
hroadly  olivaeeous-wln'te ;  other  quills  edi;ed  e.x- 

...     II  ..1        ,.  ,  .'  Viri-n  huttoitu 

teniiilly  witli  olivo-peen,  paler  towards  outer 

primary;  internally  with  wlulish.     Lateral  lail-foathor  ed^ed  externally  with  yellowish- 
white.     Feathers  of  rump  with  much  concealed  yellowisli-gray. 


388  NORTH   AMKinCAN  fllllDS. 

I'lidur  parts  [lalc!  i)liviirci)iis-\'t.'lli)wisli ;  purest  licliiiid,  litrlitost  on  tho  throat  and  iibdo- 
nion  ;  llic  lii<'ast  nioro  olivaceous,  llu;  sides  slill  dooper  olivo-},'iueii,  the  :ist  soiled  with  a 
slii^ht  bully  liiii^e.  Axillais  and  erissuui  jellowisli ;  the  inside  of  \vini,'s  whilisli.  Loral 
R'<j;ion  and  a  narrow  spaee  around  eye?  dull-yellowish,  in  faint  contrast  to  the  olive  of  head. 
Hill  horn-eiilor  above,  paler  lielow  ;  legs  dusky. 

Total  lenuih,  4,7(1 ;  wiiijr,  2.4(t;  tail,  li.d");  dilfereiu'e  between  tenth  and  lonjfest  quills, 
.43;  exposed  iiorlion  of  lirst  primary,  .7-,  of  seeuiid,  1.52,  of  longest,  fourlli,  and  fd'th 
(measured  from  e.xposed  lia.se  of  (irsl  j)riniary).  !.!)();  length  of  bill  from  forehead,  .45,  from 
nostril,  .2!),  along  gape,  .<it>;  tarsu;;,  .72;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .50,  elaw  alone,  .10;  hind 
toe  and  elaw,  .45,  elaw  alone,  .22. 

IIah.  California  and  Western  -Me.xieo,  to  Oaxaea;  La  Parada  (8cL.)  ;  Orizaba  (alpine 
region,  resident,  Si'Mieim.). 

The  description  ,just  <j;iven  is  Itased  ii]i(m  the  ty])e  specimen,  ])iol)ably  in 
winter  phiinagc.  Sjn-ing  specimens  do  not  viiry  miiterinlly  except  in  oreater 
purity  of  wliite  edgings  of  the  leathers.  Two  Mexican  specimens  are  nitlier 
larifer,  tiie  winij;  measuring  1'. 50,  the  tail  l'..")0.  No  other  dill'erences  are 
ai»precialile.  In  oeneral  tlie  first  jniniary  is  about  half  the  second, sometimes 
ratlier  less. 

This  species  is  readily  distinguished  from  other  Vireos,  excepting  V. 
modesfim,  wliich  it  greatly  resendtles  in  tlie  small  bill,  form,  coloration,  and 
size  ;  nor  indceil  is  it  easy  to  sejiarate  tliem.  In  nioihstits,  however,  tlie 
first  quill  is  usually  more  than  half  tlie  second,  not  less;  the  wing  shorter, 
and  less  pointed  ;  the  tail  longer.  The  U})])er  jmrts  are  more  uniform,  not 
much  brighter  towards  rump. 

H.viiiTs.  Tliis  species  is  one  of  comparatively  recent  origin,  and  of  its  his- 
tory but  little  is  as  yet  known.  It  was  first  descrilied  hy  ( 'as.sin,  in  ISal,  from 
a  specimen  obtained  in  ^lonterey,  Cal.  It  has  lieen  found  in  various  ]iarts 
of  California,  in  the  valley  of  the  (Jila,  and  in  the  northern  and  eastern  por- 
tions of  Mexico.  Mr.  Sumichrast  gives  it  as  a  resident  of  the  alpine  region 
of  the  I)ei)artment  of  Vera  Cruz. 

iJr.  Cooper  has  observed  this  Mrd  near  San  Diego,  late  in  February,  where 
he  at  first  mistook  it  for  the  Iiuby-cr,)wned  Wren,  a  bird  that  winters  there 
in  .".ijundance,  and  which  he  states  resembles  this  sjiecies  closely  in  appear- 
ance and  habits.  Two  of  them  came  to  within  a  few  feet  of  where  he  .sat, 
scolding  in  a  liarsli  tone.  lie  recognized  then  tlieir  larger  size  and  different 
lilumage,  as  well  as  their  remarkably  large  eyes,  and  a  peculiar  slowness  and 
delilieiation  in  tiieir  nlovement^   .s  they  searched  the  foliage  for  insects. 

Dr.  Cooper  has  since  found  t.iem  wintering  plentifully  up  to  latitude  38°. 
Having  observed  but  few  of  them  in  the  Coast  IJange,  in  May,  he  thinks  that 
most  of  them  go  farther  north  in  summer.  At  Sau  Diego,  however,  he  shot 
a  female,  on  tlie  !)th  of  Marcii,  containing  an  egg  nearly  ready  to  be  laid, 
lie  had  not  been  alile  to  find  the  nest,  which  is  presumed  to  be  built  in  the 
dense  shade  of  the  evergreen  oaks  (Qitcirus  tnjfijhlvt).  Their  song  is  .said  to 
consist  of  ii  few  short  and  tuiaint  notes.  Among  the  memoranda  of  Mr. 
Xantus,  made  at  Fort  Tejoii,  I  find  the  following :  (No.  1,827.)  Nest  and 


VIREOMU.K  —  TIIK  VlRKOy. 


389 


ej,'j>s  of  Virco  huttoni,  Ibiiiid  May  8,  one  foot  from  the  grouml,  under  liij-li 
trees,  suspeiuled  from  three  hiyli  stems  of  weeds,  fastened  to  them,  but  very 
loosely  i)ut  together.  The  eg<;s  hud  been  incubated,  lie  furnished  no  fur- 
ther description  of  nest  or  eggs. 


192a 


Vireo  betlL 


Vireo  belli,  ^Aud. 

BELL'S  VIBEO. 

Vireo  belli,  Ai'i).  lUids  Am.  VII,  1844,  333,  pi.  ccccl.x.wv  (Missouri  River). —C.\.ssis, 
I'r.  A.  N.  Sc.  I'hilii.  18f)],  150.  —  Haikd,  lUids  N.  Am.  ISriS,  337;  l!<v.  358.— 
SiXATEIt,  Ciital.  IStil,  42,  no.  258.  —  IJo.n.  Coiis|i.  1850,  33U.  —  I'odI'i;!;,  Oiii.  t'lii.  I, 
1870.  123. 

Sp.  CiiAK.  (Xo.  1,020.)  Al)ovt;  olive-frm'ii,  biifrlitcst  on  till!  riinip  ;  tinjriMl  aiitorioily 
with  ashy  ;  llio  top  and  sides  of  head  ashy,  in  I'aint  contrast.  A  line  li-oin  nostrils  to  cvo 
(searocly  beyond  it),  and  eyelids  very  pale  yellowisii-white;  lores  dnsky.  Under  parts, 
inelnding  inner  wiiig-eovcrts,  and 
edjte  of  wing,  ereaniy-white  ;  tho 
sides,  axillars,  and  cri-ssum  pale  yel- 
low (sides  of  lower  neek  and  of 
breast  glos.sed  with  olivaceous,  laint- 
est  on  the  longer  feathers  of  the  lat- 
ter. Two  rather  narrow  bands  on  tho 
wing-coverts,  and  the  outer  edges  of 
innermost  secondaries  white ;  the 
other  (piills  edged  with  faded  olivaceous.  Inner  edges  of  quills  whitish.  Tail-feathers 
brown,  edged  externally  with  olive;  iulernally  fading  into  paler  l)rown.  Median  portion 
of  rump  feathers  concealed  with  pale  yellowish.  Bill  horn-color  above,  pale  below.  Legs 
plumlieous.     ••  Iris  lirown." 

Vir.st  ipiill  .spurious;  not  quite  lialf  the  second,  whicl.  Is  aliont  equal  to  tho  eighth  ;  tljjrd 
and  fourth  ([uills  longest ;  lillh  scarcely  .shorter.  Tail  nearly  even,  or  a  little  rounded,  the 
feathers  narrow. 

Total  length,  4.20;  wing,  2.18;   tail,  1.90;  tar.sns,  .7o. 

Had.  United  States,  from  Missouri  Kiver  to  liase  of  IJocky  Mountains;  Tehuantepee, 
Mexico   (October,   Su.michuast)  ;    Missoiu'i    (IIovJ ;    Iowa   (Allkx)  ;   Southeast    Illinois 

(UlOCWAV). 

The  above  description  is  taken  frnin  a  type  specimen  received  from  Mr. 
Audubon,  and  represent  i  l!>.e  average  si)ring  plumage.  Autumnal  skins  are 
rather  brighter,  and  there  is  occasionally  an  oclSaceous  tinge  on  the  white 
of  the  under  parts. 

This  species  at  first  siglit  ajipears  like  a  miniature  of  V.  ffi/rii.9,  the  head 
being  almost;  exactly  similar.  The  back  is,  however,  much  brigiiter  olive, 
the  sides  and  crissum  deejjer  yellow.  The  superciliary  light  strijie  is  sliorter. 
The  white  markings  of  tiie  wings  are  wanting  in  i/i/nis.  The  wing,  tail,  tuid 
feet  are  entirely  tlifl'erent  in  their  projjortions. 

Hahits.  This  sjiecies  was  first  imicured  by  'Mr.  Audubon's  ])arty  in  the 
excursion  to  the  Yellowstone  lUver,  in  what  is  now  known  as  J)akota  Ter- 


390  NOUTIt  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

litoiy.  In  his  account  of  it  Mr.  Audubon  states  that  it  is  usually  found  in 
tlie  bottom-lands  alonjf  tlie  shores  of  the  Upper  Missouri  IJiver,  from  tlie 
neij^liborhood  of  the  Jilack  Snake  Hills,  as  i'ar  as  they  ascended  that  river.  In 
its  habits  lie  describes  it  as  more  nearly  allied  to  the  Wliite-eyed  Vireo  than 
any  other. 

Dr.  Woodhouse,  in  liis  report  of  the  Zufii  Iiiver  Kxpedition,  mentions  find- 
ing this  species  alnnulant  in  Te.xas.  Mr.  Dresser  also  speaks  of  it  as  not 
unconnnon,  during  the  sunnner,  near  San  Antonio,  and  remaining  there  to 
breed.  He  mentions  finding  a  nest  on  the  2d  of  duly  in  a  ireaakhe  bush 
near  the  San  Pedro,  containing  three  eggs  of  tliis  species  and  one  of  the  Covv- 
IJunting.  IJeing  an.xious  t(»  procure  tlie  parent  bird  ho  left  it,  but  on  his 
return  the  nest  had  been  torn  ai  d  the  Vireo's  eggs  smashed.  Dr.  lleermann 
found  a  nest  on  tlie  Medina  about  tiie  same  time.  Ho  describes  tliis  nest  as 
beautifully  formed  of  fine  grasses,  and  hung  from  the  small  twigs  of  a  tree. 
Tlie  eggs,  four  in  number,  were  very  small,  white,  with  an  occasional  re<ldis]i 
dot  at  the  larger  end.  The  nest  found  by  Dr.  lleermann  was  attached  to  the 
pendent  twigs  of  a  willow.  Tlie  stomachs  of  these  Vireos  were  found  to 
contain  small  green  caterpillars. 

Dr.  Cones  met  with  this  species  near  Fort  Riley,  May  23.  It  appeared  to 
be  quite  common,  and  was  found  inhabiting  tiiickets  and  clumps  of  bushes, 
like  V.  noveboracensis,  but  having  a  very  different  song,  the  yteculiarity  of 
which  first  attracted  his  attention.  Mr.  IJidgway  found  it  to  be  a  common 
summer  resident  in  the  thickets  and  copses  of  Southern  Illinois,  especially  in 
the  prairie  districts.  He  first  met  with  it  on  the  8th  of  Ji'.ue,  1871,  on  Fox 
Prairie,  in  Ilichlaud  County.  His  attention  was  drawn  to  it  by  its  peculiar 
song,  whicli  has  a  general  resemblance  to  that  of  the  White-eyed  Vireo,  hav- 
ing the  same  odd  delivery,  l)ut  being  more  sputtering,  reminding  one  some- 
what of  the  song  of  Troi//o(ff/li's  arfoii. 

This  Vireo  appears  to  have  quite  an  extended  distribution  during  the 
breeding-season,  or  from  Texas  to  the  Upper  Missouri,  and  even  as  far  as  the 
eastern  edge  of  Southern  Illinois.  It  breeds  .also  as  far  to  the  east  as  East- 
ern Kansas.  Its  western  limits  are  not  so  clearly  defined.  It  was  not  found 
by  Mr.  Ridgv.ay  in  Nevada  or  Utah,  nor  by  Dr.  Coues  in  Arizona. 

A  nest  of  this  species,  found  in  June,  near  Neosho  Falls,  Kansas,  by  Mr. 
B.  F.  Go.ss  (S.  I.  Coll.,  1,875),  is  pensile ;  suspendeil  from  two  snudl  twigs,  which 
make  the  basis  of  tliree  fourtiis  of  its  rim.  Over  tliese  is  strongly  bound 
a  finely  felted  webbing  of  the  ihix-like  fibres  of  plants,  interwoven  with 
slender  stems.  With  these  .are  connected  and  interwoven  also  the  materials 
tliat  m.ake  up  the  ])eriphery  of  tlie  nest  itself.  Tiiis  is  composed  of  long 
and  slender  stri])3  of  uark,  friigments  of  dry  leaves,  bits  of  wood,  and  various 
other  fragmentary  substances.  The  nest,  unlike  others  of  this  family,  is 
lined  with  down,  and  the  fine  long  hair  of  some  aiiim.als,  instead  of  with 
vegetable  stems.  The  diameter  as  well  as  the  height  ot  this  nest  is  about 
two  aud  a  half  inches. 


V IRE(  )NrD.'I-:  —  THE  VIREOS. 


391 


Ano  Ijer   nest  fro.n  West  Texas,  obtained  by  C'aptain  Pope,  is  essen- 
tially d,  lerent  ,n  its  general  characteristics.     It  is  three  inches  in  diame- 
ter, and  but  one  incli  and  three  quarters  high.     The  opening  is  circular  but 
only  one  and  a  halt  inches  wi,le.     Below  the  rim  the  cavity  widens  until 
:s  two  and  a  halt  inches  in  diameter.     The  outer  nest  is  ma.le  up  o/a 
interweaving  of  hne  strips  of  bark  and  dry  leaves,  intermi.xed   with  and 
hrmly  bound  around  by  strong  Ha.x-like  fibres  of  different  plants.     Within 
It  is  lined  with  hue  flexible  grasses  and  steins  of  plants 

The  ,^  of'  this  .species  are  from  .73  to  .70  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  from 
.02  to  .5b  m  breadth.     They  are  pure  white,  sparingly  spotted  wih  fine  r 
dots  distributed  around  the  laroer  end.  o  J-    i      t^u  niic  len 


Vireo  pusillus,  Coles. 

I.EAST  VIREO. 

nrcopusmu.,  r,H-Ks.  P...  A.  N.  Se.  Phila.  1866.  -  n.uu.  Rev.  Am.  R.  360.  -  Elliot, 
Illu  .^,,.d«^  A.I,vn.-C..o,.Ku,  Om.Cal.  I,  1370.  Ui.  >  rirco  helli,  VooLl 
Ti:  Cal.  Acad.  1S61,  122  (Fort  iloliave). "  '  ^"""•''' 

but  nallc  .  IM  very  .s,„all ;  tar...  lo,>Ktl..MCMl.  AVi„,,s  about  equal  t„  the  tail,  wbicl.  i 
lengtheue. ,  grac  uate,  au.l  with  tbo  IL-athcs  nanow  and  poiatui  Exposed  p  rt  J  fir 
prmiai-y   about  hair  that  of  the  sec-  t-u  pai  i,  oi  ursi 

end,  which  i.s  intermediate  between 
.seventh  and  eighth ;  the  fourth  and 
fifth  longe.st. 

Above  gniyish-ash,  with  a  tinge  of 
olive  behind.  Beneath,  including  the 
in.side  of  the  wing.s,  white,  with  a 
soiled  tinge  on  the  .sides  of  the 
throat  and  across  the  breast.     Axil- 


31893 


Virrn  pusillus. 


IrZl,?'f  ;r'""""^  "  '?'"'  '"""^  "'■  ^-^-'-y-""^--  Ey^-li'l^  and  a  short  line  fi-om 
the  nost,  s  to  the  eye  wlnt.sh ;  no  other  stripe  apparent.  A  dusky  loral  spot.  Prin.arv 
CO  er,s  edged  n.d.stn.cly  with  whitish,  producing  an  obscure  band  (a  second  on  the  nZ 
do  coverts  hanlly  appreciable).  Quills  and  tail-feathers  edged  externally  with  pale  ^ra  i  - 
ohve  the  nutennost  secondaries  with  whitish.  Ri.l  dusk;  above,  whitish  be  ea  h!  i  . 
phn  .beous.  Ir,s  o(  two  .specin,en.s  n.arke.l  as  '  light  brown,"  of  another  as  '■  rufous.'' 
23  7«ri"4'8,)T'"*;""'V  '7  ['■"'"''"  -•V«--i.  of  color  fron.  No.  23,788:  Length,  of 
?;  lilllel!        7  -^-h,  o    sk.n,4.2o;  wing,  2.2:^ ;  tail,  2.25;  bill  above,  .37; 'tardus, 

i::!:c:So:i.r  t^:^;S::::tr "" ""  •"• '"''  ^"""'  ■'' '  --'  ^•"" 

(rHowa.?"'  ^''  ^"'"''  ^"^  ^''"^" '  ^''"'  ^^'"''"'"'  "•"'  •■^'•'^°"-'''  Sacramento,  California 

This  species  scarcely  needs  comparison  with  any  other,  except,  perhaps. 
V  pollens  of  Middle  America,  which,  however,  besi.les  belongin-.  to  HrL 
ne/fa  and  not  ^o,  as  restricted,  differs  in  many  n.inor.  but  no  less  essential 
points.     The  coloration  of  the  two  is  remtirkably  .similar,  but  pu^inns  has 


392  NORTH  AMKHKJAN  151 KDS. 

only  one  indistinct  hintl  on  the  wini,',  instead  of  two  sharply  detined  ones. 
The  bill  is  ninch  sniuller,  and  the  tail  lon<;cr,  tlian  in  pai/tnu.  I',  belli  is 
less  ashy  above  and  less  pnie  white  beneath,  the  sides  nmch  more  yellow- 
ish ;  the  win<,'  is  also  lonj^er,  and  the  tail  nuich  shorter.  V.  viciniur  is 
much  larger,  with  tlie  wing  longer  than  the  tail,  instead  of  shorter;  the  ash 
above  has  a  bluish  instead  of  a  greenish  cast ;  the  lores  are  wholly  grayish- 
white,  etc. 

H.viiiTS.  Tlie  Least  Virco  is  a  recently  described  species  of  its  genus,  and 
one  in  regard  to  whose  history  comparatively  little  has  been  ascertained.  It 
Avas  first  met  with  at  Cape  St.  Lucas  by  Mr.  Xuntus,  and  described  by  Dr. 
Coues  in  ISGO.  Dr.  Cones  assigns  as  its  habitat  Lower  and  Southern  (.'ali- 
fornia,  Sonora,  and  Arizona,  at  least  as  far  north  as  Fort  Wliipple.  Dr. 
( 'ooper  also  found  it  at  Fort  Mohave.  I  )r.  ( 'ones  met  with  it  fifty  miles  .south 
of  Fort  'VV'hip])le,  where  he  found  it  breeding  abundantly.  He  gives  no  in- 
formation in  regard  to  its  habits.  Dr.  Cooper  states  that  he  found  it  rather 
common  along  the  ujipcr  part  of  Mohave  liivcr,  in  June,  1801  ;  and  in  the 
following  si)ring,  about  Ajnil  2(1,  they  began  to  arrive  at  San  Diego  in  con- 
siderable numbers.  In  its  habits  Dr.  Cooper  thinks  it  greatly  resembles  V. 
f/i/nis,  though  it  differs  entirely  in  its  song.  The  notes  of  those  that  he  heard 
singing  resembled  very  nmch  tliose  of  the  Polioptilus  uttering  a  quaint  rni.x- 
ture  of  the  notes  of  the  Wrens,  Swallows,  and  Yireos.  They  also  .seem  to 
]iossess  more!  or  less  of  imitative  powers.  At  Sacramento  he  saw  and  heard, 
in  the  willows  along  the  river,  individuals  which,  from  their  peculiar  notes, 
he  had  no  doubt  were  of  this  sj)ecies,  but  he  did  not  verify  his  conjectures. 
His  suppositions  were  confirmed  later  by  the  observations  of  Mr.  Iiidgway, 
who  states  that  he  found  these  birds  the  most  abundant  as  well  as  the  most 
characteristic  Crreenlet  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento.  It  is  a  species,  he 
adds,  easily  recognized,  being  in  all  respects  (piite  distinct  from  any  other. 
The  character  of  its  notes,  as  well  as  its  habits,  .show  it  to  be  a  true  Vireo. 
Its  song,  though  weaker,  bears  a  great  resemblance  to  that  of  the  White-eyed. 
A  nest  of  this  species  was  found  by  him  near  Sacramento.  It  was  placed 
about  three  feet  i'rom  the  groiuid,  in  a  low  bush  in  a  copse  of  willows.  Like 
all  the  nests  of  this  genus  it  was  pensile,  being  attached  to  and  su.s])ended 
from  the  twigs  of  a  branch. 

Two  nests  of  this  interesting  s])ecies  were  also  obtained  near  (^amp  Grant, 
Arizona,  in  1807,  by  Dr.  E.  I'almer.  They  are  wrought  like  all  the  nests  of 
this  kind,  lielow  the  small  forked  branches  of  a  tree,  suspended  from  the  ex- 
tremity of  its  twigs.  They  each  have  a  diameter  of  about  three  and  a  half 
inches,  a  height  of  two,  with  a  cavity  an  inch  and  a  half  decj)  and  two  wide. 
The  external  jiortion,  like  the  nests  of  the  /'!  Ix'lli,  is  wrought  witli  wo\'en 
hemp-like  vegetable  fibres,  strongly  bound  around  the  ends  of  the  twigs  and 
covering  the  entire  exterior.  Within  tliis  is  placed  a  strong,  fiindy  made 
basket,  composed  of  .slender  strips  of  bark  and  long,  fine,  and  Hexil)le  pine- 
needles,  with  a  lining  of  finer  materials  of  the  same.     In  one  of  these  nests 


VIRE()NID.E  -  THE  VIREOS. 


393 


there  were  three  eggs  of  the  Yiroo,  and  one  of  a  Mohthrm  (ohson-m  ?)  The 
onner  were  of  a  bright  crystalHno  whiteness,  n.urkecl  w,th  very  uanute  and 
hauUy  Oscern, hie  spots  of  red.  and  n.easure  .60  by  M  of  L  inch.  The 
egg  ot  the  1/./„M,.«„  e.xcept  in  its  nu.cli  smaller  size,  is  hardly  distin- 
guishable ironi  those  of  the  eonnnou  M  j^ccoris,  and  measures  .75  by  50  of 
an  mch.  j  -^^  "• 

In  the  other  nest  were  also  three  eggs  of  the  Vireo.  They  corres,.ond  in 
size,  but  are  n.nch  more  distn.ctly  n.arked  with  larger  spots  of  a  chrk  red 
and  reddish-brown.  In  this  nest  there  is  a  son.ewhat  larger  proportion  of 
hne  strips  ot  nu.er  bark,  and  mixed  with  these  are  also  a  lew  silky  inject 
cocoons  by  means  of  MO.ich  the  nest  is  fa-mly  hound  around  the  twigs  from 
which  the  whole  is  suspended. 


Vireo  vicinior,   Coue.s. 

ABIZOKA  VISEO. 

ry..o  .w«w.  roTKs,  p,,  a.  n.  s..  riui«.  i8««._B.vmn,  Rcv.  a,,,,  b.  sgi. 

must.  Liids  >.  A.  I,  vu.-C'u.ii.jii!,  Oru.  Cal.  1,  1870,  125. 


-Kl.MOT, 


Sp   Chah.     (No  40,09-  J.)     Bill  stout,  oonsideral.ly  cou.prc.sod  and  deep.     Wir,.s 

than  hall  the  .second,  winch  about  equals 
ninth  and  tlie  .secondaries ;  the  fointli  and 
mid    fiah  lonprest.      Tarsus    considciahly 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  lateral 
toes  quite  conspicuous  for  their  dispropor- 
tion, the  inner  claw  reaching  only  tobaseof 
outer,  and  falling  short  of  base  of  middle; 
the  terminal  digit  of  inner  too    reaching 
only  to  end  of  second  joint  of  middle  toe. 
Upper   parts,  with   sides  of  hi'ad   and 
neck,  ashy  or  light  phnnbeous,  faintly  oli- 
vaceous on  rmnp.    Beneath  white  ;  slightly 
ashy  on   sides  of  breast.     Flaidvs  and  in- 
side of  wings  .showing  a  faint  trace  of  yel- 
low, only  appreciable  on  raising  the  wiiigs. 
An  obsolete  line   from  bill  to  eye,  and'' a 
more  distinct  ring  round  the  eye,  white. 
No  bands  on  the  wing,  cxcvpt  aVaint  edging  of  wintish  on  the  greater  coverts ;  the  qnilk 

E-:^'^:':.;'""  ^^'"-"- •"■•■■"--  "^-i— ,.  Mouthiid, 

Tol^t/7"-'in^  ''"'"'  ''"^""'  '""'  "^'"""''  "'■"'"^^'  ««'^-  T-repared  specimen- 
Total  lengh,  o  0,  w.ng,  2.50:  tail,  •>.«.),  its  graduation,.'.-:  diirercnce  of  tenth  an.l 
ongest  qu.lls,  .4. ;  e.vpo.sed  portion  of  fn.t  pri.nary,  .80,  of  second,  l.Go.  of  longest  (meas- 

o  trd   .32,  along  gape,  .61  ;  depth  of  bill,  .IS:  tar.sns,  .72;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .51 
claw  alone,  .!(,;  hmd  toe  and  claw,  .40,  claw  alone,  .1!). 
IIab,     Prescott,  Arizona. 
60 


40C07 


Vireo  vicinior. 


394  NORTH  AMERICAN.  BIRDS. 

Tliis  species  miglit  at  first  sij,'lit  be  taken  tVtr  a  small  specimen  of  V.  plum- 
hcus,  the  colors,  diameter  of  bill,  etc.,  being  very  similar,  except  that  tlie  white 
of  lores  and  around  eye  is  much  less  distinct,  the  lore  without  any  blackish 
before  the  eye,  and  there  is  only  one  fai!it  band  on  wing,  instead  of  two  con- 
spicuous ones ;  the  tail-feathers,  too,  lack  the  distinct  white  edgings.  Tiie 
much  more  rounded  wing,  and  the  first  i)rimary  half  the  second  or  more, 
will,  however,  readily  distinguish  them.  The  form  of  the  bird  is  very  much 
that  of  V.  pimil/iis,  which  it  resembles  considembly  also  in  color.  The  outer 
quill  is,  however,  longer,  the  bill  deeper  and  more  comi)res.sed,  the  inner  lat- 
eral toe  considerably  shorter,  and  the  size  larger.  The  colors  are  purer,  with- 
out the  olive  of  the  back  or  the  yellowish  of  the  under  parts ;  the  bill,  too, 
is  entirely  dark  plumbeous,  instead  of  horn-color,  whitish  beneath.  From 
V.  pallcns  it  is  distinguished  by  a  smaller,  darker  bill ;  longer  tail  and  wing  ; 
one  wing-band,  not  two ;  and  purer  colors. 

Habits.  In  regard  to  the  habits  of  this  well-marked  but  very  rare  species 
but  little  is  as  yet  known.  It  was  first  described,  in  18GG,  by  Dr.  Coues, 
from  a  single  specimen  obtained  by  him  near  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona.  It 
was  shot  May  4,  1865,  and  is  supposed  by  Dr.  Coues  to  be  a  sunnner  resi- 
dent of  Arizona  wintering  in  the  Gila  and  the  Lower  Colorado  Valleys,  or  in 
Sonera. 


AMPELlDJi  —  THE  CHATTEliEKS.  395 


Family  AMPELIDJE.  —  The  Chatterkrs. 

The  cliaracteristics  of  the  Ampdidm  have  already  been  presented  in  the 
synopsis  of  allied  families ;  chief  amony  them,  the  short,  broad,  depressed, 
and  triangular  bill  with  short  gonys,  the  deeply  cleft  mouth,  the  short  tarsus, 
and  tiie  tendency  to  subdivison  of  its  lateral  plates. 

The  South  American  genus,  Dtdus,  probably  forms  the  type  of  a  subfamily 
Dulinw,  characterized  by  the  nmch  arclied  gape  of  mouth,  the  metatarsal 
scutelliB  in  two  series,  and  the  body  streaked  beneath,  as  in  young  Ampclis. 
The  two  other  subfamilies  may  be  defined  as  follows :  — 

Subfamilies. 

Common  Characters.     Gapo  of  moulli  nearly  straight.     Metatarsal  scutellie  in 
three  series.     Body  |)lain  beneath. 

Ampelinn.  Wings  very  long  and  much  pointed,  longer  than  the  short, 
even  tail.  Firii,  primary  excessively  rudimentary  ;  the  outermost  about  the 
longest.  Gape  without  bristles.  Frontal  leathers  extending  forward  beyond 
the  nostrils. 

Ptilogonatin».  Horny  appendages  like  red  sealing-wax  at  end  of  shaft  of 
>i  eondaries.  Wings  rounded,  shorter  than  the  graduated  tail.  First  primary 
nearly  half  the  second.  Gape  well  bristled.  Frontal  feathers  falling  short  of 
the  nostrils.    No  red  horny  ai)pendago  to  wing-feathers. 


Rdbfamily    AMFELIN.S1. 

Char.  Legs  moderate.  Nostrils  elongated,  linear,  with  the  frontal  feathers  extending 
close  to  the  edge  and  to  anterior  extremity,  concealing  them ;  the.se  feathers  short,  vel- 
vety, and  erect,  with  few  bristles.  Wings  very  long  and  a.  ute;  outer  or  fn-st  primary  so 
much  reduced  as  to  bo  almost  inai>preci.'iblG ;  the  second  nearly  the  longest.  Wing  neaWy 
twice  the  length  of  the  .short,  narrow,  even  tail.  Under  coverts  of  tail  reaching  almost  to 
its  tip.  Secondary  quills  with  flat  horny  append.iges  at  end  of  shaft  like  red  sealing-wax. 
Young  birds  streaked  beneath  as  in  Biihts.     Adults  plain. 

Of  this  family  as  restricted,  we  have  but  a  single  genus  in  America. 


Genls   AMPELIS,  Linn. 

Ampelh,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  12th  ed.  I,  1766,  297.     (Type,  Lanius  gamclus,  L.     Named 
Linnseus  in  1735.) 

Gen.  Char.  Tail  even.  Tertials  and  secondaries  with  horny  appendages  like  red  seal- 
ing-wax.   A  well-developed  soft  crest. 

A  more  elaborate  diagnosis  of  this  genus  could  be  readily  given  (see  Eev. 
Am.  Birds,  404),  but  the  above  characters,  as  entirely  peculiar,  will  serve  to 
establish  it 


396  NOinil  AMHIIICAN  IIIHD.S, 

Species. 

Common  Ciiaractkrs.  A  U'li^rtlii'iuMl  crest  of  sofi.lili'n(lo(l  fi-atliors.  Colors,  soil 
silky  l)|-o\viiisli  becoiuiiif,'  liioiv  viiiiiceoiis  antcrioi'ly,  and  ashy  iiostrrioily  al)ove. 
A  Mack  sti-i|H'  on  siilc  of  head,  IVoni  nasal  leathcis  across  lores  lhi'iiuy:li  llie  eye 
and  bciiind  it  henealh  crest,  and  a  pnlcli  of  the  same  on  chin,  with  a  whiter  streak 
between  them,  on  side  ol'  lower  jaw. 

A.  Win;,'  varie^'ated.  Lciwcr  tail-coverts  rnfous.  Crest  innch  dt^veloped. 
Forehead  and  side  of  head  hri^dit  pnriilisli-nil'ona.  Black  patch  covering 
wliolt!  throat,  and  sharply  delined.  No  white  lino  between  black  of  lore, 
etc.,  and  brown  of  forehead.  Inner  web.s  of  priuiaries  tipped  narrowly  with 
white. 

a.  Terminal  band  of  tail  red. 

A.  phcenicopterum.'     tJreater  cov(.'rts  tipped  with  red,  producing 
a  band  across  the  winu:.     Xo  yellow  on  tip8  of  primaries.     Hah. 
Japan  and  Eastern  Siberia. 
h.  Tcnninal  Ijand  of  tail  yollow. 

A.  garruIuB.     Secondaries  and  primary  coverts  tipped  with  white, 
forming'  two  broad  short  l)ands.    Primaries  with  outer  webs  tipped 
with  yellow.     Iluh.    Arctic  re^'ions  of  both  hemispheres;  in  win- 
ter south  into  northern  United  States,  and  alonjr  Rocky  Mountains 
as  far  as  Fort  Massachnsetts,  New  Mexico. 
B>    Wind's  unvaiie^ateil.     Lower  tail-eoverts  white.     Crest  moderately  de- 
velojied.     Forehead,  etc.,   not  dill'crent  from  crest.     Chin  only  black,  this 
fading  nrradually  into  the  lirown  of  throat.     A  •.vliite  lino  between  blank  of 
lore,  etc.,  and  brown  of  forehead.     Inner  webs  of  primaries  not  tipped  with 
white. 

a.  Terminal  band  of  tail  3'ellow. 

A.  cedrorum.  Wiiifr  bluish-ashy.  ILtb.  Whole  of  North  Amer- 
ica, from  'yl°  N.,  south  (ia  winter?)  to  Guatemala;  Jamaica  and 
Cuba  in  winter. 


Ampelis  garrulus,  Lixx. 

NOBTHESN  WAXWINO;  BOHEMIAN  CHATTEBEB. 

Lanitis  (jarnthi.i,  Linn.  "  Fainia  Suecien,  2,  no.  82."  — In.  Syst.  Nat.  10th  ed.  17.58,  95. 
AmiKliK  (jKi-ndiiK,  Ll NX.  Syst.  Nat.  ]2tli  (■<!.  IVflti,  2!I7  (Emopc).  —  Baiiso,  Birds  N. 
Am.  1858,  317  ;  Hcv.  Wa.  —  Boai-.dman,  Pr.  Bust.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  IX,  1802,  120 
(Calais,  Mc).  —  CitorKii,  Pr.  Cal.  Acad.  II,  1861  (18(i3),  122  (Fort  Mohave,  Ar.). 
liumhiH-iUu  ijiirruhi.  Box.  Zoiil.  Jour.  Ill,  1827,  .50.  —  Rim.— Am.  Orii.  Bio^'.  IV,  402, 
1)1.  cccl.xiii.  —  In.  Bird.s  Am.  IV,  169,  pi.  ocxlvi.  —  Mavnaud,  B.  E.  Mass,  107.  —  Dam, 
&  BANXlsri:it,  280  (Alaska). —Coopkr,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  127.  —  Samcei.s,  Birds  N. 
Eii<;.  264.  Ihimlijicilla  (jdi-riiht,  Ki;vs.  &  Bi.as.  VVirb.  Kuropas,  1840, 167.  — Dkolaxh, 
Ornith.  Europ.  I,  184f»,  34!)  (Europcnti).  —  Woi.i.kv,  Pr.  Z.  S.  1857,  55  (iiest  and  orcffs). 
—  Nkwton,  Ibis,  1861,  92,  pi.  iv  (nesting). —Nokdm ANN,  Cab.  Jour.  VI,  1858,  307, 
and  VII,  1859,  pi.  i  (iicstiiif,').     (European.) 

Other  figures  :  Bon.  Am.  Orn.  Ill,  pi.  xvi. 

1  Bombi/cWa  phmnicnptcritm,  Ti:mm.  PI.  Col.  II,  183S  ;  pi.  4.50.  Tho  A.  phmxirnp/rriim  is 
stated  by  Temminck  to  have  the  nasd  seta;  so  .short  as  to  leave  the  nostrils  exposed,  and  to  lack 
the  sealing-wax  appendages  ;  the  latter  condition  may,  however,  result  from  the  immaturity  of 
the  specimen,  as  it  is  very  eonnuou  to  find  the  same  thing  in  individuals  of  the  other  species. 


AMPKMD.K  —  TlIK  CIIATTKUKUS. 


397 


Sp.  CiiAK.  Crest  l('nf,'tliiMic(l.  liody  ffciiiTiilly  soU,  silky  lirDwnisli-iishy,  willi  ii  ]iiii|)lisli 
cast,  the  win^-i'ovfrts  mill  sciqiiilars  uioic  liidwiiisli,  lii'i'oiniiij;  iiiort'  rt'ildish  luiteiimiy 
ftlid  iisliy  pnsti'iiorly ;  tlic  niin|i  iiiid  uihr'!'  lail-i'dvcils,  as  well  as  llic  sccDiidaiics,  licinj; 
nearly  piiro  asli.  Anteriorly  tin-  edlur  [lasses  i,na(liially  inin  deep  viiiaeeDiis-eliestiiiil  on 
till'  Hireliead  to  beliiiid  tlie  eye  and  on  llie  ilieeks  :  alidimien  yellnwisii-wiiile.  Lower 
tuil-eoverts  deep  chestuul.  A  siripe  on  siih'  ol'  lln'  lieail,  eoverinj;  liie  lores  and  nasal 
Icutliera  (scnreuly  nieelinj,'  across  the  Inrelii'ail),  invoivinj;  the  eye  and  eontiinied  liaek  to- 
ward llio  oeeiput  and  lieiieatli  the  ei'est,  with  a  larne  patch  eoverini,'  the  eliili  and  throat, 
Ueupbluuk;  a  narrow  cresueiit  on  lower  eyeliil,  antl  u  short  stripu  bctwoen  the  black  ol' 


the  throat  and  that  of  the  chin  at  the  base  of  the  lower  niandiblc,  two  very  broad  bars  on 
the  wing,  one  across  ends  of  primary  coverts,  and  the  other  across  ends  of  secondaries  (the 
first  ocenpying  both  webs,  and  the  latter  the  onter),  white.  Primary  coverts,  primaries, 
and  tail  slaty-blaek,  the  latter  frrowiiif;  gradually  ashy  basallv.  A  broad  banil  across  end 
of  tail,  and  a  longitudinal  space  along  end  of  outer  web  of  priinaiios.  gaMil)oge-yellow,  — 
the  marks  on  primaries,  however,  sometimes  while,  oidy  stained  with  yellow.  Each  of  the 
.secondaries  with  an  expanded  continuation  of  the  shaft,  in  form  of  flattened,  very  thin, 
somewhat  elliptical  appendages,  of  a  bright  veiniilinn-icd  resembling  red  sealing-wax.  iMe. 
with  the  white  of  outer  web  of  primaries  continued  around  end  of  inner  welis  also. 
Female  without  white  on  terminal  edge  of  inner  webs  of  primaries,  and  with  the  "seal- 
ing-wax "  appendages  smaller.     F(i"»7  not  seen.     Length,  7.40;  wing,  4. ;")(*;  tail,  3.00. 

Ham.  Nortbt.'rn  parts  of  Europe,  Amerii'a,  and  .\sia.  In  America  not  hitherto  found 
in  the  Paeide  Province.  In  winter  extending  along  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  Plains 
as  far  south  as  Fort  Massachusetts  and  Kort  Uiley ;  regular  visitor  to  .shores  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan and  Lake  Erie.  East  of  this  rarely  seen  along  the  United  States  border.  Fort  Mo- 
have (???)  (COOPKI!). 

The  specimen  seen  by  Dr.  Coo[)er,  at  Fort  Mohave,  if  really  of  this  spe- 
cies, fixes  the  most  western  locality  on  record. 

For  many  years  anthentic  eji^s  of  the  Bohemian  Chatterer  were  greatly 
sought  after,  but  it  was  not  until  IHHO  that  any  were  brmioht  to  the  notice 
of  the  scientific  world,  when  the  late  Mr.  H.  Wolley  di.scovered  them  in 
Lapland.  Early  du))licates  from  his  collection  were  sold  at  five  guineas  each, 
and  altiiough  a  good  many  have  since  been  obtained,  they  are  yet  consid- 
ered as  great  jirizes.  A  nest,  with  its  eggs,  of  those  collected  by  Mr.  Wol- 
ley, has  been  presented  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  by  Mr.  Alfred  Newton. 
The  only  instances  on  record  of  their  discovery  in  America  are  of  a  nest  and 
one  egg  by  Mr.  Kennicott,  on  the  Yukon,  in  1861,  and  a  nest  and  single  egg 


'^\)^  NOUTll  AMHIIICAN-HIIJDS. 

on  tlie  Audcrsou  Jtivcr,  liy  Mr.  MiiclMirltme,  Itotli  of  which,  witli  tliu  feiimlt' 
1  111  routs,  an;  in  tlio  iKisscssioii  of  t\w,  Institution.  Altii(iujj;li  there  i.s  fru- 
(lUiMitly  considuriiblo  dillurunue  bowoen  inilivichiiils,  there  appears  to  bu  mu 
iliircrcMco  iietweon  those  from  the  two  continents. 

llADirs.  The  Wa.xwin;;  is,  in  many  respects,  one  of  tlio  most  interestinj,' 
anil  remarkahle  of  tlie  hirtls  of  Xorth  America.  The  rovini,'  character  of  its 
life,  the  mystery,  still  only  imperfectly  solveil,  of  its  habits  and  residence 
diirinj^  its  breedin^f-season,  and  its  somewhat  cosmopolitan  residence  in  Ku- 
rojie,  Asia,  and  America,  impart  to  it  an  interest  tiiat  attaches  to  but  few 
otiier  sjiecies.  Thiiuj,'h  not  common  in  any  portions  of  the  Tnitcd  States, 
and  only  appearinj^  at  all  diirinj,'  midwinter,  yet  in  the  more  northern  States, 
in  which  it  is  occasionally  found,  it  moves  in  such  larj,'e  Hocks,  and  is  so 
noticeable  and  con.spicnous  a  bird,  that  it  never  fails  to  make  a  lasting  im- 
pression, and  hardly  seems  to  us  so  very  rare  as  it  undoubtedly  is. 

In  a  single  instance,  in  midwinter,  somowhtro  about  1H44,  duriu},'  a  severe 
snow-storm,  a  hirge  Hock  of  these  birds  made  their  ajijiearance  in  lloston,  and 
alighted  on  a  large  horse-chestnut  tree  that  stood  in  an  open  and  retired 
place.  There  were  at  least  twenty  or  thirty  in  the  flock  ;  they  remained  in 
thei>'  shelter  undisturbed  for  sume  time,  and  their  true  specific  character 
was  plainly  noticeable. 

Several  specimens  were  procured  near  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  given  to  Dr. 
liryant.  Eleven  individuals  of  this  species  were  shot  in  Bolton  by  Mr.  S. 
.Tillson,  January,  1804,  and  others  have  since  been  noticed  in  Watertown  by 
Mr.  William  Drewster.  They  have  also  been  obtained  near  Hartford,  Conn., 
by  Dr.  Wfiod. 

Prior  to  this,  as  ]\Ir.  Audubon  states,  specimens  had  been  procured  near 
riiiladeljihia,  and  in  the  winters  of  1880  and  1832  several  of  these  birds 
were  also  shot  on  Long  Island. 

Mr.  Uoardman  mentions  that  they  are  occasional,  in  winter,  near  Calais  ; 
and  Professor  Verrill,  who  did  not  meet  with  it  in  Norway,  Me.,  cites  it  as 
accidental  and  rare  in  the  State. 

It  is  not  common  in  the  Arctic  regions.  Specimens  of  the  bird  were 
obtained  on  Anderson  Kiver,  in  18()2,  by  Mr.  MacFarlane,  but  he  was  not 
able  to  find  the  nest.  At  Fort  Yukon,  July  4,  Mr.  Kennicott  met  with 
tlie  nest  of  this  species.  The  nest,  which  contained  but  one  egg,  was  about 
eighteen  feet  from  the  ground,  and  was  built  on  a  side  branch  of  a  small 
spruce  that  was  growing  at  the  outer  edge  of  a  clump  of  thick  spruces,  on 
low  ground.  The  nest  was  large,  the  base  being  made  of  small,  dry  sprnce 
twigs.  Internally  it  was  constructed  of  fine  gra.ss  and  moose-hair,  and  lined 
thickly  with  large  feathers.  The  female  was  shot,  as  she  rose  i'rom  her  nest, 
by  Mr.  Kennicott's  hunter,  who  had  concealed  himself  near  the  spot  for  that 
])urpose.  Mr.  Kennicott  had  seen  the  nest  and  both  parents  near  it  before 
it  w  as  taken,  and  had  thoroughly  satisfied  himself  as  to  its  complete  identi- 
fication. 


AMrKLII),K-TIIK  CIIATTKIIKUS.  3()() 

I^nss  spenks  nl'  tliciii  as  not  nirc  tliioii^liuiit  tlic  distrirt  m  wliicli  tlicy 
winter,  lull  ynt  not  iiiiiiu'nuis.  He  lulds  tluit  at  (livat  IVar  Lake  tlicy  avo 
very  iiliaitilul,  and  iliat  they  aru  it'|)(iitL'il  to  lu'st  tlicrc.  Mr.  I  (all  states 
tliat  they  wero  (iiiite  eoiiinidii  at  Niilato,  wlioru  tliuy  tlid  not  arrive  lu'lore 
.fuiu!  Id,  or  later.  Ho  olitaiia-d  a  niindier  of  skins  I'roni  the  Indians,  taken 
in  ids  al)senee.  He  adds  thai  it  brouds,  and  its  eggs  have  been  obtained  at 
Fort  Yukon. 

Except  in  ii  few  instances,  wliere  Dr.  Cooper  noticed  this  sjK'cies,  in 
Septendier,  at  Fort  Jjirande,  and  also  when  he  obtained  an  individual  mi 
the  (Njlorado,  none  of  these  birds  have  been  seen  west  of  tlie  liocky  Moun- 
tains. The  liird  obtained  l)y  Dr.  Cooper  was,  in  iiis  ojiinion,  a  straj,'j;ler  from 
some  neij^hborinj^  uatuntain.  It  made  its  ap))earance  January  Id,  altera 
period  of  stormy  weather,  and  was  shot  while  fee'inj,'  on  the  berries  of  the 
nustletoe. 

This  bird  was  tii-st  noticed  in  America,  in  the  spring,'  of  IHlid,  near  tlie 
sources  of  the  Athaliasca  Jiiver,  by  Mr.  J)rumniond,  and  in  the  same  season 
by  Sir  John  Itichardson,  at  (Jreat  liear  Lake,  latitude  O'l".  In  the  latter 
rej,'ion  he  states  that  they  ap])eared  in  flocks  about  the  li4th  of  ^lay.  At 
that  time  the  sjning  tliaw  had  exposed  the  berries  of  the  A i but im  and  the 
Vncciniiiin,  that  liad  been  covered  during  the  winter.  It  stayed  only  a  few 
days,  and  none  of  the  hulians  knew  where  it  l)red,  or  had  ever  seen  its  nest. 
Afterwards,  early  in  May,  1827,  Sir  John  Itichardson  saw  a  large  Ihjok  of  three 
or  four  huntlred  individuals  at  Cailton  House,  on  the  Saskatchewan.  They 
all  alighted  in  a  grove  of  poplars,  on  one  or  two  trees,  making  a  loud  twit- 
tering noi.se.  They  stayed  only  about  an  hour  in  the  morning,  and  were  too 
shy  to  be  approached  within  gunshot. 

In  England  they  have  been  known  to  ap])ear  as  early  as  August.  They 
are  always  shy,  and  not  easily  apiiroached.  In  their  activity  and  incessant 
change  of  ])osilion  and  place,  they  are  said  to  resemble  the  Titmice.  They 
feed  on  the  berries  of  the  mountain-ash,  the  hawthorn,  and  the  ivy.  They  will 
also  feed  on  insects,  catching  them  as  dexterously  as  Flycatchers.  Their  call- 
note  is  a  single  chirp,  frequently  re])eated. 

Mr.  McCulloch,  writing  to  i'.r.  Audubon,  gives  a  touching  account  of  the 
devotion  shown'  by  one  of  these  birds  to  its  wounded  mate.  The  latter  had 
been  so  crippled  that  it  was  ha'.dly  able  to  nu)ve.  Its  mate  stationed  itseli 
on  the  top  of  the  tree  in  which  it  had  sought  shelter,  and  Avith  great  vehe- 
mence continually  uttered  the  notes  tzcr-tzM,  in  alarm  and  warning,  and, 
when  danger  ai)proached,  flew  against  it  and  urged  it  on  to  flight,  and 
stayed  to  share  its  fate,  rather  than  leave  its  partner. 

The  nest  and  eggs  of  this  species  remained  entirely  unknown  until  the 
spring  of  ISoO,  when  the  late  Mr.  John  WoUey,  an  enthusiastic  English 
oologist,  first  discovered  them  in  Lapland.  The  season  was  unusually  back- 
ward and  cold,  and  the  nests  contained  their  full  complement  by  the  1 2th 
of  June.     One  of  the  nests,  obtained  in  Finland,  June  li),  1861  (S,  I„  5,327), 


400  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

coiitiiiiu'd  fivo  pfrss.  Tt  is  of  rciiiiirkaUlo  sizo  in  |)ro])()rtioii  to  that  of  its 
Imilder,  iiiu<isuriii,i,'  oi^iil  iiiclics  in  iliaiiit'ter.  It  is  lliitteiieil  in  shape,  and 
its  cavity,  though  hirgo,  is  not  dnep.  Tiio  height  of  the  nest  is  three  and  a 
(quarter  inelies,  anil  the  depth  of  tlie  base  is  fully  two  and  a  lialf  inciies.  The 
eavity  is  less  than  an  ineh  deej),  and  is  four  inches  in  diameter.  Tlu;  base 
and  (uiter  periphery  of  thi.s  nest  arc  of  a  coarse  interlacing  of  the  small  ends 
of  l)ranches  of  fir  and  sjiruce  trees.  Within  this  is  built  a.  close,  comjtact 
inner  nest,  chieHy  conijiosed  of  a  lichen  2)eculiar  to  Arctic  regions,  called 
tree-hair,  which  liangs  abundantly  iVom  the  brandies  of  trees  in  northern 
forests.  It  resembles  a  mass  of  delicate  black  rootlets.  These  are  not  un- 
common ingredients  in  the  nests  of  northern  birds,  esjjecially  of  European. 
In  America,  Arctic  nests  of  the  .1.  ciirulinciifiis  are  occasionally  built  of  simi- 
lar materials.  With  these  lichens  are  also  mingled  fragments  of  dry  leaves 
and  soft  dark-colored  mosses.  The  rim  of  the  nest  is  strongly  made,  almost 
exclusively  of  these  tine  dark- colored  lichens.  This  kind  of  liciieu  is  not 
always  black,  but  is  often  l»rown,  and  even  whitish.  In  some  of  these 
nests  sih cry  fibres  of  grass-leaves  are  mingled  with  the  lichens,  and  in  one 
or  two  there  is  a  slight  lining  of  feathers. 

The  Lai)land  nests  were  built  on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  at  a  distance  from 
the  trunk,  and  stood  up  from  it  unsupported  by  the  surrounding  twigs,  and 
at  the  height  of  from  si.v  to  twelve  I'eet  from  the  ground.  They  were  gener- 
ally much  exposed,  and  were,  for  the  most  jiart,  built  in  the  more  open  por- 
tions of  tlie  forests.  The  general  nundier  of  the  eggs  Wiis  five,  in  one 
instance  it  was  six. 

Tlie  nest  from  the  Yukon,  obtained  l>y  Mr.  Kennicott  (S.  Coll.,  0,326),  is 
smaller,  and  bears  but  little  resemblance  to  the  Kuropean.  It  is  but  five 
inches  in  diameter,  of  irregular  sliape.  In  height  and  cavity  it  nearly  cor- 
responds. In  place  of  the  lichens  of  tht!  Kuropean,  this  nest  is  made  of  fine 
gra«s-stems,  strijis  of  liark,  and  a  few  feathers. 

The  eggs  of  this  bird,  the  gift  of  ^Ir.  WoUey,  measure  an  inch  in  length, 
and  from  .70  to  .07  of  an  inch  in  breadtii.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a 
light  slate  to  a  yellowish  stone-eolor.  Tiiey  are  marked,  blotched,  and  dotted 
witli  spots  of  various  hues  and  size.  These  are  chiefly  of  a  dark  jnirple,  at 
times  ajiproaching  black.  Mingled  with  these  are  markings  of  a  yeUowish- 
brown.  Nearly  all  these  spots  are  surrounded  by  a  jteculiar  iieiiumlira,  or 
shading,  such  as  forms  so  marked  a  feature  in  the  eggs  of  the  common 
Cedar-lJird. 

The  egg  obtained  by  Kennicott  on  t'  Yukon  is  smaller  than  the  EuiO- 
pean  sjieiiiinen,  measuring  .90  by  .65  of  an  inch.  Its  ground  is  more  of  a 
greenish-slate  or  stone-color,  and  the  spots  are  of  a  dark  brown,  with  a  deep 
violet  shading. 


AMI-KLIUJ-:  — TlIK  fJlATTERI'HS.  401 

Ampelis  cedrorum,  Si  i,. 

SOTTTHEBN  WAXWINO ;  CEDAE-BIBO. 

jimpilis gnrruhiti,  viii-.  (i,  Linn.  Syst.  Nut.  I,  ITtili,  i'-M.  Jlomliiicilla  ctdrorum,  Vieili.ot, 
Ois.  Am.  Sqit.  I,  1807,  SS,  jil.  Ivii.  In.  Uulnii'  Oi.s.  I,  1S34,  180,  pi.  cxviii.  — C.VB. 
■lour.  IV,  l.S'iO,  :!  (Ciilia).  -  (iiNi>l..\cil,  Call.  .lour.  1801,  :!•_'!<  (Cuba  ;  rare).  Aiiipclh 
ntli-iinim,  Sci.Air.l!,  ]'.  'A.  S.  IS.'ili,  •2!(!»(('oiiluva)  ;  l.S.'.f*.  :iO-J  (dii.saca  ;  .laiiuaiji  ;  ISi'iO, 
;«)4  (Xalapa  ;  Conlova)  ;  IMit,  17-J  (<'iiy  of  Jlcxico).  Sci.AlKK  it  Sai.vin,  llii.s,  ISSO, 
la  ((iuatcinaja).       Uaiimi,  liiixls  N.  Am.  lsri«,  ;US  ;  licv.  H)!.    -Tayi.ipk,   lliis,   18(10, 

111  (Honduras).     -  AIakiII,    I'r.  A.  N.  Sr.  I'jiila.   18i!;!,   2!"t  (,1a iial.   -  I.(il;l),  Pr.  li. 

.Art.  lu.st.  Woolwich,  IV,  110  (lirilisli  Coluiiiliia  ;  ucsliuf^).  ('(kH'KI!  &  Sicki.ky, 
r.  U.  I!c|).  XII,  II,  187  (\Va.sliiiif,'toii  Tcr.).  —  Coiin-.i!,  Orii.  Cal.  I,  1S70,  I'i!).  - 
Samimii.s,  Uirils  N.  Kiih.  M:>.  .hn/uli.i  iniin-ionin,  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  I,  IHOS,  107,  pi. 
vii.  Ikiinhin-illii  iniiiritiiiiii,  .loNK.s,  N'at.  licrmiKla,  IK')".),  2iMwinti'r).  -  lilcli.  Horn- 
hiicilhi  I'liniliiiiii.ii.i,  ISki.ssiin,  Oni.  II,  1700,  :!:17  (not  liiiiomial).  — Ai'i>.  Orn.  Hioj;.  I, 
1831,  2-.>7,  pi.  xliii.  III.  Hinls  Am.  IV,  1S4-J,  lli.'.,  pi.  ir.xlv.  -  Wacm:!!.  .Impdi.i 
ritroliiun.iin,  (io.ssi;,  Hinls  ■laiuaioa,  1.''17,  r.i7  (.laiiuary).  —  Hdn. 

Sp.  Ciiak.  ('r<'.>;l  inoilcrntc.  'iciK-nil  I'oiiPi- soft  viuaci'ous-i'iiiuaiiiiiii,  ilccpt'st  iintfiioily, 
more  olivactMiu.-i  on  hack,  .scapul-irs  ami  wiiii^-rovfiis.  pa.^siiij;-  into  jiiire  \\\xh\  a.<li  on  llio 
rump  and  upper  tail-coverts,  and  into  diiiiry  yellow  on  lianks  and  iilidouii'ii.  Lower  tail- 
coverts  wliito.  Whole  oi'lhe  wiiij;'  posterior  to  tiie  ;_'reater  coverl.s  ,<laty-asl),  almost  Mack 
alon;^'  end  of  inner  wehs  ol'  primaries,  the  onlei'  welis  ol'  which  are  narrowly  eili;ei!  with 
hoary  whitish.  Tail  slale  passiui;'  into  lilaek  lerminally.  lippccl  wilh  a  hroad.  sharply 
defined  hand  of  fjiiml)Oj;e-yellow.  A  hroad  siripe  of  inteii.><e  velvely-hlaik  on  side  of 
head,  startinp;  from  ncstril,  pa.ssiiifi:  across  lore,  and  involviiiLr  the  eye.  conliinied  from  i* 
beneath  tin?  crest  to  the  occiput  ;  chin  dull  hlack,  hicndinjr  f;radually  into  the  hrowiiish  of 
the  throat.  A  narrow  white  line  acro.s^  the  forehead  and  aioiij;  side  of  crown,  hetween 
brown  of  crown  and  biai'k  of  lore,  etc.,  a  narrow  ciesciMit  on  lower  eyelid  and  a  stripe 
between  blaek  of  lore  and  that  of  llii'  throat,  whiti-.  .l/a'c  wilii  each  secondary  quill  ter- 
minated by  a  bright,  red  horny  appendage  to  liie  shaft.  Fciiuilc  witii  tlicse  very  small  and 
few  ill  miniber,  or  entirely  absent,  ymiiii/.  In  gcncr.il  appearance  simii.ir  to  the  adult 
female.  Colors  more  giayish,  with  obsolete  concealed  whitish  streaks  on  nape  and  down 
back,  these  stripes  becoming  xciy  conspicuous  on  tlie  sides  and  lianks  ami  across  breast. 
No  blaek  <ui  ciiiu.  Huni])  grayish-brown  ;  .ib(lonieii  ami  Hanks  dingy  whiti.sh.  No  appen- 
dages to  secondaries,  anil  the  yellow  band  across  end  of  tail  nariower  than  in  adult. 

IIaii.  Whole  of  North  America  as  far  north  as  Lake  Winnipeg  and  Hudson's  Ifay,  south 
brixnch  of  8ii.sk.itehewaii,  latitude  "/J. V°  (Uiciiauhson)  ;  south  to  (iiiiitemala;  •Jamaion  and 
Ciibft  in  winler. 

•A  .siH'ciiiu'u  IVoiii  (itiiitoiiiiilii  (No.  ."i(l,4r»r)  ^)  is  almnst  idciiticiil  with  o.x- 
iuii])l('s  fnim  till'  Uiiitotl  Stiitt'.s,  Init  (Utl'oi's  in  iiiiviiiji'  o  siiiiill  sjiot  of  yoUow 
at  tlio  tip  of  oacli  }iiiinaiy  ;  also  tliere  arc  rod  aiiiii'iidagi's  on  tlic  tip  of  i* 
few  tp.il-foatlii'is,  as  well  ti.s  tlif  loiioi'st  featlior  of  the  liiwer  tail-coverts. 
Thi  dors,  ojciii'rally,  arn  .softor,  the  hrowii  more  purplish,  and  tlio  ash  finer 
and  niort!  bluish,  than  in  a  tine  spiino  midc  from  Washinoton,  1>.  C 

A  speciineii  (Xo.  ,">:', .".'.Mi  J,  Iltimboldt  K'iver,  Nevada,  Septenilter  10,  1808, 
C.  Kino',  }{.  liidi,'\vayl  IVoiii  the  Middle  I'rovinee  of  the  United  Ktate.s,  dif- 
fers consideralily  fruiii  tiny  other  in  the  eolleetion.  The  colors  are  murh 
paler,  the  anterior  jiortions  lioiiio  almost  oehracoous,  tiie  wlmle  ahihanen 
ol 


402  NOR'"H  AM  KKICAN  BIRDS. 

nearly  white.  The  wiiito  baud  iiciuss  the  IbreliuuJ  is  very  broad ;  the  ex- 
trenio  point  of  the  chin  only  black.  Whether  it  is  a  representative  of  a  style 
peculiar  to  the  Great  Basin,  or  merely  a  bleaclied  individual,  cannot  be  de- 
cided without  additional  specimens  from  tlio  same  regiciu. 

There  is  so  much  variation  in  diherent  specimens  ii.  regard  to  the  red  wax- 
like appendages,  that  the  Guatemalan  specimen  mentioned  above  can  hardly 
be  considered  as  more  tluui  a  very  highly  developed  individual. 

Habits.  The  habits  of  the  common  Cedar-Dird  are  eminently  nomadic, 
and,  .so  far  as  those  of  the  Waxwiug  are  known,  correspond  in  all  respects, 
except  in  the  more  general  and  especially  the  more  soutliern  distribution  of 
the  present  species.  They  are  found  throughout  North  America  at  least  so 
far  as  the  wooded  country  cxtenils,  anil  they  breed  from  Florida  to  tlie  Rod 
River  country.  They  are  a  connnon  bird  in  New  England,  and  would  be 
much  more  so  but  that  their  fondness  for  cherries  and  other  small  fruits,  and 
their  indifference  to  danger,  makes  them  an  easy  and  freipient  mark  for  de- 
struction. Their  unpopularity  has  caused  their  numbers  to  be  greatly  reduced 
of  late  years  in  the  thickly  settled  portions  of  the  country. 

In  Southern  Texas  Mr.  Dresser  found  tliese  ))irds  very  common  during  the 
winter  at  San  Antonio  and  Eagle  Pass,  but  he  observed  none  later  than  the 
middle  of  April.  They  were  seen  in  Tanuiulipas,  by  Lieutenant  Couch,  in 
March,  and  afterwards  in  April  at  New  Leon,  Mexico.  Sumichrast  states  tliat 
these  birds  are  found  every wliere  and  in  great  abundance  in  winter  through- 
out Vera  Cruz.  They  are  tliere  known  as  the  Chinito,  and  are  highly  appre- 
ciated by  the  Mexican  epicures.  They  are  ecjually  abundant  in  northern 
parts  of  South  America,  and  also  tlu'oughout  Central  America. 

In  Wasliington  Territory  and  in  Oregon  Dr.  Cocjper  speaks  of  them  as  less 
common  than  in  tlie  Atlantic  States,  and  he  oidy  met  with  a  few,  in  single 
pairs,  in  the  sunnner.  Townsend  states  that  lie  found  them  in  Oregon,  but 
Dr.  Suckley  never  met  with  any  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

In  California  Dr.  Cooper  has  seen  small  flocks  in  winter,  as  far  south  as 
San  Diego,  feeding  on  the  mistletoe  berries.  He  found  their  nests  at  Fort 
Vancouver,  and  has  no  doubt  that  they  also  breed  in  various  parts  of  Cali- 
fornia. 

Mr.  Robert  Kennicott  states,  among  other  memoranda  of  his  route,  that, 
May  31,  on  an  island  in  Winnipeg  River,  lie  saw  a  large  flock  of  tliese 
birds,  iiunil)ering  fifty  or  mo'-e. 

With  some  irregularity  as  to  their  appearance,  they  are  found  throughout 
the  year  in  New  England,  their  presence  being  usually  regulated  by  tlieir 
food.  Tiiey  are,  by  preference,  eaters  of  berries  and  other  vegetable  food, 
except  in  spring  and  early  summer,  wlien  they  eat  insects  almost  exclusively, 
feeding  upon  the  larvie  of  the  spanworm  and  the  canker-worm,  and  small 
caterpillars,  and  sup])lyiug  these;  to  their  young.  They  also  feed  their  nest- 
lings with  various  kinds  of  berries  and  small  fruits,  botli  cultivated  and  wild. 
They  do  not  nest  until  late  in  .luue  or  eaily  in  July,  and  with  so  much 


AMPELID.E— THE  CHATTERERS.  4()3 

irregularity  that  I  have  fouiul  them  sitting  on  their  unhatched  eggs  as  late 
as  the  I2lh  ol'  (Jctoljer.  They  are  a  greedy  bird,  feeding  voruuiously  where 
they  have  an  opixjrtunity.  They  are  very  nv.ieh  attached  to  ea  ;h  other  and 
to  tlieir  oil'spring.  Once,  when  one  liad  been  taken  in  a  net  spread  over 
strawberries,  its  mate  reliiseil  to  leave  it,  sulVered  itself  to  be  taken  l)y  the 
hand,  in  its  anxiety  to  free  its  mate,  and  when  set  at  liberty  would  not  leave 
until  its  mate  had  also  been  released  and  ])ermitted  to  go  with  it.  In  the 
summer  of  1870  a  nestling,  hardly  half  Hedged,  fell  from  its  nest,  and  was 
found  injured  by  its  fall,  taken  into  the  house,  and  fed.  Whenever  exposed 
in  its  cage  its  parents  came  about  it,  and  supjjlied  it  with  cherries  and  other 
fruit,  unmindful  of  tiie  near  presence  of  the  family.  The  young  bird  lived, 
and  became  perfectly  tame,  feeding  from  the  hand,  and  preferring  to  be  fed 
rather  than  feed  itself,  liesides  its  low  lisping  call,  tiiis  bird  had  a  regular 
faint  attempt  at  a  song  of  several  low  notes,  uttered  in  so  lo^v  a  tone  that  it 
would  be  almost  inaiulible  at  even  a  short  distance.  It  became  jjerfectly 
contented  in  contiuemeut,  and  appi;ared  i'ond  of  such  members  of  the  family 
as  noticed  it. 

The  noticeable  feature  of  tlie  Cedar-Bird,  its  crest,  it  has  the  power  to 
erect  or  depress  at  will.  In  confinement  it  generally  keeps  this  depressed, 
only  erecting  it  when  excited  from  any  cause,  such  as  alarm,  or  desire  to 
receive  food. 

Wilson  states  that  in  Pennsyhauia  they  collect  in  August  in  large  flocks 
and  retire  to  the  mountains,  feeding  on  the  fruit  of  the  Vacciniitm  uJirji- 
nosum,  which  grows  there  in  great  abundance.  Later  in  the  season  they 
descend  to  the  lowlands  to  feed  on  the  berries  of  the  sour-gum  and  the  red- 
cedar.  In  confinement  they  are  very  fond  of  apples,  bread  soaked  in  milk, 
and  almost  any  kind  of  soft  food.  They  are  also  very  fond  of  flies,  and  are 
expert  flycatchers,  snapping  at  all  that  venture  within  tiie  cage. 

In  their  migrations  their  flight  is  graceful,  easy,  and  continued,  and  is  per- 
formed at  a  considerable  height. 

It  is  unfortunntt!  for  the  liorticulturist  tliat  this  bird  has  done  so  much  to 
merit  his  prejudices  and  reprobation,  anil  t! .,'.  lie  does  not  apjireciate  to  the 
full  the  innnense  services  it  renders  to  him  each  spring  in  the  destruction 
of  injurious  insects.  A  flock  of  these  birds  will,  in  a  short  space  of  time, 
devour  an  immense  numlxM-  of  the  larva^  of  the  destructive  canker-worms 
{P/mfaiio')  that  infest  tlie  a])ples  and  elms  of  Massachusetts,  and,  if  ])er- 
mitted,  would  soon  greatly  reduce  their  numbers.  lUit  these  prejudices  can- 
not be  softened  by  their  good  deeds,  and  the  Cherry-Bird  is  still  hunted  and 
destroyed. 

Their  nests  are  usually  constructed  late  ii\  June  or  eiirly  in  July,  and  are 
placed  in  various  positions,  sometimes  in  a  low  bush  or  tree  not  more  than 
three  or  four  feet  from  the  ground,  and  rarely  more  than  twenty.  Their 
nests  are  large  and  bidky,  but  strongly  made  nf  various  materials.  Gener- 
ally tliey  build  a  strong  external  framework,  six  or  seven  inches  iu  diameter, 


404  NORTH  AMERICAN  UIRDS. 

composed  of  the  ends  of  twigs,  course  sterns  of  vejfetables,  and  grasses. 
Within  this  they  Imild  a  compact,  well-made  fabric  of  grasses,  grapevine 
bark,  and  other  finer  snbstances,  lining  the  whole  with  leaves  and  fine  root- 
fibres.  The  cavity  is  large  and  deep  for  the  bird.  The  parents  are  fourteen 
days  in  incubating  before  the  young  are  hatched  out,  and  all  this  while  are 
remarkably  silent,  hardly  uttering  a  sound,  even  their  faintest  lisping  note, 
when  the  nest  is  nreddled  witii,  though  they  evince  great  anxiety  by  their 
fearless  indifference  to  their  own  danger. 

The  eggs,  usually  five,  sometimes  .si.\,  in  number,  have  a  marked  resem- 
blance to  those  of  the  Waxwing,  but  are  smaller.  Their  ground-color  varies 
from  a  light  slate-color  to  a  deep  shade  of  stone-color,  tinged  with  olive. 
These  are  marked  with  blotches  of  a  dark  purplish-brown,  almost  black, 
lighter  shades  of  a  dark  purple,  and  penumbrie  of  faint  purple,  sometimes 
by  themselves  or  surrounding  and  continuing  the  darker  spots.  They  vary 
in  length  from  .80  to  .88  of  an  inch,  and  average  about  .85.  In  breadth  they 
are  from  .00  to  .70  of  an  inch,  and  in  shape  they  diH'er  also  from  an  oblong- 
oval  to  one  of  a  ciuite  rounded  form. 

Nests  of  these  birds  fnnn  the  Arctic  regions  are  more  elaborately  built  and 
more  warndy  lined,  being  often  largely  made  up  of  the  line  dark-colored 
lichens  that  cover  the  forest  trees  of  those  regions. 

SuRFAMii.Y  PTILOGONATIN^. 

CiiAK.  Le^s  modt'rate.  Nostrils  oval,  with  wide  naked  inenibrunL'  above  and  to  some 
e.xtent  behind  them  ;  the  frontal  feathers  not  reaching  to  their  border,  and  rather  soil. 
Wings  graduated,  shorter  than  the  somewhat  broad,  fan-shaped  tail ;  the  first  quill  nearly 
half  the  second.     Adults  plain. 

Althougli  we  find  it  conveinent  for  the  ])resent  to  retain  the  genera  Ptilo- 
tjoHjis  and  Mijunlcatfa  in  the  same  sul)family,  there  seems  little  doubt  that 
they  belong  to  very  different  fiiinilies,  the'latter  being  more  properly  placed 
in  Tnnliiln',  as  shown  in  Ifev.  Am.  Fiirds.  It  is  not  necessary  that  the  sub- 
ject be  discussed  here,  howevtn',  and  we  merely  give  the  diagnosis  of  the  two 
groups  of  which  these  genera  are  the  types  re.s])ectively  :  — 

Ptilogonateae.     Tarsi  scutellate  anteriorly ;  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
MyiadeatesB.     Tarsi  with  a  continuous  plate  anteriorly ;  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
claw. 

SErxioN   PI  ILOGONATE/E. 

Char.  Tarsus  stout,  shorter,  or  not  longer  than  the  miildl'"  toe  and  claw  ;  conspicuously 
scutellatc  anteriorly,  and  CiTMiucnlly  on  one  or  other  or  on  both  sides;  sometimes  with  a 
row  of  small  plates  beliiml.  Wings  much  gra(luat(>d  ;  the  .second  quill  not  longer  than 
secondaries.  Outline  of  lateral  tail-feathers  parallel  or  widening  from  ba.se  to  near  tip. 
Tail  unvaried,  or  else  inornate  at  end.  Quills  without  light  patch  at  base.  Head  crested. 
Young  birds  not  spotted.     Not  conspicuous  f(U'  .song. 


,  AMPKi.NI.K-TIIKCIIArrKliEllS.  jnr 

aC^r-™  '""  ""'""'  "'  ""'  '""■""  ''»■'"»■  '"  '■'■'«'■  "'«  '""""ins  «1».- 

Ptilogonys. 

■r.,e  gem,,  «,■/„,,„,„«  ,,„,  „,„  .       ,„_^, 

K.ca„,  „e,tl,e,-  »,„■„,.  wi.Ni,,  tl,„  li,„i,,  „,■  tl.o  U„i,«l  Stuta.     T      ,ypT  s 

Genu.s  PHJBNOPEPLA,  Solatkr. 

loja,  oii.     (ijpe,  I'ldtoyomjsniUns,  Swains.) 

wider  tow.,Hl.s  e,„l.    Bill  le  hi     '  ,  ^"''^•'"'f;''.  'a-'^Lapod  ;  feathers  very  broad, 

by  frontal  feather       S  ve  ''?"''  ''""  '""'''""' '  "°^^"-*'«  «°™«^vhat  overhun.: 

ilrwebsf'to!^::t^^:J^  """^  ""'^  ""'^'^'  ^'"'"^^^'^'^  niedian  white  patch  on 

Jhe^si„,le  known  species  is  glossy  black  in  the  tnale;  the  female  brown- 
PLaenopepla  nitens,  Sclater. 

SHnnWO-CEESTED  FLYCATCHEE. 

Jour.  A.  N.  So.  Plnln.  t,,   X^^ Str^^-  '?f  "T^- }^''  ''''■  -Hehumaxn. 

«.XA.k.    p.  Z.  S.  1858,  543  ;  ,8,U.  ,73  (fity  of  m;:L' -  .S^i..  'w'Z  l/ iS 
416.  -  C„o,.KH,  Or„.  Cal.  I,  1870,  131.     "Lcj>:rrus  ,„k-utus,  L.'i"       '  '  ''"'' 

Sr.CuH.    (xYo.  8.275^.)    Tail  hroad.  almost  fan-shaped :   .nadnated  «li..htlv  nn,     , 
ail  emar;,„,ate,  and  longer  than  win..     First  qnill  broad  sli.d.C  ^e     eS'  T 
atcd;  n,ore  than  half  the  seeon.l,   whieh  about  oouals    he  te    1      siv  i,  V    ?'"; 

^  Jnnnature  birds  show  every  gradation  of  color  between   the  two  extren.es  described 


406 


NORTH  AMKRICAN  HIRDS. 


PhfFnupiptn  nitins 


Total  leiijftli,  7.()0  ;  winj,',  3.S0  ;  tail,  4.35  ;  length  of  bill  from  fbruhead,  .40,  from  nostril 
.31,  along  giipo,  Mi ;  tnrsii.-!,  .70  ;  niitUllu  toe  an<l  cliiw,  .05. 

Had.      ^louiitaiuous    region    of    the 
'  southern  portions  of  Western  and  Mid- 
dle   Provinces   of    United   Stales,    and 
south  to  Orizaba;  t'ape  St.  Lucas;  IMa- 
teau  of  Mexico  (resident,  Sumichkast). 

Ha  nil's.  So  I'ar  as  known,  this 
bird  occurs  in  the  moiiiitainous 
portion.s  ul'  the  I'uited  States, 
frniu  Fort  Tejon,  Cal.,  to  ^Me.vico, 
and  t'runi  the  IJio  (Jrande  to  San 
Diego.  It  is  closely  allied,  in  its 
appearance,  as  also  in  numy  of  its 
haltits,  Itotii  willi  the  Waxwings 
and  the  Flycatchers. 

This  species  was  first  detected 
within  the  United  States  by  (.'oloiu'l  IMcf'all,  wlio  obtained  it  in  California 
in  18r(2.  Its  habits,  as  he  observed  tlieni,  ))artook  of  those  of  the  true  Fly- 
catcher. Tiiey  are  said  to  be  remarkable  for  their  slender,  active  form,  in 
wliich  their  long  and  ample  tail,  and  the  elongated  feathers  of  their  head, 
ca](al)le  of  being  erected  into  a  crest,  are  conspicuous  features.  Colonel 
McCall  first  met  with  them  in  a  clump  of  trees  on  the  borders  of  a  mountain 
brook,  between  Valliecita  and  El  Chino.  A  number  of  them  were  to- 
gether actively  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  insects.  They  were  light  and 
graceful  on  the  wing,  tliough  le.ss  swift  and 
decided  in  tlieir  motions  than  the  true  Fly- 
catcliers.  In  these  evolutions  the  bright  white 
spot  on  the  wing,  visible  only  when  tl,p  Aviiig 
is  spre'ad,  was  cpiite  conspicuous,  and  in  fine 
contrast  with  the  glossy  Itlack  of  the  general 
plumage.  In  his  Journey  Colonel  ]\fcCall  after- 
wards met  this  bird  several  times,  either  in 
small  comj)anies  or  singly.  They  were  always 
eitlier  on  mountain  sides,  or  in  the  timbered 
borders  of  mountain  streams. 

Dr.  Henry  met  with  this  species  near  the 
Little  Lagoon,  on  the  Colorado  I  )esert.  It  was 
perched  on  a  mez(iuite-tree,  jerking  its  tail 
almost  incessantly,  as  do  other  kinds  of  Fly- 

catcliers,  and,  from  time  to  time,  dashing  in  irregular  curves  higli  into  the 
air  in  pursuit  of  insects.  It  became  ipiito  altundiint  as  he  apimmched  the 
Colorado,  occurring  in  companies  of  twenty  and  thirty.  At  Fort  Yuma  he 
also  met  with  them  in  considerable  numbers  late  in  November,  as  they  were 


I^nopepla  nitens. 


AMPELID.E-THE  CHATTERERS 

407 

mi^-ratinj,'  southward.     Dr.    Ileiirv  descril...^   ,>.   .    , 

of  young  U„|,.     H ,  |i|(„„.j^  ,,,„,  ,„,„,  '  ;•"""""•>  'V  lilKliiiK  spcciinciis 

«-- "' i™.iy  o,.  .,,0  It :;; ! ,  .'^r,:  ::i:;:.:ir'  ""■"*" """ 

OH'ct  and  jiHicI,  rt'cinvPfl   ..f>,.,.  fi  '^*  "^  '^""""''^  't«  crest 

ll.roiisl,o„t  tlio  Mate,,,  „f  M„.i      V    '     ,  '"'    "'  "  """  'K»lnU„»[ 

■»  *■ " «"  -  To c:.:  ™r;;,;:::f  - « -  '^  -  "«"■ " 

.iso^.,':?;:::::!;,';:: ,:'",: :""r''"T  ■"  ",""'■ "°"'  "■« ' ■"■-"" "» 

™er,  ,■„.,„  Los  A  .^  o  S ,        ,t^^^^  t"'  "'°  *''","°™  '"«'•■  "">'  '"  S"0.- 
of  tl,o  S,,,„,,„i  ,„v,,,-,.„„  '  *  "'  •"  "'"''  ">«"<>  ""'"»■■  to  tl,„t 

to«,ofu,o,.,.«,..,,o'::^;.i;:::-i;'.-;;««^-^i- 
»u,.,i„.  ,„  ,„«o  ,„■  ,„o  f,,,,to„  nyo„.„i,o«  ;„;:»» :  """'■  •'""""'  "^ 

It  was  found  bv  FcihiM-  -if  ^^...^  <<,.    i    •     *     •, 

".et  ,vi.,.  ,.o,„  t„.fo,  J » v:,  to  ;l  ,;:;i  "■  '"'"'■  '"'•"■ ""' '-  -'  •- 
out  t  ■»,:;;  ;:;vK'i'^'"^  'rTr- «» ^^  »fA„H,,™  w„t 

-  :xi  t:z ::  ■  ,r!::;r  r  "i '-  r  ^° ' "  ^- 

of  henineu  or  flnv  liU  fi  \      ^  ''''  '"''^  '■'  "'^^'<^  «I"'"«t  '^"tirelv 

of  pia.,1: ::;  s ,  ";:::  S"'  irrr™;  t"  ""^ ^■~'  --» 

atanco  of  „  ve..ol..l,lo  oLaraoto  """'  "'"'  "  »''  •'"""J'  '"l^- 

green.    Tl,„y  .,.  ^a.^J  ,„,  ,  ,*  ;  ,",  ^  '  :  '  ^  .T'  ""''  "  ^■':'""'"'"- 
of  l.,„l,Ii,l,-l,„,„,,,  „,,„  ,„'"'"  "  '  f '  •  '■"■"■  "'«"'■"  P'"l>Ie  ,0  .Ieo,,o.-  tint, 

<.» ap,«...,c„.  ■„,,,- ,„:i;;tt, ,i',;,', :,™f ,-;« -.-'.- «-  u....„o i„ 

«n.l  a  p„,n,„„o„t  ,!        it    ,      ,:"'  ™'>- "'"■"■'"'"Iv  a  littlo  fartl.o,- soutl,, 

---o.oponeri;'';:-;r:r:;tr-:-- 


408 


NORTH  AMERigAN  UfRDS. 


(lescriljes  it  as  a  sliy,  wild,  and  restless  bird,  with  a  superb  aon^,  powerful 
and  finely  modulated.  Dr.  Cones  appears  to  think  that  this  spiujies  has  but 
little  affinity  with  the  forms  with  which  it  is  usually  grouped. 


Section    MYIADESTE>E. 

Char.  Tarsus  slender,  longer  tliua  middle  too  mid  claw;  undivided  as  in  Tur- 
didw.  Toes  deeply  cleft.  Win-s  more  pointed  ;  second  quill  much  longer  thnu  seconda- 
ries. Lateral  tiul-leafhers  cuneate,  or  narrowing  from  base  towards  lip ;  generally  wliitisii 
at  end  of  inner  weh.  Quills  with  their  e-xtn-nie  bases,  ..-specially  of  inner  webs,  bully  yel- 
low, showmg  a  light  patch  inside.  Head  not  crested,  though  ih..  leathers  sometimes  full 
In  the  young  all  the  feathers  with  liglit  rounded  spots.    Pre-eminent  as  melodious  singers. 

Rut  a  single  genus  of  this  group  lielongs  to  the  United  States,  although 
two  others  {Cicklojm.^  and  PI  at  nr  id,  I  a  f)  oceur  in  South  America.  As  already 
stated,  the  affinities  of  Mi/mhstccc  are  much  closest  to  Turdidw,  and  this 
woidd  seem  the  proper  family  for  it. 


Ge.vus  MYIADESTES,  Swaixson. 

MnindesU-s,  Sw.vinson,  Jar.l.  Nat.  Library,  Xlll.     Flycatel.,.rs,  "1838,"  132      (Type    JA 
fjcniluirbix,  Sw.)  •  '    ' 

Gkn.  Chak.     Occipital  feathers  full  and  solt.     Plumage  rather  loose.     Bill  weak  much 
depressed.    Commissure  nearly  straight.    Hind  toe  longer  than  inner  lateral.    Toes  deeply 


Mi/iaf/e.stps   tnwnsemfi. 

cleft.  Closed  wing  externally  with  an  exposed  light  band  across  the  ba,se  of  the  quills 
and  another  nearer  the  end,  separated  by  a  darker  one.  Tail  somewhat  gra.luated  on  the 
sides. 

Of  the  ten  or  more  described  si)ecies  of  this  genus,  only  one  belongs  to 


AMl'iaiD/K-rilK  CIIATTKRKItS.  ,^, 

the  li,.nts  of  tl.e  Unitel  States,  altlu.unl.  sevontl  ..tlu.r.s  occpy  adjac.ut  tor 
nUny  in  Mox.co.     yove.al  a,,  p.ouliar  to  isla..,!,  of  tl.e  We.st  ludi" 

llu,  only  two  speci.-s  d.-sc-ly  relal   ■!  to  the  M.  lo.rnsnuliavo.  the  M  "nnkohr 
^^oU^nrus,  wh.h   heh>n,  to    aex.eo.     They  n.ay  he  distin.u.^dt 

^  An  ocl.n..ous  band  across  base  of  .econclanes  an.l  uppov  pn -i,..  ..o„spic,.o,.s  ,.„  o„te,. 

No  och.-ac.-<.ns  on  ouUt  wol.s  of  si...,„ul,u-ic.s  and  priniai-i..s 

IZ.TTT/,    'u''  """  "'"^^  ■■"'^■""""-     "'^"^'  -^  ^--"'  ->'V.  top  of  bead 
lcop^^.ta>b.     //„/..    Mountmn.sof.M..xicoan.lGn...tc.mala;  Tres  Marias" Island. 

Myiadestes  townsendi,  Cabax. 

TOWKSEHD'8  SOUTAISE. 

Ptiliogonys  townsendi,  Aud.  Oni.   Hid.r    V  .],s>».    .jnis    ,i    ,  c      .       ^ 

erenees  s.  Bi.,.s  X.  An,.   3.U-"xI;.Z;;k' i  '-r;:"^'  ^b  ...fr"'";  "^f 
82.     Culicivova  towns.  Die  Kav.  N.  V  Zoiil   H   184411         ./  '    ,     'W'"-^  '^^'I'"  ^""'• 

l\,  110  (IJi.  lol.).  —  Cooi-Eli,  Oiii.  CuL  I,  1870,  l;!4. 

tbinl'.w'";',.'^''"  '""r';'""'!'y  '■"■■'^■'■''-     Exposed  portion  of  spurious  .p.ill  loss  tban  one 

wi  b  ^               r"';'  ''      '■    '""''"'"''•  ''"'"'•  '"•""'"' '  "'"•'->'■  ^vinsr-coverts  wbito.     Quill 
brown,sb,v..llow  l,a,-  at  ,b.  base  ofbotb  webs  n.ostly  eoneealed,  but  .low^"  a 
little  below  tbe  jrieater  eoveits  an.l  alula-;  tbis  sueceedod  bv  a  bar  of  d,w Vv   ...„.". 
.t  anotber  of  b,wnisl,-,eHow  aeross  the  outer  webs  of  J  l^^X^'  Zl 
.ppo    w.tb  wb.te.     Tail-fea,la.rs 1-  brown  ;  tbo  n.iddle  ones  n.ore  like  t  c  b  Jk  •    it 

round  tbe  eve.     Lenjrtb,  8  niches;  wninr,  4.50  ;  tail,  .3.85.     (S  -KU  ) 

Younjj  hir,ls  have  a  lar«e  triangular  ,.ale-ochraceous  li.rht  spot  on  the  end 
of  each  feather  (rather  paler  below,  bonnded  e.xternally  by  a  narrow  boiXr 
of  blacki.sh  ;  the  (pnll  and  tail  feathers  a.s  in  the  adult. 

Haihts.  The  Hrst  specimen  of  this  somewhat  remarkable  bird  was  shot 
by  Captain  Brotchie,  at  Fort  (leoroe,  Astoria,  and  presented  to  Mr.  Townsend 
and  by  the  latter  ,.ven  to  Mr.  Audubon.    For  some  tin.e  this  remained  unique, 

and  S:!Sr"'"'""  ''^^^™"'  '^"'"'  ''-'■  ^^'-  ''■'-  ^-«'  '■''■     ^'^-  ^«"trul  ^lexico 
52 


410 


NoltTlI  AMKIIK'AX  I'.IIIDS. 


iiiul  tlin  liiil)its  of  the  sitocies  nnknown.  Tln()Uj,'li  the  goveviiiiiL'iit  explora- 
tions, Iiowovor,  wo  liiivi!  Ijeeii  luiidu  more  I'umiliar  witli  its  liahits  ami  peuuli- 
aritit's. 

Dr.  Xo\vl)i!rrv,  in  his  rcjiurt  nii  th(!  Ziiilliiny  of  Ufutcmmt  WillianiHoii's 
exiildratinns,  nitMilinns  lindiiij^f  tliis  l)ir(l  viuy  iiluindanL  in  tliu  Dos  Clnitus 
IJasin.  It  (lid  nut  Iraiuent  either  dense  forests  or  jirairit'S  destitute  of  trees, 
but  seemed  to  select  surfaces  covered  with  a  scattereil  yrowtli  of  i)ine  and 
cedar.  His  jmrty  tir.st  met  with  it  at  the  hase  of  Mount  Jeffer.son,  in  the 
canon  of  Mpto-ly-as  lliver.  In  iiickinjf  his  way  with  intiiute  dillicully  down 
this  gorge,  his  attention  was  drawn  by  its  new  and  attractive  soiij^.     There 

were  several  of  them  in  the  jiines  and  cedars 
growing  (Ui  the  face  of  tiie  dilf.  He  describes  its 
song  as  dear,  full,  and  melodious,  like  that  of  a 
true  MiiiiKs.  The  next  day,  as  he  I'ollowed  down 
the  river,  in  the  bottom  of  the  canon  the  deep 
gorge  was  filled  with  a  chorus  of  sweet  sounds 
from  thousands  of  these  bird.s.  He  describes 
them  as  having  a  habit  of  sitting  on  the  branch 
of  a  t.ee  ])rojectiug  <j\er  a  stream,  or  hanging 
from  some  in'ojecting  crag,  and  at  times  Hying 
out  in  narrow  circles,  after  insects,  precisely  in 
th(!  miiun(!r  of  Flycatchers. 

Atterwards,  in  another  ciiflon,  the  terraced 
baidvs  of  which  were  sparsely  set  with  low  trees 
of  the  Western  cedar,  he  again  found  these  birds 
qnite  numeroii.s,  and  had  every  o])])ortunity  l)oth  of  hearing  and  of  seeing 
them,  watching  them  for  hours  while  feeding  and  singing.  They  began  their 
songs  with  the  first  ilawn  of  day,  and  at  sunri.se  the  valley  was  perfectly 
vocal  with  their  music.  He  describes  their  song  as  not  greatly  varied,  but 
speaks  of  all  their  notes  as  particularly  clear  and  sweet,  and  with  strains  of 
pure  gashing  melody  that  were  both  spontaneous  and  inspiring.  At  that 
time,  September  :!(>,  they  wore  i'eeding  on  tlu!  berries  of  the  cedar.  They 
were  very  shy,  and  coidd  only  be  olitahied  by  stratagem. 

Dr.  Kennerly,  in  his  llejtort  on  the  birds  ob.served  in  the  explorati>'ns 
under  the  charge  of  I.ientenant  Whi)>ple,  speaks  of  meeting  witli  these  birds 
in  tho.  liocky  Mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Puebh)  of  Zuni,  in  New 
Mexico.  Thence,  westward,  he  occasionally  met  with  it,  and  usually  in  the 
cedar  thickets. 

Dr.  Suckley  mentions,  in  his  Ke])ort  on  the  Zoidogy  of  Wa.shington  Terri- 
tory, ol)taining  a  sjiecimen  of  this  species  at  Fort  Steilacoom,  April  28,  I806. 
It  was  very  wihl  and  ditticult  of  a])proach.  It  was  the  only  specimen  ob- 
tained, and  he  considered  it  accidentiil  west  of  the  Cascade  Mountains.  Dr. 
Cooper,  in  the  same  h'eport,  s])eaks  of  obtaining  a  specimen  near  Fort  Lara- 
mie in  Octolier,  where  it  seemed  to  be  not  uncommon. 


lityinfUslfx  ttnrnsi  it<li. 


AMI'KLID.K-TlfE  CIIATTKHKH.S.  ^jj 

Dr.  rcK^K.,..  i„  l.i.  Hi,,,,  ,.f  (•.lilun.ia,chv.llH  witl.  n.ud.  cMuj-LaHis  upon 
th  .y,,l,ttu  n.e  ndy  nl  this  .species.  Jfuvin.n.hvuy.s  Inun.l  them  sih.„,.aM.l 
W..1.  ha luts  l,ke  the  KivcatciK.rs-,  he  wus  .pute  unprepare-l  to  he.,,  the.a  ^i,..'- 
.n,  .a  tl.e  S.emt  Nevada,  an.l,  if  he  had  not  obtained  the  hinl.  would  not 
have  hel.eved  that  one  of  this  fan.ily  was  eapahle  of  sin.in.  with  sueh 
l-"er        he.r.song.  he  says,  ean  he  eon.imved  with  notiun,'  uttere.l  l.v  any 

ol  the  Moekn>y.|!M,l  ,n  sweetne,s.s,  besides  hein-  entirelv  ...i-nnal 

He  met  with  only  a  lew  of  this  speeies  an..n,  s.ane  juni,:..  on  the  west- 
cm  slope  near  the  snn.nnt,  ,n  September,  18.;;!.  He  has  always  met  with 
then,  nearly  s.ugly.  Dp.  1,.,.,^  found  then,  at  Fort  Webster,  Xew  Mexieo 
in  large  mnnbers,  both  in  fall  and  in  winter.  Their  hon.e.  Dr.  Cooper  thinks' 
•sooms  to  be  ,n  the  vu^inity  of  the  great  deserts  of  the  central  regions,  or  the' 
cechir-covered  niountanis  that  intersect  them 

l)...W,.odhouse  obtained  sevend  speein.ens  on  the  Zuni  Mountains  in 
^e^  Mexico  an.l  from  there  westward  found  it  e.vccding'v  abundant.  Its 
food  .seemed  to  be  exclusnely  berries,  and  chiefly  those  of  the  cedar 

Dr.Coues  also  found  these  birds  rare  summer  residents  in  Arizona  and 
con  u.ns  its  possession  of  rare  local  powers,  producing  a  rich,  sweet,  and 
finely  modulated  song. 

w,^!M^"^r?  ';:''^" ;'^;  "'  •'<-"»l»"'yi"^  Mr.  King's  party  of  explorations, 
M.ites  that  he  found  tins  curious  bir.l  only  occasionally,  mo.st  freonently 
among  the  pines  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  only  once  or  t.ice  among  the 
mountains  east  ol  that  range.     In  July,  18(i7,  he  found  a  ne,st  of  this  bird 
It  was  m  a  deep  ravine  on  the  western  slo,.e  of  the  Sierras,  at  an  altitiule  of 
five  thousand  (eet.     It  was  placed  in  a  cavity  of  the  rocks  forming  the  per- 
pendicular U].per  bank  of  a  sluice  constructed  for  mining  purpo,ses,  throu-d. 
which  ran  the  waters  of  a  considerable  mountain  stream.     The  nest  was  akmt 
a  foot  above  the  water,  and  was  as  bulky  as  tiiat  of  the  Hnrp„rh,nrhn.  r.fn. 
and  similarly  constructed,  I)eing  composed  almost  entirely  of  sticks      It  ,' 
tamed  four  young.     When  he  approached,  the  female  was  much  ex,.ited  iU 
ing  before,  or  running  on  the  gromid  in  the  manner  of  a  true  Thrush    'iMr 
Itidgway  makes  no  mention  of  its  song. 

MiN  Lonl  met  with  these  binls  only  once,  and  then  at  Col vi lie,  towards  the 
end  of  November.     All  the  leaves  had  fallen,  the  ground  was  deeply  covered 
with  snow  and  the  cold  was  intense.     His  attenti<.n  was  first  attracted  by 
hearing  a  low  sweet  song,  not  unlike  that  of  the  Song  Thrush  of  Europe 
which  at  that  season  was  a  most  unusual  sound.     On  looking  around  he 
saw  about  twenty  of  these  birds  perched  on  the  top  sprays  of  some  white 
thorn-oushes.     In  their  mode  of  darting  off  and  returning  again  they  re- 
nunded  him  of  a  Shrike.      He  .shot  six,  and    could   ,leiect   no   material 
diderence  in  plumage  between  males  and  females.     In  the  stomachs  of 
hose  he  opened  were  the  remains  of  small  coleopterous  insects  and  a  few 
liaws. 


412 


NOIiTIl  A.MEUICAN  mRDfl. 


Family  LANIIDJE.  -    Tiik  SirniKKs. 

CnAH      Dill  very  pouo, Ihl,  strong,  «,„1  mud. comprcsso.l,  th..  tip  nbr.iptly  hooko.l.  .looply 

otdH.,1,  aiRl  with  a  pn.iniiH.Mt  t.-nth  l„.l.in.l  the-  notcl, ;  l,„th  nm„,lil,l,.s,listinctlv  not,.l 'o.l 

ho  uppc-r  w.tl,  «  .iistiiu.t  tontl,  l,..|,i,„l,  tho   lower  witl.  tlu-  point  bent  np.     'IWsi  longer 

"^•"  the  „„,l,lk.  t,u,  .tron.dy  s,.nt,.|l,Ue.     Prinmries  ten;  lirst  prin.ary  half  the  se.on.i,  or 

.^.ortcr  ,o,...as,onaliy  wantin;,;.     Wn,^,  short,  ronn,le,l;  tail  long  an.l   niueh  gra.Inate.l. 

fellies  of  tarsi  with  the  plates  divided  on  the  outside. 

Of  this  family  only  a  sinyle  yenus  is  known  in  North  America. 


iiv.si- 


COLLURIO,    Viouiw. 


Co!h,no,  \  Hions,  Vr.  Z,„A.  .S,„..  is;,],  42.     ('!>.,  L.nnu.s  ,:rn,l,i,o,;  L.) 
Lnniii.s,  Al-<T.  (not  ef  I.inn.kis,  w1,„s..  tv]..'  Ih  /..  aM„h,s) 
Vn/hn-in,  O.  It.  OiiAY.       liAii!!.,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  323 


GeX.  ClIAIt. 


longer  th.an  the 


reathers  of  forehea.l  stilfened  ;  base  of  bill;  including  nostril.s,  covered  by 

lirislly  leathers  directed  ibrward.  Bill 
shorter  than  the  head,  much  com- 
pressed, and  very  powerful.  Cnlinen 
decurved  liom  base,  the  n  idible  ub- 
rupliy  bent  down  in  a  powerful  liook 
with  an  acute  lobe  near  the  tip.  Tip 
of  lower  inamlible  lient  upwards  in  a 
liook  ;  the  goiiy.s  very  convex.  Rie- 
tus  with  long  bristles.  Legs  stout; 
the  tarsi  rather  .«hort,  and  longer  than 
the  middle  toe;  the  lateral  equal; 
the  daws  all  very  sharp  and  much 
curved.  Wings  rounded;  the  first 
primary  about  half  the  second,  wliidi 
is  equal  to  the  .sixth  or  .seventh.    Tail 


Cbllurin  fxniMtoroirlfs. 
wings,  much  graduated,  the  feathers  I'.road. 


Bitt  few  .spec.es  of  this  yenus  helong  to  America,  and  these  are  confined  to 
the  northern  portion.  For  the  purjiose  of  more  retulily  identifyin-^  the  spe- 
cies we  present  a  hrief  dia,,nosis,  and  then  furnish  .Icscnptions  of  aU  (itichul- 
ing  a  European  ally)  in  a  single  table.  . 

Species. 

A.   Outer  webs  of  secondaries  wholly  white  for  basal  half  (mostly  concealed 

by  coverts,  however).     Upper  eyelid  white. 

C.  excubitor.'  Xasal  tufts  grayi.sh-white.  fn  other  respects,  as  rec^ards 
colors,  hk-c  rxcubitoroHk..  Wing,  4.2(J;  tail,  4.00;  tarsus  itt  'ifab 
Jiurope.  I        •  • 

1  iMiiiMwuhilnr,  I, INS.  .Syst.  Nat.  ed.  lo,  94. 


I.ANIUhK      TIIKSIIKIKI-X 

413 


"■  ;:t,:;:':::::;:;;';r;ti;; ■'-""; ''T-'-'' '■ 

C.boreall«.     I, r  half  „f  nasal  lulN  u-hic     Mlark  s,,..,..,  I    i      ,       , 

<'ov.M-,SH„p,.on..l.in,wl.ii     Z^'"      \.r:'-t:  r'""'  '''''- 

t^;-^;;:::::r^^^^^^  - 

C.l„aovioia„ua.     n .,.,.„„,...,  „„..,•  „^.,„.  ,_ .^^^^^^^^^^ 

'\kxiiI  titjts  eulirvhj  hhirh  '  ' 

i*:;:s,:";;;:„:; :  5  ?;-''-'"''"«"'- 

Ulack  of  lores  l.onl,r,.,l  al.ovo  hv  lioarv-wliit  si,     T  II       •      , 
-s.non,lan,.s  as  in  e..Minroid..    ^,^7t,.J      "T'^'""'- 

of  oar-..ov,.,.ts.     Win.,  r.x... ,?  I  'f- «^>'»'>t",u..s  wanting,  abov.)  to  .m..! 

a  white  pa„.l,  a,.,.osX;  oS  ■  ''"^"''^^ '""'  »-'  '''-k;  the  ib,™e,- wi.l. 

tl.e  secoLlane.  ^.^^  H    ^      ::■';^^:•T"'•^  r  '"'"■'■^^•'"'^  of  .eeon..a,.ios)  ; 

-ti.,.,.e.jL.n,.e;::";;,;i:a,::;,::;,x 


\ar.  r  n h  ii  s  t  u  s  . 


414  N'OKTll  AMKUICAN'  IMltDS. 

Al>(>vc  liulit  Msh.     I  lipci-  liiil-idvcils  ;iiiil  t'oii'liiMd  iiincli  ]i:il('r  than  t\w 
liiiL'k,  tlic  iDiiiicr  willidiil   \viiv<mI  lines.     AxiUiiis  wliilisli. 

Inner  welis  of  .seeonihnies  paler  Inwanl.s  e(lui'>.  Iml  not  i\\'  well- 
(li'lineil  wliile.  (,'iineealeil  lia.--e.-  of  lail-l'ealliers.  e.Nee|>t  sixlli,  wliile. 
Tarsus  shorler  llian  llie  ffape  i>l  nioulli.  Len.^lli.  lil.OO;  extent, 
H..")();   wini;-.   1.70:   tail,  4.7(l;   liiU  above,  .S,") ;   tarsus,.!):!        .         .    Ihiinilis 

B«    ]{la<'k  I  1 l<-siri|i<>  not  involving'  upper  bonier  of  I've  or  upper  eyelid, 

which  is  \\  liiiisli,  and  not  ineetini;  ai'rnss  the  Ibrehead.  its  upper  edi;e  iie- 
hind  the  eye  with  searei'ly  a  li;:liler  border.  No  jiateli  of  white  on  lowei' 
eyeliil.  I'nder  parts  unvaried  white;  in  I'eniali'  obscurely  waved,  liase  ol' 
nilder  luaiidilile  wiiitish.      Leiiulh  about  i)  inches. 

Above  lij;ht  ash.     I'pper  tail-c'overts  and  Ibr-ehcd  deiidedly  paler  than 
tlio  back,      .Vxillars  whitish. 

Inner  wi'lis  of  all   seecuidaries   (except    iiuierinosi)  while  to  shall, 

except  Ibr  le>s   than    li'rininal    hall!  which   is  black   alolij;'   the  shall. 

Concealed  base  of  tail  white,  except  on  sixth  li'ather.      Tarsus  eipial 

to  the  j,''ape       ...,,...,.  ixrnhitdr. 

C    lilack  check-stripes  involvinu'  upper  eyelid,  as  in  A,  bin  without   jialcli 

ol' while  below  tl ye:   lui'i'tiui;-  in  a  narrow,  soinctiines  iiicons])icnous,  line 

a<'ross  the  Ibi'i'hcail,  its  upper  edi;-c  lichind  tin'  eye  not  bordere(l  by  lii;liter. 
]!eni'atli  plain  while,  or  veiy  oliscurely  waved  in  hidiiririiiinis  {\\\r  Icniale  ?). 
IJiil,  wiieii  nialnri',  entirely  black.      lA'n;;lh  about  .S.rid  inches. 

Above  <lark  pluinlicous-asli.  I'pper  tail-coverls  and  t'oreliead  .scarcely 
paler  thai    the  back,     ."^ides  anil  breast  linked  with  bliii.sh-jjray. 

Hlai'k  of  lor.'d  space  rathi'r  hoary  alon.sr  upper  border.  I'Voiilal 
dark  line  inappreciable  or  wanliii;;-.  Inner  welis  of  .secondaries 
paler  only  .-iloiifr  the  marginal  half,  and  not  aliruptly  wiiito.  Axil- 
lars  pluinlicous.  Tail-li'athcrs.  except  the  inneriuosl.  with  ,\  con- 
cealed well-deline(l  white  patch  at  base,  larjjcst  on  the  more  ex- 
terior oiii'.  Hill  from  nostiil,  .od,  I'nder  piu-ls  ofleii  with  verv 
ob.se me  faint  w.ivcd  lines  (in  tlu!  female ';•).  While  patch  on  wini;- 
reaohinj;  alioul  to  middle  of  fn-sl  piimary.  Tarsus  i^pial  to  the 
■raiie.  Leii>,'lh.  8..')0  ;  wiuLj-.  :!.7'i ;  (ail,  4.10;  liill  above,  ..'^'J  ;  tar- 
sus, 1.00 Iiiilorlciiiiinn. 

Hlac'k  of  lor.il  space  without  any  lii;-htenin;j'  .above  il.  Frontal 
black  band  Well  inarkccl.  Inni'rwebs  of  .secouilarics  (except  in- 
neriuosl) pure  while  to  shaft,  except  aloiiLT  rallu'r  nmre  th.-in  ler- 
inin.il  half,  where  the  shaft  is  boi-dered  by  black,  .\xillars  whitish. 
Tail-feathers  black  to  base,  except  the  loose  fibres,  which  are  i.'ray- 
ish.  Itill  from  nostril,  .110,  I'mler  parts  without  waved  llne.s. 
White  patili  on  win<^  reaeliinfi;  nearly  opposite  to  end  of  liist 
primary.  Tarsus  about  e(|iial  to  the  i;ape.  LciiL'th.  S,7.") ;  winir, 
■l.'JO;   tail,   1. 10:   bill  abovi',  1.00;  tarsus,  l.'JO  ....     cliyaiis. 

.\liove  liLihl  ash-color.  I'piiei'  lail-coverls  ami  forehead  much  lii;hler 
than  the  back,  the  former  sometimes  .almost  uhite.  Sides  and  breast 
;j<'iierally  nearly  pure  white. 

Ulack  of  lord  space  with  conspienous  hoary  m.arnin  tdiovi'  il. 
Inner  web  of  secondaries  inueli  as  in  ('.  hiilnriridiiii.i.  .\xillars 
whitish.  Tail-fi'athcrs  with  concealed  white  patch  at  bases  of  all 
the  feathers.  Hill  from  nostril  about  ."lO.  .Vo  waved  lini's  beneath. 
White  jialch  on  winjr  I'caehinL:'  nearly  opposite  to  end  of  lirsl  pri- 
mary. Tarsus  lonu'cr  than  the  t;ape.  Ia'UciIi,  .'^.."lO  ;  win;;,  -l.O."i: 
t.'iil,  l.'J.'i;  bill  alio\'e,  .s:] ;   tarsil>,  1 . 1 'J       ....         c.iciihiloi'oiden. 


r,.\.\III).K--TIIK  SIIKIKKS. 


4  IT) 


CoUurio  borealis,   l!\ii;i. 

GREAT  NOBTHEEN  SHRIKE,  OR  BUTCHER-BIRD. 

liiiiim  hoi-riilh,  Vikii.i.ut,  His,  Am.  Srpl.  I,  i.xir,  ski,  |,1.  1.  Sw.  —  Ani.  Svii.  -  In. 
Hiids  Am.  IV,  lm-2,  l;!ii,  pi.  oxx.vvi.  Casmn.  -Max,  (ah.  ,I(.im.  VI,  i.^r.S,  liiu 
(rplMTMUsoiiii).  ,Imn|.;.s,  Nat.  |!,.|iiiii(la,  }s:,:,  .-,]  (U'limula).  l)|;i;ssi;i!  &  Sii.Uii'K, 
1'.  Z.  S.  1870,  SIM),  t'li/h/n'ii  Imtridis,  1!aii:|i,  liinl.s  \.  Am.  l.sr.,s,  ;f-J|.  ('(kipki!  & 
Si<-ki,i;y,  v.  I!.  I!,.]).  XII,  ii,  ISOd,  ls."< (Wasliiimimi  TiiiilmyK  -  Dam,  .t  lUsMsiKii, 
2S0  lAla.ska).  -  Hamikl.s  l'>inls  N.  Km-  -Jil.S.  fnlhirio  horailis,  ISamm.,  1!,.v.  .Vm.  ]]', 
18ti4,  4411.  Liniiii.s  r.ndhil,,,;  Imuisiki;,  I'liil.  Tniiis.  L.\||,  1771;,  li.s-j  ,,||,t  „f  l.rsN.Kr.s). 
—  \Vh,.siin,  I,  1808,  74,  pi.  V,  li^'.  1.  hniiiis  s,j,/,„fn'ii,i„!i.i,  Hon.  Syii.  l.siS,  72  (not 
ol'd.MHl.lN,  wliifli  i;aiiTi()t  lie  iilcntilicil  a.s  an  .Vmcilian  spicier).  CikM'F.];,  Orii.  Ciil. 
I,  187(1,  l;i7.  ~('Assi\,  I'l.  A.  X.  S,..  I8r,7,  -Ji:!, -.Mini;AV,  K,l,  X,.«-  I'liil.  .I.air 
XI,  18r.!l,  2-2;)  (II.  li.  T.). 

IlAli.      WlidJL-  of  Aiun-ica  ii.n'lii  el'  riiili'd  Slalcs;   \n  \viiil,-i-  s,,iilh   U,    Wa.-liiii^loii.  St. 
Lotii.s,  rawult  (Ai-i/.oiia).  anil  Norlli  CaliloMiia  ;    iirrniinla  (wiiiliT,  .I(im:s). 

Tlie  (l.e.scrii)ti(iii  of  this  iuid  Uii'  mioccodino-  s|pwics  will  ii,.  inuud  on  iva'^v 
4IM.  Ill  wiiitiT,  the  colons,  (;s]H'ciully  of  the  iimniitmti  Mids,  aic  (|inte 
(lilfcnnit  from  Iho.sc  (lu.scribcd.  The  ].liuiia,i;c  of  the  iididt,  in  winter,  dilfers 
from  that  of  s]mw^  as  follows:  the  lores  and  iia.sal  tidts  are  whiti.sh,  instead 
of  pure,  siiar])ly  detined  lilaek,  with, 
however,  some  of  the  hair-like  Hlires 
hlaekish.  The  ash  uiiove  is  a  little 
less  clear,  the  wlute  lieneatli  h^ss  jmre; 
the  under  mandihle  whitish  at  the  lia.se. 
An  imniature  bird,  in  winter,  has  tiie  ash 
above  overlaid  by  ii  wash  of  reddish- 
brown,  pnnhieinj^'  a  j)revailiiiy  uinforin 
li<;iit-br(jwn  tint ;  the  black  on  side  of 
head  i.s  reduced  to  an  obsolete  jmteh  on 
tiie  ear-coverts.  The;  dull  white  beneath 
is  everywhere  —  sometimes  even  on  the 
hiwer  tail-coverts  —  covered  witii  nu- 
merous bars  of  dusky,  more  sharply 
defined,  and  darker  tiian   in  the  adult. 

Ka.stern  sjiecimens  ajipear  to  have  as  mncli  white  nn  the  rump  as  Western 
ones. 

llAlilTs.  In  tlie  breed in^-sea.son  this  species  of  Shrike  is  found  in  all 
North  America  north  of  the  United  States,  and  is  .said  to  breed  also  witidn 
our  territory,  in  mountainous  districts.  Siu:h,  at  least,  is  the  statement  of 
Mr.  Andul)on,  and  Wilson  leaves  us  to  infer  the  same  thiu"-  bv  uiviu"-  a 
minute  desc,rii)tion  of  its  nest  and  e.^i^s.  Hut  .ViKhilxiu  may  liave  con- 
founded this  species  with  the  (•,'r//('//7,(/„/,A,s,  and  Wd.sun.  a|p])arenllv  believing 
our  species  and  the  f.rcHhittif  oi  Kurope  to  lie  identical,  may  iiave  had  tlie 


f  'offliriti  I  .rrithilnrniilt  ,s. 


416  NOIITII  AMKHICAN  IJIHDS. 

iRst  and  c^i'^ii  of  the  Europcau  liinl  iii  view  in  his  description.  We  know 
of  a  single  recent  instance  in  \vliicli  tliis  bird  has  bred  within  the  limits 
of  tlie  I'nited  States,  Ihuuyh  it  may  breed  in  Xorthern  and  Eastein  Maine. 
^Ir.  r>uardinaii  spoke  of  it  as  conniion  onh'  in  winter,  near  Calais,  l.)ut 
lie  has  since  met  with  its  nest  in  Xew  IJriinswick,  witliin  twelve  miles 
of  St.  Stephen.  It  was  supposed  liy  his  informant  to  be  the  nest  of  the 
Canada  Jay,  but  proved,  on  shootiny  the  pareut,  to  be  that  of  the  Xortli- 
cru  Shrike.  When  I'ound,  it  contained  four  e;j;;4S,  but  these  had  hatched 
out  bel'ore  it  was  secured.  Tlie  nest  was  I'ound  on  the  last  of  April,  and 
was  built  in  a  low  spruce-tree.  Mr.  lioardman  lias  since  seen  these  birds  in 
his  neighborhood  during  the  suuiuier.  Professor  Verrill  thinks  it  is  only 
connuon  in  the  autunni  and  winter  in  Western  Maine,  fn  AVestern  Massa- 
chusetts, Mr.  Allen  cites  it  as  uot  very  common,  but  a  regular  winter  visit- 
ant, from  the  last  of  October  to  the  midille  of  A^iril. 

Mr.  liidgway  met  with  it  frci|uently  in  the  neighborhood  of  Carson  City 
during  the  wiuter,  among  the  willows  bordering  the  streams  that  How  fi-om 
the  mountains.  Dr.  Coues  also  i'ound  it  as  far  south  as  Arizona,  though 
Mr.  Dresser  did  not  meet  with  any  in  Te.xas,  nor  did  Dr.  AVoodhouse  notice 
any  in  his  e.\])edition  to  the  Zuni.  Captain  Feilner  found  this  species  com- 
mon, in  the  colder  months,  in  the  northeastern  portions  of  California,  and 
Dr.  Cooper  gives  it  as  aliumhint  at  the  Cobuubia  Iliver  in  October. 

Mr.  Auduljon  further  states  that  in  severe  winters  he  has  met  with  it  as 
far  .south  as  Xatchez  on  the  Mississi])])i.  It  is  also  not  uncommon  in  Ken- 
tucky during  the  same  season,  liut  he  never  met  with  it  near  the  seaboard. 

Mr.  Kennicott's  memoranda  in  reference  to  this  species  are  to  the  effect 
that  he  observed  one  individual  at  Fort  Simjison,  September  23,  and  again 
October  22,  but  on  no  other  occasion.  Hoth  of  these  specimen.s,  when  first 
observed,  were  singing.  Their  notes,  he  states,  M'ere  1(jw  and  irregular,  but 
were  varied  and  (piite  nnisical.  Captain  Ulakiston  found  these  birds  winter 
residents  on  the  Saskatchewan. 

In  the  fall  and  winter  of  IcSTl,  a  jiair  of  these  birds  was  attracted  to  the 
Common,  in  IJoston,  by  the  large  numlier  of  half-domesticated  Kumpean 
Sparrows.  For  a  while  they  made  daily  inroads  upon  these  favorites,  killing 
one  or  more  for  several  days  in  succession.  Tiiey  apjteared  to  keej)  them- 
selves secreted  most  of  the  time,  showing  themselves  each  day  e;irly  in  the 
forenoon,  and  jiouncing  ujion  their  victims,  unaware  of  their  near  ])resence,  in 
the  manner  of  a  Hawk,  aiming  always  at  the  heads,  which  were  tiun  olf  and 
devoured  ;  generally  the  iu^adh'ss  remains  were  left  uneaten.  In  one  in- 
stance where  a  Sparrow  had  been  struck  on  the  back,  an  ugly  wound  was 
mad(!,  the  bird  escaped  alive,  and  was  soon  after  seen,  in  the  middle  of  Tre- 
niont  Street,  apinirently  not  seriously  injured.  These  Shrikes  were  so  bold 
and  destructive  that  ]iaius  had  to  be  taken  to  watch  for  and  shoot  them. 
Three  were  killed,  on  dilferent  days,  and  each  with  a  dead  Si)arrovv  in  its 
claws,  upon  which  it  was  feasting  when  shot. 


LANTID.E  — TTIE  SHRIKES.  417 

Both  ^Ir.  Audubon  and  Mr.  Nuthdl  ivl'ir  to  tliis  81irike's  imitating  the. 
cries  ol'  otluT  l)ii'ds,  aiipaii'ntly  to  decoy  tlicni  within  its  reiudi.  The  former 
has  heard  it  utter  cries  like  tiiose  ol'  the  Sparrow  screaminjj;  in  the  claws  of 
a  Hawk,  to  induce;  them  to  come  out  of  their  coverts  and  rescue  their  sufl'er- 
ing  fellows,  and  has  sisen  them  dart  suddenly  into  a  thii'ket  in  jiursuit  of  oiu;, 
from  which  would  soon  issue  tlie  real  cries  of  the  hird  it  had  seized.  Nuttall 
states  tiiat  in  some  parts  of  Xew  Kngland  this  Shrike  is  called  a  Mocking- 
Ihrd,  oii  account  of  its  inntations  of  tlie  notes  of  smaller  hird.s.  Its  more 
usual  note  resendJes  the  discordant  creaking  of  a  signboard  hinge.  He  also 
states  that  it  has  been  known  to  mimic  the  quacking  of  ducks,  .so  that 
these  would  answer  to  it  as  t(j  a  decoy.  He  heard  one  of  these  birds,  as 
late  as  Noveml)er  1(1,  uttering  a  h)w  and  soft  warble,  resendiling  that  of  the 
Song  Sparrow,  innncdiattdy  after  changing  it  to  the  notes  of  the  Catbird. 

When  in  pursuit  of  small  l)irds,  it  will  dart  down  with  closed  wings,  in 
the  manner  of  a  Hawk,  and  seldom  fails  to  ol)tain  the  object  of  its  pursuit, 
following  it  with  rapidity  and  ])ertinacity  tiirough  the  thickets  in  whii^h  it 
seeks  shelter.  When  it  seizes  its  prey,  it  alights  on  its  back,  and  tears  open 
its  head. 

Its  bold  audacity  ami  ))erseverance  are  quite  remarkable,  and  arc  often  dis- 
played, in  (lu;  fall,  in  the  manner  in  which  it  will  enter  an  a])artment 
through  an  open  wimhnv  and  attack  a  Canary,  even  in  the  i)reseiice  of  mem- 
bers of  the  family.  It  randy  fails,  if  it  gains  access  to  the  cage,  to  destroy  its 
inmate  before  the  latter  can  be  rescued  by  the  intervention  of  tho.se  ])rcsent, 
and  only  l\v  great  promi)tness  in  sheltering  the  cage.  In  one  instance  the 
writer  was  sitting  at  a  closed  window  reading,  with  a  Canary  Iianging  above 
him.  Suihlcnly  there  was  a  .severe  blow  striu^k  at  the  pane  of  glass  near 
the  cage,  and  the  frightened  Canary  uttered  cries  of  alarm  and  fell  to  the 
bottom  of  its  cage  The  cause  was  soon  ex]dained.  A  Shrike  hail  dashed 
upon  the  bird,  unt'onscious  of  the  intervening  glass,  and  was  stretched  upon 
the  snow  under  the  window,  stunned  by  tlie  blow.  He  revived  wlien  taken 
up,  and  livtul  several  days,  was  sidlen,  but  tanu',  and  utterly  devoid  of  fear. 
Ht;  refused  raw  meat,  but  eagerly  tore  in  pieces  and  devoured  small  l)irds 
when  given  to  him.  His  tameness  and  indiifereiu'C  to  our  presence  naiy  have 
been  occasioned  by  stu])or  arising  from  his  injury.  In  another  case  a  Shrike 
mad(!  a  similar  attack,  lint  escajfcd  unharmed,  and  though  he  remainetl  about 
(he  iiimse  several  days,  was  too  wary  to  allow  himself  to  be  decoyed  within 
gunshot. 

A  nest  of  the  Northern  Shrike,  containing  six  eggs,  was  obtained  by 
R.  li.  McFarlane,  at  Anderson  IJiver  Fort,  duiu!  11,  ISii:')  This  is  in  many 
respects  in  striking  contrast  with  the  nests  of  its  kindivd  species  of  the 
Southern  States,  far  exceeding  tlunn  in  its  relative  size,  in  elal)orate  finish 
and  warmth.  It  is  altogether  a  remarkable  examjile  of  what  are  known  as 
felted  nests,  where  various  materials  are  most  elaborately  worked  together 
into  a  homojieneous  and  symmetrical  wliole.     It  is  seven  inches  in  diameter 


418  NORTH  A.MKIUCAN  lUKDS. 

and  three  and  a  half  in  lieight.  Tlic  cavity  is  iiroiiortionately  large  and 
deep,  haviuy  a  diameter  of  fdiir  and  a  half  inches,  and  a  dejjth  of  two. 
Except  tlie  base,  which  is  composed  of  a  few  twigs  and  stalks  of  coarser 
plants,  the  nest  is  made  entirely  of  warm  and  soft  materials,  most  elalforately 
interworked  together.  These  materials  are  featiiers  from  varicjus  birds,  tine 
down  of  the  Eider  and  other  ducks,  line  mosses  and  lichens,  slender  stems, 
crasses,  etc.,  and  are  skilfully  and  artistically  wrought  into  a  beautiful  and 
symmetrical  nest,  strengthened  by  the  interposition  of  a  few  slender  twigs 
and  stems  without  aflecting  the  general  felt-like  character  of  the  whole.  The 
egg  measures  1.10  inches  by  .8(1,  ami  is  of  a  light  greenish  ground,  marbled 
and  streaked  with  blotches  of  obscure-purple,  clay-cohir,  ami  rufous-brown. 

Sir  John  Jlichardson  found  this  a  by  no  means  uncommon  bird  in  the 
woody  districts,  at  least  as  far  as  the  sixteenth  parallel.  On  account 
of  its  resemblance  to  the  Canada  .lay,  the  Indians  called  it  the  "While 
Whiskey-John."  It  remains  all  winter  in  the  fur  regitms,  but  is  nnieh  more 
numerous  in  summer,  lie  states  that  the  nest  is  built  in  the  fork  of  a  tree, 
of  dry  grass  and  lichens  neatly  intertwined,  and  lined  with  feathers. 


Collurio  ludovicianus,  r..viRn. 

SOTTTHEHN  SHBIKE ;  LOOOEBHEAD. 

Lanhis  ludovkianua,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  17i)li,  134  (basud  mi  Laniii.'i  hidovicianns,  RltissoN, 
II,  102,  tab.  .\v,  lif,'.  2.)  — Aui).  Orn.  IMog.  I,  1S31,  ItOO,  pi.  x.\xvii.  —  In.  Binls  Am. 
IV,  jil.  ocx.xxvii.  —  ('.\.s,si\,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  1S,'.7,  213.  CoUiji-io  Imhvkiiinus,  Baiud, 
Binls  N.  Am.  1».")8,  325.  Collurio  Iialoc.  IJ.VU'.l),  Iti'V.  Am.  1$.  1864,  443.  L'oiius 
ardnshcfus,  ViKii.i.nr,  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  I,  IS07,  81,  pi.  li.  Laniiis  carolinensis,  Wiw. 
Am.  Orn.  Ill,  1811,  57,  pi.  xxii,  \\g.  5. 

Hab.     South  Atlantii'  (and  Oiill'V)  Slat.'s. 

The  young  bird  is  (piite  dilferent  from  the  iidult,  differing  as  does  that  of 
cxcithitoroklts,  but  the  colors  are  all  darker  than  in  the  corresponding  age  of 
that  species. 

Haiuts.  This  s])ecies,  if  we  regard  it  as  distinct  from  the  excuhiforoidi\% 
has  apparently  a  very  restricted  distribution,  ))eing  confined  to  the  South 
Atlantic  and  (Julf  Stiites.  1  am  not  aware  that  it  has  lieen  found  farther 
norHi  than  Xortli  Carolina.  It  is  not  common,  according  to  Audubon, 
either  in  Louisiana  or  Mississippi,  and  jirobalily  only  occurs  there  in  the 
winter.  I  have  had  its  eggs  from  South  Carolina,  (ieorgia,  and  Florida. 
Dre.sser  speaks  of  this  Shrike  as  common  in  Te.xas  in  summer,  and  Dr. 
Woodhouse  states  that  he  found  it  very  abundant  in  Texas  and  the  Indian 
Territory.  These  observations  may  probably  apply  to  the  kindred  race,  (■■>•- 
cubiforoirh's,  and  not  to  this  form. 

It  is  said  to  be  exclusively  a  liird  of  the  lowlands,  and  never  to  be  met 
with  iu  the  mountainous  parts,  even  of  its  restricted  habitat. 


LAXIIDvE-THK  SHRIKES.  ^^g 


lie 


I).  C.,ues  found  tlus  «,„.,.,.«  very  conunon  in  tl.o  noi,hl.orhood  of  Colun. 
bi.i,  S.  L    IrcMiuc.nting  tl.o  wnn.led  st.v.ts  and  wa.sto  fields  of  tl.at  city      On 
one  occasion  he  ohsened  a  Loggerhead  la.sily  l.,.a,in,  ,W  ilX      e 
gro..ds  o,  t  e  Capifol.      F^on.  the  to,,  of  a  tall   la.h  i^  wonl.l      IZ^ 
.My  uut,  capture  a  htrge  grassho,,.,  an<l  .-any  it  to  u  tree  near  by    u     J 
sharp  tw,g,s.     It  wouhl  then  proceed  to  in.pale  the  insect  on  one  of     L^ 
I.oint,s    reu.a,n  awiule  watching  the  result  of  its  perfonnance.  and  the 
sunie  Its  post  on  the  bush,  watching  for  u.ore  grasshoppers,  s^n.e  of  w  i  h 
one  by  one,  .t  caught  and  nnpaled  in  like  u.anner,  oth..  it  iue  on  U  el  ^    ' 
This  curious  habit  of  impaling  inseC,  more  or  less  common  to  the    nt  re 
annly  of  Shrikes,  seems  to  admit  of  no  satisfactory  explanation.     I,    t 
case  the  bird  thus  secnre.l  them  when  apparently  huiig;y,  eatin.  some      d 
3l;..^thers.     .et,  so  fUr  as  I  know,  .  never  niake^  Ly  us^f  .l^t 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  in  South  Carolina  it  is  quite  eommon  alon.  the 
f  nces  and  hedges  about  the  rice  plantations  at  all  seasons,  and  that   t°r 
ders  good  service  to  the  planters  in  the  destruction  of  field-mice,  as  wel     s 
o^   muiy  o,  the  lai^er  n.sects.     He  speaks  of  its  song  as  consisti  g  only  o 
hull,  clear,  creaking,  prolongcl  notes,  resembling  the  gratin-.-  of  a  rusty 
lunge.     His  account  differs,  in  many  respects,  from  the  more  n.  in  te       J 
exact  descriptions  of  Rey.  J)r.   Uachman.     In  pursuing  its  prey     e  st. 
that  It  uivariably  strikes  it  with  its  bill  befbre  seizing  i^with  its  daws 

In  reference  to  its  song.  Dr.  Bachman  states  that  it  has  other  notes  besides 
the  grating  sound  mentioned  by  Audubon,  1  )uri„g  the  breeding-.season  ad 
nearly  all  the  summer,  (he  male  bird  posts  itself  at  the  top  of  some  he 
and  makes  an  e(  brt  at  a  song,  which  he  compares  to  the  first  attempts  of  a 
oung  I  rown  Thrush.  This  is  a  Labored  efibrt,  and  at  thnes  the  notes  ar 
not  uniileasnig,  but  very  irregular. 

Dr.  IJachman  also  claims  tl.at  the  male  evinces  marked  evidences  of  attach- 
ment to  Ins  mate,  carrying  to  her,  every  now  an.l  then,  a  grasshopper  or  a 
cneket,  an.l  dnving  away  hawk  or  crow  as  they  approach  the  nest 

lie  also  states  that  he  has  usually  found  the  nest  on  the  outer  limbs  of 
trees,  often  from  hfteen  to  thirty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  only  once  on  a 
bash  .so  low  as  ton  feet  fn.m  the  ground.     He  has  occasionally  seen  these 
•n-ds  feeding  on  mice,  and  also  on  bir.ls  that  had  been  aj.parently  Mounded 
.y  tl.o  sportsman.     It  will  sometimes  catch  young  uJL  devour  t!!em 
but  IS  food  consists  chiefly  of  grasshoppers,  crickets,  coleopterous  a.ul  othe; 
insects,  including  butterflies  and   moths,  which  it  will  pursue  and  capture 
;  '  tl'o  -ng.     Dr.  IJachman  has  observed  its  habit  of  pinning  insects  on 
thoriLS.     In  one  mstan-.e  he  saw  it  ocipy  it.self  for  hours  in  .stickin-r  up  in 
this  way,  small  hshes  thrown  on  the  shore,  but  he  has  never  known  them  to 
devour  anything  thus  impaled. 

This  Shrike   is   partially  migratory  in  South  Carolina,  as   a  few  maybe 
lonnd  all  winter,  but  only  one  tenth  of  those  seen  in  siunmer.     It  is  also 


420  NORTH  AMKRICAN  HI  UPS. 

vt'iy  loud  of  tlie  little  cliau^caljlL'  ^rot-ii  lizard,  wliicli  it  pursues  with  <;reat 
skill  aud  acti\ity,  lait  uot  always  with  success. 

It  is  said  also  to  breed  twice  iu  a  season.  Dr.  I'lachnian  deserilies  their 
ejijfs  as  white,  aud  Afr.  Audubon  sjjcaks  of  them  as  greenish-white.  Neither 
make  any  reference  to  their  spots. 

All  the  nests  that  I  have  ever  seen  of  this  species,  in  the  simplicity  of 
their  structure  and  in  their  lack  of  elaboration,  are  in  remarkable  contrast 
with  the  nests  of  both  the  huiralix  and  the  cirHhi/oiviilcs.  They  are  flat, 
shallow  structures,  with  a  hei^dit  of  aljout  two  inches  and  a  diameter  of  five. 
They  are  uiade  e.vternally  of  long  soft  strips  of  tiie  inner  bark  of  the  bass- 
wood,  strengthened  on  tiie  sides  with  a  few  dry  twigs,  stems,  aud  roots. 
Witiiin,  it  is  lined  with  fine  grasses  and  stems  of  herliace(ais  plants. 

The  eggs,  often  si.x.  in  number,  are  in  length  from  1.02  to  1.U8  inches,  and 
from  .72  to  .78  of  an  inch  in  breadth  ;  their  ground-color  is  a  yellowish  or 
cLiyey-white,  blotched  aud  marbled  with  dashes,  more  or  less  confluent,  of 
obscure  purjde,  light  brown,  and  a  purj dish-gray.  The  spots  are  usually 
larger  aud  more  scattered  than  in  the  eggs  of  6'.  horndin,  and  the  ground- 
color is  a  yellowish  and  uot  a  bluish  white,  as  in  the  eggs  of  C.  cxciihitoroidcs. 


CoUurio  ludovicianus,   var,  robustus,  IVmrd. 

WHITE-WINGED  SHRIKE. 

ft  Laniii.ir/r,if,,i.i,  Sw.  F.  B.  A.  II,  l,s31,  122.  —  Nirr.u.i,,  Man.  1,  1840,  2S7.  —  Cas.sin, 
I'r.  A.  N.  So.  18.')7,  213.  —  IJaiiid,  IJints  N.  Am.  1S.')S,  327.  Culhiriu  cktjuiix,  Baiiiu, 
liirds  N.  Ain.  ISoS,  328.  Valliiriu  clnjimx,  lUlUD,  IJev.  Am.  B.  lStJ-4,  ■14-t.  —  Cooi'EU, 
Oni.  ('ill.  I,  1870,  110.  (Ai'foiiliiij,'  to  IJur.ssi-i!  &  Siiai!IM'.,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  ri!)'., 
wlio  liiivc  cxaiiiiiKMl  the  tj-jH",  tliv  L.  clojuns  of  Swiiiusou  is  the  same  as  L.  lahlont, 
SvKlis,  ol'Sibeiia.) 

Ham.     Caliloniia? 

The  description  already  given  is  taken  from  a  specimen  iu  the  collection  of 
the  Philadelpiiia  Academy,  labelled  as  having  been  c(dlected  in  California  by 
Dr.  (Jambel,  and  is  very  decidedly  different  from  any  of  the  recognized  North 
American  species.  Of  nearly  the  size  of  C.  cjviihitoi'oidcs  and  litdovicianus, 
it  has  a  bill  even  more  powerful  than  that  of  C.  bunudU.  In  its  iiuwaved 
under  parts  and  uniform  color  of  the  entire  ujjjter  surface,  except  scapulars, 
it  differs  from  honvlia  and  e.irid/ifuruidi's,  and  resemldes  li't/orivictniia.  In  the 
extension  of  white  over  the  inner  webs  of  the  secondaries,  it  clo.sely  resem- 
bles 0.  (■jxi'lito):  The  great  restriction  of  white  at  the  base  of  tlie  tail  — 
the  four  central  featliers  being  entirely  black,  aud  the  bases  of  the  others 
grayish-ashy  —  is  (juite  peculiar  to  the  species. 

Tiie  specimen  iu  tlie  Philadelphia  Ai  ademy  we  originally  referred  to  the 
L.  ilcjimiH  of  .Swaiusou,  alleged  to  have  come  from  the  fur  couutri(!S,  as  al- 
though some  appreciable  dill'ereuces  presented  themselves,  especially  in  the 


LANIID.K  — THE  SlIllIKES.  421 

coloration  of  the  tail,  these  wuii;  coiisidorecl  as  losulting  from  an  imperfect 
description.  Messrs.  .Sharpe  and  Dres.ser,  however,  as  quoted  above,  show 
that  Swainson's  type  really  belongs  to  L  Inhtura,  an  Old  World  species. 
We  therefore  find  it  expedient  to  give  a  new  name  to  the  variety,  having  no 
reason  to  discredit  tiie  alleged  locality   .1"  the  specimen. 


Collurio  ludovicianus,  var.  excubitoroides,  Baikd. 

WESTEBN  LOOOEBHEAS ;  WHITE-HUMPED  SHBIKE. 

Lanius  exciibitoioiilcs,  Swainson,  V.  It.  .\.  II,  ]»ai,  lir,  (.Sa.skatt:Iii'waii).  -  <;amiii;i,,  Pr. 
A.  N.  Se.  1847,  :J(iO  (Cahi.). —Cassis,  IV.  A.  X.  Sc.  IS.''.-,  2ia.  -  -  S.i.ati;!!,  1'.  Z.  S. 
1864,  173  (City  of  Mcxko).  Vulhirin  e.,xiiliih<,;>iilfs,  I!aii!I>,  liinls  N.  Am.  IS.'kS,  '.vr,. 
Culiui-w  exciib.  lUlKl),  Kev.  Am.  li.  1804,  44.').  —  Cdoi-i;!;,  Oni.  Cal.  1,-  1870,  1:18. 
?  jMiiiun  mcximiiHs,  Bkkii.M,  Call.  .lour.  II,  1854,  145.  —  Sci.ATi.li,  Catal.  l.sUl,  4ii 
(Mi'.\u'.o).  Lditiii.i  liKhviehnuK,  JIax.  Cab.  Jour.  1858,  I'Jl  (Upjicr  iiksoiiri). — 
DliEssEli  &  SiiAUi'K,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  595. 

Had.  Western  Province  of  Xortli  Anioriea,  as  far  north  as  Orc-ron  ;  Jliddlo  Xoilli 
America,  to  the  Saskatchewan,  anil  cast  to  Wisconsin,  Michii;an,  and  Ilhnois;  .south  to 
Orizaba  and  Ouxaca,  and  City  of  Mexico ;  Capi;  St.  Lucas. 

The  precise  boundaries  between  this  species  and  C.  Indoviciamis  are  diffi- 
cult of  definition,  as  the  transition  is  almost  insensilile. 

Tlie  young  bird  is  pale  fulvous-ash  above,  everywhere  with  transverse 
crescentic  bars  of  dusky.  Two  l)ands  of  mottled  pale  iulvous  across  wings, 
on  tips  of  middle  and  greater  coverts.  Tail  tip])ed  with  ochraceous,  tiie 
white  featliers  tinged  with  the  same.  P.reast  and  sides  witli  obsolete  liars  of 
dusky.     Black  band  on  side  of  head  rather  olisolete. 

In  its  extreme  stage  of  coloration  it  dilfers  from  Iiiihvicinnm  in  paler  and 
purer  color ;  the  asli  of  liack  ligiiter ;  the  under  jjarts  brilliant  wliite,  not 
decidedly  plumbeous  on  tlie  sides  as  in  tiie  other,  and  without  so  great  a 
tendency  to  the  usual  obsolete  waved  lines  (imticed  distinctly  only  in  winter 
or  immature  bird.s) ;  the  axillars  Ijluisli-white,  not  ])lumbeous.  Tiie  white 
of  wings  and  tail  is  more  extended  ;  the  lioary  of  forehead  and  wliitish  of 
scapulars  more  distinct.  Tlie  bristles  at  base  of  bill  somewhat  involving  the 
feathers  are  black,  forming  a  narrow  frontal  line,  not  seen  in  the  other.  The 
nio.st  .striking  difference  is  in  the  rump  and  u])per  tail-coverts,  which  are 
always  apprecialily  and  abruptly  lighter  than  the  back,  sometimes  white  or 
only  faintly  glo,ssed  with  plumbeous  ;  while  in  typical  specimens  of  Imlo- 
vicianiis  these  feathers  arc  scarcely  lighter  at  all,  and  generally  more  or  less 
varied  with  bliickish  spots  at  the  end.  The  legs  and  tiiil  are  apparently  longer, 
the  latter  le.ss  graduateil.  These  dilferences  are,  however,  most  a))preciable  in 
specimens  from  the  Middle  and  Western  Provinces.  Those  from  the  AVesteni 
States,  east  of  tlie  Missouri  IJiver,  as  far  nortli  as  Wisconsin,  are  more  iiitcr- 
mediate  between  the  two,  although  still  nearest  to  the  Kocky  Mountain  bird 


422 


NidtTii  amkiu(;an  nrRDR. 


30138 


iia  dcscrihed ;  tlio  back  diirkor,  the  ruini)  and  iixillars  more  pluiiibeoiis,  the 
sides  more  bluish.  Tlicre  is  little  doubt  that  the  e.\aniinati(»u  of  series  from 
the  States  alouj,'  the  Mississi])pi  will  show  a  still  closer  reseiubhmce  to  typi- 
cal C.  hiiloviriiniiiti,  and  tiiat  the  jiradatiou  l)etweeu  the  two  extn^iues  will  be 
I'uuud  to  be  cimtiiiuous  and  unbroken.  It  therefore  seems  reiisoiiable  to  con- 
sider them  all  as  one  species,  varying  with  longitude  and  r,  ^aon  according 
to  the  usual  law,  —  the  more  western  the  lighter,  with  longer  tail.  The  only 
alternative  is  to  suppo.se  that  two  species,  originally  distinct,  have  hybridized 
along  the  lino  of  junction  of  their  resiiective  provinces,  as  is  certainly  some- 
times the  case.  The  appro.vimation  in  many  respects  of  coloration  of  the 
Shrikes  of  the  Pacific  coast  to  those  of  the  South  Atlantic  States  is  not  with- 
out its  importance  in  the  discussion  of  the  subject.     However  it  may  be,  it 

is  necessary  to  retain  the  name  of  cixa- 
hitoroidvs,  as  representing,  whether  as 
species  or  variety,  a  peculiar  regional 
form,  which  must  be  kept  distinctly  in 
mind.  The  comparatively  greatei'  size 
of  the  bill  in  the  Cape  St.  Lucas  s])eci- 
mens  is  seen  in  other  species  from  this 
lo(;ality  (Xo.  2G,4;i8  of  adjacent  figure). 
The  intensity  of  the  black  front  in 
this  species  varies  considerably,  being 
sometimes  very  distinct,  and  again  entirely  wanting.  This  may  ])robably 
be  a  character  of  the  breeding-season,  the  dulncss  of  black  anterior  to  the  eye 
and  the  lighter  color  of  the  bill  having  a  close  relationship  here,  as  in  other 
species,  to  maturity,  sex,  and  season. 

Haiuts.  This  variety  was  first  described  from  specimens  obtained  in  the 
territory  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Co.  J'ichardson  states  that  it  was  not  found 
farther  north  than  the  fifty-fourth  degriie,  and  there  only  in  the  warm  and 
sandy  plain  of  the  Saskatchewan.  Its  manners,  he  says,  are  precisely  sinular 
to  those  of  the  lorc(f/is,  feeding  chiefly  on  the  grasshopi)ers,  which  were  very 
numerous  on  the  plains.  Mr.  iJrummond  found  its  nest  in  the  beginning  of 
.Iiuie,  in  a  bush  of  willow.s.  It  was  built  of  the  twigs  of  the  Arfcitiisia  and 
dry  grass,  and  lined  with  leathers.  The  eggs  were  six  in  nulnber,  of  a 
]iale  yellowish-gray  color,  with  many  irregular  and  confluent  spots  of  oil- 
green,  mixed  with  a  few  of  smoke-gray. 

Mr.  IJidgway  met  with  it,  in  his  Western  explorations,  in  all  localities,  but 
most  frequently  among  the  Artemisia  ami  in  tlie  meadow-tracts  of  the  river 
valleys.  It  is  also  seen  on  all  j)arts  of  the  mountains,  among  the  cedar 
groves,  localities  in  which  the  ludoricittnns  is  said  never  to  be  found. 

Dr.  Cooper  describes  this  bird  as  abundant  in  all  the  plains-region  of  Cali- 
fornia, but  not  as  far  as  the  Columl)ia  IJivei'.  South  of  latitude  08",  they  reside 
all  the  year.  They  were  abundant  aliout  Fort  Mohave  all  winter,  and  nested 
as  early  as  the  IDth  of  March  in  a  tiiorn-bush.    They  had  young  early  in 


LANIin.T-:  — THK  SlllUKKS.  423 

April.  At  i^nn  T)ie<,'n  tlicy  iicstt'il  hUn;  uliont  Ajuil  20.  Ho  .speaks  of  their 
singing  iis  an  attempt  at  a  smiji,  tlie  nutes  being  liaisli,  like  tliose  of  a  Jay, 
ijut  not  imitative.  Tliey  cateli  birds,  but  ilo  so  very  rarely,  depending  ujion 
grasslioppers  and  other  inseels. 

Tile  ne.sts  ol'  tlie  (.iriihif(>f()l(fi.'<,>n>  far  as  I  have  iiad  any  oi)])ortunity  to  ex- 
amine them,  always  exhibit  a  very  marked  eontrast,  in  tiie  elaborateness  of 
their  structure,  t(,>  any  of  tlie  liiduvind mix  lUnt  liave  i'allen  under  my  notice. 
They  re.send)le  those  of  the  buiralis  in  their  size  and  the  felted  nature  of  their 
walls,  but  are  more  coarsely  and  ru(Udy  jait  together.  They  liave  an  external 
iliameter  of  about  eight  inidies,  ami  i  height  of  four.  The  cavity  is  also 
large  and  deep.  These  nests  are  alwiiy,'  constructed  with  much  artistic  skill 
and  jiains.  Tiie  base  is  usually  a  chisely  impacted  ma.ss  of  hue  grasses,  lichens, 
mosses,  and  leaves,  intermingled  with  stout  dry  twig.H.  Upon  iliis  is  wrouglit 
a  strong  fuln'ic  of  tine  wood-mo.sses,  tlaxen  hbres  of  |)lants,  leaves,  gra.s.ses,  fur 
of  quadrui)eds,  and  other  substances.  Intertwined  witii  these  are  a  sullicient 
number  of  slentler  twigs  and  stems  of  phmts  to  give  to  tiie  wiiole  a  remark- 
able strength  and  llrmness.  This  is  otten  still  further  strengthened  by  an 
external  protection  woven  of  stouter  twigs  and  small  ends  of  brandies, 
stems,  etc.  The  whole  is  tiien  thoroughly  and  warmly  lined  with  a  soft 
matting  of  the  fur  of  several  kinds  of  small  animals,  vegetable  down,  and  a 
few  feathers. 

The  eggs,  five  or  six  in  number,  measure  1.01)  l)y  .7."'>  of  an  inch,  and  strongly 
resemble  tho.se  of  both  the  hornilU  and  the  hiihiriridiui^.  Their  ground-color 
is  pale  greenish-white,  over  wiiicli  are  marks  and  l)lotclies,  more  or  less  con- 
fluent, of  lilac,  purplish-brown,  and  ligiit  umber. 

Mr.  liidgway,  who  is  familiar  with  tiiis  liird  in  .Southern  Illinois,  informs 
me  that  in  that  section  it  is  a  resident  species,  being  abundant  during  the 
summer  and  by  no  means  rare  in  the  winter.  It  is  there,  strangely  enough, 
often  called  tlie  Alockiiig-Uird,  its  similar  a])pearauce  and  fondness  for  the 
same  locality  leading  some  itersons  to  confound  the.se  very  different  birds. 
In  districts  where  tlie  true  Miimta  is  not  common,  young  birds  of  this  species 
are  freiiuently  taken  from  their  nests  and  innocently  sold  to  unsuspecting 
admirers  of  tiiat  highly  apjireciated  songster. 

This  bird  iniiabits,  almost  exclusively,  open  situations,  being  particularly 
fond  of  waste  fields  where  young  honey-locusts  {GMilxcliia  (rinrmitJios)  have 
grown  up.  Among  their  thorny  brandies  its  nests  are  almost  utterly  inac- 
cessilile,  if  beyond  the  reacii  of  jioles.  In  sudi  localities  this  bird  may  often 
be  seen  perched  in  an  upright  iiositioii  upon  some  thorn-bush,  or  a  fence- 
stake,  (|uietly  watdiing  for  its  jn-ey,  remaining  nearly  an  hour  at  a  time 
motionless  excejit  for  an  occasional  movtMiicnt  of  the  head. 

The  flight  of  this  bird,  Mr.  liidgway  adds,  is  quite  peculiar,  utterly  unlike 
that  of  any  other  bird  except  the  OreonropfCH  vioiif(nni>i,  which  it  only  slightly 
resembles.  In  leaving  its  ])erch  it  sinks  nearly  to  the  ground,  describing  a 
curve  as  it  descends,  and,  passing  but  a  few  feet  above  the  surface,  ascends  in 


424  NORTH  AMERU.'AX  BIRDS. 

till' sumo  manner  to  tlu-  nlijcrt  u]«in  wliicli  it  is  next  tn  li^'lit.  TUv  lli;,rlit  is 
]H>i'i'iii'm(Hl  ill  an  iiiiiliiiatiii;^  manner,  tla;  liinl  siisiaiiiin^  itsi^lf  a  siiort  lime 
by  a  rapitl  iiutteriiii,'  of  tlio  wind's,  and  sinkinj,'  as  tiiis  iiKilidii  is  siisjteiuled. 
As  it  tiies,  the  white  ]iatch  on  tiie  wiiij,',  witii  tlie  general  apiiearaiu'e  of  its 
<,'i'ay  anil  wliite  i>luina,i;e,  inereases  its  resenililance  to  the  Mockinjf-I'.inl. 

Thoii^'ii  very  partial  to  thorn-trees  (honey-locust),  other  trees  havinj,'  a 
thick  loliaLjo — as  those  canopied  hy  a  tan,t,ded  mass  of  wild  j,'ra)>evines  — 
are  frecpiently  occupied  as  nestinj,'-])laces  ;  wiiile  a  jiair  IVe(|uently  niak(^ 
their  home  in  an  apple-orchard,  selectini^f  tlie  old  untrinimed  trees.  The 
situation  of  the  nest  varies  according  to  the  character  of  the  tree;  if  in  a 
thorn-bush,  it  is  placed  ne.\t  the  trunk,  encased  within  jtrotectinj,'  bundles  of 
thorns  ;  but  if  in  an  a]t])le-tree,  it  is  situated,  j,'eiierally,  near  the  extremity  of 
a  horizontal  branch.  The  niimlier  of  e,u;jj;s  is  <;enerally  si.\,  liut  ^fr.  I{idj.nvay 
1ms  several  times  found  seven  in  one  nest.  No  bird  is  more  intrepid  in  the 
defence  of  its  nest  than  the  i)rest'nt  one  ;  at  such  times  it  loses,  apparently, 
all  fear,  and  beciunes  almost  frenzied  with  an.iicr,  aliyhtin^'  so  near  that  one 
might  grasp  it,  were  he  (juick  enough,  and  with  open  mouth  and  spriiad 
wings  and  tail  threatening  the  intruder,  its  attacks  accompanied  by  a  pecu- 
liar crackling  noise,  interrupted  by  a  harsh,  grating  qua,  qua,  qua,  slowly 
repeated,  luit  emphatically  uttered. 

The  habit  peculiar  to  the  Shrikes  of  imjialing  their  victims  Mr.  IMdgway 
has  observed  fretjuently  in  this  species;  fortius  purpose  the  long  and  ex- 
tremely .sharp  thorns  of  the  honey-locust  .serve  it  admirably;  and  "spitted" 
upon  them  he  has  found  shrews,  mice,  grasshoppers,  s]iiders,  and  even  a 
Chimney-Swallow  [Cliafiira  pclmjica);  and,  in  another  instance,  but  upon 
the  upright  broken-off  twig  of  a  dead  weed  in  a  field,  a  large  spider.  He  has 
al.so  known  this  l)ird  to  dart  at  the  cage  of  a  Canary- Uird,  and  frighten  the 
poor  inmate  so  that  it  thrust  its  head  between  the  wires,  when  it  was  imme- 
diately torn  otf  by  th(i  powerful  lieak  of  the  IJutcher-nird. 

The  young  of  this  species  becomes  a  very  pleasing  and  extremely  docile 
])et.  Mr.  liidgway  has  known  one  which,  though  fully  grown,  with  power 
of  flight  uninjured,  and  in  possession  of  unrestrained  freedom,  came  to  its 
po.sscs.sor  at  his  call,  and  accompanied  him  through  the  tieUls,  its  attachment 
being  rewarded  by  frequent  "  do.ses  "  of  grasshoppei-s,  caught  for  it.  It  had 
been  fully  feathered  before  taken  from  the  nest.  Unfortunately  the  vocal 
cajiabilities  of  this  Shrike  are  not  suflicient  to  allow  its  becoming  a  gen- 
end  favorite  as  a  jiet;  for,  although  ])ossessiiig  consideralde  talent  for 
mimicry,  it  imitates  only  the  rudest  sounds,  while  its  own  notes,  consist- 
ing of  a  grating,  sonorous  qua  and  a  peculiar  creaking  sound,  each  with 
several  variations,  are  anything  but  delightful. 


C-KHKUn).!';  -  TIIK  CliKKI'KltS 


11'.  J 


A.Mrt.v 


CJEREBIDiEI.  —  TiiK  CiiiiKi-Kits. 


Aa  iilmidy  statcl  nil  ,„,.,.  177,  iliciv  is  lilll.^  to  distin-iuisli  tlic  r,.,v/,,V/rr 

fn.ni  tl.ci -SynV<;//,/.r,  ,tx(T|.l  l.v  tlu,  lnii-..r  iin.l   iwnv.  |.n.ln,cl(.,l  K ii<.  im,l 

l.y  the  mnnwv.v  -apo  in  .s.,i,„.  .,r  tl„.  Inniis.  TIk^  o,,,u,,u  Cni/uo/n,  Cnrha 
Diijloss,,,  v.U:.,  lu.vc  pe,-i.lin.iti,.s  l.y  wln,.|,  tlicv  niv  nasilv  ivn«„iz,,I  ;  luit 
wIuMi  wo  anm  U>  sii.li  ,mciii1.,.i.s  ms  /).>nu\  (',miros/nn>,.  otc.,"it  l.fci.mcs 
vory  (lillic.ill  to  sopanil.-  llu'ii.  IVuiu  i\w,  sU.n.Ua'-l.ill.Ml  TanaKors,  tlu;  Wood 
WarMiTs,  and  tluj  //i7iiiiii//i(iji/iiii/(is. 

AkI.ou-li  till!  lainily  is  on.,  widely  dislHl.iKr.l,  in  nunuTous  uvucni,  over 
Middle  and  South  America,  l>ur  one,  (',rthn,l„,  holon-.s  tu   Xo.rii  America 
this  heinu  ivpresented  hy  a  species,  or  mlher  a  race,  alamdant  in  tlie  i'.aha- 
nias,  and  oc.Msionally  nuit  with  in  the   I'lori.ia  Keys.     W,;  shall  thereloro 
give  only  tlie  dia,iinosis  of  this  lamilv. 


Ckni 


,  CERTHIO.L A,    S 1  •  n  ni;v a  i.r.. 


CM.,,   SrN,.,:VA,.,„  V.t.  \U.\.  lla.Mll.  S(.„:klu,ln,.   is:i^,   !•,..     ,Tv,„.,   C'crthl,,  flaveoln, 

Gkn.  Crvii.     Hill  n...uly  ms  1„„-  a.  the  „] ;  ,,.  |,i,.-h  as  hroad  at  l.as..,  olnn.ratc.l  roriical 

very  acute,  and  .■.'ciitly  (livnrv.M  Irmii  1ms,.  to  tip. 
Culiiicii  iiiiill.niily  convex  ;  u-imys  coiieavc.  N,. 
lil-isilrsat  l.asc  of  liill.  Tail  foiiiide,!.  lallicr  sluirtcr 
tliaii  the  wiii-s.  Tarsi  li,ii.r,M-  than  the  iiiiclilic  toe. 
Iris  hiowM  y  Xest  |.,Misili'  ami  aivlie.l.  Mo-us  with 
yellowish  ^n-oiiiiii  iIwIIimI  tlii.:ldy  with  nifoiis  spots. 


Orlliinlii Jliivcnlu,  Suri.l. 


This  oeniis  is  one  of  tlios.i  e.sjKu/iidly  cliar- 
iicterizin-,'    the    West    Indies,    almost"  every 
island  as  I'ar  as  known   liavin.i;'  its  peculiar 
species,   diU'erinn',   it  is  true,   in  very  sliuht 
cIiaractor.s  l,„t  always  e.aistant  to  the  iionnal  typo.     Cul.a  alone  has  so  far 
Inrnishe.l   no   representative    of   this    oenus,   its   place    l.eim-   supplied  ap- 
parently   by   Conha   n,,n„,,.      The    sj-ecimens  from  St.   Thomas    I   cannot 
distinj^nsh  irom  those  of  !»■  rto  Hico,  hut  this  is,  so  far  as  the  series  l,ef\.re 
nic  indietites,  the  only  ctise  where  one  species  occurs  on  two  islands      AH 
the  West  Indian  species,  nine  or  ten  it.  nuinher.  a-ree  in  havin-  the  whole 
upper  part  netirly  uniformly  dusky  or  blackish;  the  het.d  and' back  bein- 
concolore,!,  while  of  the   three   or   four  South   Amorictin   all  but  one   (C 
lafcoh)  have  the    back   more  .diva..eous,  the  hetul  much  darker      Aoain 
the  West  In.lian  species,  with  a,  sinnle  exception  (C.  han.mirora),  have  both 
webs  ot  lateral  ttiil-fetithers  broadly  and  aln.ut  e.,ually  tip,.ed  with  white- 
w'lule  in  all  the  South  American  this  white  is  more  restricted  on  the  inner 
54 


420 


NoltTII  AMKItlCAX  IMIIDS, 


C'rtliiolii  fiai'tola. 


well,  uiiil  nil  till'  niitcr  rciluccil  to  a  iinrniw  linnlcr.  ('.  rtiho/i  tVom  ("nziiiiu'l, 
near  tlio  wistiM'ii  coast  ol'  N'licaiaii,  cxliiliils  tlic  (  uiiliiu'iilal  iiiiprt.'ss  in  pns- 
st'ssiiij,'  tlic  I'liaiactcr  las(  luciitiuiu'il. 

In  all  tliii  sjiLrics  IVniii  tlir  (Ircatrr  Anlillcs  and  tlic  |inrtinii  of  ( 'oi  tinon- 

tal  America  west  and  directly  soiilli 
of  lliis  j,'rou]),  there  is  a  distinct  ex- 
tc  riial  wliitc  patch  at  liase  of  ([uills ; 
M  Idle  this  disaiipears  in  the  sjiecics  of 
tiiu  Lesser  Antilles  and  eiisturii  South 
Anieriea,  or  is  only  faintly  trae.ealilu. 
Aj^aiii,  in  the  species  of  the  Lesser 
Antilles,  wilh  the  disapin'a ranee  of  the 
white  win;,'-pateli,  the  j,'reater  and  niid- 
ille  \vin^f-eo verts  show  a  faint  ed^in,u;  of 
lijiliter,  liy  which,  as  well  as  hy  the  darker  hack,  they  are  distin^adslied  I'loiii 
their  South  Aiiieiican  allii's. 

The  slia]ie  of  the  while  patch  at  hase  of  thi^  (|uills  on  the  outer  weli  liir- 
iiishes,  in  eoniliiiuilion  with  the  color  of  the  throat,  excelleiiL  and  p(!rniancnt. 
sjK'cific  characters.  This  in  the  Jamaican,  ilaytfeii,  and  llahanian  forms  is 
elonj^atcd,  exteiidini,'  };radiially  and  uniformly  lieliind  to  the  outer  edge  of 
the  ([uill,  wliik^  in  those  of  I'orto  L'ico,  St.  Thomas,  Cozuinel,  and  the  Siaith 
American  species,  where  it  exists,  the  posterior  (uitlinu  is  nearly  triiiisverse, 
and  only  running  out  a  little  along  outer  web. 

As  a  general  rule  Soiitii  American  species  have  shorter  tails  than  the 
West  Indian. 

It  is  a  iiii'e  ([iiestioii  what  are  really  s]pocies  in  tliis  genus,  and  what  merely 
raci.'s  or  varieties  ;  hut  it  would  proltalily  ln'  not  far  from  correct  to  assume 
that  the  various  forms  deserihed  are  simply  nioditicatioiis  of  one  jirimitive 
s])eeies,  jiroduced  hy  geographieal  distribution  and  external  jjliysical  condi- 
tions. In  the  foUowing  diagnosis  I  shall  treat  all  the  varieties  as  oceujiying 
tin;  same  rank,  without  attempting  any  discrimination.  Altlaaigli  but  orie 
of  the.se  belongs  to  the  I'nited  States,  and  that  as  a  straggler  from  the  Itaha- 
nias,  I  give  the  talile  of  the  whole,  to  show  the  interesting  relationship  be- 
tween them. 

("oMMox  Cii.M!.\('TKiis.  Aliovc  iliiskv-olivc  Or  lilnikisli;  llic  ninip  oliviiccnus  or 
yellowish  :  thu  liciul  iiinl  cliccks  iil\v:iys  Mack,  mid  soincliiiiis  diiikcr  tlinii  liack. 
("hill  and  llnnal  asiiy  or  lilack.  fic^i  nf  iiiidcr  part  ycllnw,  duller  lichiiid.  A 
liroad  while  stripe  I'lcnii  liill  ahove  eyi'  In  nape.  .V  while  patch  at  hase  of  pii- 
Iliaiies  :  L'eliei'ally  visihie  extei'iially.  soliM'tillies  coiieealeil.  I,ateral  tail-l'eatheis 
lip|ie(l  with  while.     Hill  lilai'k;   k'f^s  dusky. 

A.  Head  iiiiiliiiin  in  eoloi-  wilh  rest  of  upper  parts:  dark  sooty-hrowii  tir  lilackish. 
lioth  welis  of  outer  lail-li>atlicr  tipped  with  white  (except  in  liilfulii).  All  West 
Indian  exee)it  Ik/i'dIh.  which,  however,  occurs  in  Tohajjo  ami  Trinidad,  and  }ren- 
urally  heloiiL's  to  the  shores  of  the  Carrihuan  Sea. 

1.  A   distinct   and   conspicuous  external  white  patch   at  ba.se  of  prininries. 

Wiiiif-eoverts  not  iuarfj:iiieil  with  paler. 


tVKUKIllUvK- TIIK  (IMiKI'KlJS.  427 

(/.  'riii-i>:ii   iiiiironiily  l.iii  iliM'idcil  iliii'k  ii>li-c(i|(ii',  Miryiii^'iii  .sliiulc,  iMncr 
I'liliicly  liliick,  liDwcvci',  iKir  iisliv-wliilc. 

Tlii'Diit  vi'jT  dill  k  n-li,  iKit  rciiiliiistiii;j'  or  ii|ipi'iM'iiilil_v  diU'ficiil  liiiin 
Miii'kisli  ol'  rlici'ks, 

\\  iiit;— i|Mii  cliincrau'cl ;  llic  wliitu  niiiniiif,' out  j,midiially  niid 
ulili(|ii('ly  Iji'liiiid  to  lliL-  outer  edge  of  tin'  priinary,  riMi'liiiij,' 
slmll  of  outer  [H'itimry.  Vellow  orbruiust  di'iidedly  oelirmroiis. 
llmiip  lis  liriijlit  yellow  lis  (lie  liclly,     //ri/;.  .Iiiiiuiieii  .  .  Jlnvcnln} 

White  pule''  ol' wiii^'  more  i|Uiiilriite  on  eneli  (piill ;  ii'ims- 
verse;  not  tiiperiny  oil' ^'riidiiiilly  mid  nnilliriiily  lieliiiid  ;  iml 
reiieliinu'  llie  sluill  on  (iiiler  priiuiiry.  Jiii'iisl  willioiii  oelna- 
eeous;    I'liinp  oliviii'eon--yi'llo\v  ;   the  color  iliU'elciil    IVoui   lliat 

of  lielly.      Iliih.    Siinlii  L'ni/, nnr/nni.'' 

h.  Chin  and  tliroat  lii;iiter  ash  (Imt  not  iil  all  whitish);  in  decided  and 
iip|>iecialile  eontiast  with  lilaukish  ot'elieeks.     Jn,i,'nlinn  yellow,  like  iin- 
(Kt  [larls  i.'-enei'ally. 

Lali'ial    tail-li'alher    liroadly    tipped    >vi(li   white   on    both    welis. 
lliiiiip  oliviiccDiis-yi'llow. 

U  inj;-spot  on  each  pfiniary  neaily  (inadrate,  as  in  iit'irlimi. 
/full.    I'oiio  IJico  and  St.  Thomas         ....       j^'irlDn'rt'iisi.-i,'' 

l-iiteral    tail-l'eallier   with    inner   weli   only    liroadly    lipped    wilh 
white.     IJmnp  lai^lit  yellow  like  belly.      Hill  very  small. 

White  ol'  win;^'  as  \\\  jluri'iila.  Iml   less  exteiidi'd.  and  mai',i;in- 
inu- cdLi-e  only  of  (iiili'r  primary,     llnli.    Ilayliand  Si,  |)(iiniii- 
""•■........  Iiiiitiiidcniut.* 

AN'hile  of  wiiijr  as  in  nrirlnni.  Si/,e  milch  laii;-er ;  <liirker 
iihovc.      //((/(,    Tohajjo,    Trinidad,   ami    nurlli   shore   of   South 

America Intciild? 

c.  Chin,  throat,  and  Jii'j:nliini  while,  with  a  tini;!'  ol'  ashy.     Yellow  of 
inider  parts  much  rcslricli'd. 

Dejilh  of  hill  less  than  haU'distanee  Iroin  nostril  to  lip.     Supercil- 
iary stripe  i-cachini;-  to  nape.     Vellow  of  under  part  reslrieled  to  a 
tiiangmlar  patch  on  lireasl.      While  spot  on  wiie.^-  lai'f^e,  la|)erin,u'  olf 
gradually  on  each   primary,  as  w  jluirohi  ;  on   the  outer  reachini;' 
shaft,     liolh  wehs  of  outer  tail-feather  iiliout,  eiiually  tipped.     J/nh. 
Bahamas  and  Florida  Keys         .......  I,i(/iinneii>iis.'^ 

Depth  of  liill  fully  half  dislanci!  from  nostril  to  tip.     Siipci'ciliary 
.stripe  reaching;  the  oeci[iiil.  only.     Yellow  of  under  parts  more  ex- 
tended.    White  spot  on  winp^  i-estrieted  :  mori!  (piadir.ie,  as  in  hfir- 
toiii ;  edfre  only  of  outer  iiriinary  involved.     Oiiler  welj  of  outer 
tail-feather  scarcely  lipped,     llah.    (.'ozimiel  IslamI,  Viiealan         .        cuboti? 
•_'.   Xo  external  while   patch  at  base  of  primary  (|iiills.     Winn-coverts  ob- 
scurely marj,'in<'d  wilh  paler,      liolh  webs  of  onlcr  lail-fealhers  lipped  aliout 
e(|iially  with  while,      iliinip  olivaceous;   llii:,  color  of  but  sli^jhl  e.Meiil. 

'  Ci-i-lhiit  flaniihi,  I, inn.  Syst.  Nat.  cd.  10,  U'lH,  11!). 

'-  >'.  fl,nr(ilii,  A.  &  !•;.  N'i:wTo\,  Ibis,  IS.')!),  117.     lliib.    St.  Croix.     '"'.  iinrtoni,  H.uiil). 

"  a.  Jlairiilii,  var.  partui-kvii.'ita,   Ukyant,  I'r.  Bost.  Snc  X.  \\.  ,lnii.  IStiti.     Ihih.    Porto  l!ioo. 

*  Molucilla  bawinirora,  O.mki.in,  Syst.  Nat.  1,  1788,  <).',].     {/innniiisic,  null'oii,  St.  DoiiiiiiRO.) 

*  Caihinhi  lutciihi,  C.vii.  M.  II.  ISal,  90.     O.  mnjnr,  C.vn.  ;  C.  minnr,  Hon. 

«  Crrllihh  b(,/i>niicii.si\   Kkicii.   llaiidb.  1,   ISOa,  253.      C.  jluvcuhi,   li.viun,   B.   X.  A.  ;  G. 
btiiri/i,  C.Mi. 

'  C.  atlioli,  jiAiiti),  iMSS. 


428  Nuirni  amkijican-  ihrds. 

n.  Throat  Murk;  (•(,nliini„Ms  will,  MmHv  oI' , ■hecks ;   ,„•  olso  very  diirk 
pllinilii-oiis,  sriiivck  disliimuishal.K'  liom  ll,,.  chrcks. 

Mi'iVum  lino  „r  ll.nml  while,  \he  sides  l,|,„-k  hke  the  cheeks;  ,-|,ii, 
aloi.L-  hiaek.  SupeicihaiT  sliipes  not  culhieut  antLTiDrlv.  //„/, 
.Mailiiii{iiie  ...  ■  ,•    •  , 

•...,     ,      ,  ,  ,     ,  ■•••••.  iiiiirliKicrnia.' 

\\  hole  liiio;it  liluekisli.      Xo  while  rroiilai  Kjiiid  ? 

Will-  2..-)0  ineh.'s.      IJelly  „el,iaee,.iis.     J/„l,.    Domini,,,   |s|- 
1111,1,  AVesI   Iiidi,.s  .  .  ;       •    •  „ 

,,..  ,  .         ,  •  •  .  .  .  (llHIIII/ICtlllll.- 

W  ilig  li.L'U  inches.     JJclly  more  yellow.     JJah.    IJaihadocs      . 

,,..     .       ,  liiiilHii/ni.sin,^ 

Uliolu  throat  very  dark    i.lniiil„.,„is.     A    whitish    Ironial    Immd 
band  connecting  the  snpcrciliary  siii|H.s  which  exleiid  in  front  of 
tliceye.     //.I..    Anli,ua,  \V,.sl  liidi,.s         .....      /ro„talis^ 
A  grayish  IW.nial  ImihI  :  .-^npcrciliary  .si ri-M's  narrow;  not  eMe,,,!-' 
mg  111  Irout  ,.r  eye.     Tra.-e  of  while  patch  al  hasc  of  primaries 

B.    Head  blackhsh,  m  disinict   ,.nii„,,sl    i„   ihe  iiioiv  olivaea.voiis  l,a,-k      OuUt 
taii-lcaliier  with  omI.t  wl,  s,.aiv,.|y  ,i,,,„.,i  .villi  wliil,..     Win-.-overls  n,.t  mai- 
pine,l  with  paler.     Throat  lighl  ash,  in  disiincl  ..ontrasi  lo  hia.'k  of  duvk. 
1.   A  distinct  external  wliil,.  wing-iiatr-h  al  base  of  priiiiari.^s. 

liump  oliv-Mivi'ii.     Il„h.   M.^xi,',.  and  (•.■nlial  America,  bnt 
baldly  reaehiii-  hn,.  of  J'aiiaina  I!.  I!.         .  .         .  ,       „„:rirau(i? 

liump  ..liv,.-yel|,,w.     Jluh.    I'anama  It.  I!.;  south  ah.iig  An- 
des 1(1  j',.rii     .  '"  . 
-.-                   ,      ,                             ■■••....          iivi-KnaiKi,' 
a.  Ao  uxicrnal  while  wiiit:-|iaie||. 

!;iiiiip,iliv,'-t;iv..n.      Ilah.    liiMzil  and  (Jiiiaiia  .         .  .    cl,/„rn/:i,,)„» 

Tho  preceding  table  i,s  1.asi.,l  u,.,.,,  a  critical  cxamiiiatioii  of  niaiiv  luuulred 
speciineu.s  belonginjr  to  the  Siuitli.s,.iiian  hi,^litiiti,ai.  ~  S.  V.  BAlliii. 


Certhiola  bahamensis,  l{i;itii. 

BAHAMA  CB££FEB. 

OTt/n„  ,fl,., ■„,/„,  var.  /i.  blSN.  .Sysl.  Nal,  d,  1-J,  |,  17,;,!,  IS?.  r<'rflun"  hnhn„n,si. 
(ATKsiiv,  Car.  tall.  Till.  lialm.nas.)  C,  rll,i„l.,  Jhnrnh,,  lUlIll),  liiids  \.  .\i„.  ],s.5S, 
!l-'4,  ]il.  Ixxxiii,  r.  ;!  (Indian  Kc.v,  Kia.).  C.-llu,,!,,  h„h„wnms,  Wvmh.  llaiiiUi.  I,  \^:,:\ 
253  (Caiksiiv,  Car.  lab.  .-.O,  Baliainas).  —  Casmn,  I'l,  ,■,.  N.  S.  I'h.  1SU4,  271  (' 
/«'/>,//,  Caiums,  .lour.  Orn.  iMi.-i,   41->  (C.  ,//,/,■.„/.-,  IJah,,,,  Hiids  X.  A.). 

Sp.  Ci.ah.  (ll.Or.l  $,  liahamas.)  Ab.nv  dark  iliisi- --hrov  ;  sear.rlv  .larki'r  on  the 
head;  the  rump  yclhiw.  Ivlg,.  of  win,,  aiul  a  Inangnlar  ,.,1,1.  wring  Ihc  from  .if  l,i,,,st 
(li.e  angle  behii.O  palc  yellow  ;  (I,.,  ivsl  of  mi.ler  parls  pal,,  as,,,    .,  ..ii,.,  purest  on  front 

•  V.  >iir,r/i,iH;<„n,  Itr.nMI.  Ibnul.  I,  IS.V^,  '>:,•>.      C.  <i/hi.jiil:;  Itov. 
-  C.  (hmnniaimi,  Tavi.oi;,  Ihis,  Isiil,   lij;. 

^  ('.  f)iir/.,ii/('ii.ii.i,  I'lAiim,  MSS. 

*  C.  frontalis,  DAnin,  M.SS. 

»  '■.  hirflwlrniic,  SiNnKvAM,  .'t  .Si.aimim.'.nn,  V,l,.iisk.  Akad.  I'eihaiidl.  18tii",  (i2-.>. 

"  ('.  iiii.n'nniii,  .Sii.atkii,  P.  '/,.  S.  IS.'iil,  ^Sii. 

'  r.  /in;ir;,i,if>,  CAii.  ,r,iMni.  is,;:,,  WM     P,Tliaps  ,lilf,.|c,il. 

«  (.'.  ,/,/,>n,ji!i,,„,  Cam.  M.  11.  Is.'.l,  ii".     /,'.  An,,s,y,V„,v,.v.  IJr. 


tM':iiEBrU.E--TIII'J  CUEEl'KUS.  429 

and  sidos  ol'npck  nm\  im  ci-issiini  ;  <m  ll.-iiiks  sdiiu'wIimI  snilccl  Mint  I'iillicr  (hirkcr.  A  Ipi-n;  .1 
supi'l-ciliill-y  while  .-iripr  (lurl  t-ic).ssiiig  the  I'urelieiid)  Irmii  l>ill  td  iiiipe,  Iml  hllle  h,i;hlei' 
lliiiii  the  lhl(i;il  ;  tlie  hue  of  leathers  iiiiiiiech:ilely  liehiiid  the  iioslrils,  iiiid  a  si  ia!l  palc'h  at 
hase  111' liiwer  iiiaiiililile  iiiitler  llie  tips,  wilh  ihe  usual  stripo  IVdiii  hill  thniii.L;li  lh<' eve, 
heilij;-  hlackisli.  ^\'hite  s|)ot  at  bast'  of  (piills  very  distiiiet  exieilially  ;  Ihe  postoridr  oiil- 
liue  (111  eaeh  oiitei'  weh  of  the  primaries  iiol  (piadiafe,  hnl  niniiili^'  out  olili([iiely  liehiiid 
and  on  ihe  ouleiiiiost  (|iiill  reaehiiii;-  the  shall.  Kdu'i's  of  (piills  naiTDwly  iiiaruiiieil  wilh 
,i;rayish-white ;  on  the  seeoiidaries  eonliniied  round  the  lips.  Xo  disliuel  l)an(ls  on  the 
coverls.  Diiler  tail-tealhers  liroadly  lipped  wilh  while  ;  ihi-  even  iiivolvin;^-  the  iunurinost, 
hut  reduced  to  a  narrow  edn-e.     Total  lenijlh,  4.10  :    wiiij;-,  •_'.:!!» ;  lidl,  l..^(». 

liill:  Leiiglh  li-oiii  loreliead,  .(ili  ;  from  noslril,  .11  ;  alonj;'  ua|ie,  ."ji) ;  depth  at  base.  .17. 
l.e.iis:  Tarsus,  .75;  niiddlu  toe  and  claw,  ."i.S;  elaw  alone,  .17;  hind  toe  and  elaw,  .1."); 
claw  alone,  .20. 

ll.vii.     1'     ..mas  and  Keys  of  .southeast  (.^jast  of  Florichi. 

A  sjioeiiiuMi  Iroiii  tlio  Florida  Keys  (10,:>(i7)  is  rather  darker  than  those 
Iroiii  the  rmhama.s,  the  white  lews  e.xtuiided,  and  not  liuite  reaching  tlie  shi'f's 
in  till',  outer  (jtiills. 

li.MdTs.  Tiiis  .species,  heh>ngiiio-  properly  to  tlie  Uahaniaii  ofouji  oi'  tiio 
West  Iiiihaii  I.shinds,  was  t'otind  at  Indian  i\ey,  Khi.,  January  .■!!,  ISo.S,  hv 
]\Ir.  AViirdeiiiann,  wliere  it  appeared  ti»  lie  lait  at  all  rare.  Xothinn  i.s  i<ni)wn 
of  its  iiahits,  hut  they  an-  douhtless  nearly  the  same  as  tho.se  of  the  iillied 
S]ieeies.  Tile  ('.  Jlanvhi  is  known  in -laniaiea  as  the  ISanaiia  (j)iiit,  Hdiiey- 
Sueker,  and  lUaek  and  Yellow  Creepier.  Aeeordiiio'  to  tlie  description  of 
them  liiveii  liy  Mr.  (lo.s.se,  these  hirds,  scarcely  larnvr  than  the  llinnniin<.r- 
J5ird.s,  are  often  seen  in  coni])aiiy  with  them,  jirohino-  the  flowers  for  similar 
jmrposes,  init  in  a  very  dill'ereut  manner.  In.stead  of  hovorino;  like  tlie  lliim- 
miii,!4-l)ird  in  front  of  tlie  iilossoni,  for  wliieli  its  short  wines  would  he  in- 
competent, tlie.se  iiirds  alioht  on  the  tree  and  jiroceeil  in  a  very  Imsiness-like 
manner.  Jlo|i]iing  from  twig  to  twig  in  an  active  manner,  they  carefully 
examine  each  lilo.ssoin.  In  doing  this  they  throw  their  hodies  into  a  variety 
of  ]iositi(iiis,  often  clinoing  hy  the  feet  with  the  ha(d<  downwards,  tlu;  hetter 
to  reach  the  interior  of  a  lilo.s.soin  with  their  curved  lieaks  and  peculiar  tongue. 
The  olijects  (d'  these  researches  are  the  small  insects  wjiicli  are  alwavs  found 
in  the  interior  of  Uowers.  This  liird  is  unsuspecting  and  familiar  and  very 
freely  resorts  to  the  hlossoming  slirnhs  of  the  gardens  and  yards.  ;\Ir.  (ios.se 
mentions,  in  evidence  of  this  familiarity,  that  a  large  inoringa-tree  under  his 
window,  as  lie  was  writing,  and  which  all  throiiuh  (he  year  was  ]>riifiiselv  .set 
with  fragrant  lilossonis,  and  was  a  hivorite  resort  of  these  hirds,  was  lieing 
carefully  scrutini/ed  hy  two  active  little  Creeper.s.  Although  within  a  few 
feet  of  his  window,  they  ]iursuetl  their  e.\aniiiiations,  iierfectly  uudistiirhed 
iiy  his  h)oking  on.     As  they  move  ahoiil  they  utter  a  soft  sihilant  note. 

The  nests  of  this  little  bird  are  usually  imilt  in  those  low  trees  and  hushes 
to  which  are  fastened  tlie  nests  of  the  hrown  wasps,  and  in  close  contiguity 
to  iheni.  Mr.  (lo.sst^  regards  this  singular  predilection  as  a  remarkahle  ex- 
ercise of  instinct,  if  not  of  leiison,  as  the  evideirt  object  of  it  is  the  protection 


430  NORTH  A.MERICAX  lilltDS. 

tTflurcU'd  by  the  presoiicn  ol'  tliosi'  t'nrini(liil>l('  insects,  tlinuiili  u]inn  wliat  tonns 
of  iuiiity  tliis  di^l'eiisivi'  alliiinco  is  kept  dues  not  iipiieur. 

These  (.'reepers  iiicubiite  durini;  the  iiioiitlis  of  .May,  .lune,  and  .Iidy.  On 
the  4th  of  May,  ^Ir.  (ioss(!  ohseived  one  witii  a  liit  of  "  silk-eotlon  "  in  hiT 
beaic,  and  foiuid  the  skeleton  of  the  nest  just  eomnienced  in  a  biisli  of  the  Lan- 
tana  crniuird.  It  was  evidently  to  be  of  dome  shape,  and  so  far  had  lieen  con- 
stnieted  entirely  of  silk-eotton.  The  completed  nests  are  juade  in  the  form 
of  a  ,t;lolie,  witli  a  small  opening  below  tlie  side.  The  walls  are  very  thick, 
comixised  of  dry  grasses  intermixed  irregularly  with  the  down  of  ascle|iias. 
One  of  these  nests  was  fi.xcd  between  the  twigs  of  a  branch  of  a  J'xtithiniK 
jirojecting  over  a  highway.  Another,  found  tov  ards  the  end  of  -June,  was 
built  in  a  bush  of  Lmi/tuia,  and  of  the  same  stnicturc.  It  contained  two 
eggs,  greenish-white,  thickly  but  indetinitely  dashed  with  reddish  at  the 
brger  end.  ]\Ir.  Closse  quotes  a  Mr.  Itobinson  as  giving  their  dimensions  at 
.44  liy  .."il  of  an  inch,  while  his  own  specimens  are  nnieh  larger  tiian  this, 
measuring  .(l.'j  liy  nearly  .."iO.  Two  eggs  of  C.  jlaviald,  from  Jamaica,  in  my 
cabinet,  nu;asure,  .(18  ))y  .7>\  and  .(18  by  .411  of  an  inch.  In  one  tlie  ground 
is  a  dull  white,  so  generally  and  thickly  covered  with  ndnute  but  coidluent 
dots  of  reddish-brown  as  to  impart  a  ]iinkisii  tinge  to  the  whole  egg.  In  the 
other  the  ground  is  a  dull  white,  sjiaringly  marked  with  blotches  of  brown 
over  about  three  fourths  of  its  surface,  but  at  the  larger  end  covered  with  a 
crown  of  larger  and  confluent  blotches  of  subdued  purjile  and  dark  undier, 
intermingled  w  ith  a  few  lines  of  a  darker  hue,  almost  lilack. 

Two  eggs  ol'  C.  iKirfiijii,  from  St  Croi.K,  arc  of  a  more  rounded-oval  shajpc, 
and  measure  .Hi)  by  .4")  and  .(I'l  liy  .44  of  an  inch.  They  have  a  dull  white 
ground,  lait  tiiis  is  so  uniforndy  and  generally  covered  witii  conlhu'nt  ivA- 
disii-lirown  markings  as  to  be  nowhere  very  distinct. 

The  St.  Croi.x  sjiecies  is  called  the  Sugar-iiird  in  that  i.shuid,  from  its  habit 
of  entering  the  iMiring-iiou.>^  s,  through  the  barred  windows,  jiroliably  attracted 
thither  by  the  swarms  of  Hies,  it  is  a  very  familiar  sjiecies,  haunting  gar- 
dens, and  ottcn  entering  houses,  ami  never  jnanifcstiug  any  alarm.  It  kce]is 
in  pairs,  and  breeds  from  .March  bi  August.  Mr.  .N'ewton  states  that  it  liuilds 
a  domed  and  often  pensile  nest,  with  a  small  porch,  or  pent-house  roof,  over 
the  entrance,  generally  at  the  extremity  of  a  leafy  bongli.  The  nest  is  gen- 
erally \i'rv  untidy  on  llu^  outside,  and  is  composed  of  coarsi;  grass  and  cot- 
ton, with  feathers  (m  the  inside.  It  deposits  its  eggs  lieforc  tiie  co-niiletion 
of  the  nest,  "rather  to  the  di.scomtitm'e  of  the  oologist,  who  delays  inserting 
his  finger  intn  the  structure  while  he  sees  one  or  lioth  of  the  bird'i  busy  with 
a  tnl't  of  grass  or  cotton  in  their  iiills,  until  at  last  he  finds  their  eggs  already 
hatched."  Air.  Newton  observi'd  one  instance  in  Mhi(  h  ^wo  broods  wei'c 
reared  in  the  same  nest,  with  only  an  interval  of  ten  days  between  the  time 
the  young  left  it  and  the  laying  of  an  egg. 


TANAGIUD.E  —  THK  TA\A(iEI!S. 


431 


Family  TANAGRID^.  —  Tiik  Ta\a(;i;i!.s. 

CllAi!.  Piiiiiiirics  iiiiic.  Mill  iisiiiilly  (•,,iiic:il,  siiiii(.|iiii,.s  (l,.|,ivssc(l  iir  iitlcimatiMl,  usually 
iMoiv  „v  li'ss  Imu-ulai'  Ml,  liasc.  iui.l  willi  tli,.  cuttiu-  cd.ws  n<.l  umi,-1i  iullcci,.,! ;  souiutinics 
tootliud  or  iiotchoil.     J.ogs  short ;  oliiws  curvril ;  culors  usually  hrilliaut. 

AVe  cniifcss  our  oiitiro  iiial)ility  t<i  ]»re.s('iit  ii  diit-iidsis  tliiit  shall  dctiiie 
and  S(>i)aral('  satistaclurily  l>y  external  characters  the  closely  allied  laniilies 
of  Caruhii/a;  Siilnmliihr,  Tinntiiriilii ,  and  Fn'ii;ji7/i(/(r,  ai^reeiiio-  as  thev  ilo  in 
the  main  in  every  respect.  The  only  attempt  at  ilistinction  is  based  upon 
the  shape  of  the  hill,  and  this  in  what  are  -enerally  called  T<tnn,iridw  pre- 
sents every  variety  of  slia|ie,  iVoni  the  atteiniation  seen  in  Dnidroin,  to  the 
stoutest  form  of  iliG  Fri,i;/i7/u/,r.  The  Cnnhiihr  have  ])eculiarities  of  tiie 
tono-ue,  not  apprecialile,  however,  in  the  skin.  In  view,  therefore,  of  the  dif- 
ficulty in  question,  we  sliall  copy  the  conventional  names  and  unsatisfactory 
definitions  of  other  authors,  in  our  inability  to  present  a  satisfactory  arran.ne- 
ment  (jf  our  own. 

Cams  and  (Jersta'cker  in  Tfandbuch  der  Zooloyie,  I,  277,  adopt  a  classili- 
cation  of  the  Osvinrs  based  on  the  palatine  bones  in  which  Frunjilluhc  and 
TaiKiiirid'i'  are  distinguished  fr<im  tiie  Siilricolidw  as  follows: 

Pulionler  OS('I\K,<.  Scmikvam..  Of  tli,.  ten  priiuancs.  ilic  lirst  is  short,  rudinirntary, 
or  wautiuy:;  the  iiuuilicr  of  sccoiidarii's  is  rarely  iiioro  than  nine.  Tai.sus  .Mitircly  hooted, 
orclse  with  an  undividc.l  plati-on  the  sides.  Lower  Ira.'hea  eouii.lelely  lormcd  hy  the 
help  of  the  trachea  and  hroiiehiie  ;  .generally  with  Iniu'  pairs  of  ujuseles,  distrihuted  before 
and  behind. 

Guoi'p  I.  SpFzoi  .s-ATM.r..  Ouler  lamella  of  the  palatine  bone  developed  in  a  verlii/al 
plane,  with  tlie  hinder  b,,rd.>r  more  or  less  eniarj;inated  ;  ihe  anterioi-  palatine  proecss 
broad,  and  united  by  a  truncaied  border  to  the  hi-h  and  broad  upper  mandible. 

Famu.y  1.      Phiniihv.     Ten  primaries. 
^  Famu.y  2.     FniKjWU'a:     \\\\\  encireled   liy  a  more   or  loss  distiuet   .swellin,;:  at  base. 
Frontal  f..alheis  not  formin.u'  lateral  angles.     Eilovs  of  the  jaws  di'awu  in  .-is  far  iis  (be  .-or- 
ner  of  the  mouth  ;  nine  [.i-imaries  ;  the  lirst  three  usually  h,n-est.     Ia-s  with  undivided 
plates  liehincl. 

Fa.mii.v  ;i.  TiiHwiniJo:  Bill  more  or  les<  tri.ui-ular  at  llu'  lias(\  Culiuen  always  more 
or  less  eiu'ved.  Frecpi.mily  a  ti.olh  or  noleb  in  ihe  upper  bill,  somelimcs  fnie  serralions. 
AViu-s  moderate;  .somewhat  pointed;  primaries  nine.  Tarsus  and  toes  siM.rl  am!  sl,.ut. 
Hind  I'll'  stout  and  loni;-.     Claws  eurxcd. 

Ulioce  II.  roif.KouN.VTii.K.  I'alatine  bou,  broad  and  rather  Hat  behind,  ihe  external 
annies  proh.n^vd,  not  extendi'd  into  .a  verlieal  plale.  liase  of  bill  M-eiiei.-dly  narrower. 
Primaiies  nine  or  tiMi.     This  seeiioe  cudiiaees.  of  North  Anieiiean  forms:  — 

-^biiotillida',  ('a■■■ebida^  Cerlbii.la-. 

Motaeillidie,  Ilirnmlinida',  I'arida-, 

•^'"'•'li'liv,  Anipeliila",  lelerida-, 

Sylvlidi-j,  Laniida-,  Cor.ida-! 

Turdida-,  Troulodylidre, 

all  of  which  have  already  been  described  in  the  [iresent  work,  witn  ibe  exeepliou  of  the 
lust  two. 


432 


XORTII  AMKinc.VX  IHRD,^. 


TJ.0  family  „f  T,uiayer,s  is  i.eculiar  tn  ti.e  Xew  W..rl,l   «l,i,.I.    ,l         i     • 


(lExn 


PYRANGA,   \ 


11:11,1,. 


Pyranga,  Vikii.lox,  Ojs.  Am   SiMit    I    Tsi7    ;,-        1       .     , 
I'hunisomn,  Swainsox,  Class.  I'.inls,   II,  Ks;);,  -.'SJ. 

iii'MiiMMtcly  curved;  I'oiiiiiiksuiv 
AvilhiuiR'diiiiiaiMilclnln..  \Viii<,',s 
•.■lon-ai...! :  tliu  Innr  (Irst  jiH- 
iiiiiri.'s  loii,L--.-.st.  Tiiil  niodoniU', 
>-liVl.ily  H.il-,.d.  ('„iors  of  til,' 
male  v\w-\\y  j^carlel.  of  tlio  fcmalc- 
.vcllowisli. 


Vit"fn::n   nihrn. 


Till!  rictii.s  i.s  well  jirnvid- 
c(l  witli  luistles,  wliieii  Wm\ 
(lowiiwiird.s,  hut  iC  biou-Iit 
tbrwaid  would  reach  the 
nostrils.  These  are  rouiid- 
c>il,  and  are  elosely  crowded 
by  tlie  frontal  feathers.    The 

Ti°J  ;:,■;;;:;:■::;  •;:'  ';■>';' ^v";'  """'■■  '™^""  "• '"« -'"' 

Species  and  Varieties. 

^.::;;?f:::;;:!:rv;;,!:';:-i;r:;:i  

"•    I-.Iy  and  \n~M  .vd  in  H,,.  ^  ;  y.lh.w  i,,  .1,,.  9  '  -•• 

.  M...      c?-   rM„,,s,.   ,„„.„  sn,,|„,  :   „.iM,.s  and   tail   i„t.„,«o 

b  t  ^;;";'';^;:'''''''^^''';''''''''''-^'-'^-"'i  tail),  pale  .^^^^^^^^ 

11    I  '  i'  "-''^-J^''''"'    "l^"v<'.   .vell..«-  l„.low;    win-s   ,„d    tail 

black,     //ub.    Ka«to.n  I'n.vince  or  (:„i,„d  ,S(ato... 


he 

Df 


TA.NAiJluD.K  — Tllh  TAXA(  iKKS.  4<..o 

2.  P.  erythromelaena.  Win,!,'  with  two  biinds  of  pure  wliiic.  ^. 
Bfij^lit  .-(/iiilci  :  wiii-s,  i;iil,  iiiid  lures  inlciisc!  hlack.  9.  (»livc--rccn 
aliovi',  3'olli)\v  ln'iii'.-ilh  ;   wiii^s  ami  tail  slalv. 

l-'orchcad,  fvclids,  and  anterior  half  nl'  cliiM'ks  vclvci  v-lilack  :   ri'd 
of  a  carnnnc  shade.      //,/li.    Middle  Anieriea,  norlli  lo  .Mirador. 

\  ai'.   I'  r  II I  h  /■  II  III  I- 1  It  II  n  } 
Toi-eh.  ad,  eyelids,  and  anterior   hall'  of  .'hd'hs  searlel     lores  onlv 
hlaek)  ■   red  of  a  scarlet  .shade.      Huh.    .\oi(hern  Soulh  Anieriea. 

var.  ((  /■  (/p  //  ,s  .* 
Wiiifis  hriiinii's/i-(/iid\if  in  the  ^  ,■   hm-k  ttlrpuhnl  iri'„  Ii/kiI,-. 

•X  P.  bidentata.''  Win;:-  with  two  h.inds  of  pinkisii-whiie  (  ^ ).  or  vel- 
lowish-while  (  9  ).  ^.  AIm)V<'  reddi.sh-browii  ;  head  and  lienealh  niiii- 
iiini-.iearlct.      9.    Aiiove  olive-ereeii  ■   head  and  heneatli  yellow,     /fob. 

Middle  Aniuriea  (both  coasts)  fr Costa  iiiea  to  .Middle  Mexico. 

b.   [kidy  tihvnys  yellow  ;  bead  vfi\  in  the  ^. 

/.rasir  ii'iiii/-iii:'('iis  hlivl:  or  i'iix/,-1/. 

4.  P.  ludovieiana.     \\'\w^  with  two  liu'ht  yellow  band--.      ^.  Rack. 
win.u-.«,  ai.il   tail   intense  black;   bead  crimson.      9.   Above  olivc-trreon 
tilifrcd  with   ashy   on   the   back;  benealli   pale  irrceinsh-yellow  ;   winys 
anil  tail  dusky  olive-green  :   no  leil  on   head.      //iih.    Western   Province 
of  I'liited  States. 

I.e.inrv  iriiuj-riivri-h  iiikI  miiliJIi'  rm-n-ts  i/rlhii; 

r,.  P.  riibrioeps.'  Wing  without  light  bands.  ^.  liack  and  rump 
olive-green:   wings  and  tail  black;  head  crimson,      //nh.    Xcw  Tiranada. 

B.    Wing  and   tail   reddish  or  gi.-of    li.  of  the  same  gvneral  coh^r  of  the  upper 
parts;  wing  with.mt  .-iny  light  bands. 

a.  Wing.  ;!.li(l.     I'.oily  always  yellow  ;  bead  red  in  the  ^. 

(i.  P.  erythrocephala.'    Above  olive-green,  Ik ath  yellow.     (Jf.  Head 

red.      Wing,  :{.0U;   tail,  -J.Tlt.      //.//-.    .Mexico  (Temiscaltipec). 

b.  Wing  3.50  or  more.     Body  and  head  red  in  ^. 

('iimmiSKIire  wilh  n  ilisfiiirt  tmith  ;    hill  hliiinh. 

7.  p.  hepatica.  Bill  .small,  not  swollen  laieially  ;  ciilmeii  gi'utly  cm-ved 
tenninally,  straight  ba.sally  ;  coiniiiis.snr.al  tooth  small.  ^.  Above  re(l- 
di.sh-a.shy,  becoming  brighter  reddish  on  the  head  above;  beneatb 
niininm-.scarlct  meilially.  nmch  tinged  with  ashy  laterallv.  9.  Ashv- 
green  and  greenish-yellow,  instead  of  reddish.  Jni:  ^.  similar,  but 
throat  tinged  with  orange-red. 

'  Pi/ni.iijii  ci-jilUmiii-hviiii,  .S<'i.ATl-.i;,  I'.  Z.  i^.  I.eiid.  ISali,  l-Jfi.  (Tiiiiitijrii  eri/f/iiviiifliifs, 
Ijr'Mf.  I'rcis.-Vcrz.  d,  Saiig.  u,  Vug,  uit.  i\'.' ;  is:!l.i 

-  I':iriiii.iii  iii-ilciis,  Sci..\Ti;i;,  1',  /.  ,S,  l,s.-,i;.  i-,;.  ( /■/„i,iisi, 1,111  m-diim,  T.sciinu.  Wic^^  A.uhiv, 
IS  11,  'J(ir.» 

"  /'i/rn  111/11  liiili'iiliil.i,  SwAlxs.  I'hiles.  Mug.  bs-J7,  .(-js, 

•*  Piii-iiiiijii  riihri'ir/is,  (!i;.vv,  Ccn,  li.  Inl,  p,  :!ii-(,  pb  iNxxix,  184!i, 

'^/'!li-'iiii,i,  frii//irni;-/i„i,l„.  BnsAf.  1(.  Z,  bS.-,l,  178.  (S,,iriii,i,,nt  fri/Z/nwr/iIi,,!,,,  KwAlxs. 
Phil.  Mag.  1827,  V.u.  \\\ir  it  not  lor  the  Miiall  si/c,  one  would,  witlioai  seeing  a  specimen,  be 
iiicliucd  to  suspirt  thi.,  as  being  a  young  male  of  /'.  irs/h;,,  whirli  oft,  1:  occurs  in  vcrv  similar 
plumage. 


^^■*  -^'"l;''''!   A  Mi;i;  I  CAN-    |!,,i„s. 

AMn,.,,lM,s.,..yi.l,|ik,.,l,,.,,,,.|,:,,,,,|i,,,,i^.|,,,.,        |,„,.,,,„ 

"s.:-::;,r;!;,::;;,,::;:,-.-i.::;;- 


VUl'.     llZ(t,-(l} 


;••■;;""■"■"■'.■': ■ ^"'.^  ^-.i":;.":  i::::  ;::;:t;::;;:" 

yellow.  ii],si,.a,l  ,.(•  iviMish.  ■■■■uiiM  ,  i,in-.;- 

,''; "-;;'->  ';""lM,„lis,i,„,;   lor.l,..„,,.o,„i,,,.,.,|,K.,,,i,,|,„.,,..,I- 

'"'■';': ^■'■""7'"'-' '-i^-  c?.  ne.K..,i,  „i,„„ ;,  ..uinviv ,  . 

"-'-.-aH,.,.      9.    Ii,.,„.:„l,   alM.os,    wl.,.lly   |„„. nni,,.' 

AnM.n,.:Mli,-,,.ih.,„irnni,la,l)  ''    ^"•^'-"•^""'1' 

;  l'"',r  r"  "'■";  ":■ '  ^-  "'•"'•^""  "■ •"^'■-  - 

:     rrrV''''''-^'''^--  ?•  ij--ii.  rn,iia„-v..ii,.w 

IlKill.illv,    picriilsii    iiltcra    v.      \Vi„„.    ■--,|.    ,,,;|    .,.,,,  ,     " 

Ma..U,Co.a  ..,.,..,,,,.,.,.,  a,.,,  V..a„.a)       ."/'"':;.?::,.,,„, 

;;.,!;.^;  1  f  ;.,::;."i;,:::;:f' '-'■•■"•  "^" "  "'"■^''  "■"■'  '•-— 

n...  a,,o..  ,,,„,,,, ;^^  ■ 


-•Mo::  :r:.,::;:  :;''•• n'":';'-^""'""'^-"^-"'"'-' '^' 

o,,  „ ,    ,'  -    '"  '■''•  I''''"'-    •""'    "'111'  a  ,li„,^.v  l,„ll'  li„..v  -_  ,,,1,., 

-  tl..  a,,,,ou,,.n,  an,,  .,..  .n-on,,v  MK.H.M  wi.h  ,;,,  a,.n,ss^,;..  ,i;;I:; 

>i'£T''''^ ■•>•••-■.  W,,.;,.     K„.w.n..   , ........   X.  s,   ,,„„„.  ., ,,,,,,.. 

i^;>m:';:; ;;t ■  '''-^'"^ ^ ^-•-^'  ■■•  ^- ^^ ^-'^  ^'^«.  i;n,ow..v,  r... a. n. «. ,,.„., 


TA  X  A(  1  Kl  D.K  —  TIIK  TA  X  A<  i  KIJS. 


430 


anil  iiloii.^'  side.-:.  \Vh,,|,.  pilciiiii,  |'i-i,iii  l,ill  I,,  ||;,|„,  i,||,l  il,,\v  loll,,. 
U|i|if|-  fil,i;v  III'  l.iivs,  i'\f^,  MlJil  wiiiiiMiliirs.  wili'^s,  iipprr  l:iil-cn\  cii..  ainl 
tail,  (lark  piiipjisji-icl.  Wlmlc  ihidai  diliili.'  vrriiiilidii,  (ir  r.»c-|iiiiU 
sharply  (Icliiicil;  cjissiiiii  mikI  liiiiiiL'  nl'  winns  a  paU'i-  sliailc  iil'llu'  same. 
M'in.L',  :!.ll.');  tail, -J.T.");  Inll,  Ihiin  nostril,  V>  ;  lis  dcplli  at  the  Ijiisr,  .!((, 
its  liruadth,  .30;  larsirs  .N(l.     IJah.    Vmalan. 


Fyranga  rubra,  \' 


I  KILL. 


THE   SCARLET   TANAGER. 

'Tamuji-ii  nilmi,  Linn.  I,  HiKi,  ;!M.  (Imki.in,  I,  i,  ,.  SSIl.  —  Wii.sdS,  .\im.  Orii.  II, 
ISlli,  l-J;  pi.  xi,  r.  ■■'.,  1.  -  .\ri..  Oni.  I'.in-  IV,  .:;s,  ;iss  ;  pi.  ,,,|iv.  /',„•»„,/,', 
rubi',i,  \l|.;iLl.crr,  (»is.  .\ii,.  S,.pl,  I,  l,S(i7,  jv  ;  pi.  i,  l.  I^  ,||,,;|,1.>.  -  Sw.uNsu.n,  1'. 
Uor.  Am.  II,  Lsil,  :;7:i.  -  lid.N.  Li.M.  ls;!s.  h,  Cunspntus,  l>.-,ii.  -  Aid.  Svn. 
1831),  13(1.  -  111.  Iiir.ls  Am.  II,  1SH,  li'J.i  ;  pi.  rri.v.  ScL.vTKii,  I'r.  /.o,.l.  So,'.  ]s:,5, 
15(i.  -  In.  ISaO,  T_>:i.  -  .Max.  Ca!..  .I.air.  VI,  l.V.S,  l'7(I.  -- S.vmi  ki.s,  -J.-,!.  r/,a;usumn 
ruhni,  S\v.  liinls,  II,  l,s:i7,  -JM.  /'/-<■///,•.«•„„„,  ,»/,/•,/,  C.vn.  .Mils,  II, .in.  ]s,-,l,  -n, 
I'lji-iiiKjd  n-!illiriiiii<l<is,  \\\:\\.\.in,  "Kii, •>•,■.  .M,'tli.  Mm."  In.  Xuiiv.  l)i,'t.  XXVIII, 
1817,  2i):J. 

Sp.  f'li.ui.  liill  .sli,)i't,.r  than  lh,>  Ii,m,1.  S,m',„i,|  ,piili  l,,iio-,.,si  ;  lirsl.  an,l  Ihinl  a  little 
shorter.  Tail  liio,l,'ralcly  liirkiMl.  M.ilr.  \Vli,,lc  l,..;,,!  niiil  li,.(|y  ,-,inliniioiis,  pure,  intuii.so 
.scarlet,  the  rcuthcrs  while  heiieath  the  .siirllir,..  mii,|  tirayish  at  Ih,'  r,i,i|s.  Winus  ami  tail, 
with  the  .seapiilar.s.  iinilonn  inleii.se  lilai'k:  the  mi, lille-,',. visits  s,)meiimes  partly  red,  Harm- 
ing an  interrnpteil  haml.  lanim;-  i,!'  v.  inir  while.  A  Ma,ki>h  liiiM,'  aluni;-  si,le.s  ol'  ih,- 
ruin]),  eoneeiiled  iiy  win.ii-.s.  liill  p,-a--rei'ii;  i-is  lir,)wn;  tarsi  ami  tci'sdnll  hliie.  /•; 
Olive-green  ahiive.  ye;i,>wi.s|i  lii'in'ath.  Win- and  tail  lealii<'rs  l.rown,  edj;cil  with  uhva- 
ceous.      r,en,i;th,  7.10:   win--.  4.(MI;    uiil.  .'!.IM). 

IlAli.  Easteiii  I'riivini'e  Xorlh  America,  north  to  Winnepe,;-  (west  to  Kl  Paso?  I[kki!- 
MANn).  In  winter,  .south  to  I'Viiaihir  (Rio  Xap,',  Sci..).  Iio,;;ota  (Sei,.)  Ciiha  (Scr,.  & 
(ii-NMi,.);  .Tamaica  (.<ci.,  k.  Gossicj ;  Panama  (Lavvi;.);  (Jo.sta  llica  (Lawi:.):  Vera  Criii! 
(winter,  Sc.MieiiKA.sT^ 

At  leii.st  tlireo  yoars  seem  to  li;  re- 
quired for  llio  as,sunij)tioii  of  tliu  ])er- 
fect  ])luiuage  of  the  i.'iale.  In  the  fir.st 
year  tlie  .youiio-  male  i.s  like  tlic  female, 
hut  ha.s  hlacU  wiiios  ami  lail  ;  in  t!ie 
fall  red  feathers  lieojn  to  make  tlieir 
a])i)earaiice,  and  the  lnll(nvin,L>'  .s[iriii,o' 
the  red  ]iredoininates   in  ]iatelies. 

llAmr.s.  I'jie  Searlet  Tanaifcv  is  one 
of  the  most  eonsjiiciions  and  iirilliaiit 
of  all  our  suiUMier  visitants.  Kleeiuit 
in  its  attire,  retirino-  and  modest  in 
manners,  sweet  in  sonu,  and  u.^eful  in 
its  destrnction  of  Inirtlul  inseets,  it 
well  merits  ii  eordial  welcome.  Tiiis 
Tana,t,'er  is  distrilmted  over  a  wide  extent  of  territory,  from  Te.xas  to  ^faine, 
and  from  youth  (.'arolina  to  the  northern  shores  of  Lake  Huron,  in  all  which 


I'l/rnnan  h/'/nririnnn. 


436  NnUTII  AMKliU'AN  IJIUDS. 

kii'iilities  it  breeds.  A  lew  me  Ibuiid  oneo  in  a  wliile  iis  fur  cast  as  Calais,  in 
the  siiriiig,  and  they  are  rather  ueeasional  than  eomniiin  in  Kastern  Massa- 
ehusetts,  hut  are  nmre  idenliliil  in  the  western  ]iart  nl'  tlie  State,  Ipeeundn;.' 
({uite  ennnnon  ahdut  Spiiii^liehl,  arriving  May  1.1,  and  reniaininj^  ahmil  luur 
months,  hietHJing  in  hii^h  open  woods  and  old  orehai'ds.  In  South  Carolina 
it  is  almndant  as  a  migrant,  t]iou,uh  a  lew  ri'Uiain  and  laceil  in  the  higher 
lands.  Mr.  Auchilion  states,  also,  that  a  lew  hreed  in  the  higher  portions  of 
Louisiana,  and  Dr.  lieerniann  found  tlieni  liieeding  at  Kl  I'aso,  in  New  Mex- 
ico, They  are  far  more  almndant,  liowever,  in  tiie  Stales  of  IVnn.sylvania, 
Now  Jersey,  Virginia,  and  tinuughout  the  ^lissi.ssi])pi  Valley,  arriving  early 
in  May,  and  leaving  in  Oetolier.  Tiuaigh  oeeasionally  found  in  the  more 
sparsely  settled  portions  of  the  country,  in  orchards  and  retired  gardens,  they 
are,  as  a  rule,  inhahitants  of  the  edges  of  forests. 

Tiieir  more  common  notes  are  sim|ile  and  brief,  resembling,  according  to 
Wilson,  the  sounds  r/n'/i-r/mn:  Mr.  Ilidgway  repri'sents  tluim  liy  cltiii-d-ni'- 
rcc.  This  song  it  repeals  at  brief  intervals  and  in  a  jiensive  tone,  and  with 
a  singular  faculty  of  causing  it  to  seem  to  come  from  a  greater  tlian  the  real 
distance.  JU'sides  this  it  also  has  a  nioie  varied  and  musical  chant  resem- 
bling the  mellow  notes  of  the  llaltimnri^  ( >riole.  The  female  also  utters  simi- 
lar nt)tes  when  her  nest  is  ajiiaMached,  and  in  their  mating-seasoii,  as  they 
move  together  through  the  bi'iinches,  they  both  utter  a  low  whispering  war- 
ble in  a  tone  (jf  great  sweetness  and  tenderness.  As  a  whole,  this  bird  may 
be  regai'dcd  as  a  musiial  performer  r"  very  respectable  merit.s. 

Tiie  food  of  this  species  is  chiefly  gleaned  among  the  up])er  branches,  and 
consists  of  various  coleopterous  and  other  insects  and  their  larvte.  Later  iii 
the  season  tiiey  consume  various  kinds  of  wild  lierries. 

Wlien  their  nest  is  apjiroaciied,  the  male  bird  usually  kee])s  at  a  cautions 
distance,  as  if  fearful  of  being  seen,  luit  his  mucii  less  gaudy  mate  hovers 
al)out  the  intruder  in  the  greatest  distress.  AVilson  relates  quite  a  touching 
instance  of  the  devotion  of  the  parent  of  this  si)ecies  to  its  young.  Having 
taken  a  young  bird  from  the  nest,  ami  carried  it  to  his  friend,  Mr.  liartnim, 
it  was  ])Iaced  in  a  cage,  and  suspended  near  a  nest  ccjntaining  young  Orioles, 
in  hopes  tiie  parents  of  the  latter  would  feed  it,  wjiich  they  did  not  do.  Its 
cries,  however,  attracted  its  own  jmrent,  who  assiduously  attended  it  and  su]i- 
plied  it  with  ibod  for  several  <lays,  becanu!  more  and  more  .solicit(nis  for  its 
liberatiiai,  and  constantly  uttered  cries  of  entreaty  to  its  nllspijng  to  come 
out  (jf  its  prison.  At  last  this  was  more  tiian  Mr.  liartraui  cnuld  endure,  aiai 
he  mounted  to  the  cage,  took  out  thi'  jirisoner,  and  restored  it  to  its  parent, 
who  accom[)anied  it  in  its  llight  to  the  woods  with  iU)tes  of  great  exultation. 

Early  in  August  the  male  ln'gins  to  moult,  and  in  tiu!  course  of  a  fc^w  days, 
dressed  in  the  grcnish  livery  of  the  feni;de,  lie  is  not  distingui.shable  from 
her  or  his  young  family.  Ii.'  this  liumi)le  garb  they  leave  us,  and  do  not 
resume  their  summer  ]iluniage  until  just  as  they  are  re-entering  our  southern 
l)orders,  when  they  may  lie  .seiMi  in  variiuis  stages  of  transformation. 


TAN'ACIilD.K  — TIIK  TA.NA(iKlI.S.  437 

This  species  is  cxtiviin'ly  susccptililo  to  cold,  and  in  luto  and  iinusuiilly 
cliilly  seasons  l;ii;ue  muuhers  often  jterish  in  tlieir  more  noilhein  liaunls,  as 
Miissacliusetts  and  Nijrtliern  New  \'()ik. 

Tiie  nests  of  tlie  Scarlet  Tana^ci'  are  Inult  late  in  May,  or  early  in  Juno, 
on  tlie  lioi'izontal  l>rancli  of  a  forest  tree,  usually  on  the.  ed,n-e  of  a  wood,  hut 
occasiomiUy  in  an  orciianl.  They  are  usually  very  nearly  Hat,  five  or  six 
inches  in  diameter,  and  ahout  two  in  height,  with  a  dejiression  of  only  ahout 
half  an  inch.  They  are  of  somewhat  irrej^iilar  shape,  or  not  (piite  symmet- 
rically circular.  Their  hase  is  somewhat  loosely  constructed  of  coarse  stems 
of  ve«,'etrthles,  strips  of  hark,  and  tlie  rootlets  of  wooded  ]ilants.  f  pon  this 
is  wroui^ht,  with  more  compactness  and  neatness,  a  framework,  within  which 
is  the  linhig,  of  long  slemh'r  tihrous  roots,  inters] )ersed  with  which  are  .slender 
stems  of  plants  and  a  few  strips  of  tine  inner  liark. 

Mr.  Xuttall  describes  a  nest  examined  liy  iiim  as  composed  of  rigid  stalks 
of  weeds  and  slender  lir-twigs  tied  together  with  narnnv  strijjs  of  Jjior//- 
nuiii  ami  i)ea-vine  runners,  and  lined  with  slender  wiry  stalks  of  the  IliHan- 
thcmum,  the  whole  ;:>o  thinly  plaited  as  readily  to  admit  the  light  through 
the  interstices. 

The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  inunl)er,  vary  in  length  from  an  inch  to  .90,  and 
have  an  average  hreadth  of  .(Jo.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a  well- 
marked  shade  of  greenish-hlue,  to  a  dull  white  witii  hardlv  the  least  tinue 
of  blue.  The  spots  vaiy  in  sixe,  are  more  or  less  contluent,  and  are  chielly 
of  a  reddish  or  rufous  brown,  intermingled  with  a  lew  spots  of  a  brownish 
and  obscure  pur])le. 


Pyranga  ludoviciana,  I'.hnap. 

LOUISIANA  TAKAGER. 

Tanagra  ht(loi-i,-lti,i(i,  Wii.sun,   Am.  Orn.  Ill,  IMl,  •I'i.     1.   xx,   f.   1.    -  linN.  Ohs,   1S26, 

it'i.  —  An..    Oni.    liiiiK.    IV,    1S:!S,    3S5  ;    V,    Is:!!',    SKi,    \\\.    iv.liv,    rr.'c.       '/•■i,iinira 

{Pimnujii)   hiiliii-ii-iiniit,    I'MiNAi'.    Syii.    1S'2S,    Id'..  —  Xi  •irAr.l.,    lluii.    I,    \x:V>,    471. 

fin-i'iifin  !ii</iirin'iiii<i,  Itiii;.  List.  1837.    -  linNAP.  List,  ls;iS.  —  Am.  Syii.  l.s:j<l,  137. 

111.   r.inls  .\iii.   III.   T<ll.   -Jll,   |il.  ci'x.  -- .Sci.Aiia;,    I'l'.   'Aii<\.  S,»:   is.'.ii,   12.").    - 

<'i Kir,  Oiii.  ('ill.  I,  ls7ii,  II."..      Pitmihiii  ( niHn'oiii^,  Vii;ii.i.(.T,  Xiiiiv.  Diit.  .\.\VIII, 

1.^10,  •2!tl.     ("  Tiiiiifti-ii  r,,lii„il,;,,ii(i,  ,lAiai.  cil.  Wii.soii,  I,  .'iU,"  iic.i-oivliiig  to  .Si-lalci-, 
lint  I  t'liiiiiot  liiicl  siuh  MMiiii'.l 

Sp.  CiiAi!.  r.ill  .shorter  lliiin  the  lu'iid.  T.iil  .-iliulitiy  forki'il :  fiivt  llirci.  (niills  nearly 
eiinal.  Muh:  Vcllmv  ;  llic  niiilillc  (if  llic  hark,  ihc  wiiii;v.  anil  the  liiil  Mark  IFeail  ami 
iicrk  all  iiiuiiil  .-^l  11  ill  Lily  tiiii;-i'il  willi  rcil :  ]yi\^\  so  on  llir  .siile.s.  .\  liiinil  of  vi'llow  aiTo.-;.-! 
till.'  Miiclillc  covnls.  anil  of  yi'lli.wisli-wliili'  ai-ro.^.s  tlic  .Li'iMitiT  ones:  the  tiTlial.-  aioi-c  iw 
le.ss  c'llfTi'il  wilh  wliili,<li.  /■'niKilr.  Olivi'-uiTi'U  aliovc,  yclluwisli  lii'iicalli ;  tlir  IralliiM-.s  of 
the  inteisea|iiilar  re.aioii  iliisky,  <inarj;iiiei|  with  olive.  The  wiiii;s  ami  tail  lalher  ilark 
brown,  the  roriiier  with  the  .-ianie  mark.-  a<  the  male.     [.enL'th.  T.'-'-'i :   win^u.  •'!.<'.i' ;  tail,  2.8."). 

IIau.  We.-itern  iioilion.-;  of  Ciiileil  Slii!e.<.  Ironi  the  Mis.-couri  I'lain.-J  to  the  Paeilie;  north 
to  Foit  Liaril.  south  to  ('ape  Si.  I.iira.s.  Oaxai/a  (Sei,.);  ( iiialeinala  (.-^ci,.);  ( )rizalja  (^ScL.)  ; 
Vela  (Jruz  (winter,  Sc.MMiuiA.sr). 


438  Nni;ril  AMKKK'AX  lilRDS. 

llAliiTs.  Tliis  liiid  is  uiii'dl'  till'  iiiiiiiy  iustiuiccs  i.i  wliich  Wilson  lias  Im'cii 
niilurtuiialr  in  licsldw  iiii;  nimn  liis  new  siiccics  a  j^uD.uiapliii'al  nanic  nut 
iiintn)|niiitu  iit  llii;  javHt-nl  time.  We  liavo  im  I'vidcncc!  that  tliis  l)iitl,  (.'ailed 
the  Lonisiana  raiia^ucr,  is  ever  i'lUiml  within  the  niodern  limits  of  that  State, 
alth(iMj;h  it  oecnis  trinn  the  (iieat  Plains  to  the  I'acilie,  and  IVom  I'uvl  JJard, 
in  the  nnrthein  liueky  Munntains,  to  Mexico. 

It  was  first  met  with  liy  Lewis  and  Clark's  party,  on  the  I'lijier  Mi.ssonri, 
a  region  then  known  as  Louisiana  Territory.  They  were  said  to  inhahit  the 
extensive  plains  in  what  was  then  (■alle<l  .Miss(airi  Territory,  laiildiiit,'  tlieir 
liests  in  low  Imshes,  and  e\en  aniiai.i^'  the  ^;rass,  and  deli.nhling  in  the  \ariuus 
kinds  of  lierries  wilh  whieli  those  fertile  ]irairies  were  .said  to  ahound. 

Mr.  Nnttall,  who  met  with  these  liirds  in  his  Western  e.xeiirsions,  de.serihes 
them  as  continually  Hitting  o'ver  those  vast  downs,  oceasionally  ali<,'htin,if  on 
the  stems  of  .some  tall  weed,  or  lla;  hushes  horderin:;  the  streams.  Tlieir 
haliits  are  very  lerresl rial,  and  from  this  he  infers  that  they  derive  their 
food  from  the  insects  they  tind  near  the  ground,  as  well  as  from  the  seeds  of 
the  herbage  in  which  they  chielly  dwell,  lie  found  them  a  ccjinmon  and 
uumerou.s  .si)ccies,  remaining  in  the  country  west  of  the  ]Mississii)pi  until  the 
ajiproaeh  of  ()ctol)er.  In  his  first  ohservations  of  them  he  .states  that  though 
he  had  seen  many  of  these  hirds,  yet  he  had  no  veeolleetiou  of  hearing  them 
utter  any  modulated  or  mnsicul  .sounds.  They  appeared  to  him  shy,  Hitting, 
and  almost  silent. 

lie  first  oli.served  these  liinls  in  a  thick  helt  of  wood  near  Laramie's  Fork 
of  the  I'lalte,  at  a  considerable  distance  east  of  the  I'.laek  Uills.  He  after- 
wards found  tiiem  very  abundant,  in  the  sia'ing,  in  the  forests  of  the  Colum- 
bia, below  l''ort  N'anciaiver.  In  these  latter  ol)servations  he  modified  his 
views  as  to  their  .song,  and  states  that  he  coulil  fre([Uently  trace  them  by 
their  notes,  wiiicli  arc  a  loud,  short,  and  .slow,  but  pleasing  warble,  not  very 
unlike  tliat  of  the  conuiion  Jiobin,  delivered  fimu  the  to[is  of  lofly  tir-trees. 
Their  music  CMJiitinues,  at  short  intervals,  during  the  forenoon,  and  while 
they  are  busily  engaged  in  searching  for  larv;e  and  coleopterous  insects,  on 
the  small  branches  of  the  trees. 

Dr.  Siickley  found  tiiis  Taiiager  (juite  aliundant  at  certain  seasons  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Steilacoom.  In  one  year  a  very  limiteil  number  were  seen  ; 
in  anotiicr  they  were  very  abundant.  I'Voiu  fixniueiit  op])ortunities  to  exam- 
ine and  to  study  their  habits,  ho  was  :'nelined  to  discredit  the  statement  of 
Nuttall  that  they  descend  to  low  bushes,  the  reverse  l)eiiig  tlie  rule,  lie 
found  it  very  diliicult  to  meet  with  any  suliicieiitly  low  down  in  the  trees 
for  him  to  kill  them  with  fiiu;  shot.  Their  favorite  abode,  in  the  localities 
where  he  ob.served  tlicm,  was  amoie  tlu;  upjM'r  branches  of  the  tall  Ahira 
doiKjhissii.  They  prefer  the  eilgc!  of  thi;  forests,  rarely  retiring  to  the  depths. 
Tn  early  summer,  at  Fort  Steilacoom,  they  could  be  seen  during  tla;  middle 
of  the  day,  sunning  them.sclvcs  in  the  firs,  or  darting  from  one  of  tliose  trees 
to  another,  or  to  some  of  the  neighlxn-iug  white  oaks  on  the  prairie.     Later 


T.\N.\(ii;il».K-TIIK  TANAdKliS. 


48!) 


ill    (lie    SCllSdii    t||,.y    were    In    l.c    seen    ll.viim  VCIT  lirt  ivcly   llliuut   ill    (|llcsr,    (if 

iiistrl  Innd  loi'tlicir  yimiiii.  On  ihc  Hull  I. r, Inly  li,.  s;i\v  ouc  cairyiii^'  ii  Wdpiu 
ill  iU  niiiiitli,  slKiwiii-  lliiit  ils  yniiii.i,'  were  tlu'ii  lialdu'd  i.iit.  Diirinn  tlic 
l)iV('iliii,L;-sciis(iii  llicy  iiic  niiii'li  less  .siiy,  the  males  riv(|ncnily  siitino-  ,,ii  sniiic 
low  liiiil),  iviidcriii-  the  iici-lili(irliuiM|  j(iy,,ii.s  with  tiicir  (Icii-iiiriil  iiii-Ni(ly. 

TJK'ir  stDiiiaclis  were  ri.iin,!  filled  witli  insects,  ehielly  e(.Ie(p|ptera ;  aniuiiLf 
tliese  were  many  IVa-nieiits  ol'  th,.  jar-e  ,nn;eii  /Ji'/irr.,/is,  i\nmd  nu  U,,, 
I'oiiglu.sis  lii-livus. 

Dr.  ('o()])er  adds  to  tliis  accuunl,  that  this  liird  arrives  at  I'u-vt  Smnid 
alidut  May  l.'),  and  liecomes  a  lomninn  summer  resident  in  W'ashin-ton  Tur- 
rilory,  especially  near  the  river-hanks  and  anidiin  the  juairies,  <m  which  aro 
roiiiKl  deciduous  lives,  lie  coin]iares  its  si.n-'  to  thai  (.('  ils  iilack-wiii-vd 
naativc  (/'.  /vJ/jv^),  hein-  of  a  tew  notes  only,  whistle,!  in  the  manner  Of 
the  Jiohiii,  and  .soimdin.u  as  if  the  liird  were  (|uile  distant,  when  in  reality 
it  is  very  near.  Me  met  with  these  birds  east  of  the  llockv  .Mountains  anil 
U]i  to  the  -I'.Uh  |iarallel. 

In  Califoriiiii  the  same  oliserver  noticed  their  arrival  near  San  Dieu'o, 
in  .sniull  parties,  aliuiil  the  l'4tli  of  April.  Tlu!  mah's  c,Mue  in  advance  of' 
their  mates,  and  are  more  bold  and  ccMispiciious,  the  femal.'s  ]„-\nn  ,a,.ely  .seen. 
lie  saw  none  of  them  in  the  Coa.st  Kan-e  toward  Santa  Crii/,  or  at  Santa 
r.ar])iira,  in  summer,  lie  also  found  them  in  Septemlier,  ISOd,  in  the  hi-her 
llocky  Mountains,  near  the  .sources  of  the  Columliia,  in  lalitude  47'.  hrthe 
fall  the  youn-  and  the  old  a.s.sociate  in  families,  all  in  the  .same  dull-nreenisli 
lilumage,  iV'edin-'  on  the  berries  of  the  elder,  and  other  slirulis,  without  tlie 
timidity  they  manifest  in  s|)rin,n-. 

]\rr.  J.  K.  Lord  states  that  lie  did  not  once  meet  with  this  speeies  west  of 
the  Ca.scade  Mountains.  He  found  them  on  the  Spokan  I'laiiis  ami  at  Col- 
ville,  where  they  arrive  in  June.  Male  birds  were  the  tirst  to  be  seen.  On 
their  arrival  they  pereli  on  the  to])sof  the  highest  pine-trees,  and  eontinually 
utter  a  low  jiiercin,--  chirp.  They  soon  after  pair,  and  di.sa])pear  in  tlui  forest. 
Where  they  breed,  .Mr.  Lord  was  not  able  to  diseover,  though  he  soimlit  liii^di 
and  low  for  their  nests.  As  he  never  succeeded  in  findin-  them,  he  eonjirc- 
tnred  that  they  must  breed  on  the  tops  of  the  loftiest  pine-trees.  They  all 
leave  in  Se])teml)er,  ])ut  do  not  as.semble  in  iloek.s. 

The.se  Tanairers  breed  at  least  as  far  to  the  .south  as  Arizona,  Dr.  Tones 
having  found  them  a  suimner  resident  near  Fort  Whiiijile,  thou-li  rare. 
They  arrive  there  in  the  middle  of  Ajpril,  and  leave  late  in  Se].teiiiber. 

]\rr.  Salvin  .states  that  this  Tanager  was  found  between  tlie  volcanoes  of 
Agua  and  Fuego,  at  an  elevation  of  about  five  thousand  feet.  Sjiecimeiis 
were  also  received  from  the  A'era  I'az. 

Specimens  of  this  species  were  taken  near  Oaxaca,  :\rexico,  by  ^h\  IJoucard, 
where  they  are  winter  residents. 

.Mr.  Itidgway  writiis  that  he  first  met  witli  these  Tanagers  in  July,  among 
the  pines  of  the  Sierra   Xevatla.     There  its  sweet  song  tirst  attracted  his 


440  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

attention,  it  being  almost  exactly  similar  to  ^Iiat  of  its  eastern  relative 
{P.  nihrd).  Alterwiinls  lie  continually  met  Mitli  it  in  wooded  portions, 
■whether  among  the  willows  and  cottonwood  ol'  tlie  liver-valleys,  or  tlie 
cedars  and  pinons  of  the  mountains.  In  ]May,  LSllS,  among  the  willows 
and  Imil'alo-berry  thickets  of  the  Truckee  Valley,  near  Pyramid  Lake,  it  was 
very  abundant,  in  company  with  Grosbeaks  and  Orioles,  feeding  upon  the 
buds  of  the  grease-wood  (Obione),  and  later  in  the  sununer  among  the  cedars 
and  nut-i)ines  of  Ea.st  Humboldt  Mountains,  where  the  peculiar  notes  of  the 
young  arrested  Ids  attention,  resembling  the  comjdaining  notes  of  the  I>lue- 
bird,  but  louder  and  UKjre  distinct.  In  Sejjtendjer  he  noticed  them  feeding, 
among  the  thickets  bordering  the  streams,  upon  the  pulpy  fruit  of  the 
thorn-ap])le  (J.'r((tin/iis)  tliat  grew  plentifully  in  the  thickets.  To  the  ea.st- 
ward  it  was  continually  met  with,  in  all  wooded  portions,  as  far  as  they 
explored. 

In  manners  it  is  very  similar  to  the  /'.  rnbra.  The  songs  of  both  birds 
arc  very  nearly  alike,  l)eing  e(iually  tine,  l)ut  that  of  this  species  is  more  sil- 
very in  tone,  and  uttered  more  falteringly.  Its  usual  note  ui jjlil-it  is  quite 
dilferent  from  the  r/iiji-ii-ffi'-nr  of  the  J\  ruhni. 

He  met  with  their  nest  and  eggs  at  Parley's  Park,  Utah,  June  0,  1869. 
The  ;iest  was  on  the  extreme  end  of  a  horizontal  branch  of  a  ])ine,  in  a  grove. 
Hat,  and  with  only  a  very  sliglit  depression,  having  a  diameter  of  four  and  a 
half  inches,  with  a  height  of  only  au  inch.  It  was  composed  externally  of 
only  a  few  twigs  and  dry  wiry  stems,  and  lined  almost  entirely  with  fine 
vegetable  rootlets. 

The  eggs,  usually  three  in  number,  lueasure  .Do  by  .06  of  an  inch.  In 
form  they  are  a  roundeil-oval.  Their  ground-color  is  a  light  bluish-green, 
sparingly  speckLnl,  chielly  at  the  larger  end,  with  marking  of  umber,  inter- 
mingled with  a  few  dots  of  lilac. 


Pjrringa  hepatica,  Swainsok. 

ryi;ni(,a /iqio/i,;,,  Swains,, n,  I'liil.  Mmj;.  1,  l,s-J7,  124.  —  .S.i.atki!,  IV  Zolil.  Soc.  18,-,(i, 
124.  -  liAHio,  Hints  N.  .\m.  IS.VS,  ;i(i2,  pi.  xxxi.  —  Ki-.NNiati.v,  lai.  —  HoMnvAV,  Pr. 
A.  X.  .S.  LSUit,  Ki-i.  —  CoDi'i:!;,  Oni.  (',,1.  I,  1870,  144.  P/wn im.mmti  //.■/m/icn,  V.\n. 
Mils,  lli'iii.  1S,")1,  L'.'i.  J'ifmiiijtKn'inv,  \Vii,,i)iii)usi:,  Sitgii'iivo'-s  Expl.  Zuiii,  1853,  82 
(not  of  iitlu'i-  iiiitliors). 

Si-.  CiiAii.  '•  L,'ii,rtli.  S.od";  win!.'.  4.12;  tail.  :!..'!(i;  ciiliiH'n.  .(W;  tarsus.  ..^1.  Sucoml  (luill 
ioiiL:,'-t.  Ili-st  iiitfniii;,li;it,.  1m.|\v,m'11  foiirlli  iiiiil  lillli.  Pill  soiin'wliiit  sli,,i-t,T  tlinn  that  of 
wsli'r.i,  liui,  li|-,)iiii;T  1111(1  lii;_'lioi-  lU  tlie  liasc,  liciMiniim'  ,'om|iivssi.|  l,),v;irl  llic  cii,!  ;  ii  di.s- 
tiiict  iimiiiiiiiMit  tixilh  on  ooiniiiissnn';  its  ciil.ir  ]iliMnlM',)ns-l,l!i,'l<,  piilcr.  ,)r  iiidiv  hhn'sli  ])lnni- 
bcoiLs  on  lower  iiiiiiiilililc.  ^^lll'■.  Ilea,!  aliov,'  l,r,iwiiisli-iv,i,  purer  aut,'ri,irlv  ;  ivst  of  up- 
per parts  all,]  si,|i's  l,rowiiis|i-asliy.  tiii.t't'ii  with  r.Mi,|isli ;  clyvs  ,,r  |)riiii.-iri,'s,  tipper  tail- 
coverts  ami  tail,  luoic  iv,|,|isli.  li.'ui'atli.  nu'ijially,  line  li'j-lit  scarlet,  most  iiilense  on  tlie 
throat,  frrowinjj-  frrailually  paler  posteriorly.  Lores  ami  orliilal  region  grayish-while  ;  eyo- 
liil.s  pal,'-reil;  ear-eoverts  ashy-reil. 


TANAGRID^  — THE  TANACERS.  44  j 

Female.  Above  ashy-n:rccnisli-..livacoous,  brightest  on  forehead  ;  ed-ps  of  win-, 
feathers,  up.)er  tuiUcovcits,  and  tail  ni<:re  ashy  on  tlie  l.aek;  beneath  nearly  unifoim 
ohvaceous-ycllow,  im,-,.,-  medially  ;  lores  ashy  ;  a  .superciliary  strii..-  of  oliyaecous-yello^v 
lloumj  male  snndar  to  the  female,  but  forehead  and  erown  olivaeeoiis-oranc',.  bri.ditest 
anteriorly  ;  superciliary  stripe  bri-ht  orange,  \yhole  turoat,  abdomen,  and  brc^.s't  niJilially 
rich  yello\v,  most  intense,  and  tin-ed  with  orange-chrome  on  throat. 

Hah.  Mountain  regions  of  .Mexico  and  southern  Ro.ky  .Mouiilains  of  Tnited  States 
0a.xaca(0ct.,8cL.vTER);  Xalapa  (8cl.)  ;  Guatemala  (Sclatku)  ;  Vera  Uru.  (not  to  alpine 
regions,  Sumicuuast). 

TIiLs  species  differs  from  all  tlie  otliers  in  tlie  oreat  re.stiictinn  of  the  red  • 
this  beiny  confined  principally  to  tlie  head  ahu\e,  and  median  lower  surface,' 
tiie  lateral  and  ni)per  parts  being  quite  different  reddi.sli-a^liy.  Tlie  shmh  of' 
red  is  also  peculiar  among  tiie  North  American  s])ecie.s,  being  very  fine  and 
light,  of  a  red-lead  east,  and  most  intense  anteriorly. 

Haiuts.  a  single  female  specimen  in  full  plumtige  of  tlds  l)cautiful  bird 
Avas  obtained  by  Dr.  Woodhouse  in  the  San  Francisco  M.juutains  of  New 
Mexico.  It  was  an  adult  female,  and  so  far  is  the  only  oue  known  to  Iia\  e 
been  found  within  tlie  limits  of  the  United  States,  ft  is  not  rare  in  the 
highlands  of  Mexico,  wlience  it  probably  extends  into  the  mountainous  por- 
tions of  the  United  States. 

Specimens  have  also  been  procured  from  Guatemala,  and  jMr.  Boucard  met 
with  it  at  Choapam,  a  mountainous  district  in  the  State  of  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

Nothing  is  known  of  its  habits. 


Fyranga  cBstiva,  var.  sestiva   ^'IEILL. 

STTHUEB  REDBIBD. 

Muscicapa  rtibra,  Linn.  Syst.  Xat.  1,  1700,  mi  T,n,n,,m  mticn,  CJ.MiaiN,  I,  1788,  889  _ 
Wilson,  I,  1810,  95,  pi.  vi,  f.  3. -Aid.  Orn.  Biog.  I,  isai,  232;  V,  isan,  518, 
pi.  xliv.  Pi/mvga  wstiva,  Vikill.  Nouv.  Diet.  .X.WIII,  1819,  291.  —  Hon.' List! 
1838. —  Ib.  Conspectus,  18.50. —  Arn.  Syn.  1839,  ]3tj.  -In.  I!i,ds  Am.  HI,  ]84l' 
222,  pi.  (■.■viii.-..Sci.ArKli,  Pr.  Z.ml.  Soc.  LSoo,  150.  —  In.  lsr,o,  V2X  —  liuiiD  Birds 
N.  Am.  1858,  301.-Hi;ki!mann,  P.  I!.  I!.  X,  p.  17.  liiuuwAY,  Pr.  A.'n.  S. 
1869,  130.  —  MavnaiU),  Hinls  K.  JIass.  1870,  109.  ]%,;iisonm  a:stiva,  Sw.  Birds,  II, 
1837,  284.  Vhieniconnma  (vstim,  Caiianms,  Mus.  Hcin.  1,S.-,I,  25.  ?  Lo.via  virginim, 
Gmelin,  I,  1788,  819.  (Male  changing.)  1  Tnnagmmiviisniiipkn^is,  O.mki.i.n,  I,  1788, 
889.  P,,Mnga  mMHsi,,picmls,  Max.  Cab.  .loiir.  VI,  1858,  272.  Tini„mi  vn,'i,;j„((,' 
La .11.  Ind.  Orn.  I,  1790,  422.  (Mule  changing.)  Tungurc  du  MUsUsipm,  Buffon! 
Ola.  V,  63,  pi.  enl.  741. 

Sp.  CnAn.  Bill  wt.Ay  as  long  a.-  the  head,  without  any  median  tooth.  Tail  nearly 
even,  or  slightly  roi  nded.  Mule.  Verniilion-re.l ;  a  little  darker  almye,  and  brightest  on 
the  head.  Quills  brown,  the  outer  webs  like  the  back.  Shalts  only  of  the  taiUfeathcrs 
brown.  Bill  light  horn-color,  m,.re  yellowish  at  the  edges.  Femule^  Olive  above,  yellow 
beneath,  with  a  tinge  of  reddish.  Length,  7.20;  wing,  3.7o;  tail,  3.00;  cnlm'en,  .70, 
tarsus,  .68. 

Hab.  Ea.storn  Province  United  States,  north  to  about  40°,  though  occasionally  strnyin.'  as 
far  as  Nova  Scotia  ;  west  to  borders  of  the  plains.     In  winter,  s.aith  through  the  whole  of 

Middle  America  (ex.vpt  the  Pacili .ast)  as  far  as  Ivnadnr  au,l  I'ern.     Cuba;  .Jamaica 

50 


442 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


i3ieo 


SifS^i-l- 


SORG'* 


In  the  accompanyinj,'  out  wc  •/wv,  outliiio  of  the  bill  of  the  two  varieties 
of  Pi/ninyii  as/ini  us  <  oinjuired  witli  a  near  ally,  /'.  naira,  of  South  Amer- 
ica.    (I. ".,190,  P.  fist i VII ;  ;U,:U4,  J'.  as/lri(  var.  Coojicri ;  M,W-i,  I',  siiim.) 
This  species  is  one  of  wide  distribution;  its  habitat  in  the  United  States 

including  the  "  Eastern  Province,"  north 
to  Xf)va  Scotia,  and  west  toward  tlie 
liocky  Mountains,  along  the  streams 
watering  the  jihiins,  through  Texas,  into 
Eastc^rn  Mexico,  Central  America,  ami 
the  northern  ]iart  of  South  America,  as 
well  as  some  of  the  West  India  islands. 

In  the  dillerent  regions  of  its  haliitat 
the  species  undergoes  consiilerable  vari- 
ations as  regards  shades  of  (iolor  and 
proportions.  Specimens  from  Tiixas  and 
Eastern  ^lexico  exhibit  a  decided  ten- 
dency to  longer  bills  and  more  slender 
forms  than  those  of  the  Eastern  United 
States ;  the  tails  longer,  and  colors  rather  purer.  In  Central  America  and 
New  Granada  the  species  acquires  the  greatest  perfection  in  the  intensity 
and  purity  of  the  red  tints,  all  specimens  being  in  this  respect  noticeably 
dillerent  from  tho.se  of  any  other  region.^ 

Specimens  in  tlir  collection  of  the  Smitlisouian  Institution,  from  Peru 
(39,S4'J  <?,  .•59,84!)  c?,a!id  :!!>,S.'.0  9,  head-waters  Ihiallaga  liiver),  are  undis- 
tingnisliable  from  those  killed  in  the  eastern  United  States. 

The  young  male  exhibits  a  variegated  ])lumage,  the  re<l  ap]iearing  in 
patches  upon  the  other  (-(dors  of  the  female;  in  its  changing  plumage,  the 
red  generally  predominates  on  the  head,  and  often  individuals  may  be  seen 
with  none  anywhere  else.  In  this  condition  there  a]i])ears  to  be  a  great  re- 
send)huico  to  the  /'.  rr////iron/i/iii/ii  (see  .synoptical  table),  judging  from  the 
descrii)tion,  but  whic^h  appears  to  be  considi'i'altly  smaller,  and  perhaps  has 
the  red  of  the  head  more  continuous  and  sharply  defined. 

The  young  male  in  first  summer  resemiihis  the  female,  but  has  the  yellow 
tints  deeper,  the  lower  tail-coverts  a]i])roaehing  orange. 

Haiuts.  The  Summer  liedbird  is  found  chiefly  in  the  Southern  States,  as 
far  north  as  Southern  Xi-w  -Fersey  and  Illinois.  Mr.  Audubon  .speaks  of  their 
occurring  in  Mas.sachusetts,  but  ]\Ir.  Lawrence  has  never  known  of  their  hav- 
ing been  found  farther  north  than  the  Magnolia  Swanii)s  near  Atlantic  City, 
N.  J.  One  or  two  recent  instances  of  the  capture  of  these  birds  in  Massa- 
chusetts, as  also  in  New  Urunswick  and  Nova  Scotia,  have  occurred,  but 
these  must  be  regarded  as  purely  accidental. 


'  Of  tills  lif<;Iily  roloiiil  foiTii,  the  iivi'iagc  Icii^'th  of  five  RiMM'iiiiciis  i.s  7..").5  ;  in  twolvo  the 
avciii^c  is,  wiiifi,  ;!.07  :  t'lil,  2.80  ;  (Mlnii'ii,  .(17.  The  Mil  appi'ius  tr)  lie  .stlirhtly  iluiki'i-  tliau  in 
Xoiili  AiniM'ioiin  c.xnniiili's. 


TANAGKIJhK  — TJIE  TANAGKHS.  443 

Tliis  species  is  said  ])y  Mr.  Sulvin  to  eiijuy  an  almost  universal  nin<,'e 
throughout  (iuateniala.  Jt  occurred  in  Decenilier  at  the  mouth  of  the  Uio 
Uulce,  in  the  pine  ridges  near  (.hiisigua,  and  alng  the  whole  road  I'rom  Isa- 
hel  to  Guatemahi,  a  ilislanee  of  eighty  leagues. 

Mr.  C  W.  \Vyatt  met  with  these  liirds  also,  in  all  varieties  of  jilumage, 
throughout  C'olondiia,  South  Aiiieriea,  at  llerradura,  Coeuta  \alley,  and 
Caiita.  Mr.  IJoueard  obtained  tiieni  at  I'laza  N'ieente,  Me.xico.  Dr.  "Wood- 
house  oljserved  this  .sjjeeies  throughout  the  Indian  Territory,  Te.xa.s,  and  New 
Me.xico,  where  it  seemed  solitary  in  its  hal)its,  frec^uenting  the  thick  scruljhy 
timber.  It  has  been  known  to  breed  at  various  points  in  Floiida,  (leor^ia 
South  Carolina,  Louisiana,  and  Texas.  To  the  northward  it  breeds  more  or 
less  abundantly,  as  hir  as  Washington,  D.  C,  on  the  east,  and  Southern  Illi- 
nois and  Kansas  on  the  we.st,  being  UHicli  more  common  in  tlie  Mississippi 
Valley  than  in  the  States  on  the  Atlantic  in  the  same  jjarallel  ol'  latitude. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  it  (piite  common  about  Sun  Antonio,  Te.xas,  during  the 
sunnner  .season,  arriving  there  about  the  michlle  of  Ai)ril,  wliich  is  just  about 
the  ])eriod  at  which  the  three  specimens  were  taken  near  Jjoston.  It  is  com- 
paratively rare  in  Pennsylvania,  thoi-.gh  abundant  in  the  southern  counties 
of  Now  Jersey,  and  in  Delaware,  Eastern  j\raryland,  and  Virginia.  It  is 
also  abundant  in  the  Carolinas,  in  (ieorgia,  Florida,  and  the  Gulf  States. 

Wilson,  in  describing  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  sjiecies,  has  evidently  con- 
founded them  and  some  of  their  hal)its  with  those  of  the  lUue  (}rosl)eak. 
Th(;ir  eggs  are  not  ligiit-l)lue,  nor  are  the  nests,  so  far  as  I  know,  as  described 
by  him.     Audubon  and  \uttall  co])y  std)stantially  his  errors. 

The  food  of  this  s]iecies  dining  the  sj^'ing  and  early  summer  is  chiefly 
various  kinds  of  large  coleojjterous  insects,  bees,  wasps,  and  others.  Later  in 
the  season,  when  whortleberries  are  rijjc,  they  feed  chiefly  on  these  and  other 
small  fruit.  In  taking  its  food  it  rarely  alights  on  the  ground,  but  prefers  to 
capture  its  insects  while  on  tlie  wing. 

The  usual  note  of  this  bird,  which  Mr.  Audubon  pronounces  unmusical, 
resembles  the  sounds  "  rli irhf-ch iirki/-,Ji nek"  The  same  writer  states  that  dur- 
ing the  spring  this  bird  sings  pleasantly  for  nearly  half  an  hour  in  succi'ssion, 
that  its  song  reseml)les  that  of  the  IJed-eyed  \'ireo,  and  that  its  notes  are 
sweeter  and  more  varied  and  nearly  e([ual  to  tho.se  of  the  Orchard  Oriole. 

The  late  Dr.  (lerhardt  of  ^'arIlel^s  Station,  in  Northern  Georgia,  informed 
me  that  these  birds  arc  quite  common  in  that  section  of  country.  The  nest 
is  usually  built  on  one  of  the  lower  limits  of  a  post-oak,  or  in  a  pine  sapling, 
at  a  height  of  from  six  to  twenty  feet.  They  are  usually  constructed  toward 
the  extremity  of  the  limli,  and  so  far  from  the  trunk  as  to  be  very  difficult  of 
access.  They  are  generally  built  from  the  middle  to  the  end  of  May.  The 
eggs  are  four  in  nund)er. 

In  SoutlicM-n  Illinois,  according  to  Mr.  TJidgway,  the  Summer  T^edbird 
arrives  about  the  2()th  of  A]iril,  staying  until  the  last  of  Septemlier.  It  is 
more  abundant  than  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  and  imich  less  retiring  in  its  habits, 


444  NOUTll  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

frequenting  the  open  groves  instead  of  the  deeper  v/oods  and  the  forests  of 
tlie  bottoni-Jands,  being  especially  attached  to  the  parks  and  groves  within  the 
towns.     From  its  similarity  in  appearance,  manners,  and  notes  to  the  Scarlet 
TiMiagcr.  it  is  seldom  distinguisiied  by  the  connuon  people  from  tiiat  bird, 
and  those  who  notice  the  dilTerence  in  color  between  the  two  generally  con- 
sider this  the  younger  stage  of  plumage  of  the  black-winged  species.      Its 
song  is  said  to  bo  somewhat  aft^sr  the  style  of  the  liobin,  but  in  a  firmer 
tone  and  more  continued,      It  differs  from  the  song  of  the  P.  rubra  in  being 
more  vigorous,  and  delivered  in  a  manner  less  faltering.     Its  ordinary  note  of 
anxiety  when  the  nest  is  api)roached  is  a  i)wn\vdv  pa-chip  it-tat-tat-tat,  very 
dillerent  from  the  w(;aker  chip'-itf,  ra-ree  of  the  F.  rubra.     The  nest  is  placed 
on  a  low  horizontal  or  drooping  branch,  near  its  extremity,  the  tree  being 
generally  an  oak,  or  sometimes  a  i)ickory,  and  situated  near  the  roadside  or  at 
the  edge  of  a  grove.     In  its  construction  it  is  described  as  very  thin,  though 
by  no  means  frail,  permitting  the  eggs  to  be  seen  through  the  interstices 
from  below.     Mr.  Kidgway  never  found  m(n'e  than  three  eggs  in  one  nest. 

A  nest  of  this  sjiecies  (Smith.  Coll.,  r.89)  from  Prairie  Mer  Itouge,  Louisi- 
ana, has  a  diameter  of  four  inches  and  a  height  of  two.  Like  all  the  nests 
of  this  family,  the  cavity  is  very  shallow,  its  deepest  depiession  being  hardly 
halt  an  inch.  So  far  from  corresponding  with  the  descriptions  generally 
given  of  it,  this  nest  is  well  and  even  strongly  put  together,  although  a  por- 
tion of  the  base;  and  some  of  tiie  external  parts  are  somewhat  openly  inter- 
woven, as  if  for  ventilation.  These  materials  are  fragments  of  plants,  cat- 
kins, leaves,  stems,  and  grasses.  These  seem  to  constitute  a  distinct  part  of 
the  nest,  and  are  of  unequal  thicknesses  in  different  parts  of  the  structure. 
Within  this  external  frame  is  a  much  more  artistic  and  elaborately  interwo- 
ven basket,  composed  entirely  of  fine,  slender,  and  dry  gras.ses,  homogeneous 
ill  cliaracter,  and  evidently  gathered  just  at  the  time  its  seed  was  ripening. 
It  is  of  a  bright  straw-yellow,  and  forms  the  whole  internal  portion  of  tll'e 
nest. 

The  eggs  vary  somewhat  in  size  and  shape,  from  an  oblong  to  a  rounded 
oval.  Their  lengtli  is  from  .80  of  an  inch  to  an  inch,  and  their  breadth 
averages  .68.  Their  color  is  a  bright  light  ^hade  of  emerald-green,  spotted, 
umhhA,  dotted,  and  blotched  with  various  shades  of  lilac,  brownish-purple, 
and  dark-brown.     These  are  generaUy  well  diffuseil  equally  over  the  entire 


eg'g. 


Pyranga  aestiva,  var.  cooperi,  RincwAv. 

P!/r,vn,,,  coper i,  linuavAV,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  Pliihul.  June,  1869,  p.  130,  fig.      .  -Cooi-ek, 

Sp.  Cn.ui.  Lon?tli,  8.00  (fivsl,  .spooimon) ;  extent,  UM;  wiiifr,  4.24;  tail,  .l.fiS ;  cal- 
nu-n,  .84  ;  laisus,  .80.  JAr/r.  C.vurvMy  ri,,!,  ,,„,,,  v,,„„jli„„_  ,,i,„i|,,  t„  .,,,„  „f  ^,,.^,„^  ,,,,^ 
n.i^l.t.T,  l„.,i.|it.-r  tl„ui  m  ensUTi,  ^.x.-unplos,  an.l  los.s  n.sacoous  tiian  in  Central  Aniori- 
can  speuuuena.     L'ppur  surlaco  scarcely  darker  than  lower,  the  liead  above  being  hardly 


TANAGUID.E  -  TIIJ-;  TANAGEUS.  ^^g 

diilerent  n-om  the  throat,  and  abruptly  light.T  tlmn  tl>e  hack,  wluH,,  with  the  vi„.'s 
and  ta,I  .8  of  a  ,nuch  lighter  dusky-r...!  than  m  asNva ;  ...xposcl  ,i,,.s  of  pri.Marios  pun- 
slaty-umber,  i.rimaries  faintly  „,arf,'in..d  toriuinally  with  paler  (in  ti,e  lyp,.  thi.  einr- 
acter  IS  not  apparent,  owin-  to  the  leathers  bein.i,'  .somewhat  worn;  in  o,h,.r  sp-rimens 
however,  ,1  is  ,pnte  a  nuti,.eable  feature,  alti,o„Kh  possibly  not  to  be  <.n(irely  relied  on)! 
Female  Above  orange-olivaeeon.s,  beneath  mor,.  lif^d.t  yellowish,  purest  n.e.lially;  cris- 
suni  noher  yellow  than  other  lower  parts,  being  in  some  individ.ials  (voun-  males?) 
nitense  Imlian-yellow,  with  the  i.mer  webs  of  the  tail-leathers  murgi.ied  with  the  sa.ue  ; 
quite  distinet  line  of  oranf;e-yellow  over  the  lores. 

Had.  Upper  Hio  Grande  and  Colorado  region  of  Southern  Middle  Province;  south  in 
winter,  along  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  as  far  as  Colinia. 

This  bird,  quite  different  from  Eastern  ccstiva,  is.  however,  probably  only  a 
representative  form  of  the  .same  species  in  the  Colorado  ami  Upper  Hio 
Grande  region,  migrating  south  in  winter,  through  ^Vcstern  Mexico  to 
Colima,  as  specimens  from  Texas  and  Middle  Mexico  appear  to  be  quite 
intermediate,  at  least  in  form. 

HABIT.S.  This  is  a  new  form,  whose  claim  to  distinctness  was  first  made 
k.,own  by  Mr.  liidgway,  in  1800.  In  appearance,  it  most  resembles  the  F 
(estiva,  but  IS  larger.  It  has  been  found  in  the  Middle  Province  of  the  United 
States,  from  Fort  Mohave  at  the  nortli,  to  Colinui  and  Mazatlan  in  Mexico 

Dr.  Cooper  found  this  bird  quite  common  near  Fort  .Afohave,  after  Ai)ril 
25,  m  the  Colorado  Valley,  latitude  :ir/.  They  chiefly  frequented  the  tall 
Cottonwood,  feeding  on  insects,  and  occasionally  Hew  down  to  the  Lnrm 
bushes  after  a  kind  of  bee  found  on  them.  He  states  also  that  they  have 
a  call-note  sounding  like  the  words  ke-M;  which,  in  the  laiigua-e  of  the 
Mojave  Indians,  signiKes  "  come  here."  They  sing  in  a  loud,  clear  "tone  and 
in  a  style  much  like  that  of  the  Hobin,  but  with  a  power  of  ventriloquism 
which  makes  the  sound  appear  much  more  distant  than  it  really  is.  The 
only  specimens  of  this  species  known  to  have  been  obtained  in  tlie  United 
States  were  taken  tit  Los  Pinos,  New  Mexico,  by  Dr.  Coucs,  and  at  Fort 
Mohave  by  Dr.  Cooper.  Other  specimens  have  been  procured  from  Western 
Mexico. 


446  NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 


Family  PRINGILLID^.  —  The  Finchks. 

Char.  Primaries  nine.  Bill  very  short,  iibruptly  eoiiipal,  and  robust.  Commissure 
strongly  anfrulated  at  ba.se  of  bill.  Tarsi  .icntellate  anteriorly,  but  the  si(le.s  with  two  un- 
divided plates  meeting  behind  along  the  median  line,  as  a  shar|>  posterior  ridge.  Eyes 
hazel  or  brown,  except  in  Pipilo,  where  they  are  reddish  or  yellowish.  Nest  and  eggs 
very  variable  as  to  eharacter  and  situation. 

I  still  labor  under  the  iiialjility  e.\pres.se(l  in  Birds  of  North  America 
(p.  400),  in  1858,  to  satisfactorily  define  and  limit  the  subfamilies  and  genera 
of  the  Friiit/iKiilce  of  North  America,  and  can  only  hope  that  by  the  aid  of 
the  figures  of  the  present  work  no  material  ditiiculty  will  be  experienced  in 
determining  the  species.  The  distinctions  from  the  allied  families  are  also 
difficult  to  draw  with  precision.  This  is  especially  the  case  with  the 
Tana(jrid(r,  where  we  have  much  the  same  external  anatomy,  including  the 
bill,  nearly  all  the  varying  peculiarities  of  this  member  in  the  one  being 
repeated  in  the  other.  —  S.  F.  B. 

All  the  United  States  species  may  be  provisionally  divided  into  four  sub- 
families (the  European  House-Sparrow  forming  a  fifth),  briefly  chaiuuterizable 
as  follows : — 

Coccothraustinse.  Bill  variable,  from  enormously  large  to  quite  small ;  the  Lase 
of  the  upper  mandible  almost  always  provided  with  a  elose-pressed  fringe  of  bristly 
feathers  (more  or  less  conspicuous)  concealing  the  nostrils.  Wings  very  long  and  pointed, 
usually  one  half  to  one  third  longer  than  the  forked  or  emarginate  tail.     Tarsi  short. 

Fyrgitinae.  Bill  robust,  swollen,  ai-ched  above  without  distinct  ridge.  Lower  mandi- 
ble at  l)ase  narrower  than  upjier.  Nostrils  covered  ;  side  of  ma.xilla  with  stiff"  appressed 
bristles.  Tarri  short,  not  longer  than  middle  toe.  Tail  shorter  than  the  somewhat 
pointed  wings.     Back  streaked;  under  parts  not  streaked. 

Spizellinae.  Embracing  all  the  plain-colored  sparrow-like  species  marked  with  longi- 
tudinal stripes.  Bill  conical,  always  rather  small;  both  mandibles  about  equal.  Tarsi 
lengthened.  Wings  and  tail  variable.  Lateral  clawa  never  reaching  beyond  the  base  of 
the  midille  claw. 

Fasserellinee.  Sparrow-like  species,  with  triangular  spots  beneath.  Legs,  toes,  and 
claws  very  stout;  the  lateral  claws  reaching  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  middle  ones. 

Spizinae.  Brightly  colored  species,  usually  without  streaks.  Bill  usually  very  large 
and  much  curved ;  lower  mandible  wider  than  the  upper.  Wings  moderately  long.  Tail 
variable. 


Subfamily  COCCOTHRAUSTINjE.  — The  true  Fixches. 

CiiAU.  Wings  very  long  and  much  pointed  ;  generally  one  third  longer  than  the  more 
or  less  forked  tail ;  first  quill  usually  neai-ly  as  long  as  or  longer  than  the  second.  Ter- 
tiaries  but  little  longer,  or  equal  to  the  reoondaries,  and  always  much  exceeded  by  the 
jiimaries.  Bill  very  variable  in  .shape  and  size,  the  upper  mandible,  however,  .is  broad  as 
the  lower  ;  nostrils  rather  more  lateral  than  usual;  and  alw.ays  more  or  less  concealed  by 
a  series  of  small  bristly  feathers  applied  along  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible ;  no  bristles 


FRIXGILLID.E  — THE  FINCHES.  447 

at  the  base  of  the  hill.     Feet  short  and  ratlier  weak,     lliml  flaw  usually  considerably 
longer  than  the  middle  anterior  one  ;  sonielinieii  nearly  tlu!  same  size. 

In  the  preceding  diagnosis  I  have  combined  a  numlier  of  forms,  all  agree- 
ing in  the  lengtli  and  acuteness  of  the  wing,  tlio  hristly  feathoi-s  along  the 
base  of  the  bill,  the  absence  of  consiiicuoiis  In-i.stles  on  the  sides  of  the 
moutli,  and  the  sliortness  of  the  feet.  They  are  all  strongly  marked  and 
briglitly  colored  birds,  and  usually  btjiong  to  the  more  northern  regions. 

The  bill  is  very  variable,  even  in  the  same  genus,  and  its  shape  is  to  a 
considerable  extent  of  specific  ratlier  than  of  generic  importance.  The  fringe 
of  short  bristles  along  tlie  base  of  the  bill,  concealing  tlie  nostrils,  is  not 
appreciable  in  Plrctrophmicn  (except  in  P.  nivalis),  but  the  other  character- 
istics given  above  are  all  present.  ■ 

Genera. 

A.  Bill  enormon.>;ly  large  and  .stout ;  the  lateral  outline  as  long  as  that  of  the 
skull.    Guhnen  gently  curved. 

Colors  green,  yellow,  and  black: 
Hesperiphona.     First  quill  equal  to  the  second.     Wings  one  half  longer 
than  the  tail.     Lateral  elaw.s  equiil,  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  claw. 
Claws  nuich  curved,  ol)tuse ;  hinder  one  but  little  longer  than  the  middle. 

B.  Bill  smaller,  with  the  eiilmen  more  or  lc.-<s  curved;  the  laterd  outline  not  an 
long  as  the  skull.  Wings  about  one  third  longer  than  the  tail,  or  a  little  more  ; 
first  quill  shorter  than  the  second.  Claws  considerably  curved  and  thickened ; 
hinder  most  so,  and  almost  inappreciably  longer  or  even  shorter  than  the  middle 
anterior  one.     Tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toes.     Lateral  toes  unequal. 

a.    Colors  red,  grni/,  and  black,  never  streakrd. 
Pyrrhula.     Bill  excessively  swollen  ;  as  broad  and  as  high  as  long,  not  half 
length  of  head;  upper  outline  much  curved.    Tail-coverts  covering  two  thirds 
the  tail,  which  is  nearly  even,  middle  and  hinder  claws  about  equal. 

b.  Colors  red  arid  gray,  or  streaked  br-own  and  irhife. 
Pinicola.  Bill  moderately  swollen  ;  longer  than  high  or  broad,  upper  out- 
lines much  curved  ;  the  lip  hooked.  Tail-covcrts  reaching  over  basal  half  of 
tail,  which  is  nearly  even.  Middle  claw  longer  than  hind;  outer  lateral 
claw  extending  beyond  base  of  middle  (reaching  to  it  in  Pyrrhula  and 
Carpodarns).     9  and  juv.  not  streaked. 

CarpodacuB.    Bill  variable,  always  more  or  less  curved  and  s'vvoUen ;  longer 
•    than  high  or  broad;  the  tip  not  hooked.     Tail -coverts  reaching  over  two 
thirds  the  tail,  which  is  decidedly  forl-ed.     Middle  and  h'nd  claw  about 
equal.     9  and^f/i'.  streakeU. 

c.   Colors  black  and  yellow. 
Chrysomitris.    Bill  nearly  straight.     Hind  claw  stouter  and  more  curved, 
but  scarcely  longer  than  the  middle  anterior  one.    Outer  lateral  toe  reaching 
a  little  beyoiul  the  bas(!  of  the  middle  claw  ;  shorter  than  the  hind  toe. 
AVings  longer  and  more  pointed.     Tail  quite  deeply  forked. 
C.   Hind  claw  consider.ably  longer  than  the  middle  anterior  one,  with  about  the 
same  curvature;  claws  attenuated  towards  the  point,  and  acute.     Lateral  toes 
about  equal.    Wings  usually  almost  one  half  longer  than  the  tail,  which  is  deeply 
forked.     Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe. 


448 


NOiiTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


(I.    PnliilK  nf  mniuh'hlen  nvcrlapping. 
Curvirostra.      Tarsus  slidrtcr  tlinii  middlo  toe.      IJill  much  coinprpssed, 
floiigiilL-  liiluatc,  with  thi'  jioints  ci-ossiiifr  lik(!  tlio  liliuli-s  of  scissors.     Cliiwa 
very  hvrgo  ;  lateral  oxtcndiii;,'  iicyoiul  the  biuse  of  the  middle.     Colors  red  or 
gray.     Streaked  in  juv. 

h.    Points  of  mandibles  not  ovcrlrippinr/. 
.2BgiothuB.    Tarsus  equal  to  the  middle  toe.     Bill  very  acutely  conical ;  out- 
lines and  conuuissure  perrectly  straight.     Lateral  toes  reacliiuj,'  lieyond  the 
b.vse  of  the  middle  one.      No  ridf,'e  on  the  side  of  the  lower  mandible. 
Streaked  ;  a  crimson  pileum  (exce])t  in  one  .species). 

Leucoaticte.      Culmen   sli<;litly  deeurved ;    commis-sure  a  little   concave. 
Bill  obtusely  conical ;  not  sharp-pointed.     A  conspicuous  ri(l<,'e  on  the  side 
of  the  lower  mandible.    Claws  large ;  the  Mvvn]  not  reaching  l)eyond  the 
base  of  the  middle  one.    Colors  red  and  brown. 
D.   Hind  claw  much  the  largest;  dijcidcdly  letss  curveil  than  the  middle  anterior 
one.     Tar.sus  longer  than  the  middle  toe.     Lateral  toes  ecjual;  reaching  about  to 
the  base  of  the  middle  elaw.     Hind  toe  as  long  or  longer  than  the  middle  one. 
Bill  very  variable ;  .ilway.s  more  or  less  curved  and  blunted.     Palate  somewhat 
tuborculate ;  margins  of  lower  jaw  much  inflexed.     Tail  slightly  cmarginate  or 
even.     Wings  oii(>  half  longer  than  th(>  tail.     First  quill  as  long  as  the  second. 
Plectrophanes.    Colors  black  and  white.     With  or  without  rufous  nape  or 
elbows.     Much  white  on  tail. 


Genus  HESPCRIPHONA,  Bonap. 

HespcHphona,  Bonap.  Comptes  Rendus,  XXXI,  Sept.  1850,  424.    (Type,  Fringilla  vesper- 
tina. ) 

Oen.  Chat?.  Bill  largest  and  .stoutest  of  all  the  United  States  fringilline  birds.  Upper 
mandible  nnich  vaulted  ;  culmen  nearly  straight,  but  arched  towards  the  tip;  commissure 
concave.    Lower  jaw  very  large,  but  not  broader  than  the  upper,  nor  extending  back,  as  in 

iGTIO 


1S50T 

16770,  Hesperiphona  ve.iprrlina.    18597,  Ciiccolliraiiales  i-iilgaris, 

Guirara  ;  considerably  lower  than  the  \ipp<'r  jaw.  Oonys  unusually  long.  Feet  .sl-.ort ;  tarsus 
less  than  the  middle  toe  ;  lateral  toes  nearly  equ.il,  and  reaching  to  the  b.ose  of  the  mi  Idle 


Hn.\(i|IJJI).|.;    -TIIK  KINCIIKS.  ,,,, 

4  4 'J 

:i;;s;::rr;a;:  ■;;;::.-:„. ::- ::::  s^zv—  - - 

Tins  genus  is  allin.l  to  tho  Enropoan  C.rn,,nv..,..,  ....t  .limns  in  wantin. 
the  curious  expansion  of  the  inner  secondaries,  us  sh,.vn  in  Fi.  18  "f 
Spee.es  are  sai.I  to  occur  in  Asia,  but  we  have  only  two  in  AnierL  -Z 
peciihar  to  Mexico  (//.  ./..////),  the  other  //.  rrs/.rriim. 

The  Aiuenean  species  may  be  tiuis  distinguished  :  — 

Species  and  Varieties. 

...>h    body  ...mcolored,  wth  n.o,-..  .„•  l.ss  of  u  vvllowish   ,i„...      J>    Body 
iellowsl,  „,oro  o  hvacoou.s  ,.l,.,vo;  no  .hi,.,  at  has.  o(p,.i,nan..s.    9    nSy  ..  ^ 
^  .ncvly  t.ngod  with  yellow ;  a  white  .pot  at  I,  J  of  ,n:u2.     £.^Z 
eggs  unknown.  '  '"'" 

Lf  ^T^Tl^      ^-  'I""'  ""^-•■'■-'— ■-••  -if'  n  .Vllow  h-ontal  ..,.es- 

,"  i'  '•'-^;'-l'-»'  P"'"l.-      9.  Cown  „hnnheons-h,.own  ;  a  du.kv 

1.  die     down  s.de  of  the  tlnoat  ;   upper  tail-eoverts  tipped  with  a  whke 

Yellow-  frontal  eres.vnt  l„oad,  as  wi.le  as  ,1,..  l,la..k  behind  it;  inner 
webs  of  terfals  partially  blaek:  seeondarie.  an.l  inn..-  webs  „f  tail- 
feathers  tipped  with  white.  /M.  X,.,,„ern  mountain  regions  of 
United  tMates  and  Ulterior  of  Hiitish  Aineriea  vnr    res>ert  ' 

Yellow  frontal   ereseent  narrow,  less  than    half  as  wide  as  the  black        '"  "' 
behind  It;  inner  webs  of  the   tertials   without  any   l,laek;  seeondaries 
an.l    nnier  webs  of  tail-feathers  without  white  tips.     IM,,   .qonthem 
Rocky  Mountains  of  United  States,  and  niouiituiiis  of  Mexico. 

2    aabeUlii..     <?.ITeadentirely  blaek.  sharply  define.1.    ? .  Crow^"  i^J"  ^ "  "  " 
wliite  tips.    JIab.   Mountains  of  Guatemala  and  Southern  Mexico. 

Hesperiphona  vespertina,  Bonap. 

EVENING  6B08BEAX. 

Frii,gmave.y>a-fi,,o,  fooiTli,  Annals  N..w  York  Ly,.p,im,   N.   H.  I,   „,   1825    g-'n  (Snult 
^.  Mail..).      A,.n.  Orn.  Riog.  IV.  ,838,  ni5  ;  V,  23.,  pi.  ..oelxxii    .^..i:  'rJ^^ 
(Uccnihramte.)  vcspnihw.   Hoy.  Sy„.  1828,   113,  -  In.   Am.   Orn.    II,   „1    xv      r,    -1 
llirn„sl,-s  vcs,,n-lin.,,  .Sw.  F.  Bor.  Am.  II,  1831,  209.  _  Am.  Bir.ls  Am.  111,1841    ni 
pi.  .-ov,,      //,..,yv.n>/,o„„  ,v.sv„.,7/»„.   Box.  ro,„pt..s  I{..n.Ius,  X.XXI,  Sept.  18.50.  424"-' 
UiiM,    Birds  N.  Am    1858,  409.  _Co..,.kr  &  S,vki,,,v,  195.  -Co.,n,H,  Or,..  C,,,'  , 
74.     to,cMm.st,s  hompavtii,  Lk.s.s.)^,  Ilh.st.  do  Z.,i,l.   1834,  pi.  xx.viv.  O  (.M,.lvill.'    • 
slan.l).     /.„.,  ,„.,..pnrtu,  T.kss.  Bull.  S...  tab.  xxv.     ir..pn;>„L  rr.,rrZy...  Z 
pntina,  Kii„nvAY  (new  variety  from  Mexico  and  the  .southern  Uocky  Mountuin.s). 

1  CoccothmmtesahaUn,  S.l.vtku.  Oatal.  Am.  K  123  (Ouiraca  abeilUi,  Lksson) 
57 


450 


N(»ltTII   AMKKICAN   IlIIiDS. 


Si'.  CiiAli.  liill  xrllowisli-u'ri'cii.  cliisl<y  iit  till'  liM-^i'.  Aiiti'iiiir  liiiir  of  the  liddy  iliisky 
yi'll(i\vi.<li-()livi'.  .>i|iiiiliiijr  iiiio  yi'lldw  Id  ilic  i'iiiii|i  uluivc,  hikI  ihc  uinli'i'  lail-cnviTls  liclow. 
Outer  n'iipiiliifs,  a  bmiul  rnnitiil  IimimI  ciiiiiiinird  mi  ciicli  .■-iili'  ovrr  lln'  eye.  iixilliirics,  iiml 
tlliilillr  ol'  Ullilcr  willfr-ciivcits  yellow.  I''e:illiels  iiliilli,'  tlie  exil'eliie  li,is<'  (if  (lie  liill,  the 
cniwii,  tiliiie,  wiiiL's,  upper  lail-i'oveils,  aiiil  tail  lilaek  ;  imiei'  ;jicaler  \\  inf;-<'iivei'ts  ami 
teitiaries  wliite.      I,eii.u;lli,  T.^H"  ;  wiliL'.  4.:H» ;  tail.  li.T"). 

The  leinale  dilleis  in  haviliir  the  iicail  iil'  a  (lull  olivaeeipiis-lil'ciwii,  whieii  eolor  also 
friiisses  file  '"iei<.  Tiie  yelldW  (if  the  niliip  ami  nthei'  pai'ls  is  repiaceil  hy  a  yeliowisii-asii. 
Tlie  ilppef  laii-eovells  are  spiitte(|  willi  while.  Tlie  white  ot'liie  wilif^'  is  lllileli  l-esl|-ii'te(l. 
TheiH!  is  .111  nliseiire  liiaeivish  liiu!  on  eaeli  .side  of  the  eliiu. 

IIaii.  ( \  iir.  ri's/ii'rliiiti,)  I'aeilic  eoast  to  lioei<y  Momitains;  Xoilliei'ii  Aiiieriea  east  to 
Like  Superior.  (\'ai-  iiioiiluiiii.)  Southern  Hoeky  Mountains  ol'  I'liited  States  into 
Mexieo;  Orizalia!  (."^ei.ATKii.  iMiO, 'J.">1);  \'eia  t'liiz  (alpine  legions,  lueedinj;)  Si-.mkiiuast, 
Pr.  Host.  Sue.  I,i>jl)  ;  (iiiateinala,  .Salvin'. 


Tlio  vniifty  \\  itii  liroiid  I'loiitiil  liaiid  mid  iiicvoased  amount  of  wliitc  apjioais 
to  cliavactemo  Northern  .specimens,  wliilc  that  with  narrow  frinitlet  and  thi; 

-=r-  «,'r('atest   amount   of   hhick    is    found    in 

(Juatemala,  Mo.xico,  and  the  .soutliern 
liocky  ]\Ioiuitains,  and  may  be  called 
iiitjiifatid. 

In  .size  it  is  also  a  little  .smaller.  Speci- 
mens from  Mirador  (wliero  Iweeding)  and 
those  from  Xew  Mexico  are  nearly  iden- 
tical in  size,  proportions,  and  colors. 

H.visiT.s.  This  reinarkiible  (iio.slteak 
was  first  described  by  Mr.  William  Cooper, 
from  specimens  obtained  by  Mr.  Scliool- 
craft  in  A]iril,  182:5,  near  tlie  Sault  Sainte 
Marie,  in  Miciiio;an.  Sir  Joim  Itichaid- 
son  soon  after  found  it  to  lie  a  common 
inhabitant  of  the  ma]ile  gi'oviis  on  th(i 
jilains  of  the  Saskatciiewan,  M'here  it  is 
called  by  the  Indians  tiie  "  Snoj-ir-Hird."  He  states  that  it  fre((uents  tlie 
liorders  of  Ljike  Superior  also,  and  the  ea.;ern  declivity  of  tlie  Ivocky  Moun- 
tains, in  latitude  ."iii°. 

Captain  Jjlakistmi  did  not  iiiid  this  (Jrosl)eak  on  tiie  Saskatciiewan  during 
the  .summer,  but  only  noti<-ed  it  tliere  durino;  the  winter.  He  saw  none  iifter 
the  22(1  of  A])ril,  and  not  aoaiu  until  the  niicUlle  of  Novenilier.  Tiiey  were 
seen  in  company  with  the  I'ine  (irosbeak,  feeding  on  the  keys  of  tlie  ash- 
leaved  majile.  He  tulds  tluit  it  has  a  sharp  clear  note  in  winter,  and  is  an 
active  bird. 

Dr.  Cooper,  in  his  Xotes  on  tlie  Zoiilogy  of  Washington  Territory,  states 
that  tills  siiecies  is  a  comnioii  resident  in  its  forests,  but  adds  that  as  it  fre- 
quents the  summits  of  the  tallest  trees,  its  habits  have  been  but  little 
observed.     In  January,  1804,  during  a  .snow-.storni, a  Hock  descemled  tn  some 


Hesperiphotia  vespertina. 


I'llLXdlLLlD.K      THE  I'LNCIIKS.  45] 

low  biislies  [xt  VaiK'niiviT,  and  Ijcj^iui  Ui  I'iit  tliu  seeds.  Sineo  tlioii  ho  Imd 
uidy  se(\ii  lliciu  tlyiiiu  liijili  amoiiLi;  tlie  tops  of  tlie  iK>]ilars,  u]>()ii  tlie  seeds  of 
wliicli  tlit-y  I'eed.    'I'liey  were  iiUeriiij,'  tlieir  loud,  shrill  call-notes  as  tiioy  Hew. 

Tho  .same  writer,  in  his  Keport  on  the  birds  of  Calihmiia,  makes  mention 
of  the  ocenrrencH!  of  this  (Irosheak  at  Mieliij,Mn  I'hill's,  in  Placer  < 'oiinty,  in 
about  latitude  :)!l°.  S^iecimens  were  obtained  l)y  Mr.  V.  (Iruber,  and  were 
la'oliably  the  variety  designated  as  iiinn/niut.  The  same  form  doul)tless 
occurs  along  tlai  summits  ol'  tlai  .'-^ierra  Nevada,  and  they  have  been  traced 
among  the  Jtocky  .Mountains  to  Fort  Tliorn  in  New  Mexico. 

These  birds  do  not  come  down  near  the  sea-coast  even  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Cohunbia,  and  in  California  have  not  been  met  with  in  the  Coa.st  Ifaiige 
They  art;  said  to  feed  chieHy  on  the  seeds  of  the  i)ine,  spruce,  and  cotton- 
wood  trees,  occasionally  seeking  other  seeds  near  tlu^  ground.  They  are 
silent  when  feeding,  but  utter  a  loud  call-note  as  they  ily  iVoni  ))lace  to 
place.  In  spring.  Dr.  Cooper  states,  they  have  a  short  Ijut  melodious  song, 
resembling  that  of  the  Kobin  or  lllaek-headed  Crosljeak.  He  afterwards 
met  with  a  tlock  in  the  winter  near  Santa  Cruz,  where  they  remained  until 
the  end  of  April.  Their  favorite  resort  was  a  small  grove  of  alders  and  wil- 
lows, close  to  the  town,  where  their  loud  call-notes  could  be  heard  at  all 
times  of  the  day,  though  he  never  heard  them  sing.  In  the  early  spring 
their  favorite  food  was  the  yoiuig  leaves  of  various  wild  plants  that  grew 
under  the  trees.  They  also  led  on  the  Imds  of  tlic  Xi(ji'iido,  and  frecpiented 
the  large  pear-trees  in  the  old  mission  garden.  They  were  very  tame,  and 
allowed  an  approach  to  within  a  few  yards,  when  feeding.  .Mr.  Townsend,  in 
18:i(),  found  this  Grosbeak  almndant  about  the  Columbia  liiver.  Late  in 
May  they  were  ([uite  numerous  in  the  pine  woods.  They  were  very  unsus- 
picious and  tame.  Under  the  impression  that  these  birds  were  only  nuisical 
towards  night,  they  have  been  styled  the  Kvening  Grosbeak.  But  this,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Townsend,  is  a  misnomer.  He  also  contraviirts  several  oilier 
statements  made  in  rei'erence  to  their  haliits.  He  found  them  remarkably 
noisy  from  morning  until  night,  when  they  (piietly  retire  like  other  l)irds, 
and  are  not  heard  from  until  the  next  day-dawn.  They  go  in  large  Hocks, 
and  are  rarely  met  with  singly.  As  they  feed  upon  the  s(!eds  of  the  i>ine  and 
other  trees,  thoy  ])roceed  by  u  succession  of  hops  to  the  extremities  of  the 
branches.  They  also  i'eed  largely  on  the  larv.e  of  the  large  black  ant,  for 
which  object  they  frequent  the  to])s  of  the  low  oaks  on  the  edges  of  the 
forests.  Their  ordinary  voice  is  said  to  be  a  single  screaming  note,  uttered 
while  feeding.  At  times,  about  midday,  the  male  attemjits  a  song,  which  Mr. 
Townsend  descriljes  as  a  miserable  failure.  It  is  a  single  note,  a  warbling 
cidl  like  the  first  note  of  the  Kobin,  Init  not  .so  sweet,  and  suddenly  checked, 
as  if  the  ])erformer  were  out  of  breath. 

Mr.  Sumichrast  met  with  the  viiriety  of  this  species  designated  as  mmitana, 
May,  ISoT,  in  the  pine  woods  of  Monte  Alto,  about  twelve  leagues  from 
Mexico  ;  and  although  he  has  never  found  it  in  the  alpine  region  of  Vera 


452  NORTH  AMKPJCAN  BIRDS. 

Cruz,  lie  thinks  it  lu'olmble  it  will  be  fimiid  to  be  a  resident  of  that  dis- 
trict. 

Liike  Superior  has  been  stated  to  be  its  most  eastern  point  of  (jccurrenct , 
but,  though  this  may  lie  true  as  a  general  rule,  several  instances  of  the 
acciilental  appearance  of  this  nomadic  species  nnich  farther  to  the  east  are 
known.  On  P\'bruary  14,  1871,  Mr.  Kundien,  while  out  in  the  woods  with 
his  son,  saw  a  small  Hock  of  these  birds  in  Dane  County,  Wisconsin.  There 
were  six  of  them,  but,  having  no  gun,  he  did  not  procure  any.  Later  in  the 
season  he  again  met  with  and  secured  siiecimens.  In  the  following  March, 
Dr.  Hoy  of  liacine  also  obtained  several  near  that  city.  He  also  inlbrms  me 
that  during  the  winter  of  1870-71  there  were  large  Hocks  of  these  birds 
near  Freejwrt,  111.  One  ])erson  procured  twenty-four  sjiecimens.  One  season 
he  noticed  them  as  late  as  May.  They  fretiuent  the  maple  wood.s,  and  feed 
on  the  seeds  fallen  on  the  ground.  They  also  eat  the  buds  of  the  wild  cherry. 
Their  visits  are  made  at  irregular  intervals.  In  some  years  not  a  single  indi- 
vidual can  be  seen,  while  in  others  they  make  their  appearance  in  December 
and  continue  through  the  whole  winter. 

Specimens  have  also  been  obtained  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  at  Hamilton, 
Canada  ;  and  Mr.  Thomas  Mcllwraith  states  that  Mr.  T.  J.  Cottle  of  Wood- 
stock, Ontario,  shot  several  of  those  birds  in  his  orchard  in  the  month  of 
May.  They  were  quite  numerous,  and  remained  about  the  place  several 
days. 


Gkmts  PINICOLA,   Vikiu. 

I'ininild,  ViEiM.or,  Ois.  .\iii.  Si'iit.  I,  ISd",  4,  |il.  i,  1'.  la. 
'•Slnibiliijihiiyii,  Vikili.ipt,  .\iiiil.vsi',  ]S]il 
"Ciiriil/iiis,  CrviKii,  1{.  All.  1817." 

CliAii.  Hill  slidit.  noai'ly  iis  liiirli  a.slonjr;  upper  oiitlino  imu.'li  oiirvcil  (Voiii  tlio  linso  ; 
tlio  iiiiir^'iiis  of  till-  iiiiiii(lilili's  idiiiidi'd  ;  the  coiiiiiiissuro  gently  eoiicave,  and  abniplly  clcr- 
He.xed  at  tlie  tip;  liase  of  tlie  iijiper  iiiaii<lilile  iinieli  eoneealed  by  tlio  bri.-stly  feattier.-i  eov- 
ciiii},'  tlie  liasal  tliinl.  Tarsus  rather  .sliorter  than  the  middle  too  ;  Iiiter.il  toes  .short,  Imt. 
their  long  claws  reach  the  ba.so  of  the  middle  one,  which  is  longer  than  the  hind  claw. 
Wings  moderate  ;  the  lirsl  cpiili  rather  shorter  than  the  .second,  third,  and  Ibiirth.  Tail 
rather  shorter  than  the  wings  ;  nearly  even. 


Of  this  genus  one  sjiccies  is  found  in  nortliern  America,  and  is  now  pon- 
dered 
World. 


sidered  as  identi^uil  with  that  lielongiug  to  the  northern  regions  of  the  Old 


KKI XU ILLI D.E  —  THE  FINCHES. 


453 


Pinicola  enucleator,  cahams. 

THE  PINE  GROSBEAK. 


Cvcco/hnuis/i' 


./»•„»*,,  „,„mfc„,s/,s  |lK..ss.,N,  On,.  Ill,  U,iO,  ,>nO,  ,,1.  xii,  f.  3.     "Conif/u,.  no,.,!a,s-l,, 
l.ia-.HM,  \„g..l  nriltsrhl«„,ls"(lS31  /).     /'/««„/»  w,„„/,,,.s/.v,  Cauams,  Mus   \U'in    lx',1 


«cix.  -15''N.  &  Scn,.K.iic.„  Mo„,  ,K.s  I.uxi.ns,  ]S;;o.  !.,  ,.1.  ix,  xi,  xii.  --1),.:,„,ax,:  & 
(.KUMK,  Orn.  Kur,.,,.  I,  -^hS.     /v»/,W„  e»»<Vm^«,.  t'AiiAMs,  Mus.  Ilci,..  I,  ]8r,l,  107. 

Sp.Cau.     Bill  .,,,1  k..s  l,!...k.     J/,,/,..     Go.u.rnl  ..olor  li.ht  ,.anniMo-n.,l  or  rose    not 
cou.muous  alH.v..,  however,  ex.rept  on  the  head;   the  leathers  showin,^  hn.unish  eei.tre 
on  the  haek,  wh..,e,  too,  M.e  re.l  is  darker.     Loral  region,  has,,  of  lower  jaw  all  ro,n„l,  si.les 
(under  the  wnij;),  abdomen,  and  posterior  part  of  the  bclv.  with  nnd,',  tail-.-overts  ashy 


Pinirofn  rvurffnfnt. 

whitest  behind.     Win?  with  two  white  ban.ls  across  the  lips  of  the  greater  and  ini.Mle 

coverts;   the  outer  edjres  of  the  (piills  also  white,  broadest  on  the  t.^rliaries.  on  s Midarics 

tni.ired   with  red.      Fewale  ashy,  brownish  above,   tiiifred  with   Jireenish-yellow  beneath- 
top  of  he.ad,  rump,  and  tip]ier  tail-e,,ver(s  brownish  frainbo<;-e-vel]ow.     \Vin"s  nnieh  as  in 
tiio  male.     Len-th  abont  8.r,(l ;  win-  4.oO  ;  tail.  4.(1(1.      y,un,;,'\\\<v  leinale,  but  more  a.shy. 
Haii.     Aretic  America,  south  to  I'liited  States  in  .severe  winters. 

A  careful  conipurison  of  Aincricnn  with  iMn-opomi  sjjocimeii.s  of  tlie  Tiiic 
(!msl)eak  does  not  i.ro.sciit  any  taii,irihl,.  p.iint,  of  (li,stii,cti..M,  aiul  it  iii.|i('ar,s 
inexpedient  to  preserve  tlie  name  of  nuioilnisis  for  the  l,inl  of  the  Xew 
World.  There  is  considerable  ditlereiice  in  (lie  si/.e,  the  proportions  of  the 
l)ill,  and  the  color  of  dilferent  specimens,  l.ut  nom^  of  apprecial.le  geojiraph- 
ical  value. 


454 


NoliTll   AMKUK'AN    lilliDS. 


PiiiUola  tnucUnlor. 


A  considornlile  niimliei'  nl'  sin'ciiiicns  fniiii  KiMliak  (jiorlKips  to  I)i>  foniid  in 
otliei'  localities  on  tlu;  iioi'tliwc'  coast)  L'oinpun'd  with  iMsteni  have  coiispic- 
uously  laryer  l)ill.s,  almost  t'(|ual  to  nrrdiiiK/is  in  this  rospect.  In  No.  r»4,4l>r) 
tlic.  lon.irtii  tVuni  luroliead  is  .SO ;  from  no.stril,  .oO  ;  from  ^aju',  .))(! :  Ljonys,  .40  ; 

greatest  depth,  ..")!.  lu  ,i  l>rooklyn 
skin  (ll',84())  the  same  measiiiements 
are  from  forehead,  .OO;  from  nostril, 
.44 ;  from  gajje,  .GO ;  gonys,  .:\4 ;  great- 
est deptli,  .40.  A  Saskatchewan  skin 
is  intermediate.  A  European  s])eci- 
nien  has  the  hill  as  long  as  that  from 
Kodiak,  but  less  swollen.  A  Hima- 
layan species  ((.'.  atihliiindrluth'tt)  is 
nuicli  smallei',  and  dilferently  coh)red. 
Tliese  Kodiak  si)ecimens  ap})roach 
the  Kurofjcan  l)ird  more  nearly  in 
form  of  the  hill,  in  which  there  is  a 
tendency  to  a  more  ahrui)tly  hooked 
upper  niandihlo  than  in  the  birds 
from  the  eastern  jiortions  of  British 
America.  As  a  general  thing,  the 
reil  tint  is  lirighter  in  American  thai   in  European  birds. 

H.viiiT.-;.  The  i'ine  (irosbeak  is,  to  a  large  extent,  a  resident  of  the  por- 
tions of  North  America  north  of  the  United  States.  In  the  northern  pai'ta 
of  New  York,  Vermont,  New  Hampshire,  and  ^Nlaine,  as  well  as  in  western 
America,  it  is  found  throughout  the  ycai'  in  the  dark  evergreen  lon^sts.  In 
the  winter  it  is  an  irregular  visitant  as  far  soutii  as  I'iiiladelithia,  being  in 
some  seasons  very  abundant,  and  again  for  .several  winters  (juite  rare. 

jNFr.  I'oardman  mentions  it  as  abiuidant,  in  the  winter,  aliout  Calais,  mid 
Mr.  Verrill  gives  it  as  (piito  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Norway.  It  is 
found  every  winter  more  or  less  freipiently  in  Eastern  IMassachusetts,  though 
]\Ir.  Allen  regards  it  as  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  Sj)ringfield.  It  is  not  cited 
by  Dr.  Cooper  as  a  bird  of  Washington  Territory,  Imt  he  mentions  it  as 
not  nncommon  near  tiie  summits  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  latitude  .'VJ°,  in  Sep- 
tendier.  It  proliably  breeds  there,  as  he  found  two  birds  in  that  region  in 
the  young  plumage.  They  were  feeding  on  si)ruc(i  .seeds  when  lie  first  saw 
tlieni,  and  lingered  even  alter  their  compuiions  had  1)een  sliot,  and  allowed 
him  to  apju'oacli  witlun  a  few  fet't  of  tliem. 

Mr.  li.  Lirown  (ll)is,  18(')<S)  states  that  during  the  winter  of  liSllO,  while 
snow  was  lying  on  the  ground,  two  pairs  of  this  species  were  siiot  at  Fort 
Hupert,  \'anconver  Island. 

Wilson  met  witli  occasional  specimens  of  the.se  birds  in  the  vicinity  of 
Philadeli)iiia,  generally  in  immature  jilmnage,  and  kept  one  several  months, 
to  note  any  cluinge  in  its  plumage.     In  the  summer  it  h)st  all  its  red  colora 


FRINGILLIU.K  — THE  KI  NCI  IKS,  455 

anfl  liecame  of  a  jivi'ciiisli-vellnw.  Tii  ^Liy  and  Juno,  its  sont;,  tlioujili 
not  so  loud  as  that  of  sonii;  liirds,  was  i-xircniely  <'k'ar,  nu'Uow,  and  sweet. 
Tliis  sonj;'  it  warbled  out  lor  the  wliole  niornin<f,  and  also  imitated  the  notes 
of  a  Cardinal,  that  hun.u'  near  it.  II  liecaiiiu  exeeedin^dy  tame  and  laniitiar, 
and  when  in  want  of  loud  or  water,  uttered  a  eontinual  melanelioly  and 
anxious  note. 

In  the  winter  of  IR'M],  and  for  several  i'ollowino;  seasons,  tliese  lards  were 
exceedingly  abundant  in  tlie  vieinity  of  lioston.  Tliey  a[)]ieared  early  in 
Decendier,  and  remained  until  (piite  late  in  ^lareh,  I'eeding  ehieily  cai  the 
berries  of  the  red  cedar.  They  were  .so  un.su.specting  and  iamiliar  that  it  was 
often  possilile  to  capture  them  alive  in  butterfly-nets,  and  to  knoek  them  down 
with  poles.  Large  numbers  were  destroyed  and  brought  to  market,  and  many 
were  taken  alive  anil  caged.  They  were  tame,  but  uidiap]iy  in  confinement, 
uttering  mournful  cries  as  the  warm  weather  ajtproaclied.  In  the  winter 
of  1S(V,l-70  they  again  made  tlieir  appearance  in  extraowlinary  nundicrs, 
in  a  few  localities  on  the  sea-coast  of  Massachusetts,  where  they  ilid  con- 
siilerable  damage  to  the  fruit-buds  of  the  ajtple  and  ]iear. 

Sir  John  Jtichardson  states  tjait  this  bird  was  not  observed  by  his  ex])cdi- 
tion  higher  than  the  (JOtli  parallel.  Itlives,  for  the  most  part,  a  very  retired 
life,  in  the  deepest  recesses  of  the  pine  forests,  where  it  passes  the  entire 
year,  having  been  found  by  Mr.  Drage,  near  York  Fort,  on  the  '2Mh  of  Janu- 
ary, 1.747.  INchardson  adds  that  it  Iniilds  its  nest  on  tin;  hjwer  branches  of 
trees,  and  feeds  chielly  on  the  seeds  o(  tlie  white  spruce. 

J)r.  Cones  speaks  of  it  as  not  at  all  rare  along  the  coast  of  T-abrador,  where 
he  obtained  several  specimens.  It  was  confined  entirely  to  the  thick  woods 
and  patches  of  scrubby  Juin])er.  A  female  ri'mained  unconcernedly  on  a 
twig  after  he  hail  shot  her  mate,  uttering  continually  a  low  soft  s/h/i,  like 
that  of  the  Fox-colored  S])arrow.  Another  note  Mas  a  jn-olonged  whirring 
chirrup,  uttered  in  a  rather  low  tone,  apjiarently  a  note  of  recognition. 

A  lady  resident  in  Xewfcamdland  informed  Mr.  Aiidulion  thai  she  had 
kept  several  of  these  (Irosbeaks  in  confinement,  that  they  soon  became  very 
familiar,  would  sing  during  the  night,  feeding,  during  the  summer,  on  all 
kinds  of  fruit  and  berries,  and  in  the  winter  on  different  seeds.  Mr.  Audu- 
bon also  often  observed  that,  when  tiring  at  one  of  their  number,  the  others, 
instead  of  Hying  away,  would  umve  towards  him,  often  to  within  a  few  feet, 
and  remain  on  the  U)wer  liranciies  of  tiie  trees,  ga/ing  at  him  in  curiosity, 
entirely  unmingled  with  any  sense  of  their  own  dangiir.  Mr.  Audulmn  ip\'ites 
from  Mr.  ^leCuIloch,  of  I'ictou,  an  iutere.sting  account  of  the  habits  of  one 
of  these  birds,  kept  in  confinement.  The  winter  had  been  very  severe,  the 
storms  violent,  and,  in  con.seiiucnce  of  the  depth  of  snow,  many  birds  had 
l)erished  frcmi  hunger  and  cold.  The  (irosbeaks,  driven  from  the  woods, 
sought  food  around  the  barns  and  outhouses,  and  crowded  the  streets  of 
I'ictou.  One  of  these,  taken  in  a  starving  ciaidition,  soon  became  .so  lame  as 
to  feed  from  his  hand,  lived  at  large  in  his  chamber,  and  would  awaken  him 


45(i  N'OUTII  AMHKICAN   lUHDHl. 


t 


caily  in  the  inoriiiiij;-  to  rocLMve  liis  iillowimce  of  soecl.  As  s])riiijr  approacliod, 
lie  li('<iaii  to  wliisilu  in  tlio  morning,  ami  his  notes  were  exceediii.ulv  rich  and 
I'nll.  As  the  time  eame  when  his  mates  were  movin.ij'  north,  iiis  familiarity 
iitiivly  disaji|ieared,  and  he  soiiglit  constantly,  liy  day  and  hy  nii,dit,  to  escape 
l>y  dashinif  against  the  window-panes,  and  dnring  the  day  filled  the  house 
with  his  i)iteous  wailing  cries,  refusing  his  food,  so  that  in  pity  he  was  let 
out.  Hut  no  sooner  was  he  thus  reli^ased  than  he  seemed  inditferent  to  the 
privilege,  and  kept  about  the  door  so  jH'rsistently  that  he  had  at  last  to  be 
driven  away,  lest  some  accident  should  befall  lu!u. 

The  I'iiK"  (iroslieaks  were  found  by  nisehofl'  at  Sitka  and  at  Kodiak,  and 
are  said  by  :Mr.  Dall  to  be  extremely  common  near  Xulato,  and  wherever 
there  are  trees  throMglnait  the  Yukon  Territory.  They  treijuent  groves  of 
vvillow  and  jjoplar,  near  open  jilaces,  and  c-ipecially  tiie  water-side  in  winter, 
and  in  summer  seek  more  retired  places  for  bree<ling.  Their  crops,  when 
oi)ened,  were  alway?  found  to  i-oMtain  the  hearts  of  the  buds  of  po])lars,  with 
the  external  coverings  carefully  rejected,  and  were  never  found  to  include 
anything  else.  Mr.  J  )all  noticed  no  song,  only  a  twitter  and  a  long  chirp.  He 
found  tliem  excellent  as  an  article  of  food.  Euro])ean  eggs  of  this  bird,  taken 
by  Mr.  Wolley  in  Kinland  in  IS.kS,  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  and  have  a 
light  slate-colored  ground  with  a  marked  tinge  of  greenish,  broadly  marked 
and  plashed  with  faint,  subdued  cloudy  ])atches  of  brownish-purple,  and  spar- 
ingly spotted,  chiefly  at  the  larger  end,  with  blackish-brown  and  dark  purj)le. 
They  nu'asure  1.02  inche.--.  in  length  by  .70  in  breadth. 

Xo  positively  identified  eggs  of  the  American  I'ine  Orosbeak  are  as 
yet  known  in  collections,  but  ^Ir.  lioardman  has  found  a  nest,  near  Calais, 
about  which  there  can  be  little  doulit,  although  the  parent  was  not  seen. 
This  was  ]ilaced  in  an  alder-bush  in  a  wet  meadow,  and  was  about  four 
feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  compo.sed  entirely  of  coarse  green  mosses. 
The  eggs  were  two,  and  were  not  distinguisimble  from  those  of  the 
European  oiudintor. 


(Jkxus  PYRRHULA,   I'.Mj.As. 

I'urrhuhi,  "  Ufus.son,  Orn.  1760."     P.\ij,as. 

Grx.  Cii.vK.  fiill  very  slioit  iiinl  thick,  liiirher  than  loiifr,  .«wolIoii.  Lower  jaw  broader 
lit  hiisc  than  upixTJaw,  ,iii(i  1'  nadrr  than  lriiijl]i  or,iroiiy,«.  Nostril.^; .ami  hasc'of  inaiidililo 
foiK.valcd  hy  a  thick  lid>  .alhcr  xo[\  rcatlier,>^.  Tail  ii.'ai-ly  oven,  .xlinrlei-  than  tlie 
l^oinied  winir,-* ;  iippor  eovui.,  roacliing  over  nearly  two  tliii'ds  liie  tail.  Mi.ldle  and  hind 
claws  alioiit  c(|iial. 

This  genus  is  clo.sely  related  fo  /'iulm/ii,  but  has  a  more  swollen  ami  much 
shoi'ter  bill,  the  lower  jaw  dispro])ortionately  larger,  and  wider  than  long  along 
gonys,  instead  of  being  about  e.|ual.  The  nasal  tuft  is  thicker  and  more 
feathery  and  hiSs  bristly  than  in  J'i/ncola.     The  upper  tail-coverts  are  much 


FKINGJ  LLID.E  -  THE  FlXCIIEs 


457 


l^nser.  the  tail  l.ss  nna.^inate.     father  d  (loroncos  exist  in  the  grooves  and 

i.s  .luout  equiiJ   to  Imid   elaw  ; 

not  longer,  as  in  J'inieola. 
'Hm'^iinuHl'i/rrhiila  ;san  Old 

World   one  ;   extending  aeniss 

i'roni  tiie  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific, 

six  or  eiglit  s])(ujies  or  varieties 

lieing  recognized  ])y  naturalists. 

All  have  the  luick  ash-coloretl ; 

the  wings  and  tail,  with  to])  of 
head,  lustrous  Mack  ;  the  under 

parts  asli,  generally  witli  \ci'-  P„rr/„„„  „,„,•„;. 

rnalion  on  the  cheeks  and  chin,  son.et.ues  extending  over  the  .hole  under 
sinlace,  the  nunp  and  crissunr  white  :  the  females  sinnlar,  hut  laekin.^  the 
vennihon.  Its  .ntroduetion  into  the  Xorth  An^erican  fauna  rests  on  the  col- 
lecting I,y  the  naturalists  of  the  Russian  Telegraph  Expedition  in  Alaska  of 
a  specunen  which -if  a  full-plun.aged  nude,  as  stated  -  dillers  from  all  of 
Its  cougeuers  lu  the  entire  absence  of  any  vermilion  tint. 


Pyrrhula  cassini,  Baikd. 

CASSIN'S  BTTLLFINCH. 

P.  cnr,;;,ca,  var.  <».«/»/,  nAiia.,  Tmns.  ('hiniK-.,  A..  S...  I.  ISO!.,  ii,  p.  316  -  Dvu  & 
Baxnistkh,  T-.n,i,.  a.  1  18.;!.,  .S,  (Alaska).  ,,  ...,,,  T.a.' ham.  Ibis,  187^ 
2J1.— FiNscii,  Onufh.  X.  W.  Am(-iika.s,  1S7-J,  54. 

Sp.  C„ a,;^     D...,.,ipli„„  of  spoein.,.,,  Xo.  40,055  :   Tpp.,.  pa,-,.  ..U..,-  ash-prav,  as  are  tl.c 
alula,  and  ll,o  kvsser  an,l  nii,l<llo  ......o.i.la.j  an.l  tlu.  priai.ury  wi„o-,.ovorLs.     TJihIo.-  parts 

aiiU  the  siilcs  (iflicad  I'innaiiioii-MTav  ;  the 
iiisitlo  (if  wiiiu-s  anil  axillars,  anal  rVo-ien 
(ibia.  ci-issnni,  and  rinnp  wliili';  wini;s 
and  tail,  indndinu- upper  tail-i'ovcrl.s  tlie 
entire  top  of  liead  (lo  level  of  eyes),  the 
ha.«e  of  hill  all  round,  and  llio  chin,  lus- 
trous violet -lilaok,  Oreateiwinp-ooverts 
I'laek-,  will,  a  li,-oad  baud  of  ashy-white 
acoss  the  ends;  outer  ])riniaries,  exter- 
nally, with  a  narrow  boi-der  of  frravish- 
while  near  the  ends;  iinier  edges  suf- 
fused with  the  same.    Outer  tail-feathers 

tcrminil  half  .,1„„„-  ,1  >    i    n    i    .       .         ,  •  ^^''"'  ""  '''""f-'^f''''  P-i'''''  '^1"  ""hite  in  the' 

tcrnunal  half  ,.lo„n  ,l,o  shah,  but  not  .-ear-hin.  ,|,o  ,ip.     Bin  ,,,„,,,  ;  li.et  dnskv 

Din.ens.ons  (prepared  speei.nen) :  Total  length.  0.50;  wiu^r,  ;5.55 ;  tail,  ;).25'  Evpo...] 
1^.-  .on  o„,.st  pr,n.ary,  2m.  1.11 :  Len„h  tron.  (o.-ehead.  .44  ;  from  nostril,  '.S^T^' 
laKsu.s,  wo;  elaw  alone,  .20  ;  hind  toe  and  claw,  .45  ;  elaw  alone  ."5 

58 


•158  North  American  hirds. 

No.  49,!)o'),  luliilt  male.  Niiliit.i,  Yiikdii  River,  Alaskii.  January  10,  18G7.  W.  11. 
Dali,  (No.  ■).'.;!)• 

Tl»e  specimen  referred  ti)  above  is  the  first  record  of  the  occurrence  in 
America  of  a  genus  heretofore  considered  iis  ));!h)n>fiug  exclusively  to  the 
Old  World. 

Tliis  hird  was  described  in  1809  as  a  possible;  variety  of  P.  coicinca  of 
Europe.  On  sul)mittiiig  the  typical  s])ecimens  to  Mr.  H.  B.  Tristram  of 
England,  it  was  decided  to  be  a  well-mai  ked  and  distinct  species,  as  ex- 
plained in  till!  lolldwing  extract  from  a  letter  received  from  him. 

"The  coloration  of  the  back  is  the  .same  as  in  males  of  P.  coecinea  and 
P.  riihicilla,{im\  diilers  from  the  coloration  of  the  9  in  fill  three  sj)ecies.  In 
all  the  9  has  the  back  brown  instead  of  slate-colored.  Your  bird,  however, 
dilfers  from  P.  cocciiicn  in  having  the  under  parts  of  the  same  cohn'  as  the  ^ 
of  P.  griscivintrls  with  a  slightly  redder  hue  on  the  flanks,  while  P.  eoccinca 
is  a  brilliant  blazing  red.  In  this  your  bird  is  like  P.  mwina  of  the  Azores, 
but  that  has  no  white  on  the  rump. 

"  Nor  can  it  be  ^  juv.  of  P.  cocci imt,  because  it  has  the  black  head,  and  the 
young  assumes  the  black  head  and  red  breast  sinniltiineously,  or  rather  the 
red  begins  first.  It  diilers  from  P.  uipaleims  in  having  a  black  head  and 
broatl  white  rump,  as  well  as  in  size." 

Dr.  O.  Finsch,  of  Bremen,  agrees  with  Mr.  Tristram  in  considering  it  as 
specifically  distinct,  and  says  that  the  long  white  shaft -streak  on  the  outer- 
most tail-feather  is  to  be  considered  as  one  of  the  peculiar  characters,  and 
that  in  general  it  resembles  the  female  of  P.  griscivcntris,  Lxvii.,  but  differs 
in  having  the  back  beautiful  ash-gray. 

HAiU'r.s.  This  new  species  of  Bullfinch,  having  a  close  resemblance  to  the 
P.  eoccinca  of  Eurojie,  was  obtained  by  Mr.  iJall,  near  Nulato,  Alaska,  January 
10, 1807.  An  Indian  brought  it  in  alive,  but  badly  wounded,  having  shot  it 
from  a  small  tree  near  the  fort.  He  had  never  seen  anything  like  it  before, 
nor  had  any  of  the  liussians.  Captain  Everett  Smith  had,  however,  met  with 
several  flocks  of  the  same  species  near  Ulukiik.  This  sj)eciim'n  was  a  male, 
with  black  eyes,  feet,  and  bill,  ami  was  the  only  bird  of  the  kind  met  with 
by  Mr.  Dall. 

In  size  it  is  a'.iout  equal  to  F.  eoccinca,  which  is  now  quite  generally  con- 
sidered to  be  simply  a  large  race  of  the  common  riuUtinch  {P.  vu/f/aris),  and 
the  haliits  of  the  American  bird  are  doubtless  similar  to  those  of  its  c(m- 
geners.  The  Euroj)ean  races  inhabit  tlu;  mountainous  regions  of  Northern 
and  Central  Europe,  apjiearing  in  large  flocks  in  December  and  January  in 
the  more  southern  regions.  In  their  return  in  sjiring  to  their  summer  (piar- 
ters,  they  move  in  siuailcr  numbers.  They  nest  in  the  mountain  forests,  on 
trees  or  bushes.  Their  nest  is  usually  but  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  is 
beautifully  wrought  in  a  cup  shape,  made  externally  of  small  twigs,  blades  of 
grass,  and  rootlets,  lined  with  coarse  hair.  The)'  lay  five  eggs,  the  ground- 
color of  which  shades  from  a  light  blue  to  a  bluish  or  a  greenish  white,  with 


FHINGILLIU.K  -  THE  FIXCIIES. 


459 


brown  anil  violot-colored  s])f)t,s,  tliat  usually  form  a  rinjr  aronnd  the  larj^i^r 
end.  Tiioir  I'ood  is  grain  and  small  seeds,  and,  in  sprinj^,  the  Inids  of  certain 
trees. 

The  P>ulllinch  is  a  favorite  cai;e-bird,  soon  reconciled  to  cont^.ncment,  and 
capable  of  bein-^  taught  to  whistle  whole  airs  of  opera  music  with  wonderful 
exactness  and  beauty. 


Genus   CARPODACUS,    Kaup. 

Ctirimlacu.1,  Kaii',  "Kiitw.  Euioi..  Tlii.Tw.  1820."     (Tyiie,  Loxiti  n-jithrimi,  I'ali..) 

ErijthroKpixd,  Bonapautk,  Sai,'Kio  di  una  (list.  met.  1831. 

llmmori-hous,  Swainson,  Class.  Hiids,  II,  1837,  •!<.)'>.     (V\\w,  Frlmjilla  jmrjuom,  Cmki.ix.) 

Ciiah.  Bill  short,  stout,  vaulted  ;  the  culinen  duoiirvi'd  towuids  tlio  oiul ;  the  i;otniiii.ssiu-e 
nearly  straii;lit  to  the  .'ilijflitly  deeurved 
end.  A  .'slight  development  of  hristly 
feathers  along  the  sides  of  the  liill,  oon- 
cealing  the  nostrils.  Tarsus  .shorter 
than  the  middle  toe ;  lateral  elaws 
reaching  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one. 
Claw  of  hind  toe  nnioh  curved,  smaller 
than  the  middle  one,  and  rather  le.is 
than  the  digital  portion.  Wings  long 
and  pointed,  reaching  to  the  middh^  of 
the  tail,  which  is  considerably  shorter 
than  tlie  wing,  and  moderately  forked. 
Colors  red,  or  red  and  brown.  FemitJe 
with  the  red  rejilaced  by  brown.  Carpodncus  fmitnih 

The  genus  Carpodacii.%  including  the  American  Purple  Finches,  is  com- 
posed of  sjiecies  the  males  of  which  are  more  or  less  red  in  full  ])lumagc, 
while  the  females  are  broM-n-streaked.  They  are  spread  o\er  Xorth  America, 
and  species  also  occur  m  considerable  numbers  in  Northern  Europe  and 
Asia. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

A.  Culinen  only  slightly  curved.     Tail  and  wing  feathers  edged  with  reddish  in 

tlic  male. 

a.  (J.  Crown  much  I)righter  purple  than  the  rump  or  throat.  ?.  Without 
lighter  superoral  and  ma.\illary  stripes,  the  whole  head  being  pretty  uni- 
formly streaked. 

1.  C.  caasini.  ^.  Crown  bright  crimson;  re.st  of  head,  bren.st,  rump, 
etc.,  much  lighter  purple-pink;  hurer  tdil-mverfu  irilh  a  shaft  line  nf 
(Imhj.  Hab.  Mountain  regions  of  the  Middle  Province,  .south,  through 
the  table-lauds  and  alpine  regions  of  Mexico,  to  Mirador. 

h.  $.  Crown  scarcely  brighter  purple  than  tlie  rump  or  throat.  9.  With 
conspicuous  superoi'al  and  ma.xillary  strii>es. 

2.  C.  purpureuB.  Ciown  purjile  ;  rest  of  head,  briMst,  rump,  etc., 
nearly  similar  in  tint;  hirer  tuil-coverh  withoiit  dn.sky  shaft-lines. 

Purple  tints  of  a  rosy  carmine  cast ;  first  quill  longer  tlian  the 
fourth.     Hah.   Eastern  Province  of  Xorth  America     .     \ar.  j)  u  r j>  11  r  r  n  .1 . 


460  NORTH  A.vIEKICAX  lUIlDS. 

Purple  tints  of  a  (laikci'  piirplisli-mse  ciust ;  first  (luill  slioricr  than 
tliu  fdiulli.     Ifith.    I'iiciliclVoviiico  ol' North  AniiM-ica  Viir.  r„li /•»  r  iii  c  us. 
B.   Culmon  niurh  ourvcd.     Tail  and  wii  ;,'  Coathois  (•(1i,'i,m1  with  jfravish   in   ilie 
male. 

;i.  C.  frontalis.  ^.  l-.  '-onlal  and  superciliary  hand  ol'  (•linison;  a 
patch  of  same  on  the  rump,  and  another  on  tlic  tinoat  u.id  juguliim  ;  ah- 
donicn  and  crissum  streaked  with  dn.sky. 

$■   Hcd  restricted  to  tiie  ])orti(ins  mentioned  ahove. 

Ih'd  of  ,\n  inten.-ic  carmine  tint,  sharply  defined,  and  stri(;tly 
restricted  within  the  limits  indicated.    Uab.   I'latoan  vT Mexico 

var.  /( IV  m  i>  r  rho  iin  .' 
Red  of  a  lighter  carmine,  and  with  a  irreator  or  less  tendencv 
to  e.^^cape  its  liouudaries.     //nb.  Middle  I'rovinee  of  the  I'nited 

S'"'^'S ynv.  fro  Ufa  I  is. 

i-  Red  not   restricted,  hut  .spiead   over   tlu;  erown,  lingeinj;'  the 

back  and  other  poi'tion.'*,  exceptinj;  wings  and  tail. 

Red  tint  varying  iiom  scarlet  to  wine-red.  Hah.  Taeific 
Province  of  Uniteil  State.s,  including  the  peninsula  of  Lower 
Cal'fo'-iii'i vm:  rhodocolpus. 


Carpodacus  cassini,  ]'.aird. 

CASSIN'S  PURPLE  nKCH. 

Cariwdacus  camui,  U.uiii.,  Pr.  A.  X.  S.  Philad.  VII,  .Time,  ISM,  110  ;  Birds,  N.  Am.  1858, 
414,  pi.  x.vvii,  f.  1.  _  Lo,t„,  Pr.  ]{,  a.  Inst,  iv,  18.14,  11!)  (Mr.  Col.  hftwwii  Rocky 
Mts.  and  Cascades).  -  Kk.nnkuly,  P.  1{.  1{.  X,  pi.  xxvii,  f.  1.  —  Coopkh,  Orn.  Cal.  I, 
Iflu. 

Si>.  Cn.Mt.  Larger  than  C.  imrpurfus.  Bill,  .n.",  of  an  inch  above.  Second  an.l  third 
qudls  longest  ;  first  longer  than  fourth.  AMe.  Above  x^.^V-  grayish-brown,  the  (Withers 
streaked  with  darker  brown,  and  with  only  an  occasional  gloss  of  reddish,  except  on  the 
erown,  which  is  unilbrm  deep  crimson,  and  on  the  rnmp.  Sides  of  the  head  and  neek 
throat,  ami  upper  part  of  brea.st  with  mini),  pale  "-osi-color  :  rest  of  under  parts  white' 
very  faintly  an.l  sparsely  streaked  with  brown.  Fanale  witlmut  any  re.l.  an.l  streaked  on 
the  he.id  ami  nn.l.'r  ii.arts  with  biwvn.     Length,  ().50;  wing,  ;{.(i();  tail,  L'.CIO. 

Hah.  Mountain.ms  regions  of  Mi.ldle  Province  of  Uniteil  St.it.-s.  fi-om  R.i.^ky  Moun- 
tains to  S.erra  Nevada.  Rritish  Columbia  (Lorn.).  City  of  Mexico  (Sclatku  k  Salv.n 
1869,  3G2).     Breeils  in  pine  region  of  Mt.  Orizaba. 

This  .species,  tlioiioh  somewhat  resembling  C.  pin-pumis,  may  be  easily 
ilistingiiislied  from  it  l)y  tiie  streake.l  lower  tail-coverts  (of  both'se.ves),  ami 
by  tlie  pileum  being  much  more  intensely  red  than  any  other  portion  in 
the  male.  The  female  resembles  more  iu  markings  that  of  fronfa/is,  but 
has  an  entirely  different  shajted  bill,  and  is  mucli  larger;  the 'streaks  above 
very  con.spicuoiis,  instead  of  nearly  obsolete.  The  side  of  the  head  lacks 
the  conspicuous  liglit  and  dark  l.mgitudinal  areas  observable  in  pi>rp»reus. 

The  young  of  both  sexes  resemble  the  adult  female,  but  the  streaks  are 

>  Carpodacus  frmiMh,  var.  /uvmon-hoii.i,  Carpodacm  hwmorrhous,  Sclateh,  P.  Z.  S.  185G 
304.     (Fringilla  hceiiwrr/ioiis,  Liciir.  Vciz.  1831.)  ' 


FUINKIIJ.IDJ';  —  TIIK  FIXCIIKS. 


461 


Carpof/nrus  frontnlis. 


less  sliar])ly  dcfiiu'd,  and  the  \viiig-featliL'r,s  av(>   l.ioadlv  ed-jed  with   light 
oartli-liiowu. 

Ill  auluiim  and  winter,  as  in  all  the  other  si)ecios,  tho  rod  tints  aro  softer 
and  mori'  juiriilisli  liian  in  spiiiii;  md  suiana'r. 

ir.\iiirs.     Tas.sin'.s  l'iu'i>lu  Finfii  is  tiiu  largest  of  tho  American  birds  of 
this   gi'iHis,  and  is  jiot   only  consi)icuously 
diilerent  I'roni  all  in  size,  but  also        othor 
resiKH'ts.     It  is  found  lietween  tho  ■•roivu  Cen- 
tral I'lains  and  tho  coast  ranj^'o  of  mountains, 
being  Olio  of  tho  common  Iiirds  of  ('(dorado, 
Utah,  Nevada,  and  Kastorn  Cidifornia.     J)r. 
Coojier  found  these  liirds  in  largo  numbers 
about  Lake  Talioe  in  California.     They  were 
ixll  in  their  brown  jdumago,  and  seemed  so 
much  like  the  C.  vafi/urnirHs  in  their  habits 
that  he  mistook  them  for  that  siiecies.     lie 
noticed  in  them  a  very  peculiar  call-note  as 
they  (lew,  reminding  him  of  that  of  J'l/raiif/a, 
and  quite  different  from  the  other  Varpoduci.      The  song  of  these   Itirds, 
as  he  afterwards  heard  it,  was  much  louder  and  finer  than  that  of  C.  cali- 
fornirus,  and  more  original  in  style.     Ho  is  not  familiar  with  their  other 
haliits,  and  has  never  mot  with  them  in  the  Colorado  N'alloy.     They  have 
been  iirocurod   from   Fort  Thorne,  I'ueblo  Creek,  and  Alber-iuonnie,  New 
jMexico.     Mr.  IJidgway  met  with  these  birds  in  the  AVahsatch  :^[ountains, 
Juno   20,  1809,  in    I'arley's   Tark,  I'tah,  where  ho  found   them   breeding! 
Their  nest  was  in  the  top  of  a  cottonwood-treo  near  the  canon  stream,  about 
forty  feet  from  the  ground.     It  is  a  soft  liomogenof)us  structure,  Hattened  in 
shajie,  and  with  only  a  slight  depression.     It  is  compo.sed  principally  of  roots 
and  twigs,  lined  with  softer  materials  of  the  same,  i liters] )ersed  with  moss, 
cott<jn,  and  other  soft  substances.     It  is  two  inches  in  luMght  with  a  width 
of  four  and  a  half  inches.     The  cavity  is  about  an  inch  deep. 

Ill  his  Keport  on  the  Iiirds  of  Mr.  King's  survey,  Mr.  IJidgway  states  that 
ho  found  this  Linnet  in  the  greatest  abundance  among  the  ](iiies  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  near  Carson  City.  It  Avas  next  seen  among  the  cedars  and  nut-] tines 
of  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  and  again  in  the  pine  woods  and  cotton- 
wood-troos  along  tho  streams  on  the  Walisatch  Mountains.  It  breeds  in  all 
these  localities,  and  is  in  its  habits  essentially,  though  not  exclusively,  resi- 
dent among  the  pines.  March  21,  18(J8,  :Mr.  Hidgway  observed  flocks  of 
these  birds  near  Carson  City.  They  were  found  in  every  portion  of  the 
woods,  feeding  among  the  branches  of  the  pine-trees.  They  were  all  in  full 
song,  the  females  as  well  as  the  males.  A  week  later  ho  again  found  them 
common  among  the  isolated  pines  in  the  fields  at  the  foot  of  the  Sierras, 
alighting  on  the  trees  in  companies.  Their  notes  resemble  the  song  of  the  C. 
purpurcns,  but  are  finer  and  more  musical.     They  have  a  great  resemblance 


402  NORTH  AMKKK'AN   lilKDS. 

to  tlio  warDliii<,'s  of  the  Vino  Jlnri/nnis,  Imt  tlic  piissiij^t's  in  its  snn^  as  much 
cxcol  tliosc  of  till'  Viivo  ill  swcctiii'ss  us  llicy  iiiu  .siir|iiissLMl  in  ridiiit'sis  by 
thi)  Wiirhliii^s  of  tiic  liitlor.  WIkmi  oho  of  two  friiiiilcs  of  this  siK'cics  liad 
bi'i'u  killcil,  tlit^  survivor,  missiiij,'  licr  i'oiii|niiiioii,  rclunied  iiiiiiu'diiiluly  to 
thi;  tiHM!  1111(1  hojipi'd  from  lininch  to  liriiiK'h,  ami  tlicii  ali,i,diti'd  on  the  <,'ronnd 
l>y  till!  sidi!  of  lior  doad  associatt',  laiiicnting  lu'r  in  swert  and  iilaiiitivo  erica. 

r>y  the  4th  of  April  tlii'  piiir-tivi'S  about  Carson  City  were  alivu  with 
tliest)  handsome  iiirds,  all  of  whom  were  in  full  soiii,'.  So  many  were  singing 
sinuiltancuusly  that  the  ulioriis  was  almost  deafoning,  yet  was  most  exiiuisitely 
p]  easing. 

The  nests  of  tliis  bird  were  found  liy  ^fr.  Ii'idgway  in  various  situations, 
such  as  a  bo.\-elder  bush,  the  tops  of  eottinnvooil  and  aspen  trees,  and  simi- 
lar situations.  The  eggs,  four  in  number,  are  in  size  .82  by  .03  of  an  inch, 
oval  in  shape,  pointed  at  the  smaller  end,  of  a  light  bluish-green  ground,  dot- 
ted around  the  larger  end  with  slate,  lilac,  and  a  blaekish-brown. 

.Specimens  were  ol)tained  by  Dr.  Sartoriii.s,  during  the  breeding-season 
(June,  18()4),  in  the  ])ine  f<irests  of  Mt.  Orizaba.  A  careful  comparison 
shows  no  difl'erence  from  birds  procured  in  the  same  month  in  Nevada. 


Carpodacus  purpureas,  Gray. 

EASTERN  PUBPLE  HNCH. 

FrmjiUa  iuirpurea,  Omki.is,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1788,  923.  —  WlL.sn.v,  Am.  Oiii.  I,  1808,  119, 
pi.  vii,  f.  4. —  III.  V,  1812,  87,  pi.  .\lii,  f.  3. —  Am.  Orn.  Miof?.  I,  1831,  24;  V,  200, 
pi.  iv.  JftviiKirrliiiKs  jiiirjiiircii,  SwainsdS",  liinls,  II,  1837,  295.  Ei'iilhrnspiza  pur- 
purea, ViV.  List,  1838.  —  Aril.  Birds  .Vm.  HI,  1811,  170,  pi.  cxcvi.  Carpmhtciia  pur- 
punus,  (iiiAv's  fienorn,  1844-49. — Bon.  k  Sciii.F.dKL,  Moii.  des  Loxipiis,  14,  tub.  xv. 
—  Haiud,  Birds  X.  Am.  18."i8,  412.  —  iSAMVni.s,  Birds  N.  Kii}?.  285.  !  Liu- in  violacm, 
Ll.NS.  .Sy.st.  Nat.  17»i<5,  300,  43.  (Very  uiiccrtain.)  Purple  Fiuch,  C'atksuy,  Pkn- 
NANT,  Latii.     Ifriii/i-J!iri/,  Bartua.m. 

Sp.  CiiAit.  Second  ([uill  longest ;  (irst  shorter  than  third,  considerably  longer  thnn  the 
fourth.  J{ody  erim.soii,  pale.-st  on  the  rump  and  breast,  darkest  across  the  middle  of  back 
and  wing-eovert.s,  where  the  feathcr.s  have  dusky  centn's.  The  red  extends  below  coii- 
tinuonsly  to  the  lower  part  of  the  breast,  and  in  si)ots  to  the  tibiie.  The  belly  and  under 
tail-covcrts  white,  streaked  faintly  with  brown,  except  in  the  very  middle.  Edges  of 
wings  and  tail-feathers  brownisli-red  ;  les.ser  coverts  like  the  back.  Two  reddish  bands 
across  the  wings  (over  the  ends  of  the  middle  and  greater  coverts).  Lores  dull  grayi.sh. 
Length,  0.2.')  inches;  wing,  ;5.;U;  tail,  2.r)0;  bill  above,  .4(5.  Female.  Olivaceous-brown 
above;  brighter  on  the  rninp.  IJeiie.ath  wliite;  all  the  feathers  everywhere  streaked  w^ith 
brown,  except  on  the  middle  of  the  belly  and  under  coverts.     A  superciliary  light  stripe. 

Had.     North  America,  I'rom  Atlantic  to  the  high  Central  Plains. 

Habits.  The  Purple  Finch  is  a  common  species  from  Georgia  to  the 
plains  of  the  Saskatchewan,  and  as  far  west  ius  the  Great  I'lains,  1)eyond  which 
it  seems  to  be  replticed  by  another  race,  or  closely  allied  s]iecies.  It  breeds 
from  about  latitude  40°  to  perhaps  60°,  and  in  most  parts  between  these 


FU1N(.11I,LIU.K-T11H  I'lNCllES.  40ij 

])arivllols  is  ii  nitliiT  (•uimnoii  liinl  in  siiitiihlo  iDculitics.  A  fuw  am  (tcciisidii- 
iilly  loiiiul  (liiiiiii;  till!  wiiitiT  ill  MiissaciiiiscUs,  Imt  usually  tlit'V  all  jiass  i'ar- 
tlier  siailli.  In  the  Statu  of  Suiilli  Cainliiia  Lliry  aro  csin'cially  abundant 
throuj;liiait  the  winter,  nr  I'nan  Octtiliui'  \intil  April. 

l)r.  Coui'S  states  that  the  rurpli'  Finch  is  a  very  alaindant  winter  resident 
near  Washiiij^tun,  arriviii;,'  early  in  Octoher  and  reiuainiii;;'  until  May,  beiiij,' 
eminently  gregarious.  Stragglers  were  .seen  until  nearly  .lune,  luit  the  major- 
ity had  de])arted  as  tlit!  leaves  expanded.  They  were  mo.st  conniion  in  high 
open  woods,  and  were  oliserveil  to  IcimI  chietly  on  tender  young  buds  oi'  trees. 
They  were  in  i'ull  .song  betbrt;  they  took  tlii'ir  departure. 

They  make  their  first  ai)pearanee  in  regular  migrations,  in  Massaehusetta, 
from  the  lOth  to  the  lilttli  of  May,  luul  oceasionally  a  few  are  seen  earlier. 
They  are  often  unweleome  visitors  to  the  fruit-growi'rs,  having  a  great  fond- 
ness for  the  bhwsonis  of  the  peaeli,  elierry,  plum,  ami  apjile.  They  will  also 
feed  upon  other  kinds  of  buils  and  bl((.ssoms.  'I'hey  have  a  great  predilec- 
tion for  evergreen  trees,  especially  the  lir,  the  spruce,  and  the  red  cedar, 
and  mo.st  generally  build  their  nests  in  these  trees.  In  summer  they  feed  on 
seeils,  insects,  and  bc.'rries  (jf  the  honeysuckle  and  other  shrubs. 

The  I'urple  Finch,  or,  as  it  is  geneialiy  known  in  New  luigland,  the  Linnet, 
is  one  of  our  sweetest,  best,  and  most  constant  songsters,  and  is  ftften  tiapped 
and  sold  as  caged  birds.  They  soon  become  aecustiuned  and  jiartially  recon- 
ciled to  their  coniinement,  but  sing  only  during  a  small  part  of  the  year. 
When  one  of  these  birds,  coniiiied  in  a  cage,  is  hung  outside  the  house, 
in  tlui  country,  he  is  sure  tft  tlraw  around  him  cpiite  a  number  of  his  species, 
and  this  furnishes  the  dealer  a  ready  means  of  capturing  them. 

This  Finch  was  once  regarded  as  ipiite  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  I'.oston,  so 
much  so  that  during  a  four  years'  residence  in  Cambridge,  when  collections 
of  nests  and  eggs  had  many  votaries,  not  a  single  nest  of  this  s:;)ecies  was 
obtained  by  any  one.  Since  then,  from  some  cause,  probably  the  increase  of 
gardens, groves  of  evergreens,  and  other  localities  favorable  for  their  preserva- 
tion and  reproduction,  these  graceful  little  F'inehes  have  become  (juite  abun- 
dant in  places  ]tro]iitious  for  their  lesidence.  No  less  than  seven  jiairs  of 
these  favorite  .songsters  took  up  the.i  abode  in  my  grounds  at  lliiigham  in  a 
single  suiiuner,  and  two  had  nests  in  the  .same  tree,  one  of  which  was  at  least 
sixty  feet  from  the  ground,  on  the  very  top  of  a  tall  tir.  These  several  ])airs, 
as  a  general  thing,  lived  together  very  harmoniously,  save  only  when  one 
would  ap])roach  too  near  the  favorite  station  of  another,  when  the  latter 
would  begin  to  bristle  up  his  crest,  and  give  very  evident  hints  that  his  near 
presence  was  not  agreeable.  The  extreme  southern  end  of  the  ridge-jjole  of 
the  house  had  been,  for  several  summers,  the  favorite  post  for  the  patriarch 
of  the  Hock,  from  which  at  morning  and  at  evening  he  made  the  neighbor- 
hood vocal  with  his  melody.  If  in  his  absence  any  other  of  these  birds 
ventured  to  occupy  his  position,  there  was  always  sure  to  be  a  distiu'bance  on 
his  return,  if  it  was  not  instantly  vacated.     These  encounters  were  freiiueiit, 


404  NOIITII  AMKItlCAN    IMKDS. 

and  always  vnry  aimisiiijjj.  Discrctidu  usually  Un>\<.  ilic  |iliu'(!  of  valur  mi  llio 
iKiii  III'  till'  iiitnidiT. 

Tilt'  siiiij,' ()('  the  I'ui'liln  KiuL'ii  M'SL'iiilili's  tliiil  (if  till'  Caiiiiry,  and  tli(in;,di 
less  varii'd  and  powcrrul,  is  sol'lcr,  Hwuefer,  and  nioiv  Uaa-iun;,'  aiul  ]>lcasing. 
Tiu!  noti'H  of  this  s|iuc'i('s  may  lie  iu'.U'd  I'mni  the  last  ol'  .May  until  late  in 
S('|)t(Mnl)i'i',  and  in  tlic  long  sunmicr  nvcnings  arc  often  cnnlinui'd  until  alter 
it  is  {[uitc  dark.  Their  song  has  all  the  heauty  and  pathos  of  the  Warbling 
Vireo,  and  greatly  resenddes  it,  hut  is  luon^  powiuiul  and  full  in  tone.  It  is 
a  very  iuleresting  sight  to  watch  one  of  ihesi-  litth^  perforintn's  in  the  midst 
of  his  song.  He.  iippears  perfei'tly  alisorlied  in  his  wia'lc,  his  jorni  dilates, 
his  crest  is  e  'cted,  his  throat  e.xpamls,  and  he  seems  to  he  ulti^rly  uncon- 
scious of  all  around  him.  Ihit  let  an  intruth^r  of  his  own  race  ajipear  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  singiir,  ami  the  .song  instantly  ceases,  and  in  a  violent  lit 
of  indignation  lie  chases  him  away. 

The  flight  of  the  I'urpie  Finch  is  said  hy  Mr.  Auduh.n  to  resenihle  that 
of  the  Oreen  Finch  of  Kuro])e.  They  ily  in  compact  Docks,  with  an  undu- 
lating motion,  alighting  all  at  once,  and  then  instantly,  as  if  suddenly 
alarmed,  take  again  to  flight  only  to  return  to  the  same  tree.  They  then 
immediately  make  each  his  .separate  way  to  the  end.s  of  the  la'anches,  and 
commence  eating  tla?  laids.  The  food  they  take  to  their  young  is  juicy  ber- 
ries and  the  softer  jiortions  of  the  young  cones  of  the  fir  ami  spruce. 

They  ne.st  generally  in  firs,  si)ruces,  or  cedar-trees,  though  occasionally  on 
the  upper  branches  of  a  high  aiii)le-tree.  Their  nests  are  usually  placed  upon 
a  branch,  rather  than  interlaced  between  iis  forked  twigs.  I  have  known 
them  not  more  than  live  feet  from  tiie  ground,  and  at  other  times  on  the  higii- 
est  point  of  a  hil'ty  lir-tree.  The  nests  are,  I'or  tiie  most  part,  .somewhat  ilat 
and  shallow  structure.s,  not  more  than  two  and  a  half  inches  in  height,  and 
about  three  and  a  half  in  breadth.  The  walls  of  the  nest  average  less  than 
an  inch,  and  the  cavity  corresponds  to  its  general  shape  anil  form.  The 
framework  of  the  nest  is  usually  made  of  small  denuded  vegetable  fibres, 
stems  of  grasses,  strips  of  bark,  and  .voody  Iragments.  The  upjier  rim  of  the 
nest  is  often  a  curious  intertwining  of  dry  herbaceiais  stems,  the  ends  of  which 
project  above  the  nest  itself  in  the  manner  of  a  low  palisade.  The  inner  nest 
is  made  up  of  minute  vegetable  fibres,  closely  interwoven.  There  is  usually  no 
other  lining  than  this.  At  other  times  tlie.se  nests  are  largely  made  up  of  .small 
dark-coldied  rootlets  of  wooded  ])lants,  lined  with  liner  materials  of  the  same, 
occasionally  mingled  with  the  down  of  liirds  and  the  fur  of  small  animal.s. 

The  eggs  of  the  I'urple  Finch  vary  greatly  in  size,  and  somewhat  in  shajie. 
Generally  they  are  of  an  oblong  oval,  jtointed  considerably  at  one  end.  Their 
length  varies  from  .92  to  .81  of  an  inch,  and  their  breadth  from  .70  to  .00. 
Their  eohn-  is  a  pale  shade  of  emerald-green,  spott,ed  with  dark  brown,  almost 
black,  chiefly  about  the  larger  eml.  The  gi-ound-color  is  much  brighter  when 
the  eggs  are  fresh,  and  soon  fades  upon  exposure  to  light,  and  even  when  kept 
in  a  close  drawer. 


FIMNdll.l.lD.K  —  TFIK  KINTIIKS  ,-.- 

Carpodaous  purpureus,  \a.    californicus,  r.Aim.. 

THE  CALIFOBMIA  PURPLE  FINCH, 

C„r,ml„em  a.lijhmivu.s,   lUiun,   liii.ls  \.   Am.    l«,-,».  m,  j,!.  Ixxii,  I'   "'S  -(■„,„,,  . 

•MUKLKY,    VJii.         CCHII'KI!,   Olll.  (.'al.   I,    Ijl, 

Sr  Cm..  SinnlMr  U,  inu-i^urus.  Tl.inl  ,,,nll  l,„„vst;  lirsl  shorter  than  ih,.  r,„n,l,. 
lurplc.  ol  l,c.a.l  an.l  luM.p  mmmI,  ,h,rk..r  tlmu  iu  C  ynovHor.,, ;  .h.  houcl  with  a  l.n.a.l 
.si.i.i-a-,„l,ilal  lat..,al  I.uimI  .nh^Uur  purpl...     LcUKth  0.20;  wiuK,  3.20;  tail  ''.(iO 

ll.vti.     Pacilic  I'rciviiKv  of  I'liitoil  Stulos. 

The  lunmle  cf  tlio  wt-sU'ru  tyne  .lillbrs  lr„m  tluit  ..f  tlio  castcni  in 
bum- inoro  ..livucciis  al,nv,  an.l  in  liavin^  Uu,  .stmiiv.s  l.cl..w  mdi.T  lai-^r 
and  not  so  wdl  .Idined.  Tiu-n.  appears  to  l,o  a  dillMcnc,.  in  ll,..  niaikin.' 
ot  tho  wings,  in  eastern  C.  p>u-p,n;s  llu-re  is  nsaallv  a  well-mark,.!  wlni" 
ish  hand  acros.s  tho  ends  ..f  the  n.i.ldle  eoverts,  while  the  gr.iater  coverts 
thouj.],  nuuKino.!  externally  l.y  paler,  have  a  still  lij^hter  bar  across  the  pos- 
terior uxtrunntv,  which  is  not  .s,.en  in  the  western  l.inl. 

JlviiiTs.  Tho  Calilornian  I'nrple  Kind,  is  iVmnd  throu-hout  tho  Pacific 
coast,  inmi  tho  Straits  ol'  Fnea  to  ( ■alilornia.  as  far  s.M.th  as  ]\Ionterey.  I  )r 
Coo].er  states  that  this  species  is  rather  a  n..rthern  Iiird,  boini;  eonmion  at  the 
Columbia  Ifivor,  and  even  farther  north,  while  in  ('alilornia  it  has  not  been 
found  south  Of  Monterey  on  the  coast,  and  Fort  Tejon  in  the  Sierra  Nevada 
In  summer  thoy  frequent  tho  mountain  forests,  especially  those  in  j.art  coin- 
po.sed  of  Coni/nv:  In  winter  they  descend  to  tho  valloys,  where  they  nn' 
found  as.sociating  Mith  the  more  eonuin.n  and  familiar  O./ron/o/U  He  met 
with  them  in  May  on  the  summits  of  the  coast  ranj,'e  toward  Santa  ( 'niz 
but  they  Avere  m)t  very  numerous.  Thoy  then  had  nests,  though  ho  did  not 
succeed  in  finding  them. 

The  song  of  the  California  Limu't  is  quite  loud  and  varied,  often  resem- 
bling that  of  other  birds,  especially  /7/vvw  and  Dnu/mmr,  [\n-  which  Dr. 
Cooper  has  often  mi.stakcn  it.  Their  food  consists  of  seeds,  lierries,  ai,(l  the 
buds  of  trees.  Their  nest  and  eggs  ai'o  unknown,  but  probably  resemble 
those  of  C.  piiypiDrus. 


Carpodacus  frontalis,  Scfater. 

HOUSE  LINNET;  CEIMSON-FRONTED  FINCH;  BUBION. 

FrinyiU,,  frouMis;  Say,   l-.m-'s  E.xpe.l.  K.  Mts.  II,  1824,  40.     (For  othor  .syiionvn„.»  sec 
undor  the  (lillcreiit  varictii's. ) 

Sr.  rii.vn.     Bill  short,  nearly  as  deep  a.s  liroad  ;  culnion  much  curved,  e.iinmissare  aivhed  • 

lower  n.iui.hl.le  nearly  as  .leep  as  the  upper.     Tail  more  than  three  fourths  as  1 as 

wing,  slightly  en.arginaled.     Wing  and  tail  feathers  without  reddi.sh  edges ;  lower  l.ul- 
59 


466  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

coverts  aid  nli(lniin;ii  with  l)ri>iul  streaks  of  dusky.  Oeiienil  color  above,  iiieludiiig  wings, 
tail,  and  upper  tail-covi'ris.  lirownisli-giay,  the  leathers  with  iif,'hter  edije.s.  Heneath 
white,  each  leather  with  a  medial  streak  ol  dusky.  Male.  A  hroad  frontal  ereseent,  ex- 
tiMidiiig  baek  in  a  siipereiiiary  slri]>e  to  the  occiput,  a  patch  on  the  rump  (not  the  upper  tail- 
eoverts),  and  an  area  eoveriuf;  cheeks,  chin,  tiiroat,  and  juguhnn  red,  —  bright  scarlet  in 
spring,  rosy  in  fall.  Female  without  tlu!  red,  which  is  replaced  by  a  nniforin  streaking. 
YimiHf  resembling  tlic  I'enude,  but  streaks  le.-is  sharply  delincd  ;  those  above  more  dis- 
tinct.    Wiug-eoverts  broadly  edged  with  light  earth-brown. 

Tliis  siK'cios  iiilmbits  tlio  western  regions  of  North  America,  irom  tlie 
Uocky  Miimitiiiiis  to  tlie  I'acifie  ;  aiul  Ale.xico,  e.xeept,  perluips,  the  eastern 
portion.  In  this  range  of  tlistril)ntion  it  oecnrs  in  three  races,  whicli,  taking 
e.vtrenie  extiniith's,  are  well  marked,  but  when  a  large  series  is  extimined  are 
fonnil  to  grade  insensil)ly  into  each  other. 

The  above  description  is  genertil,  being  inoditied  oidy  by  atlditiomtl  charac- 
ters in  the  several  races.  The  normal  pliiniiige  is  perliai)s  rejircseiited  in  tlie 
central  race,  —  tlie  true  frvji/til is,  as  restricted,  —  whicli  inluibits  the  ^Middle 
Province  of  the  United  States,  ;ind  is  nearly  its  described  tibove  ;  the  red  of 
the  male  of  this  style  is  of  a  bright  scarlet  tint,  ami  in  nciirly  all  specimens 
shows  a  tendency  to  escape  the  boundaries  iibove  indicated.  As  we  go  south 
into  Mexico,  we  find  the  red  strictly  contiiied  within  those  limits,  very  siiarply 
defined;  and,  under  the  tropical  influence,  intensified  into  a  very  bright  car- 
mine tint;  this  latter  is  tiie  C.  hoiiwrvhons  of  authors.  Following  the  var. 
froiUaliii  westward,  we  find  it  gradually  changing,  the  red  invading  more  and 
more  the  other  portions,  until,  in  s])ecimens  from  the  coast  of  (Jalifornia  and 
from  Caj)e  St.  Liu.-is,  it  is  si)rciid  over  all  [xtrtions,  except  the  anal  region, 
wing,  and  tail,  —  tliough  .ilways  brightest  within  those  outlines  which  con- 
fine it  in  the  two  preceding  varieties.  In  extreme  examples  of  the  latter 
race,  —  the  C.  rhodocolpiis  of  Cabanis,  —  the  red  even  obliterates  the  streaks 
on  the  abdomen.  Tiie  s])reading  of  tlie  red  is  seen  in  other  birds  of  the  IV 
citic  region,  this  case  being  exactl}'  paralleled  by  the  Sphnropkm  ruber,  iu  its 
relation  to  S.  nucha/ in  or  *S'.  varius. 

The  females  and  young  of  the  three  racer,  arc  quite  difficult  to  distinguish 
from  each  other,  the  loctility  being  the  best  means  of  identifying  them. 


Carpodacus  frontalis,  xar.  frontalis,  TrKVY. 

CRIXSON-FRONTED  FINCH;  BUBION. 

Friiigilla  frontalis,  Say,  Long's  Kxp.  II,  1824,  4n.  —  (?K\rn.  Orn.  liing.  V,  1839,230, 
pi.  c'cco.xxiv.  Piirrhnla  t:  Hon  at.  Ami.  Oru.  I,  182,'),  49,  pi.  vi.  KriiHirmpixn  f.  IJox. 
List,  1838.  —  In.  P.  Z.  S.  1837,  112.  —  (?)  Ai-n.  Syn.  183<»,  12,-).  —In.  IJirds  \m.  Ill, 
1841,  175,  pi.  cxcvii.  —  Oamh.  .1.  A.  N.  S.  2d  scries,  I,  1847,  .')3.  Frimiilln  {Pijrrhitia) 
f.  (iAMii.  P.  A.  N.  S.  !,  1843,  2()2.  Ciir/xxliic'ii/.  (JiiAV,  (ien.  184 1- 49.  —  Mcl'AU,, 
P.  A.  X.  S.  V,  IS.Il,  219.  —  nAllil),  Birds  X.  Am.  IS.xS,  41.').  f  Cnr/mila-un  ohsritrus; 
MeCAi.r,,  P.  A.  N.  .S.  V,  .luiio,  18r)l,  221),  .Santa  Fc,  N.  M.  (yariMilaaia  familiari.% 
McCai.1.,  p.  a.  N.  S.  VII,  April,  1852,  (II,  Santa  Fo,  N.  M. 


FU1N(}1LLID.K  —  THE  FIXCIIES. 


467 


8p.  CiiAii.  ((J  r„V„S.),  Giv.itSalt  l,ak.-("ity,  rtali,  .Innc  1,  ISfiD.)  Aliov  biownish- 
{rray,  Ihiiilly  ^rh.ssed  with  icl  on  tlio  w.qw  luid  back  ;  win-  uii.l  tail  luatlicis  passinj,'  into 
li-iiI.Toii  th.'ii-  cl-cs,  and  dorsal  fcatlu.fs  with  ubsolcle  shaft-stivaks  ofdai-kcr.  A  IW.ntal 
band,  abont  as  widf  as  lli,.  l,.n,!j;lb  nl'  li,..  .Mdni.^n,  .•..ntinnin^'  back  in  a  sniicrciliai-y  stripe 
to  tiio  occiput,  tliroat,  jn,u:nlnni,  and  a  pal.ii  on  tbc  iow.'r  i)art  of  the  nunp  (but  not 
on  upper  lail-cov<.rls)  cannine-scarlct.  l;,.si  „r  lower  parts  white,  each  leather  with  a 
"ledial  streak  of  brown  like  tlu-  back.     Wiuj.-,  :!.|(l;   tail,  2.(iO  ;  euliuen,  MS;  tarsus,  .do; 


ni 


middle  toe,  .5 


(9  58,000,  Salt  Lake  City,  .lune  lil,  lS(i!).)  .Similar,  but  red  eidirely  absent,  the  throat 
and  juguhnn  beinj;  white  streak.Ml  with  brown,  an.l  the  trout,  rump,  et<'.,  grayish,  obso- 
letely  streaked  with  d.irker.     Winu'.  .'i.OK  ;  t.iil, '_'.  It). 

{Jhv.  40,790,  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona,  June  5,  ISt!",.)  Oenerally  similar  to  the  ad.  9 ,  but 
more  brownish,  and  the  wing-leathers  passing  into  dull  bnlly-oehraceous  on  th-ir  ed'-es ; 
streak.s  beneath  narrower  and  l(>.ss  distinct. 

In  winter  the  red  is  softer  and  less  sharply  dofmed,  and  u.snallv  of  a  more  purplish  tint- 
tlie  markings  generally  more  blended.  '  ' 

Hah.  .Middle  Proviueo  of  the  United  States,  fr.mi  Rocky  Mountains  to  tlu'  inte-ior 
valli-ys  of  California. 

Hahits.  Tliis  form  of  the  Ilou.se  Fiucli  tippeaivs  to  be  a  very  common  liird 
tliroii^'lioiit  tlie  interior  region  of  the  Tnited  Stiite.s,  extending  to  Xew  Mex- 
ico and  Arizonii  on  the  south  and  .soutlieast,  and  jn-ohiddy  to  INfe-xico.  On 
the  I'acilic  cotist  it  is  replaced  by  anotlier  and  chjsely  tillied  variety. 

J)r.  Woodhouse  states  that  liis  attention  was  first  wdled  to  tliis  interesting 
little  songster  while  at  Saute  Fe.  It  was  there  known  to  tlie  American  resi" 
dents  as  the  "Adobe  Finch."  I?y  the  Mexictius  they  were  called  Burimcs. 
lie  found  them  exceedingly  tame,  building  iil)out  tiie  dwellings,  churdics, 
and  other  buildings,  in  every  nook  iind  corner,  and  even  entering  tiie  houses 
to  pick  up  crumbs.  They  are  never  disturbed  l)y  tlie  inhabi^^.nts.  He  tidds 
that  at  tlie  first  dawn  of  the  morinng  tliey  commence  a  veiy  sweet  tiud  clear 
warlile,  which  lie  was  quite  unable  to  do  justice  to  by  any  verbal  descrijition. 
He  has  often  in  the  early  morning  listened  witli  admiration  and  gratification 
to  the  song  of  this  bird,  which  is  deservedly  ti  great  favorite.  He  found  it 
throughout  New  Mexico,  and  beyond.  He  did  not  distinguish  it  from  the 
coast  Viiriety. 

Dr.  (Jones  also  found  this  bird  very  abundant  in  Arizona,  where  it  is  a 
permanent  resitlent,  but  most  abundant  in  spring  and  fall.  He  describes  it  as 
eminently  gregarious.  He  found  it  in  all  situations,  but  most  common  in  the 
spring  among  tlie  groves  of  willows  and  poplars,  on  tlie  buds  of  wiiidi  it  feed.s. 
He  met  with  this  species  all  the  way  tioin  the  I?i(,  Grande  tlirough  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona  to  California,  and  appears  to  have  noted  no  difrerences 
between  this  form  and  the  coast  variety.  He  also  mentions  fiiuling,  during  a 
few  days'  sttvy  in  the  New  Mexican  village  of  Los  Pinos,  near  Albenpienpie, 
on  tlie  Jlio  (Iriinde,  tliis  pretty  little  Finch  the  most  connnon  and  character- 
istic of  the  local  birds.  It  was  there  breediug  indifferently  in  tlie  court- 
yards, sheds,  under  i)orticos  or  eaves,  and  idso  in  tlie  forks  of  trees  in 
the  streets.     It  had  shar])  conflicts  with  the  Harn  Swallows,  whose  nests  it 


4G8  NORTH  AMEllICAX  BIRDS. 

often  took  possession  of,  and  was  a  lively  and  most  agreeable  leaturo  in  the 
dirty  towns  wliicli  it  honored  witli  its  presence ;  and  its  songs  were  at  once 
sweet,  clear,  and  exquisitely  melodious. 

Dr.  Coojier  met  with  tliese  birtls  anK)ng  the  barren  and  rocky  hills  near 
the  (Colorado. 

Mr.  Kiilgway,  who  found  these  birds  breeding  in  large  numbers  at  Pyra- 
mid Lake,  informs  me  lliat  their  nests  Avere  usually  placed  in  clefts  in  rocks, 
or  in  a  cave.  Near  Salt  Lake  City  they  were  also  very  common,  building 
their  nests  among  the  slirubs  known  as  the  wild  mahogany,  on  the  hills,  but 
never  freipieuting  the  higiier  regions  of  the  mountains. 

The  eggs  of  tliis  bird,  which  are  not  distinguisliable  from  those  of  the 
Pacific  coast  form,  have  a  delicate  pale-blue  ground-color,  which  is  very 
fugitive,  and  fades  e\en  in  the  drawers  of  a  cabinet.  They  are  sparingly 
marked,  chielly  around  the  more  obtuse  end,  with  sjujts  and  lines  of  black 
and  a  dark  brown.  They  are  of  o\al  sliape,  elongate  and  pointed  at  one  end, 
and  measure  .HU  of  an  incli  in  h^ngth  by  .GO  in  breadth. 


Carpodacus  froutalis,  \ar.  rhodocolpus,  Caban. 

CALIFOSNIA  HOUSE-FINCH ;  BED-HEADED  LINNET ;  BTJSION. 

.'  Pijrrhiihi  cniciitalii,  I,i>si)N,  Hi'V.  Zoiil.  ISail,  1(»1.  C'lirpnddcii.i  rhndncojpus,  Oahanir, 
Mils,  lluiii.  ISfil,  lt>(j.  —  Sci.ATEH,  r.  Z.  S.  1856,  304.  Curpodtcus  fnmtnUit,  lios. 
&  Siiii.Kc.  .Moil.  (U'.s  I.c)x.  ISfjO,  tab.  .xvi,  1'.  1.  —In.  Coiisp.  18.50,  533. — Baikd,  Rinls 
N.  Am.  1858,  415  (in  ]mrt).  —  (1cioim;ii,  Oni.  C'lil.  I,  ISO.  Ifnuxe  Fhich,  OuaysoN, 
Hi'.spt'iiiiii,  11,  185!),  7,  i>Uitt'.     ViifjioilHeHs/aviUiaris,  Hekiiman.v,  X,  50  (iicst). 

Sp.  (.'mar.  ((J  12.97:5,  Ciipo  St.  Lui'iis.)  Hi'iid,  lu'ck,  jiif,niluni,  Itivast,  upper  p.irt  of 
alultmii'ii  1111(1  siili's,  ami  niiiip,  luig-lit  (•iiiiiiiuc-scailct,  (liillcst  on  the  rciitro  of  the  riown 
ami  aiiiiculiirs  ;  iv.st  of  the  upper  jiarl-s  bimviiisli-frra^',  ifloswed  with  reil  excein,  on  tlio 
wing.'*,  whieh  have  the  feathers  with  distinctly  lijrhli'r  edfre.s  Anal  rcfrion,  flnnks,  and 
cris.suin  white,  the  featlier.s  with  sliaft-stieaks  of  brown.  Wing,  3.00;  tail,  2.U0;  uuliuuii, 
.45;  tarsu.'<,  .02;  luiddlc  toe,  ..")(t. 

Female  and  Jiu\  .similar  to  var.  /roiiliiU.i.  hut  colors  darker. 

IIaii.     Coast  region  of  I'acilio  Province,  and  peiiinsulii  of  Lower  California. 

The  male  descrilied  above  represents  about  the  average  ]ilumage  of  this 
form  ;  an  extreme  example  is  No.  20,04(1,  Cape  St.  Lucas,  wliich  is  almost 
entirely  of  a  wine-red  color,  this  covering  the  whole  lower  parts,  excejjt  the 
anal  region,  and  obliterating  tlie  streaks  ;  tlie  wings  even  are  tinged  Avith 
red.  Still,  on  tlie  head  tlie  red  fa  wine-jmrple  tint)  is  brightest  within  those 
limits  to  which  it  is  confined  in  the  normal  plumage. 

Habits.  This  variety  of  the  House  Finch  is  a  very  common  bird  through- 
out the  Pacific  coast,  from  Oregon  to  Mexico.  ]\Ir.  Pidgway  states  that  he 
found  this  sjiecies  the  most  common  and  familiar  of  all  the  birds  of  the  Sac- 
ramento Valley.  It  is  a  very  connnon  cage-bird,  being  highly  prized  for  its 
song,  which  in  powjr  is  hardly  inferior  to  that  of  the  Canary,  while  it  far 


FRINGILLID.E— THE  FINCHES.  4(39 

surpasses  it  in  sweetness.  Its  beiiutUul  plumage  .alyo  rentiers  it  still  mure 
attractive.  Tlie  peculiarly  solt  and  nmsical  turd  of  this  bird  is  also  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  Canary,  and  is  very  different  from  the  connnon  note  of 
the  I'urple  Einch.  This  bird  breeds  very  luimerously  among  the  shade-trees 
in  the  streets  of  Sacramento,  as  well  as  among  the  oak  groves  on  the  out- 
skirts of  that  city.  The  males  are  very  shy,  but  the  females,  when  tlieir  nest 
is  disturbed,  keep  up  a  lively  chiri)ing  in  an  adjoining  tree.  Tlie  nest  is  gen- 
erally situated  near  the  extremity  of  a  horizontal  branch  of  a  small  oak, 
usually  in  a  gi'ove,  occasionally  in  an  isolated  tree.  In  one  inst.'ince  it  made 
use  of  an  abandoned  nest  of  a  Bullock's  Oriole,  and  in  another  of  that  of  a 
Cliff  Swallow. 

Dr.  Coo])er  speaks  of  this  bird  as  being  especially  abundant  in  all  the 
southern  portions  of  California,  and  also,  according  to  Dr.  Newdjcrry,  through- 
out all  the  valleys  northward  into  Oregon.  It  is  a  si)eci'js  tiiat  is  every- 
where peculiar  to  the  valleys,  MJiile  the  others  of  this  genus  are  eijually 
confined  to  the  wooded  mountains.  Dr.  ( 'ooper  als*  met  with  this  si)ecies 
in  the  plains  near  the  coast,  where  there  are  no  plants  higher  than  the  wild 
mustard,  on  the  seeds  of  which  they  feed.  Tliey  also  iietjuent  the  groves 
and  the  open  forests  on  tiie  summits  of  the  coast  range,  but  in  small  num- 
bers, in  c(mipany  with  the  C.  vitUforuicKs.  They  at  times  feed  on  buds  of 
trees,  and  seeds  of  the  cottonwood  and  other  i)lants.  It  is  most  abundant 
among  ranches  and  gardens  where.  Dr.  Cooper  states,  it  does  nnich  mischief 
by  destroying  seeds  and  young  i)lants,  fruit  and  buds.  For  tliese  depreda- 
tions even  its  cheerful  and  constant  song  is  not  regarded  as  an  adcciuate  com- 
pensation ;  and  unlike  the  New-^Iexicans  in  their  treatment  of  its  kindred 
race,  the  California  cultivators  wage  an  unrelenting  war  upon  these  birds. 

At  San  Diego,  Dr.  Cooper  found  them  buililing  as  early  as  the  loth  of 
Man-h,  and  even  a  little  earlier.  IJoth  tlie  situation  and  the  materials  of 
their  nest  vary.  He  has  found  them  nest '  ;  in  trees,  on  logs  and  rocks,  on 
the  top  rail  of  a  picket  fence,  inside  a  window-shutter,  in  the  holes  of  walls, 
under  tiles,  on  the  thatch  of  a  roof,  in  barns  and  haystacks,  and  even  be- 
tween the  interstices  in  the  sticks  of  which  the  nest  of  a  Hawk  had  been 
made,  and  once  in  the  old  nest  of  an  Oriole.  About  dwellings  they  always 
seek  the  protection  of  man,  and  seem  to  be  (piite  unconscious  of  having 
deserved  or  incurred  liis  enmity.  The  materials  of  their  nests  are  usually 
coarse  grasses  ami  weeds,  with  a  lining  of  hair  and  line  roots.  They  rui.se 
two,  sometimes  three,  broods  in  a  season,  and  in  the  autunni  assemble  in 
large  flocks,  but  migrate  very  little,  if  any,  to  the  south. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  their  songs  are  very  diH'erent  from  those  of  the 
other  sjK'cies.  Tiiey  are  very  varied  and  veiy  lively,  and  are  heard  througli- 
out  the  year.  They  are  easily  ke])t  as  cage-birds,  Ijut  soon  lose  the  beauty 
of  their  plumage  in  confinement,  their  bright  purple  colors  changing  to  a 
dirty  yellow. 

Nuttall  did  not  observe  any  of  this  species  in  Oregon. 


470 


NORTH  AXfERTCAN  BIRDS. 


The  eggs  of  tliis  bird  vary  tioin  ibur  to  six  in  iiuiiiber,  and  are  of  a  pale  blue 
wliich  readily  liidos  into  u  bluish-white,  and  are  marked  witli  spots  and  lines 
of  a  dark  brown  or  black.  They  are  of  an  elongate-oval  shape,  and  measure 
from  .82  to  .73  of  an  inch  in  length,  with  an  average  breadth  of  .GO. 


Gkxis  CHRYSOMITRIS,  Boie. 

Chri/.iom i/rln,  Boik,  Isis,  1828,  32-.'.     (Typt',  FrimjiUn  .iphiiii,  \ass.) 
Astrnijnliniis,  V.\i\.  Mus.  Ilciii.  18.51,  l;".!!.     (Typf,  Fihigilla  trislU,  LiNN.) 
lli/pacaii/him,  Cab.  Mus.  Hiiu.  1851,  101.     ^Ty^MJ,  Cardudis spinoidcs.) 

Gkx.  Char.     Bill  ratlu-r  acutely  conic,  the  tip  not  very  .sharp  ;  the  oulmon  .slightly  convex 

at  the  tip;  the  conimi,«sure  gently  eurvetl. 
No.stril.s  concealed.  Obsolete  ridges  on  the 
up|)er  niandiljle.  Tarsi  .shorter  than  the 
middle  toe ;  outer  toe  rather  the  longer, 
rea(;liing  to  the  base  of  the  middle  one. 
CI  i\v  of  hind  toe  shorter  than  the  digital 
portion.     Wing.s  and  tail  as  in  Aiyiothm. 

The  colors    are   generally  yellow,  with 
black  on  th'    crown,  throai,  back,  wings, 
and  tail,  varied  sometimes  with  white. 
The  females  want  the  bright  markings 

Chrijsomitris  trislis.  of  the   male. 

Tills  genus  diifers  from  yEf/ioihus  in  a  less  acute  and  more  curved  bill,  a 
much  less  development  of  the  bristly  feathers  at  the  base  of  tlie  bill,  tlie 
claw  of  the  hind  toe  shorter  than  its  digital  portion,  the  claws  shorter  and 
less  curved  and  attenuated,  and  the  outer  lateral  toes  not  extending  beyond 
the  base  of  the  middle  claw. 

The  species  exhiljit  many  differences  among  themselves,  especially  in  the 
size  and  shape  of  the  bill,  wiiich  liave  been  made  the  basis  of  generic  dis- 
tinctions.    They  may  be  distinguished  as  follows  :  — 

Species  and  Varieties. 

A.  No  streaks  anywhere  on  phnnago ;   base  of  tail-feathers  black  or  white. 
Se.xcs  dissimil.'u-.     (C'lii\i/son.ilr{.i.) 
a.  No  yellow  on  the  wings. 

1.  C.  tristis.  Inner  webs  rf  tail-feathers  always  wliiti.sli  torminallj 
(except  in  Jill'.).  $.  Fuioiiead  and  crown,  wings  and  tail,  deep  black; 
rest  of  plumage,  ini'li.ding  the  back,  rich  Icmon-yellow ;  tail-coverts 
white.  9.  Body  grayish  above,  dingy  whitish  beneath,  stained  witli 
yellow ;  no  black  on  head  ;  wings  and  tail  duller  black.  Juv.  Pulvous- 
umlier  above,  with  markings  of  reddi.sh-ochraccous  on  the  wings ;  be- 
neath, dilute-yellow  wa.shed  with  fulvou.s.  Hah,  Whole  of  temperate 
and  warm  North  America. 

2.  C.  psaltria.  Inner  webs  of  tail-feathers  never  whiti.sli  terminally. 
$.  Beneath  yellow,  indiKling  the  lower  tnil-coverls ;  above  lil.nck,  with 
or  without  olive-green  on  the  back.  9.  Without  any  black,  the  yellow 
duller. 


,  FRINGILLID.E  — THE  FINCHES.  47^ 

Tail  with  ir/iile  on  inner  webs;  tertiah  with  large  white  spots. 

$.  Auriciilaivs,   iiiipi-,   Ijiifk,  luul   ruini)   olivc-groon.     Hah.  Rocky 

MoiiiiUiiis  of  UiiiUnl  States \a.r.  ]i  sal  tr  ia . 

^.  Auriciilms  lilack;    iiajii',  back,  and  ruini>  grueii  cloiulod   with 

hV.wk.     Hah.  Arizona var.  arizonw. 

$.  Anriculais,  nape,  liack,  and  rump  entirely  black.     Ilah.  Mid- 
dle Anjenca .      var.  m  ex ic  a  n  a . 

Tail  without  any  white  on  inner  webs  ;  t-rtiah  luithout  white  spots. 

$.  Aurieulars,  nape,  back,  and  rump  wholly  black.     Hah.   Pan- 
ama and  New  Granada  \-m:  colnmhiana. 

h.  Terminal  half  of  outer  wcb.s  of  wiiif^-coverts  and  secondaries  yellow. 

3.  C.  lawrenoii.  Prevailing  color  ashy,  lighter  beneath.  $.  A  largo 
patch  on  the  breast,  the  rump,  and  most  of  tlu;  outer  surface  of  the 
A  ing,  yellow  ;  forehead,  crown,  Icjres,  all  round  base  of  bill,  chin,  wings 
(beneath  the  yellow),  and  tail  black.  9 .  Lacking  the  black,  and  with 
the  yellow  only  indicated.     Huh.  Calilbrniu  and  Southwestern  Arizona. 

B.   Whole  body  and  head  thickly  streaked  ;  bases  of  tail-feathers  yellow.    Sexes 
alike.     {Astragali  nu.^.) 

4.  C.  pinuB.  Aliove  brownish-gray,  Ijimeath  white,  with  conspicuous 
dusky  streaks  everywhere;  two  light  bands  on  the  wing;  bases  of 
secondaries  and  primaries  yellow.     Hah.  Whole  of  North  America. 

Three  species  of  Chryaomitris,  given  by  ^Ir.  Aiulubon,  are  to  be  erased 
from  tlie  list:  C.  ufanki/i,  C.  yarrelU,  and  C.  mctgdldiiim.  If,  as  he  states, 
he  killed  specimens  of  the  latter  in  Kentucky,  they  must  have  belonged  to 
tlie  C.  notata  of  Dubns,  a  Mexican  species,  not  since  met  with  in  our  limits. 
The  otlier  two  were  given  him  as  coming  from  Calil'ornia,  —  a  statement  we 
now  know  to  be  incorrect,  both  belonging  to  South  America. 


Chrysomitris  tristis,  Bon. 

YELLOW-BIBD;  THISTLE-BIBD. 

PringHln  tristis,  Linn,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17»>(i,  320.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  (1rii.  \,  1808,  20,  pi.  i,  f.  2. 
—  Alfn.  Orn.  l?ing.  1,  1831,  172;  V,  .510,  pi.  x\.\iii.  Cunliides  fri.'ili.i,  Hon.  Obs. 
Wils.  182.5,  No.  96.  —  Aui).  Rmls  Am.  II,  18tl,  120,  i<\.  dxxxi.  ~  Max.  V-.th.  .bmrn, 
vi,  1858,  281.  Chrnsiiiailri.i  Iri.-ilis,  BoN.  Li.st,  1838.  —  Nl'.wiir.iiuv,  Zoiil.  C,d.  &  Or. 
Route  ;  Rep.  P.  R.  R.  Sinv.  A'll,  iv,  1857,  87.  —  H.\ii!l>,  Birds  N.  Am.  It.S,  421.— 
Cooper  &  SrrKi.KV,  197.  —  t'ciopni!,  Orn.  Cal.  1,  167.  ,!str<i;ialiiii(s  tristis,  C'aiianis, 
Mus.  lli'in.  1851,  159  (type).  rtinliicHs  (imericmin,  (Edwaimis,')  Sw.  &  Rich.  V.  B.  A. 
II,  1831,  268.  Githlin  Fim-h,  Pr.NNANT.  Amirican  Onhljiiich,  KnwAKUS.  ('Ininliiu- 
ncrrt  jiniiic  ;  Chirdounrnidii  ('iinadu  :  Turin  dc  In  Xniinllr  Vorck,  BuFFO.v.  —  III.  PI. 
enl.,  pL  ccii,  f.  2,  pi.  ccxcii,  f.  1.  — Samuels,  Bird.s  N.  Eiig.  288. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  ^fale.  Bright  gamboge-yellow ;  crown,  wings,  and  tail  black.  Lessor 
wing-covert.«,  band  .across  the  end  of  greater  ones,  ends  of  secondaries  and  tertiaries,  inner 
margins  of  tail-fiNVlhers,  upper  and  inider  tail-coverts,  and  tibia  white.  Length,  .'').2o 
inches;  wing,  .'i.OO.  Fcniuli:  Yellowish-gray  abov(> ;  greenish-yellow  below.  No  black 
on  forehead.    Wing  and  tail  niuoh  as  in  the  male.     Young.  Reddish-olive  above;  fulvous- 


472 


NOUTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Ctirysomilris  tristis. 


yellow  lit'low;  two  l)roiid  Imiulti  luiross!  covi'its,  aiRl  broad  cdgus  to  last  half"  of  secondaries 
imlo  rulbus. 

IIab.     North  America  jrciu^rally. 

In  winter  tlio  yellow  is  replaced  by  a  yellowish-brown  ;  the  black  of  the 
crown  wanting,  that  of  wings  and  tail  browner.  The  tin'oat  is  generally 
yellowish;  the  under  parts  ashy-brown,  passing  behind  into  white. 

Tlicre.  are  no  (ihserval)le  dillerences  between  eastern  and  western  speci- 
mens. 

llAUiTS.      The  common  American  CJoldtinch   is   i'ound   throughont  the 

greater  portion  of  North  America,  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  Sir  .Fohn 
liichardson  met  with  it  in  the  fur  re- 
gions, where  it  is  one  of  the  tardiest  of 
the  summer  visitors,  and  whence  it  de- 
parts early  in  Se^jtcmber.  The  speci- 
men described  by  him  was  taken  June 
2'.).  At  the  extreme  South  it  is  not 
uncommon,  accoixling  to  Dresser,  around 
San  Antonio,  and  Dr.  Woodhouse  found 
it  abundant  botli  in  Te.xas  and  in  tiie 
liulian  Territory.  Dr.  Cones  did  not 
find  it  in  Arizona,  nor  does  Sumichrast 
give  it  as  a  bird  of  Vera  Cruz.  Dr.  Newberry  found  tliis  Finch  quite  com- 
mon tin'oughout  liis  route  to  the  Columl)ia,  this  sweet  songster,  he  states, 
having  been  a  constant  source  of  pleasure  iu  the  interior  both  of  California 
and  Oregon,  far  from  the  haunts  of  men,  where  everything  else  was  new  and 
strange.  l!ut  Dr.  Suckley,  tliough  he  looked  carefully  fm'  tliis  species  alxiut 
Paget  Sound,  iu  the  most  ai)i)ropi'iate  situations,  was  unaltle  to  find  any,  and 
did  not  believe  tliat  any  e.\isted  there.  Dr.  Cooj)er  states  that  it  is,  however, 
(piite  al)undant  on  the  Cohunbia  and  along  the  coast  near  its  mouth. 

The  last-named  writer  states  tliat  this  si)ecies  is  a  constant  resident  in  all 
tlie  western  parts  of  California,  but  he  met  with  none  on  the  C'olorado.  They 
become  rare  on  the  coast  at  the  Columbia,  but  farther  in.  the  interior  are 
found  as  far  north  as  latitude  49°,  Tliey  breed  as  far  sout!\  as  San  Diego, 
but  seem  to  avoid  the  hot  interior  valleys,  as  well  as  the  mountains.  Their 
favorite  resorts  are  where  thistles  and  other  composite  plants  abound,  and 
also  groves  of  willow  and  cottonwood,  up(jn  the  seeds  of  which  they  feed 
largely.  In  winter  the  seeds  of  the  buttonwood  supply  their  chief  sub- 
sistence. 

The  common  (roldfinch  was  seen  in  abundance  by  ^Ir.  I'idgway  only  in 
the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  City,  aasociatetl  witli  the  Carjmldciis  fronfalis, 
and  often  nesting  in  the  sanu;  tree.  In  tlie  interior  this  sjjecies  was  rarely 
seen,  and  only  one  specimen  was  .secured  in  the  Truckee  Valley  in  May,  and 
U'.-    noticed  afterwards.     It  was,  however,  found  breeding  iu  the  Uintah 


KIllXCILLID.E  — THE  FIN'dlES.  473 

Monnttains,  where  its  nest  tiiul  ej^'us  were  obtained.  The  nests  procured  by 
Mr.  liid<;way  were  all  lonnd  alxmL  June  (i,  e.xeejit  one,  ten  days  later,  .show- 
ing that  these  birds  are  four  or  five  weeks  earlier  in  tlieir  breeding  on  the 
Pacitic  than  on  the  Atlantie  coast.  In  the  Uintah  Mountains  they  were 
breeding,  as  at  tiie  Kast,  in  duly. 

The  tJoldllnch  is  to  a  large  extent  gregarious  and  noniadii;  in  its  habits, 
and  only  Ibr  a  short  ]K)rtion  of  the  yc^ar  do  these  Inrds  separate  into  }iairs  I'or 
the  purp(jses  of  reproduction.  During  at  least  three  iburths  of  the  yeai'  they 
associate  in  small  tlocks,  and  wander  about  in  an  irregular  and  uncertain 
manner  in  (juest  of  their  food.  They  are  resident  througiiont  l\\v  year  in 
New  England,  and  also  throughout  the  greater  portion  of  the  country,  their 
presence  or  absence  being  regulated  to  a  hirge  e.xtent  liy  the  abundance, 
scarcity,  or  ab.sence  of  their  favorite  kinds  of  food.  In  the  winter,  the  seeds 
of  the  taller  weeds  are  their  principal  means  of  subsistence.  In  tlie  sum- 
mer, the  seeds  of  the  thistle  and  other  plants  and  weeds  are  sought  out 
by  these  interesting  and  busy  gleaners.  They  are  abundant  in  gardens,  and 
as  a  general  thing  do  xuvy  little  harm,  and  a  vast  amount  of  benefit  in  the 
destruction  of  the  seeds  of  troublesome  weeds.  As,  however,  they  do  not 
always  discriminate  between  seeds  that  are  troublesome  and  those  that  are 
desirable,  the  (loldtinches  are  unwelcome  visitors  to  the  farmers  who  seek  to 
raise  their  own  seeds  of  the  lettuce,  tiirnij),  and  oilier  similar  vegetables. 
They  are  also  very  fond  of  the  seeds  of  the  sunllower. 

Owing  possibly  to  the  scarcity  of  proper  food  for  their  young  in  the  early 
summer,  the  Ooldfinclies  are  ([uite  late  before  they  mate  and  raise  their  single 
brood.  It  is  usually  jiasl  the  lUtli  of  July  l)efore  their  nests  are  constructed, 
and  often  Sejjtember  before  their  broods  are  ready  to  Hy. 

The  song  of  the  Goldfinch —  very  different  from  their  usual  plaintive  cry 
or  call-note,  uttered  as  they  are  flying  or  when  they  are  feeding  —  is  very 
sweet,  brilliant,  and  pleasing;  most  so,  indeed,  when  given  as  a  solo,  with  no 
other  of  its  kindred  within  hearing.  1  know  of  none  of  our  connnon  singers 
that  excel  it  in  either  res))ect.  Its  notes  are  higher  and  more  ilute-like,  and 
its  song  is  more  jtrolonged  than  that  of  the  rurjjle  Finch.  AVhere  large 
flocks  are  found  in  the  spring  or  early  summer,  the  males  often  Join  in  a  very 
curious  and  remarkable  concert,  in  which  the  voices  of  the  several  jjcrformers 
do  not  always  accord.  In  spite  of  (his  fretjuent  want  of  harmony,  these  con- 
certs are  varied  and  jjleasing,  now  ringing  like  the  loud  voices  of  the  Canary, 
and  now  sinking  into  a  low  soft  warble. 

During  the  warm  summer  weather  the  (lohlHnch  is  very  fond  of  bathing, 
and  the  sandy  shelving  margins  of  brooks  are  always  their  favorite  places 
of  resort  for  this  purpose.  I  do  not  think  they  ever  raise  more  than  a  single 
brood  in  a  season  in  New  England,  and  are  in  this  somewhat  irregular,  de- 
positing their  eggs  from  July  10  to  September,  as  it  may  happen. 

They  usually  select  a  small  upright  tree,  such  as  a  young  elm,  ap])le,  or 
pear,  or  a  tall  shrub,  for  their  nest,  which  they  rarely  place  higher  than  ten 


474  NORTH  A^rERTCAX  BIRDS. 

feet  from  the  grouiicl.  Tlian  the  uest  of  our  GoUlfinch  we  have  no  more  beau- 
tiful specimen  either  of  the  basket  in  sliape  or  the  felted  in  structure.  Sym- 
metrical in  form,  delicately  iind  bciuitil'uUy  woven,  and  ingeniously  anj  firmly 
fastened  around  the  forked  twigs  with  wliich  it  is  interlaced,  it  is  an  exqui- 
site example  of  architectural  beauty  and  finish.  A  beautiful  .specimen  from 
Wi.sconsin  may  be  taken  as  ty])ical.  It  measures  three  inches  in  diameter 
and  two  in  lieight.  Tiie  cavity  is  one  and  a  lialf  inches  wide  at  the  rim,  and 
tlie  deptli  is  tlie  same.  Tlie  lia.se  of  this  nest  is  a  connningling  of  soft  vege- 
table wool,  very  fine  stems  of  dried  gras.ses,  and  fine  strips  of  bark,  all  being 
in  very  fine  shreds.  The  sides,  rim,  and  general  exterior  of  the  nest  is  made 
up,  to  a  largo  extent,  of  fine  sleiuler  vegetalile  fibres,  interwrought  with 
winte  and  maroon-colored  vegetable  wool.  These  materials  are  closely  and 
densely  felted  together.  The  inner  nest  is  softly  and  thorougldy  lined  with 
a  softer  felting  niade  of  tlie  plumose  appendages  or  pappus  of  the  seeds  of 
composite  plants. 

The  eggs,  usually  five,  rarely  six  in  number,  are  of  a  uniform  bluish-white, 
sharply  pointed  at  one  and  roimded  at  tlie  other  end.  They  measure  from 
.65  to  .67  of  an  inch  in  length  and  from  .50  to  .55  in  breadth.  Dr.  Cooper 
gives  their  measurement  as  .00  by  .50 ;  but  of  tlie  contents  of  seven  nests 
before  me  not  an  egg  is  less  than  .Go  in  length,  and  but  one  so  small  as  .50 
in  breadth. 

A  nest  of  this  Finch,  built  in  a  young  elm-tree  in  Hingham,  eight  feet  from 
the  ground,  was  begun  July  27,  finished  and  the  first  egg  laid  August  1.  By 
the  4tli  five  eggs  had  been  deposited,  and  on  the  16th  they  had  all  been 
hatched. 

Chrysomitris  psaltria,  var.  psaltria,  Boxap. 

BOCKT  M OUKTAIK  GOIDFINCH ;  ABKANSA8  GOLDFINCH. 

Frinriilla pmUriii,  Say,  Long's  Exped.  K.  Mts.  II,  1823,  40.  — Aud.  Oiii.  Riog.  V,  1839, 
85,  pi.  cco.xciv.  Friiiijilla  {Cdrdiieli.i)  jtsdilria,  Bon.  Am.  Orn.  I,  1825,  54,  pi.  vi,  f.  3. 
Carduelispsnltrui,  Aun.  Syii.  1839,  117. —  In.  Binls  Am.  Ill,  1841,  134,  pi.  clxxxiii. 
Chrysomitris psdllria,  Br.  list,  1838.  —  In.  f'on.sp.  1850,  51(5.  —  OAMnia,,  .Tour.  A.  N. 
S.  2il  scries  1,  1847,  52  (female).  —  Baiku,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  422.  —  Uoopeu,  Orn. 
Cal.  I,  168. 

Sp.  Char.  Male.  Tipper  pnrt.<!  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  olive-fjroen.  Hood,  but 
not  side.s  ol"  head  below  eyes,  lores  (or  aurieulars?),  upjjer  tail-covert.s,  winps,  and  tail  black. 
Beneath  liriglit  yellow.  A  band  across  the  tips  of  the  greater  coverts,  the  ends  of  nearly 
all  the  ((nills,  the  onter  edees  of  the  tertiaries,  the  extreme  liases  of  all  the  primaries  ex- 
cept the  outer  two,  and  a  long  rectanffular  patch  on  the  imier  webs  of  the  outer  thi'ce 
tail-feathers  near  the  middle,  white.  Female  with  the  upper  parts  {generally,  and  the  sifles 
olive-jfreen  ;  the  winars  and  tail  brown,  their  white  marks  as  in  the  male.  Length,  4.25  ; 
wing,  2.40  ;  tail,  I.S.").      Yointcj  llkt,'  the  female,  In  i  wing-bands  more  fulvous. 

Had.  Southern  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  coast  of  California;  north  to  Salt  Lake  City 
(.Tune  10;  Rinr.wAv),  and  Siskiyou  Co.,  Cal.  (Vuii.i.k)  ;  south  to  Souora  (Arispe,  Feb. 
2G ;  E.  S.  Wakkkiki.d). 


FRIXGILLID.E  — TUIi  FINCHES.  475 

With  ([uite  a  siimll  series  of  sjieciiuens,  u  jiert'ect  tninsitinii  can  be  shown 
from  the  typical  C.  jisdltrlo,  as  abuvu  deserili'd,  tn  tlie  C  ivlntnbianus,  the 
opposite  extreme  (see  tahle,  jiage  471).  Tiie  I'urmer  is  tlie  must  northern, 
the  hitter  tlie  most  southern  I'orm  ;  ctrizomr  and  mc.iicdnii,  intermediate 
in  haliitat,  are  also  as  ,strikinj,dy  so  in  ]ilumaj,'e.  The  dill'erence  is  in  liie 
quantitji  of  the  black,  this  color  i»redominating  over  the  olive  of  the  back 
and  the  white  of  winj,'s  and  tail,  in  projwrtion  as  we  go  southward.  There 
cannot,  upon  the  whole,  be  any  doubt  that  they  are  all  specifically  the  same. 
The  females  can  .scarcely  be  distinguished. 

Haiuts.  The  Arkansas  Finch  was  lirst  discovered  in  Long's  expedition  to 
the  Uocky  ^lountains,  and  described  by  Say  in  1823.  It  has  since  been  met 
with  in  New  Mexico  and  in  various  jjarts  of  California.  Dr.  Cooper  did  not 
find  this  species  in  the  Colorado  Valley,  although  Dr.  Kennerly  met  with 
it  along  Williams  Fork,  in  New  Mexico.  Dr.  Woodhouse  did  not  see  it  in 
his  route  to  the  Zuni  I'iver,  either  in  New  Mexico  or  the  Indian  Territory. 

Dr.  Kennerly  met  with  these  birds  in  the  monlii  of  Feltruary.  He  found 
them  very  abundant  all  along  the  banks  of  the  Iiill  Williams  Fork.  They 
were  feeding  on  the  young  I)uds  of  the  cottonwood  trees.  A  that  season 
they  were  in  small  Hocks,  and  the  only  note  he  heard  from  them  was  a  short 
chirp,  as  they  hojijied  from  twig  to  twig,  or  flew  from  one  tree  to  another. 

Dr.  Ileermann  states  that  he  found  these  Finches  abundant  in  the  northern 
mining  regions  of  California,  freciu'.-nting  and  feeding  in  the  same  localities 
with  the  C.  latvrcncii,  and  often  associated  with  the  Pine  Finch.  He  adds 
that,  wliile  thus  associated,  he  shot  a  large  number  of  both  si)ecies.  They 
seemed  to  be  emi)loyed,  at  the  time,  in  ])icking  out  the  tine  gravel  mixed  in 
the  nnul  used  as  mortar  for  a  chimney,  flying  away  at  each  discharge  of  the 
gun,  but  returning,  in  a  few  minutes,  to  the  same  jilace. 

Mr.  Audubon  regarded  this  species  as  accidental  in  Louisiana,  having 
procured  individuals  a  few  miles  from  IJayou  Sara. 

The  Arkan,sas  Goldfinch  was  found  by  Mr.  IJidgway  among  the  Walisatch 
Mountains,  his  attention  being  at  once  drawn  to  it  by  its  curious  not<!s.  He 
first  met  with  it  in  "  (!ity-Creek  Canon,"  near  Salt  Lake  City,  where  indi- 
viduals of  it  were  fre([uently  found  mixed  in  with  flocks  of  C.  j>ini(s.  The 
note  of  this  bird  is  remarkable  for  its  power  and  very  sad  tone.  The  ordi- 
nary note  is  a  plaintive,  mellow,  whistling  call,  imjiossible  to  describe,  and 
.so  inflected  as  to  produce  a  very  mournful  efl'ect.  When  the  bird  take.s  to 
flight,  it  is  changed  to  a  simple  cheer,  similar  to  the  anxious  notes  of  the  male 
Agelaiiis  plweniccvs,  uttered  when  its  nest  is  disturbed.  This  species  was 
quite  rare,  not  being  so  common  as  either  C.  pinus  or  C.  tristis.  Its  nest 
was  found  in  Parley's  Park,  Wahsatch  Mountains,  June  22,  in  the  top  of  a 
willow-bush  near  a  stream. 

At  San  Diego,  and  along  the  whole  coast  border  of  California,  Dr.  Cooper 
thinks  that  this  Finch  is  rather  rare.  In  the  interior  valleys  they  seem  to 
be  quite  common.     They  also  breed  in  small  numbers  in  the  Coast  Kange, 


476  NORTH  AMEUICAN  lilUDS. 

near  Hiinta  Cruz.  Uv  states  tliat  their  lialiits  are  very  similar  to  tliose  of  the 
C.  friiiti/i,  though  tliey  I'eed  iimre  on  the  j^roiuul,  and  more  upon  weeds  tlian 
on  trees,  and  are  even  more  j^rcjiarious,  rcmaininj;  associated  in  iloeks  uj)  to 
the  first  of  .Mine.  Their  song  greatly  resembles  tiiat  of  the  common  (Jold- 
fincli,  hut  is  much  fainter. 

Dr.  Coo]ier  never  mot  with  their  nest,  nor  has  ho  received  any  description 
of  it.  Mr.  Xantus  found  one,  containing  four  eggs,  on  the  branch  of  an 
Obionc,  alumt  ten  feet  from  tiio  ground.  This  was  at  Fort  T«!Jon,  the  first  of 
]May.  Dr.  Canfield  has  also  found  their  nests,  in  considerable  numbers,  near 
Monterey.  They  are  built  in  the  forks  of  trees,  in  the  same  manner  with 
the  trLsti.i,  are  structures  of  remarkable  beauty,  and  evince  great  skill  in  the 
architects.  They  contain  usually  four  or  five  eggs.  Except  in  size,  their 
eggs  greatly  resemble  those  of  the  C.  trLsds,  being  of  a  uniform  greenish- 
white,  unspotted,  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  sharply  pointed  at  one  end.  They 
measure  .Ut)  by  .5U  of  an  inch. 


Chrysomitris  psaltria,  var.  arizonss,  Coues. 

ARIZONA  GOLDFINCH. 

Chrysomitris  mexkana,  var.  arizonw,  Cun:s,  P.  A.  N.  S.  180(5. — Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  170. 

Sp.  Chad.  (  $  .'i7,0!)'2.  Fort  Wingate,  Arizona,  June  28,  ISGl.)  Above,  inoliKlinp:  aiiriou- 
Inrs,  glossy  Miu-k,  willi  ii  faint  l)lnisli  rcllcction ;  ']a|)(',  1),  k,  and  niiiii)  mni'li  mixed  with 
olive-green,  this  rather  predominating;  larger  cov  'rts  bro.idly  tipped  with  grayish-wliito; 
tertials,  with  almost  the  entire  exi)osed  portion  of  the  outer  webs,  white;  a  pateh  on 
base  of  primaries,  and  the  inner  webs  of  the  tail-fealhi'rs,  except  the  ends,  white.  Be- 
neath entirely  lemon-yellow.     Wing,  2.")0 ;  tail,  1.70;  culmen,  .3.") ;  tarsus,  .oO. 

IIah.  Southern  boundary  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexieo,  extending  southward  into 
Mexico,  and  gradually  changing  into  mcxicuua,  and  northward  mlo  psuHria. 

The  specimen  described  above  is  from  a  series  collected  in  Arizona  by  Dr. 
Coues :  these  examples  vary  in  the  relative  amount  of  black  and  olive  on 
the  back,  some  having  one,  and  others  the  other  color  predominating ;  the 
type  selected  is  one  which  represents  about  the  average  plumage  of  this 
species  from  Arizona. 

Hadits.  Dr.  Coues  found  these  birds  abundant  summer  residents  of  Ari- 
zona, where  they  are  .said  to  arrive  the  last  of  April  and  to  remain  until  the 
middle  of  Sei)tembcr.  In  August  the  males  are  .stated  to  assume  the  dull 
plumage  of  the  females.  In  autumn  they  become  decidedly  gregarious,  and 
feed  almost  exclusively  upon  buds  and  seeds.  He  thinks  tiu;y  are  not  so 
numerous  in  the  southern  portions  of  the  Territory.  In  a  letter  received 
from  him  he  remarks  :  — 

"  This  bird  was  found  to  be  common  in  New  Mexico  near  Fort  Wingate, 
at  the  eastern  ba.se  of  the  main  chain  of  moiuitains.  I  first  observed  it  on  the 
28tli  of  June,  when  I  found  tj^uite  a  number  together,  and  secured  several 


FIUN(iILI,lI).K-TllK  FINCIIEH.  477 

specimens.  Tliey  wiuo  in  sniiill  ti'Of)ps  on  a  nigj^ed  hillside  covered  with  a 
sparse  yrowtli  of  jiiniiiers  iiiid  sUiuted  pines,  Iccilinj,'  in  company  with  the 
I'ouapixa  hiliiiiiitn.  AwV^wv^  from  their  actions,  and  from  the  fact  that  none 
but  males  were  taken,  1  presume  they  were  hrecaliiij;'  in  the  vicinity.  I  found 
.some  dilHculty  in  .securini,'  specimens,  partly  owinij;  to  the  broken  nature  of 
the  locality,  and  partly  to  ihi!  birds'  timidity  in  the  unaccustomed  presence 
of  man.  Those  that  were  shctt  were  all  found  to  have  the  iusophaj^ns  as  well 
as  the  gizzard  crammed  with  .seeds.  They  constantly  uttered  a  ]ilaintivo 
lisping  whistle  as  they  gathered  food,  or  as  they  Hew  from  one  tri'c  to  anotlicr, 
but  their  song  did  not  strike  my  ear  as  precisely  the  same  as  that  of  the 
Goldfinch.  These  specimens  were  idl  in  what  1  take  to  lu;  perfect  phunage, 
although  the  back  was  mi.xed  with  olive  and  black  in  nearly  e([nal  jnojior- 
tioiis,  and  the  black  of  the  pilcum  did  not  reach  below  the  eyes  to  cit  oil" 
the  yellow  under  eyelid  from  the  other  yellowish  parts  of  the  head  ;  thus 
closely  resembling  true  2>snltriti. 

"  Upon  my  arrival  at  Fort  Whipide  in  July,  I  found  birds  of  this  type 
abundant,  and  took  a  good  many  during  the  two  following  months,  wIkmi 
they  disappeared,  and  I  saw  none  until  about  the  iirst  of  May.  A  small 
ravine  close  by  the  fort,  choked  with  a  rank  growth  of  weeds,  was  a  favorite 
resort;  there  the  birds  coidd  be  found  at  nearly  all  times  in  .season,  in  large 
troops,  feeding  in  company  with  Chijjping  Sj)arrows,  and  the  S^ii'-d/u  alrii/n- 
laris.  They  were  very  tame  during  the  latter  part  of  the  summer,  would 
only  rise  when  very  olosely  approached,  when  they  flew  in  a  hesitating  man- 
ner a  short  distance,  and  then  i)itched  down  again  among  the  weeds  to 
resume  their  bu.sy  search  for  food.  In  their  undulating  flight  they  utter 
their  peculiar  note,  generally  with  each  impulse  of  the  wings,  and  keep  up 
a  continual  chirping  when  feeding  ;  but  1  did  not  hear  their  true  song  at  this 
season.  Some  of  the  specimens  taken  were  very  young  birds,  and  the  spe- 
cies unciuestiouably  breeds  here,  although  I  never  succeeded  in  lindiny  a 
nest. 

"I  .should  not  omit  to  add,  that  whilst  at  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  I  saw 
caged  birds  tliat  were  thri\ing  well,  and  apparently  reconciled  to  confine- 
ment." 

A  nest  of  this  bird,  obtained  near  Camp  Grant,  Arizona,  by  Dr.  Palmer,  is 
a  flat  and  shallow  structure,  having  a  diameter  of  three  inches,  and  a  height 
of  one  and  a  (piarter.  The  cavity  is  only  a  slight  de))ression.  Tliis  nest  is 
made  of  a  felting  of  various  materials,  chiefly  the  cotton-like  down  of  the 
cottonwood-tree  and  other  soft  vegetable  matter,  fine  stems  of  grasses,  frag- 
ments of  mosses,  and  various  other  similar  materials,  lined  with  liner  mate- 
rials of  the  same.  Except  in  their  slightly  smaller  size,  the  eggs  are  not 
distinguisliably  dilTereut  from  the  preceding. 


478  Nl>RTII  AMKIUOAN  HIHDS. 

Chrysomitris  psaltria,  Mir.  mexicana,  Bonap. 

BLACK  OOLDFIHOH;  MEXICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

Canluelis  mcxicanits,  Swmss.  Syn.  Ilinls  Mcx.  I'liil.  Miij;.  1.H'27,  4;ir..  —  Waoi.kh,  IhIs, 
1831,  fi'ij.  ChriimimilriD  mciiniiiHn,  111',  (.'uiis]).  Av.  ISSO,  51(1  (iiuotrs  Ai'U.  tab, 
427).  —  Daiud,  liirds  N.  Am.  l»."i»,  i'i'i,  pi.  liv,  f.  1.  AsliuKjaliniis  mcxiaiiiiis,  (.'ah. 
Mu8.  Ilfiii.  ISSl,  Kiy.  —  111.  .louni.  I'iir  Orii.  1801,  7  iwitli  syiioiiyiny).  —  C'oukh, 
r.  A.  N.  S.  18(>(!,  8'J.  Fi-iiiiiilhi  infill iiiLiiiiithd  (Licirr.l,  \Vaiii.i;i!,  Isis,  1831,  r)25. 
?  FiiiiiiiUit  ciiliiliil,  (i.M.  Syst.  Nut.  I,  1788,  1114.  Fiiiiijil/n  liMii.iin,  (iiiiAru,  l(i  Sp. 
lUnLs  Ti'.x.   1841,  pi.  v.  (.  1  (yives  wliitu  ln-lly).  —  Cooi-iiit,  Orn.  C'al.  1,  KiS). 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Upper  parts  t:oiitiiiniinsly  iiiiil  t'liliivly  Mack  ;  llic  R'allicrs  of  tlic  rump  white 
suliteriniiiaily,  ami  showing  this  tliiDiiijli  thelilack;  ii  I'uw  of  the  leatlR-rt  with  frreeiiish- 
yellow  betwi'fii  the  whitu  and  the  black  ;  a  I'uw,  peiiiapfi,  without  black  tips.  The  bases  of 
the  tliinl  to  seventh  primaries,  ami  the  ends  of  the  tertiaries  externally  while.  The  tail  is 
black,  c.xceiit  the  outer  tiiree  I'eatner.s,  in  which  the  outer  webs  ami  tiiis  only  are  this  color; 
the  rest  while.  Insiile  of  winu;  lilaek.  Under  parts  of  body  pale  yellow.  Female  with 
the  black  of  the  head  and  body  replaced  by  olive-green.  Length,  4.12  inches;  wing,  2.25; 
tail,  2.00. 

Had.  Mexican  side  of  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  southward  ;  Oaxaca,  .luue  (ScL. 
1858,  302) ;  Cordova  (ricL.  1850,  3t>;j) ;  (iuateniala  (Scu  Ibis  1,  It)) ;  Costa  liica  (Cab. 
J,  18G1,  7);  Panama  (Lawr.  N.  Y.  Lye.  18C1,  331 ;  winter). 

Habits.  Tlie  Mexican  Goldfinch  is  distributed  from  the  western  side 
of  the  Ivio  (Jrando,  through  Mexico  and  Central  America,  to  Panama. 
Suniicln-ast  mentions  it  as  i'ound  throughout  tlie  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  but 
most  abundant  in  the  temperate  region.  It  breeds  in  the  vicinity  of 
Orizaba.  It  was  taken  in  Central  America,  by  Mr.  Skinner,  and  has  been 
re])orted  from  Costa  Iiica,  and  from  Panama  in  tlie  winter.  Of  its  distinc- 
tive peculiarities  we  have  no  information,  but  they  probably  do  not  differ 
from  those  of  the  other  forms  of  C.  psaltria. 

Chrysomitris  lawrenoii,  Bonap. 

LAWRENCE'S  GOLDFINCH. 

Carduclis  lawrcncii,  Oassin,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  V,  Oct.  1850,  105,  pi.  v  (California).  Chrysomi- 
tris laurciicii,  Bo.v.  Coiiiptcs  Ucndus,  Dec.  1853,  913.  —  Baihd,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858, 
424.  —  HicKKM.  X,  S,  50  (nest).  —  Elliot,  lllust.  Am.  B.  I,  pi.  viii.  —  Cooper,  Orn. 
Cal.  I,  171. 

Sp.  Char,  Male.  Hood,  sides  of  head  anterior  to  the  middle  of  the  eye,  chin,  and 
upper  part  of  throat,  black.  Sides  of  head,  neck,  and  body,  upper  part  of  neck  and  the 
back,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  ash-color.  Hump  and  lesser  wing-coverts  yellowish-gn.-en. 
Throat  below  th(!  black,  breast,  and  outer  edges  of  all  the  quills  (except  the  first  primary, 
and  passing  into  white  behind),  hright  greenish-yellow.  Wings  black.  Tail-feathers 
black,  with  a  whit(!  srpiaro  patch  on  the  inner  web,  near  the  end ;  outer  edges  grayish ; 
quills  black.  Female  similar,  with  the  black  of  the  head  replaced  by  ash.  Length,  .iboiit 
4.70;  wing,  2.75;  tail,  2.30.  Young  like  the  female,  but  wing-bands  pale  f'  Ivous,  in- 
stead of  yellow. 

Had.     Coast  of  California;  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona  (Cooes,  P.  A.  N.  S.  18GC,  83). 


FIMNT.ILLID.K  — THK  FINCHES.  471) 

Habits.  Tliis  s]«>cii's,  now  known  to  1m>  so  common  tlironghunt  tlio  <^i('iitt'r 
portion  of  Ciiliroiiiiii,  wii.s  first  dcsc  rilmd  liy  Mr.  Ciissin  in  IS'iO.  Dr.  Ilccr- 
n)cinn  iii'terwiirds  i'ountl  Ihcni  very  iiltundiint  tliroiighout  tlio  nortliorn  mining 
regions  of  Ciiliforniii,  I'roijnonting  the  hillsides  covered  with  brnsh,  the  scieds 
and  Imd;)  oi"  which  thoy  eiit  with  great  avidity.  Later  in  the  Hea.son  he  t'oniid 
them  at  San  Diego,  in  quest  of  grass-seeds  on  the  level  plains.  They  were 
in  large  Hocks,  and  ,so  closely  [tacked  that  he  shot  thirteen  at  one  discharge. 
Their  nests,  he  states,  are  Imilt  in  the  fork  of  a  bush  or  stunted  oak,  and  are 
composed  of  line  grasses,  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  They  contain  four  or 
five  pure  white  eggs. 

Mr.  L'idgway  only  met  with  this  Goldfinch  near  the  foot  of  the  western 
slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

Dr.  Cooper  met  with  a  few  of  this  species  at  Fort  Mohave,  on  the  Colorado, 
but  found  them  more  nuua'rous  near  tiie  coast  as  i'lir  latrth  as  San  Francisco, 
at  least,  and  also  in  the  more  northern  mining  regions,  lie  lias  seen  them 
about  .San  Francisco  in  December,  and  has  no  doubt  that  they  remain  all  the 
winter  throughout  the  lower  country.  They  seem  to  avoid  the  mountainous 
regions,  and  have  not  been  met  with  in  Oregon. 

Their  habits  and  their  song  are,  in  general  respects,  similar  to  those  of  the 
Goldfinch  (C.  tri.sfis),  but  tlieir  voice  is  much  weaker,  and  is  higher  in  its 
pitch.  Their  nests,  Dr.  Cooper  thinks,  are  placed,  in  jtreierence,  on  the  live- 
oaks  ;  at  least,  he  has  never  met  with  them  in  any  other  situation.  They  are 
built  very  much  in  the  style  of  tho.se  of  the  Goldfinch,  but  are  much  smaller, 
the  cavity  measuring  only  an  incli  in  depth  and  one  and  a  half  in  breadth. 
TJie  eggs  he  describes  as  four  or  five  in  number,  ])ure  white,  and  measuring 
.80  by  .40  of  an  inch.  He  adds  tluit  they  sometimes  feed  on  the  ground,  on 
grass-seeils,  as  well  as  on  buds  and  seeds  of  various  weeds  and  trees.  They 
were  regarded  by  him  as  more  of  a  .sylvan  species  than  the  Goldfinch,  and 
not  so  fond  of  willows  and  other  trees  growing  along  streams  and  in  ^vet 
places.  In  the  Colorado  Valley  they  feed  on  the  seeds  of  the  artemisia.  He 
did  not  notice  any  there  after  the  middle  of  April.  Kggs,  in  my  own  cabi- 
net, from  Monterey,  identified  by  Dr.  Canfield,  are  of  a  uniform  greenish- 
white,  exactly  similar  to  those  of  C.  psaKria  and  trinfis,  and  measure  only 
.58  by  .45  of  an  inch,  or  less  in  length  by  .22  than  as  given  l)y  Dr.  Cooper. 

Three  nests  of  this  species  obtained  at  Mftntcrey,  Cal.,  by  Dr.  Canfield,  all 
exhibit  more  or  less  variations  as  to  material  and  style  of  make.  They  are 
all  more  or  less  felted,  and  beautifully  wrought,  fully  equal  in  artistic  skill  to 
the  nests  of  the  Goldfinch.  They  are  about  one  and  a  half  inches  in  height 
and  three  in  diameter,  and  tlie  cavity  is  an  inch  in  depth  and  one  and  three 
quarters  in  diameter.  Tiie  walls  of  the.se  nests  are  soft,  warm,  and  thick, 
composed  of  wool,  both  vegetable  and  animal,  fine  stems  of  grasses,  down, 
feathers,  and  other  materials,  all  closely  matted  together,  and  lined  with 
the  long  hair  of  the  larger  animals.  One  of  these  nests  is  madci  up  entirely 
of  the  finer  grasses,  strongly  matted  together. 


480 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Chrysomitris  pinus,  Woy.w. 

FINE  GOLDFINCH. 

Fringilla  pinii/t,  Wii.son',  Am.  Oiii.  II,  1810,  133,  pi.  xvii,  f.  1.  — Aun.  Orn.  Rioj».  11, 
1834,  45")  ;  V,  r>0!»,  pi.  rl.\.\.\.  ViimjiUa  (ViinUtdis)  pimi.i,  Hon.  Obs.  Wil.s.  182'), 
No.  103.  Liiinrid piiiiis,  AliD.  Synopsis,  1839,115.  —  III.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  125, 
pi.  t'lx.x.x.  Clirijmiiiitris  jriniis,  Uon.M'.  C'oiisp.  1850,  515.  —  Baikd,  Hirils  N.  Am. 
1858,  425.  —  CooPEU  &  Sccki.ky,  1!»7.  —  CooPKit,  Orn.  Ciil.  I,  172.  —  S.\mi'ki,.s,  290. 
.'.'  Oifi/.iiiiiu'/ri.i  mticmplcni,  Di:ULs,  Esij.  Orn.  tab.  23  (Mexico). —  Ijr.  ConsiM.'ctus, 
1850,  515. 

Sp.  Cii.vr.    Tail  deeply  forkoil.     Above  browni.sh-olive.    Beneath  whitish,  every  feather 

streaked  distinctly  with  dusky.  Conceal'j ! 
bases  of  tail-feathers  anil  quills,  together  with 
tiieir  inner  edges,  sidphur-yellow.  Outer 
edges  ot  ([uills  and  tail-feathers  yellowisii- 
green.  Two  brownisli-wiiito  bands  on  the 
wing.  Length,  4.75 ;  wing,  3.00 ;  tail,  2.20. 
Sexes  alike.  Younrj  similar,  but  the  white 
below  tinged  with  yellow,  the  npper  parts 
with  reddish-brown,  and  there  are  two  pale 
oehrac.'eous  band.s  on  the  wing. 
Chrysomitris  pinus.  IIaii.    North    America   from  Atlantic  to 

Piicific;  Vera  Cruz,  plateau  and  alpine  region  (Simiciiu.vst,  I,  .juO). 

Specimens  from  all  parts  of  North  America  appear  to  be  the  same,  but 
there  is  a  ijreat  deal  of  variation  among  individuals.  No.  10,225  ,y,Fort 
Tejon,  California,  and  51,036,  Colorado  Territory,  are  almost  entirely  white 
beneath,  the  streaks  being  hardly  observable.  32,705,  Mexico,  and  9,524, 
"NVasliington  Territcny,  are  nnstreaked  medially.  No.  11,090,  Fort  Bridger, 
has  the  streaks  on  the  sides  nnusually  broad,  and  very  black. 

In  autumn  and  winter  a  reddisli-brown  tinge  overspreads  the  upper  parts. 

Hahits.  Though  classed  with  the  Goldfinches  of  this  country,  the  Pine 
Finch,  in  many  respects  more  nearly  resembles,  in  its  habits  and  nidification, 
the  Carpo(h(ci.  It  is  found  throughout  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific.  In  the  winter  it  extends  its  irregular  migrations  into  the  Cen- 
tral States,  as  f\ir  as  Northern  California  on  the  Pacific,  and  Southern  Penn- 
sylvania on  the  Atlantic.  It  breeds  throughout  tlie  Pritiah  Provinces, 
Northern  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  New  Yorlc,  Michigan,  and 
thence  to  Washington  Territory,  in  all  the  evergreen  forests. 

At  Calais,  Me.,  it  is  resident  throughout  the  year,  and  breeds  there,  but  is 
much  more  common  in  the  winter  than  in  the  summer.  In  Western  Maine, 
Professor  Verrill  observed  it  very  common,  both  in  the  s])ring  and  in  the 
fall,  but  never  found  it  breeding.  He  found  it  very  abundant  about  the 
Umbagog  lakes  in  Jidy,  where  it  was  evidently  breeding.  It  breeds  also 
abundantly  among  tlie  White  Mountain.s. 

Mr.  liidgway  first  saw  the  I'ine  Finch  on  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains, 


FUINGILLIU.K- THE  FINCHES.  4^j 

wl.oro,  through  July  au.l  August,  it  M-as  .luite  (•..nnn.-n,  mul  where  un.loul.t- 
edly  It  breeds,  as  a  young  bird  unable  to  fly  was  obtaine.l.  On  the  Wahsatch 
Mountains  it  was  a  very  iibundaiit  si)ecies,  inhabiting  the  pines  as  well  as  the 
groves  of  aspens  in  the  alpine  regions.  Is  is  gregarious  at  all  times  Hyin-^ 
111  roving,  sereeehiug  tloeks.  The  notes  it  utters  on  all  occasions  re!scnible 
a  very  peculiar  pr<.nunciation  of  sirc-cr,  given  in  a  very  sharj.  tone  \\'hoii 
the  flock  sud.leniy  takes  to  flight,  tliis  is  clianged  to  a  more  rattlin.r  outcry 
A  nest,  containing  no  eggs,  was  found  in  an  aspen-tree;  and  another  con- 
taining one  egg,  similar  to  those  described  elsewhere,  was  found  in  a  fir-tree 
(Abirs)  situated  near  the  extremity  of  a  horizontal  branch  about  twenty  feet 
from  the  ground. 

The  I'iiio  Finch  is  also  a  very  common  and  resident  l)ird  in  the  ])lateau 
of  Mexico  and  in  the  alpine  regions  of  the  State  of  \'era  Cruz.  Its  common 
name  there  is  Dominif/ul/o  montcro.  In  the  alpine  regions  Sumichrast  states 
tiiat  It  IS  found  to  the  height  of  six  thousand  five  hundred  feet,  and  does  not 
to  his  knowledge,  descend  below  three  thousand  feet.  It  most  esi.eciallv 
frequents  the  i)lateau. 

Cai)tain  Blakiston  met  with  this,  species  on  tlie  plains  .if  the  Saskatche- 
wan, near  the  I{ocky  Mountains,  August  (J,  l.Sr.8. 

In  the  eastern   i)ortion  of  .Massachusetts  it  is  somcwliat  irregular  in  its 
movements  and  apj.earance,  which  are  sui.]iosed  to  be  affected  by  the  abun- 
dance or  scarcity  of  its  food  elsewhere.     Here  it  feeds  chiefly  on  seeds  of 
grasses  and  weeds,  probably  only  after  the  seeds  of  the  hemlock  and  other 
forest  trees  have  failed  it.      They  arc  usually  most  aliundant  h.te  in  the 
season  and  after  heavy  falls  of  snow  farther  north  have  diminished  their 
means  of  subsistence.     .Air.  Maynard  found  it  very  numerous  in  the  winter 
of  1859-00,  remaining  until  quite  late  in  the  season,  and  again  in  the  win- 
ter of  18G8-tiU,  remaining  until  the  last  week  in  .May.     In  \Vestern  iAIas- 
sachusetts,  according  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  is  a  regular  winter  visitant,  but  never 
abundant.    It  arrives  early  in  October,  and  may  b.;  seen  in  small  flocks  from 
that  time  to  the  third  week  in  .Alay.     It  sometimes  freiiuents  the  apple- 
orchards,  where  it  feeds  on  the  Aphiiks.     According  to  Dr.  Coues,  this  si)e- 
cies  occasionally  strays  as  far  to  the  south  as  the  Carolinas,  but' it  is  not 
common  there. 

Wilson  observed  these  birds  near  Philadelphia,  where  they  were  feeding  on 
the  seeds  of  the  abler.  Later  in  the  season  they  collecteil  in  larger  flocks 
and  took  lip  their  abode  among  the  pine  woods.  In  one  particular  locality, 
he  states,  a  flock  of  two  or  three  hundred  of  these  birds  regularly  wintered,  for 
many  years  in  succession,  where  noble  avenues  of  ],ines  furnished  them  with 
ai)undant  food  throughout  the  season.  Early  in  Alarch  they  all  disappeared. 
While  there,  they  were  so  tame  as  to  allow  a  person  to  approach  within  a 
few  yards.  They  fluttered  among  the  branches,  frequently  hanging  from  the 
cones,  at  the  same  time  uttering  notes  cdosely  resembling  those  of  the  (Jold- 
fiuch. 

ei 


482  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

In  severe  winters  Mr.  Audubon  lias  met  witli  the  Pine  Fincli  as  far  south 
as  Henderson,  Ky.,  and  Charleston,  S.  ('.,  but  such  visits  were  always  briel'. 
In  August,  l8iH2,  he  met  with  Hocks  of  these  birds  in  Lilmulor.  They  were 
in  company  with  the  Crossbill,  and  were  feeding  on  the  seeds  of  the  lir-trees, 
and  also  on  those  of  the  thistle.  AV'hen  at  the  Magdalen  Islands  he  frequently 
saw  Hocks  moving  from  various  directions.  At  Ihas  d'Or,  towards  the  end  of 
July,  they  were  in  great  numbers,  and  the  old  birds  were  acconijianied  by 
their  young.  They  fretjuented  thickets  of  willows  and  elders  in  the  vicinity 
of  water,  and  were  very  fearless  and  gentle.  According  to  his  account  they 
sing  while  on  the  wing,  and  their  notes  are  sweet,  varied,  clear,  and  mellow, 
and,  while  somewhat  resembling  the  song  of  the  C.  tridis,  are  perfectly  dis- 
tinct from  it.  Its  Hight  is  exactly  similar,  both  gliding  through  the  air  in 
graceful  and  deep  curves. 

In  Washington  Territory  Dr.  Cooper  I'ound  this  Finch  an  abundant  and 
constant  resident,  migrating  to  the  coast  in  winter,  where  it  feeds  on  the  seeds 
of  the  alder.  In  Si:!:;iuer  they  were  gregarious,  even  when  occupied  with 
their  nesls  and  young.  He  has  never  met  with  any  in  Calif(irni.%  not  oven 
in  the  Sierra  Nevada,  though  they  iiave  been  found  by  others  along  its 
whole  western  slope,  as  far  south  as  Fort  Tejon.  They  feed  on  the  seeds 
of  both  coniferous  and  detiiduous  trees. 

Early  in  May,  IHoil,  a  i)air  of  these  birds  built  their  nest  in  the  garden  of 
Professor  Benjamin  Peirce,  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  near  the  colleges.  It  was 
found  on  the  9th  by  Mr.  Frederick  Ware,  and  already  contained  its  full 
complenuiit  of  four  eggs,  iiartly  incubated.  This  nest  was  three  inches 
in  height  and  four  in  diameter.  The  depth  of  the  cavity,  as  well  as  its 
diameter  at  the  rim,  was  two  inches.  The  base  of  this  nest  was  a  mass 
of  loose  materials,  and  the  lower  jtortions  of  the  sides  were  hardly  differ- 
ent. The  upper  and  the  inner  portions  of  this  fabric  were  much  more  com- 
pactly and  neatly  woven,  or  rather  felted  together.  The  outer  layers  con- 
sisted of  small  twigs  of  the  Thuja,  dried  stems  and  ends  of  pine  twigs, 
grasses,  sedges,  stalks  of  small  vegetables,  fine  roots,  bits  of  wool,  and  coarse 
hair.  The  whole  was  very  closely  lined  with  fine  dry  roots  of  herbaceous 
plants  and  the  hair  of  small  quadru)»eds. 

The  eggs  are  of  an  oblong-oval  sliai)e,of  a  light  gr<:>en  grouu'. -color, spotted, 
chiefly  at  the  larger  end,  with  markings  of  a  light  rusty-brown.  They  meas- 
ure .71  by  .50  of  an  inch.  They  have  a  marked  resenil)lance  to  the  eggs  of 
the  Linarice,  but  the  grounil-color  is  of  a  slightly  lighter  shade. 

A  nest  of  this  s])ecies,  found  May  1"),  1868,  at  Hrunich,  Canada,  was  com- 
jjosed  almost  entirely  of  pine  twigs  interlaced  in  a  very  neat  and  artistic 
niannei'.  Its  diameter  was  three  and  a  half  inches,  and  its  heigh.t  two  inches. 
It  was  line<l  with  hair.  The  cavity  was  one  and  a  half  inches  deep  and  two 
inches  wide. 


KlilNOILLID.E    -  TllK  laNCllES. 


483 


GlONL-S    LOXIA,     LlNX.KUS. 


L<ma,  LlNN^:us,  Syst.  Nat.  f.l.  Id,  75S.     (Tvi.e,  Loria  e.nreiroslra,  L.) 
VuroiroKtra,  ".Scui'.ii.i,  1777."     (Type,  L.  circiro.ttra.) 

Gen.  Char.  Man.lil.hvs  ,„ucl.  olongute.l,  coinpres.,.,!  ami  attenuated ;  greatly  curved 
or  lak'iitc,  the  poiuts  crossing  or 
ovcrlaiijiing  to  a  greater  or  less 
degree.  Tarsi  very  short ;  claws 
all  very  long,  the  latei'al  extend- 
ing beyond  the  middle  of  the 
central;  hind  claw  longer  than 
its  digit.  Wings  very  long  and 
pointed,  reaching  beyond  the  mid- 
dle of  the  narrow,  forked  tail. 

Colors  reddish  in  the  male. 


Loxia  itmericana 


The  elongated,  compre.s.sed, 
falcato-ciirvod,  and  overlap- 
ping mandibles  readily  cliaracterize  this  genus  among  birds.  Tiiis  feature, 
however,  only  belongs  to  grown  speciinens,  the  young  having  a  straight  bil{ 
as  in  other  Fint'he.s. 

The  United  States  species  ol'  Uria  are  readily  distinguisiied  by  the 
presence  of  white  bands  on  the  wing  in  kiwopkra  and  their  absence  in 
umerimna.  Neither  form,  howe\-er,  is  to  be  considered  as  specifically  dis- 
tinct from  their  European  tdlics.     The  diflereuces  are  as  follows  :  — 

Species  and  Varieties. 
L.  cuivirostra.     Wings  dusky,  without  white  bands. 

1.  ]$ill  from  forehead,  .74;  wing,  .'i.no ;  tail,  2.40.  Lower  mandible  much 
weaker  than  the  upper,     //rrft.  Europe  ....     xay.cnrvirostra} 

2.  Bill  from  forehead,  .80  or  more;  wing,  4.00;  tail,  2.50.  Lower  mandible 
as  strong  as  the  ujiper.  Ilab.  P^ocky  Mountains  of  United  States,  and 
mountainous  regions  of  Me.vico yi^r.  mexica  nu  . 

3.  Bill  Irom  forehead,  .GO  or  less;  wing,  3.;iO;  (ail,  2.20.  Hub.  North 
America  generally .         vt^v.  „  mer !  vanu . 

li.  leucoptera.     Wmgs  deep  black,  with  two  liroad  white  bauds. 

1.  Body  and  Lead  poiuegrauate-red ;  l)lack  of  .■<eapulars  nearly  meeting 
across  fiwer  back.     //«6.  Northern  North  America  ;   "IIiinala3-as"  ;  "  Ja" 

'^"" var.  I  euro  pi,  ,-t! . 

2.  Body,  etc.,  ciimabar-red ;  back  nearly  wholly  red.     Ilab.   Eifrojie. 

var.  h  t'fdsc  in  la  .' 

'  Lo3-ia  curviro-ilnr,  I,inn.,  Sy.st.  Nat.  200. 

••'  luxia  bifascUiUi,  Di;  SF.i.vs-Lo.s.iciiAMl-s,  Faune  Helgo,  7«.      DoNAf.  k  Sciilkokl,  Moii. 
ni's  Loxicus,  7. 


484 


NOKTll  AMEUU'AN  BIRDS. 


Loxia  curvirostra  var.  americana,  Baiup. 


RED  OBOSSBILL. 

Ctirvirostra  nmerianiii,  Wil.s.  Am.  Oiii.  IV,  1811,  44,  pi.  xx.xi,  f.  1,  2.  — Baihd,  Birds  N. 
Am.  ISnS,  4'2t5.  —  C<>oi'i:!t  &  Siiki,ky,  198.  —  D.VM.  &  U.vnnistkr,  Tr.  Cli.  Ac.  I, 
18G9,  281  (Ala.skii).  — I'cidi'KI!,  Orii.  t'al.  I,  148.—  S.vmvkls,  291.  Loxia  amerkam, 
Bon.  List,  1838.  —  Box.  &  Scmlkgki,,  Moii.  Loxicii.s,  .'>,  tab.  vi.  —  Nkwdkishy,  Zoiil. 
California  ami  Oregon  Uoutf,  P.  R.  1!.  lU-p.  VI,  iv,  1857,  87.  —  Bon.  &  Schi.kgki,, 
Moil.  Lox.  .'■>,  ]il.  vi.  Liixia  ciirvirostrn,  FousTKit,  I'hil.  Trans.  LXII,  1772,  No.  23. 
Aui).  Biog.  II,  1834,  .Wn  ;  V,  511,  1>1.  ixcvii.  —  In.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  186,  pi.  cc. 
"  Laviii piisilhi,  Illigek"  (Bp.).     "Loxia  fituca,  Vieillot"  (Bp.). 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Old  male  dull  red  (the  shade  dideniifr  in  the  specimen,  sometimes  brick-rod, 
sometimes  vermilion,  etc.) ;  darkest  across  the  back ;  wings  and  tail  dark  blackish- 
brown.  YoiiMj  male  yellowish.  Female 
dull  grccni.sh-olive  above,  each  feather  with 
a  dusky  centre ;  rump  and  crown  bright 
green isli-yellow.  Beneath  grayish  ;  tinged, 
especially  on  the  sides  of  the  body,  with 
greenish-yellow,  Fw'/»(7  olive  above;  whit- 
ish beneath,  conspicuously  streaked  above 
and  below  with  blackish.  Male  about  G 
inches;  wing,  3.;]0;  tail,  2.25. 

Il.vn.  Northern  America  generally,  com- 
ing southwanl  in  winter.  Resident  in  the 
Alleghany  and  Rocky  Mountains. 

Tliere  are  coiisicUnable  diflerences 
both  ill  color  and  size,  especially  of 
bill,  in  sj)cciineiis  from  various  ])arts 
of  North  America,  and  to  a  loss  dt'oree  from  the  same  locality.  While 
those  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coast  have  bills  of  much  tlie  same  size,  in 
skins  from  tiie  mountains  of  California  this  niemlxir  is  much  stouter;  in 
this  character  ai)]iroachin<j  tiie  L.  mc.rivnna  of  Strickland, 
in  wiiich  the  bill  presents  its  maxinnim  of  tlie  North 
American  form. 

It  would  not  probably  be  far  out  of  the  way  to  consider 
the  European  and  all  tlie  American  common  Crossbills  as 
the  same  species,  ditferin";  only  as  races,  a  d  perhaps  in- 
cluding L.  himalai/ana,  wiiich  is  smaller  even  tiian  amcri- 
canu. 

We  have  not  okservcd  any  American  Crossbills  with  two 
reddish  bands  across  the  win_L(-covcrts,  corresponding  to  the 
variety  ruhrifasciata  of  Europe, 

L.  jn/fiopsitf.iici(s  of  Europe  is  .cli  the  largest  of  all  the 
species,  measitriii.o:  seven  incJKfs  i.i  IcnniJi,  jind  witii  the  bill 
seven  lines  liigli  at  base. 


fMjriti  n/nrricana. 


California. 


PRINaiLLID.E  —  TIIK  KIXCflES. 


485 


In  the  inteii.sity,  as  well  as  tlio  shade  of  tho  red  in  the  males,  tlien;  is  a 
great  range  of  variation.  Generally  it  is  of  a  tint  almost  precisely  like 
that  of  L.  (uin-iroiitrd,  though  deei)er.  The  most  higldy  colored  specimen 
is  o-i.Tl).""),  Pliiladelphia  (J.  11.  Mcllvaine),  whieli  is  entirely  continuous  deep 
tile-red,  api)roaching  vermilion  on  the  rump.  The  al)doinen  and  crissuni 
are  ligiit  pinkish.  In  No.  31,45!),  Fort  IJae,  April,  the  red  is  of  a  curious 
and  very  unusual  purjdish  wine-red  sliade. 

The  average  of  western  si)ecimens,  particularly  those  from  the  northwest 
coast  of  the  Unite<l  States,  have  bills  scarcely  larger  than  in  the  avcra-c  uf 
eastern  examples;  thus,  18,u:37,  Fort  Crook,  N.  Cal.,  has  the  bill  of  the°ame 
size  as  No.  r.,8u:3,  Philadelphia,  while  No.  53,482.  East  Humboldt  Mountains, 
has  the  bill  smaller  than  any  other  in  the  collectiijii. 

In  color,  there  are  scarcely  any  tau^dble  differences  between  tiie  Fun.pean 
Loxia  curvirostra  and  the  two  American  varieties,  the  distinctive  chaiacter 
being  111  the  form  of  the  bill  and  the  size;  the  0.  mMmna  is  the  hirgest  of 
the  three,  and  the  bill  is  ciuite  peculiar  in  form,  the  h)wer  mandible  almost 
equalling  the  upper  in  length,  and  exceeiling  it  in  thickness.  L.  cnrcirmtm 
IS  slightly  smaller,  and  has  the  lower  mandible  much  smaller  and  less  power- 
ful than  the  upper,  being  inferior  to  it  both  in  length,  breadth,  and  thickness. 
The  colors  also  appear  to  be  rather  less  intense  tlian  in  C.  mcimna. 

The  6'.  amcrimna  is  in  every  way,  the  bill  especially,  smaller  than  either 
of  the  preceding.  The  lower  mandible,  although  but  slightly  shorter  than 
the  upper,  is  still  much  weaker,  as  in  the  European  bird.  The  majority  of 
western  birds  have  the  bill  but  slightly  larger  than  casteru,  and  most  of 
those  with  large  bills  are  only  intermediate  between  amc-icana  and  nivA- 
cana.  In  some  specimens  the  bill,  although  almost  e(iualling  in  length 
that  of  the  latler,  has  yet  the  form  of  the  former ;  on  the  other  hand,  there 
are  specimens  with  the  proportions  of  the  mandibles  as  in  mcdvuuu,  while 
the  size  is  intermediate. 

Tlie  following  figures  will  illustrate  the  dilferences  in  the  size  of  the  bills 
of  the  dillerent  races. 


Viir.  infirirnnn. 
a)(03cr..'«<!Xko. 


Var.  curi'i'nntni. 
17010  cf.EumiH! 


Vnr.  nmrrirnnn  v.-ir,  amerirnnn. 

mm  ,Y,  CiUiforiiiu.        6803  J,  Pliilmlclphia. 


Specimens  from  the  Columbia  Hiver  region  and  northwest  coast  of  the 
United  States  appear  to  have  the  red  more  rosaceous  and  the  bill  more 
slender  than  the  tyi)ical  style.  One  specimen  (No.  .31,450,  Fort  l!ae)  is  alto- 
gether a  very  peculiar  one  ;  the  shadt*  of  red  is  ditterent  from  that  of  any 
other  specimen,  being  a  dark  niaroon-oarniMie,  with  a  dear  ash  suirusii-n  on 
the  back.     There  are  two  distinct  dusky  strijics  on  the  clieek,  one  o\er  tho 


486  NOKTII  A.MEUICAX  UIRDS. 

ui)])er  edge  of  tlie  ear-covi'rts,  tlie  otlna-  ivl()ii>j;  tlio  lower  eilj^'o.  Tin;  lining 
of  the  wing  is  witiiout  iiny  roil  tinge,  seen  in  iiU  specimens  ul'  tlie  true 
aiiuricKiia  anil  mi.'u-diui ;  tlie  wings  and  tail  are  pnre  sepia-brown,  (juite  dif- 
ferent from  tlie  others;  and  the  feathers  show  no  red  margins.  The  lower 
niandilile  is  very  niiieh  curved.     (AFay  not  this  be  like  some  Siberian  style  Q 

No  21,8()8,  from  Wasiiington  Territory,  lias  the  bill  ueai'ly  as  slender  as  in 
C.  lciin)/)hnt,  lint  there  is  nothing  else  peculiar. 

llAlilTS.  The  common  IJed  Crossbill  of  America  is  a  bird  of  very  irreg- 
ular distriliution,al)undaiit  in  .some  places  at  certain  sea.S(ms,  and  again  rarely 
seen  for  several  years.  It  is  a  Northern  species,  found  in  summer  chieily 
in  the  more  northern  jiortions  of  the  United  States,  and  also  found  through- 
out tiie  year  in  the  Alleghanies,  in  Pennsylvania,  ^laryhind,  and  Virginia,  to 
Georgia.  A  closely  allied  variety  is  also  found  in  the  alpine  regions  of  Vera 
Cruz  and  other  departments  of  Mexico. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  this  species  (piite  abundant  at  Puget  Sound,  in  cei'tain 
seasons.  Tiiis  was  especially  so  in  the  spring  of  IHoi,  tiiough  afterwards  he 
met  with  but  few.  He  noticed  a  pair  on  the  ground  near  a  pool  of  rain-water. 
Tho.y  were  very  tame,  and  allowed  a  near  approacii.  Dr.  Cooper  found  it  \ery 
abundant  near  the  coast,  where  it  feeds,  in  winter,  on  the  seeds  of  the  black 
spruce,  retiring  in  summer  to  the  mountains  to  breed,  but  returning  in  Sep- 
temlier.  He  never  oliserved  any  in  the  fir  forests  of  the  Coast  liaiige.  In 
the  Sierra  Nevada,  latitude  39°,  Dr.  Cooper  found  these  birds  in  considerable 
numbers,  September,  1803,  and  in  winter  they  have  been  obtained  about  San 
Francisco.  They  seem  to  be  most  attracted  to  the  forests  of  spruces,  cyjiresses, 
and  red-woods,  the  cones  of  which  are  most  readily  broken.  They  occasion- 
ally descend  to  the  ground,  in  the  liocky  Mountains,  in  search  of  the  seeds 
of  small  ])lants,  and  also  for  water. 

Mr.  DLscholf  obtained  specimens  of  this  species  at  Sitka,  but  it  was  not 
noticed  in  the  territory  of  the  Yukon  IJiver  by  Mv.  Dall,  or  any  of  his  party, 
and  it  was  met  with  by  Mr.  Itidgway  on  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains  only. 
There  they  were  occasionally  seen  among  the  willows  and  small  as})eiis  bor- 
dering the  streams.  Their  common  note  was  a  fine  and  fretjuently  repeated 
chick-chii'k-chick,  very  different  from  the  plaintive  n(jtes  of  the  C.  Icucoptera. 

In  New  England  they  are  of  somewluat  irregular  occurrence,  though  in 
Maine  and  in  the  northern  portions  of  Vermont  and  New  Hani|)siiire  they 
are  more  or  less  resident.  In  Eastern  Massachusetts  they  are  comparatively 
rare,  excepting  that,  at  irregular  intervals,  they  come  in  large  Hocks  during 
tlie  winter.  This  was  so  to  a  remarkalile  degree  in  the  winter  of  1832,  and 
more  recently  in  18G2,  when,  Mr.  Maynard  states,  they  remained  until  April. 
They  were  then  in  their  summer  plumage,  and  also  in  full  song.  In  August, 
18G8,  tiiey  again  became  (juite  numerous,  and  had  just  before  appeared  in 
large  numbers  in  Western  Maine,  doing  great  damage  to  the  oats,  and  disap- 
pearing as  soon  as  tiiese  had  been  harvested.  Mr.  ^laynard  thinks  tliat  tliese 
birds  were  the  same  witli  those  afterwards  so  numerous  in  Massachusetts. 


FKIXGILLID.K- THE  FINCHES.  4y- 

The  same  poculifiritics  cf  invgiilar  i.])ix>aranco  have  I)oen  ol)servc(l  by  iMv 
Allon.  in  Spiinglidil,  wliere  it  is  olten  a  very  al.mi.hmt  visitor,  but  "nn- 
erally  not  so  common.  In  the  winter  of  185<J-ti()  the  pine  woods  in"the 
vicniity  of  that  city  abounded  witii  thorn,  and  in  February  tiiev  wen;  already 
in  full  song.  They  are  at  all  times  gregarious,  and  iue  sometimes  seen  in 
large  flocks. 

They  liave,  as  they  fly,  a  loud,  peculiar,  and  not  unmusical  cry.  This  call- 
note  they  do  not  utter  \\hen  at  rest  or  when  feeding.  Their  song  in  the  spriu" 
and  summer  is  varied  and  pleasing,  but  is  not  powerful,  or  in  any  respe(°t 
remarkable.  Tiiis  song  is  especially  noticeable  in  caged  bird.s,  who  soon  Ijc- 
come  very  tame,  an<l  feed  readily  In.ni  the  hand,  even  when  taken  at  an 
adult  age.  Their  manners  in  confinement  are  very  like  those  of  the  Parrots 
clinging  to  the  top  of  the  wires  with  their  claws,  hanging  with  their  heads 
downward,  and,  when  feeding,  holding  their  food  in  one  claw.  On  the  trees, 
their  habits  and  manner  are  also  said  to  be  similar  to  those  of  I'arrots. 

Mr.  Audulj(jn  has  found  these  birds,  in  August,  in  the  j.ine  woods  of  Tenn- 
sylvania,  and  inferred  that  they  l)reed  there.  This  .h)es  not  necessarily  fol- 
low. They  bred  ,so  early  at  the  nortli  as  to  give  ample  time  lor  their 
migrations,  even  in  midsummer,  to  remote  places.  Professor  I5aird,  how- 
ever, informs  me  that  during  a  summer  spent  in  the  mountains  of  Schuylkill 
County,  I'enn.,  in  the  coal  region,  he  saw  them  nearly  every  dav,  moviu-r 
al)out  or  feeding,  in  pairs.  "  " 

The  Ciussbills  are  extremely  gentle  and  social,  are  easily  approached, 
caught  in  traps,  and  even  knocked  down  with  sticks.  Tlieir  food  is  chiefly 
tiie  seeds  of  the  Conifcva;  and  also  those  of  plants.  Audubon's  statement  that 
they  destroy  apples  merely  to  secure  the  seeds  is  hardly  accurate.  They 
are  extravagantly  fond  of  this  fruit,  and  prefer  the  flesh  to  its  seeds.  Tlieir 
llight  is  undulating,  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the  (;oldhiich,  firm,  swift, 
and  often  ]irotracted.  As  they  fly,  they  always  keep  up  the  litteraiice  of 
their  loud,  clear  call-notes.  -They  move  readily  on  the  ground,  uj)  or  down 
the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees,  and  stand  as  readily  with  their  heads  down- 
ward as  upright. 

Wilson  states  that  in  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania  this  species  appears  in 
large  flocks  in  the  winter,  and  during  the  prevalence  of  deep  snows  they 
keep  al)out  the  doors  of  dwellings,  pick  ofl"  the  clay  with  whicli  these  huts 
are  plastered,  and  are  exceedingly  tame  and  not  easily  driven  off. 

So  far  as  is  known,  these  Crossbills  breed  in  midwinter,  or  very  early  in 
the  spring,  when  the  weather  is  the  most  inclement.  The  nest  and  e"<'S 
ot  tins  sjiecies  were  procured  by  jNFr.  Charles  S.  Paine,  in  East  ];aiulol])h,  Vt., 
early  in  the  month  of  March.  The  nest  was  built  in  an  ujiper  briinch  of  an 
elm,  — which,  of  course,  was  leafless,  — the  ground  was  covered  witli  snow, 
and  the  weather  severe.  The  birds  were  very  tame  and  fearless,  refusing  to 
leave  their  eggs,  and  had  to  be  several  times  taken  off  by  the  hand.  After 
its  nest  had  been  t?aken,  and  as  Mr.  I'aine  was  descending  with  it  in  his  hand, 


488  NURTll  AMElilCAN   niKDS. 

tlic  female  again  resumed  lier  place  upon  it,  to  protect  her  eggs  from  the 
biting  frost.  The  eggs  were  four  in  number,  and  measured  .8u  by  .51$  of 
an  inch.  Tiiey  have  a  greenish-white  ground  and  arc  beautifully  blotched, 
marbled,  and  dotted  with  various  shades  of  lilac  and  jiurplish-brown. 


Loxia  curvirostra,  vnr.  mexicana,  Strickland. 

MEXICAN  CBOSSBILL. 

Loxia  mexicana,  Srr.li'Kl..\xi),  .Fiiidiiii!  Coiitrib.  Orii.   IS.'il,   43.  —  Si'I.atf.u,   P.  Z.  S.  1859, 
SO;").  — In.  1804,  174,  City  of  Jlexico.  --Salvi.v,  Ibis,  1866,  193  (Ouatemalii). 

Si".  Char.  Colors  of  amcrimiin,  but  red  I)iMglitc'r,  luort'  soarlct.  Bill  very  larfic,  the 
lower  iiianiliblo  nearly  or  (luite  oqual  to  tlio  iipi)or  in  streiiglli  ami  knigth.  Wing,  4.00; 
tail,  2.')0  ;  bill  (tioiii  Corelieiiil)  .82. 

IIah.  Aloiintaiiious  region.s  of  SoiUlieni  North  Ameiiea,  from  Guatemala,  north  into 
Rocky  Mountains  of  United  States;  Mexico,  Orizaba. 

This  bird  is  quite  as  well  marked  as  any  of  the  plain-winged  "  species," 
differing  from  curvirostra  and  nmericana  quite  as  much  as  they  do  from  each 
otlier. 

All  sjiecimens  from  Me.xico,  as  well  as  from  the  Central  Tlocky  Mountains 
of  the  United  States,  are  referrible  to  this  form,  thougii  in  winter  the  amcri- 
cana  may  also  be  found  in  the  latter  region,  as  a  migrant  from  the  north. 

Habits.  The  occurrence  of  this  well-marked  race  among  the  mountain- 
ous districts  of  Me.xico  is  a  very  interesting  and  suggestive  fact  in  regard  to 
the  distribution  of  birds,  demonstrating,  as  it  does,  tiie  close  connection  be- 
tween higii  latitudes  and  high  elevations  as  favoring  similar  forms.  It  was 
first  described  by  Strickland  from  sj)ecimcns  obtained  on  tlie  plateau  near 
the  city  of  Mexico.  Anotlier  specimen  is  referred  to  by  Mr.  Sclater  as 
having  been  received  from  Jalapa,  Me.xico ;  and  Mr.  Sumichnist  obtivined 
also  a  single  spiscimen  of  tliis  species  at  Moyoa])am,  in  the  alpine  region  of 
Ori}!al)a,  where  it  is  known  as  tiie  Pico  cruzado.  It  was  taken  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  about  7,500  feet.  Mr.  Sinnichrast  wiis  unable  to  determine  whether 
this  bird  was  resident,  or  only  a  migratory  visitant  in  the  winter.  I  can  find 
no  reference  to  any  distinctive  peculiarities  of  habits 

Loxia  leucoptera,  CrMKUN. 

WHITE-WINOED  CB08SBIIX. 

Loxia.  Intcoptcra,  Om.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1788,  540.  —  Aid.  Orn.  Hiog.  IV,  1838,  467,  pi. 
ceelxiv.  —  In.  IHnls  Am.  Ill,  1841,  190,  pi.  cci.  —  Hon.  &  S(;nr,.  Mon.  Loxicn.s,  1850, 
8,  pi.  ix.  —  Oot'i.i),  H.  (it.  Hritiiiii,  V,  1804  (killed  England,  Sept.  17).  Gitrvirostra 
Icuciip/erii,  Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  IV,  1811,  48,  pi.  xxxi,  I'.  3.  —  BAlun,  Hird.s  N.  Am.  1858, 
427. —  Dam,  &  lUNMsri-,u,  Tr,  Ch.  Ac.  I,  18()9,  281  (Ala.ska),  —  CooPKn,  Orn,  f'al,  I, 
149,  —  Sa.mi'ki.s,  293,  Cniriro.i/nt  hiicop/n-a,  Hitr.n.M,  Xauniannia,  I,  1853,  254,  tig, 
20,     Loxia /ilk i rostra.  Lath,  Index,  Orn,  1,  1790,  371, 


;  i^'RINGILLID^:_TIlE  FINCHES.  ^^,j 

Sp.  Char.     Hill  jrrontly  ci.ni.n.sso.I,  an.)  a.;,.!.,  h.uanis  il,,.  point     Mai,.  ,..„.,„;,     ,    i 
.ngcl  wal.  .lusKy  a..oss  the  l,aH<;  ,),..  si,,.,  of  body   und-.A;  wi'^   .  ™     Ji; 
brown;    Irom  ,1,.,  nn,I,||,.  of  Im.IIv  ,o  ,l„.  .ail-.ovorrs  whi.isi,    ,!„.  h   .:,    ^     .  •    ' 

brown      8cap,.la,.swi.,s,an.nail  .,)..,<;  ,wo  .,...1  l.an.ls  on  w    1    a      ^  ^i   ,  ^l    ! 

"  f^--'"*:"'  ':•"'   ' ''^'"  '•"v-'t^  =   wl.i,,.  spots  on  ,1.0  ., r  ,|M.  inn..,-  ,;,,      i  l'     ! 

brown.!,,  tn.gecl  wi,l.  olive-,,-...,,  in  pla.-.-s;   ..a,,,..,,  o,'  ,|...  1.,,.  .!  ,  ^         i,,,':  ^ 

en  ,-c.s;  n.n.p  l„.i„,t  In-ownish-ydlow.     L..,.„|,  , ,.,  ..,5,  wi,.,,  ....  |    >  ' 

IlA...     No,.H..,.,.  parts  of  X..,.„,  A,„..,.i..a  ,..„....ally  ;   fl..o....la„d7KK,N,      1     ^      '  moi 
8);  Lnglan.],  (Sq.ton.l,..,-  17,  Gor,.,.,  JJj.-.l.s  (;,,at.  U,-i,ai,.).  '       '  ' 

The  white  Lands  ,.„  tl.o  winj^s  distinguisl.  tl.is  speci;s  fro.n  the  pvo- 
cocln,.  aIth.,UKli  there  arc  ,s,„ue  other  dillen.n.H.s  in  form  of  l.il  .et 
w.ng,  etc.  There  is  le,ss  variation  in  forn,  and  color  an,on.  .speein.ens  th.,n 
n.  the  ,n.cedn.g.  It  diflers  fron.  the  European  analo,„e:Z.  ..y;.  V  L  " 
conhn,  to  author,,  in  the  n.ore  sh.der  hody  and  hiii,  a,..!  in  ha  i  l'  tie 
baly  pon.egranate-red,  with  hlackish  hack,  instead  of  cinnahar-re.I,  ^s t 
cur.>ro.frc,  and  anuria...  J>.onaparte  an.l  Schleo.-]  .^uote  the  Anu.ri.an 
speces  as  occurnng  in  the  Ilin.alaya  Mountains,  and  perhaps  Ja,  , 
throw  douhts  on  the  s.ipposed  European  localities 

Habits.     Jioth  the  distribution  and  hahits  of  this  species  are  prohal.ly  in 
all  essential  respects,  the  san.e  with  tho.se  of  the  preceding.     It  is  if  a.y- 
m.^  a  n.ore  n..thern  l.ird,  and  it  has  not  been  detected  J-ywlu-n;  ,u.  tiL 
ac.hc  coast  south  ot  I5„tish  An.erica.     It  was  found  in  the^Arctic  rcnon! 
by  S.r  John  Ihchurd.son,  where  the  other  species  was  not  obscrve.1         « 
found  It  inhabiting  the  dense  white-spruce  forests  of  the  fur  country,  fc-din-. 
pnncpally  on  the  seeds  of  their  .-ones.     Up  to  the  sixty-eighth  pa  alle      e 
found  them  rang.ng  through  the  whole  breadth  of  the  c.fntimM.t.     It  is  sup- 
posed  o  go  as  far  as  these  woods  extend,  though  it  has  not  bc-en  traced  'f-.r 
lier    han   the  si.xty-sccond   .legree.     It  was   found  fee.ling  on   the   upper 
branches   chngn.g  to  then,  when  wounded,  an.l  remaining  suspended  i^en 
after  death      In  September  they  collected  in  small  Hocks,  and  ilew  from  tree 
to  tree  with  a  chattering  noise.     In  the  depth  of  winter  they  retire  from  the 
coast  to  the  thick  woods  of  the  interior. 

A  few  individuals  of  this  species  are  reconled  by  Profes.so'r  Ileinhardt  as 
having  been  taken  in  South  (hecnland. 

In  Penn.sylvania  this  species  is  much  more  rare  than  the  nmnirana  and 
Wilson  only  met  with  a  few  specimens.  .Since  his  .lay  it  has  been  f  u  d 
more  abundantly,  occasionally  in  the  neighborhood  of  L>hiladclphia 

wln^v    1  "'"'T  ""'  """  '•'"'■'  """  ""'  "'"«""»""  '--  ^^^"I'^to  in  the 
winte       &evc.-al  specimens  were  obtained   in   February  and  April.     Xone 

were  iound  there   in  the  summer.     He  speaks  of  thei/great  e.xpertiiess  in 

opening  the  .spruce  cones  with  their  curved  bills,  an.l  ext^cting  the  seeds 

Its  appearance  m  Eastern  Massachusetts  is  much  more  irregular  b..th  as  to 

1808  and  18G9  they  were  uiH-ommonly  abundant,  appearing  early  in  the  fall 
and  remanung  until  duite  late  in  the  spring.     They  were  even  more  fearless 


490  NOHTII  A.MHKICAN  lURDS. 

nntl  tame  than  the  amcrinnin,  aiul  in  one  instance  a  pair  were  taken  liy  tlie 
hand,  and  ulterwanls  kept  in  conlinement.  Tiiey  ajipeurod  around  linston  in 
large  Hocks,  and  remained  through  April.  One  was  shf)t  in  Newton  by  Mr. 
Maynard,  June  I'.i.  It  was  I'ound  in  an  ai)ple-tree,  and  its  crop  was  lull  of 
canker-worms.  In  Eastern  Afaine  it  is  resident  throughout  the  year,  and, 
like  the  other  species,  breeds  in  winter.  In  Western  Maine  I'rol'essor  Verrill 
has  i'ound  it  a  common  winter  visitant,  but  it  is  not  known  to  bo  resi- 
dent. 

Near  Springfield  Mr.  Allen  considered  this  species  a  much  less  I'rccpient 
visitor  than  the  preceding.  In  the  winters  of  1804  and  1800  he  found  them 
very  abundant,  occurring  in  large  Hocks. 

Mr.  Audubon,  on  his  way  to  Labrador  in  1833,  found  those  birds  quite 
conunon,  in  May,  among  the  islands  of  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  evidently  migrat- 
ing, on  their  way  to  more  northern  regions.  I,  however,  obs(;rved  none  there 
during  my  visits  in  the  summers  of  18a0  and  1851,  although  a  specimen  was 
afterwards  obtained  on  the  Murre  Islands,  on  the  30th  of  June. 

So  far  as  they  are  known,  the  habits  of  this  species  are  exactly  similar  to 
those  of  the  preceding.  They  feed  in  the  same  manner  and  upon  like  food. 
Their  flight  is  undulating  and  well  sustained,  and  their  movemejits  in  the 
trees  are  not  perceptibly  diflerent. 

In  the  spring  of  1809,  Mr.  Jillson,  of  Hudson,  Mass.,  sent  me  a  pair  of 
these  birds  which  he  had  captured  the  preceding  autumn.  They  were  very 
tame,  and  were  exceedingly  interesting  little  pets.  Their  movements  in  the 
cage  were  like  those  of  caged  parrots  in  every  respect,  except  that  they 
were  far  more  easy  and  rapid.  They  clung  to  the  sides  and  upper  wires  of 
the  cage  with  their  feet,  hung  down  from  them,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the 
practice  of  walking  with  their  head  downward.  They  were  in  full  song,  and 
both  the  male  and  the  female  were  quite  good  singers.  Their  songs  were 
irregular  and  varied,  but  sweet  and  musical.  They  ate  almost  every  kind  of 
food,  but  were  especially  eager  for  slices  of  raw  apples.  An  occasional  larch 
cone  was  also  a  great  treat  to  them.  Although  while  they  lived  they  were 
continually  bickering  over  their  food,  yet  when  the  i'emale  was  accidentally 
choked  by  a  bit  of  eggshell  her  mate  was  inconsolable,  ceased  to  sing,  re- 
fused his  food,  and  died  of  grief  in  a  very  few  days. 

The  White-winged  Crossbill  was  seen  more  fre(piently  by  Mr.  llidgway 
among  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains  than  the  other  species.  It  was  first 
noticed  on  the  12th  of  August  among  the  cedars  on  the  mountains.  Its  fine 
plaintive  cry  of  "  week "  was  entirely  diderent  from  the  hurriedly  uttered 
notes  of  the  C.  aincricanct. 

Several  specimens  of  this  Crossbill  have  been  taken  in  Eurojie,  where 
their  occurrence  is  of  course  accidental,  irregular,  and  rare. 

A  nest  of  this  species  (S.  I.,  13,4r)2),  taken  at  Fredericton,  New  Brunswick, 
by  Dr.  A.  Adams,  in  1808,  is  deeply  .saucer-shaped,  and  composed  of  a  rather 
thin  wall  of  fibrous  pale-green  lichens,  encased  on  the  outside  with  spruce 


l''ltIN(HLLll).l.;    -  THE  FINCHES. 


491 


Wigs    and   tluuly  lincnl  with  coarse  l.airs  an.l  fino  sl.reds  of  inner  Inirk 

.  ox  ornal  dmn.eter  i.s  a  little  less  than  four  inches,  the  rim  being  aln    st 

l.e.fectly  cucular;  the  cavity  is  an  inch  and  a  half  deep  by  two  and  a  half 

The  one  egg  is  ,mle  blue,  the  large  end  rather  thickly  spattered  with  fine 
ots  01  black  and  ashy-lilac  ;  is  regularly  or  rather  slightly  elongate-ova 
U.e^nall  end  rather  obtuse.     It  n.casures  .80  of  an  incl^in  length  ly;^^ 


Genus  iBOIOTHUS,  C'.vdan. 

co^Li;;;:  .:™:7  *r  tT'"* -"■  •"•■  -"" -  - "■"-—■ "- 

upper  mmiiliblu  aiu]  tlie  iiostiils  cou- 
cealed  by  .stilT,  apprcssoil  bristly  fuatheivs ; 
midtllo  of  the  mnndible  Imviiinr  .several 
ridgo.s  parallel  with  the  (■iiliiieii.  In- 
ner lateral  toe  rather  the  Ioiijkm-,  its 
claw  reachinrr  the  inidillo  of  the'^iiii'ddlo 
claw;  the  hind  toe  latlier  lonjjer,  its 
claw  longer  than  the  din-ital  jwrtion. 
AVinn:s  very  long,  reaehinjr  the  middle 
of  the  tail;  second  quill  a  little  longer 
than   the  first  and  third.      Tail  deeply 

fiarked.  -X^htUus  Ihmrius. 

Difficult  as  it  sometimes  is  to  define  with  precision  the  characters  of  closely 

allied  spec.es  of  birds,  there  are  few  genera  where  this  is  the  case  more 

tnkn.gly    ban  in  .Egiothu..     Leaving  out  of  view  the  peculiar  European 

species.  It  has  been  a  mooted  question  whether  North  America,  including. 

Greenland,  possesses  one.  two.  or  six  species,  owing  to  the  strictly  boreal 

distribution  of  these  birds,  and  the  fact 
tliiit  their  summer  resorts  are  seldom  in- 
vaded by  the  naturalist.  The  necessary 
means  of  determining  the  proper  distri- 
bution of  the  forms  and  the  variations 
witli  season,  locality,  and  sex,  are  scarce- 
ly to  be  met  with  in  any  public  mu- 
seum, that  of  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion, however,  being  the  most  complete  in 
this  respect. 

he  most  satisftxctory  indications  of  the  diflerent  species  and  varieties   his 
papers  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences 


JEiiioihm  llnarius. 


402  NOin'lI  AMKUICAN  hiuds. 

(18t;i,  ;?7r);  lSfi3,  4(l;  mid  18(li»,  180)  ]mn'^  iiiodcls  of  nniitlinl()j,ri,.al  criti- 
cism and  discuHsioii.  His  lalmrs  iiaw;  niiaMi'd  us  to  tUiline  with  prt'ci.sioii  tiio 
various  forms,  botli  Kuroiican  and  American,  found  in  this  gunus,  and  nave 
brought  us  to  satisfactory  conclusions  in  reference  to  their  limitations. 

Mr.  Ifidgwuy  lias  hit  made  a  careful  revision  of  the  specimens  of  ^h't/iu- 
thiis  in  the  Sinithsouian  collection,  and  wilii  a  general  cuiuairrence  in  the 
conclusions  of  Ih:  Coues  in  regard  to  the  dilfereneea  observable,  he  sug- 
gests, as  an  ajiplicatioii  of  tlie  laws  more  recently  .eritied  by  bim  and  myself 
in  our  examination  of  the  North  American  land-birds,  that  we  may  best  con- 
sider the  actual  species  to  be  two  in  numlier,  namely,  cauencr.ns  and  linuriim, 
ranging  the  other  forms  under  these,  either  as  geographical  races  or  as  sea- 
sonal stages.  Hearing  in  mind  the  general  law  that  the  more  boreal  or 
Greenliind-born  specimens  should  be  larger  than  the  more  southern  or  Con- 
tinental, and  that  the  jjctndiar  ilark  plumage  of  fmconxiiH  and  rostrtitus 
only  occurs  in  summer  breeding  specimens,  he  considers  the.se  as  identical 
with  liii'iriiis  and  Imlholli ;  the  winter  ]>lumages  respectively  of  the  same  tv  o 
races  of  one  species,  /ijuirins;  the  latter  race,  liolholli,  being  the  larger  or 
Greenland  form.  If  /iisrcsirna  be  darker  than  summer  liiiariHn  Irom  Eu- 
rope, it  is  simply  another  instance  of  the  darktsr  tints  of  Arctic  American 
birds  as  compared  with  Kuroj)ean. 

jiJyiuthioi  rancscfUH  and  (.'■i/ijws  Mr.  llidgway  considers  as  the  Cfreenland 
(larger)  and  Continental  (smaller)  races  of  one  species,  which  perhaps  do  not 
ditl'er  so  nnich  with  .season  as  do  those  of  iinarius.  The  diH'erences  in  the 
size  and  proooitions  of  bill,  and  ])erliaps  of  feet,  Afr.  liidgway  does  not  think 
of  nuich  im])ortance,  as  great  variations  are  observalile  in  this  respect  in 
specimens  from  the  same  locality,  and  the  actual  difterences  of  the  bill  are 
obscured  by  the  greater  length  of  the  bristly  feathers  around  its  base  in 
winter,  making  it  appear  considerably  shorter.  Indeed,  Professor  Alfred 
Newton  maintains  that  the  same  bird  will  have  the  bill  considerably  longer 
in  summer,  after  living  on  soft  insect  food,  and  shorter  in  winter  when  worn 
down  by  use  on  hard  seeds.  Mr.  llidgway  finds,  too,  that  specimens  of  Iina- 
rius from  Kodiak  dilfer  in  a  much  longer  and  more  slender  bill  than  usual, 
in  this  resjiect  resembling  Alaska  specimens  t)f  .several  other  Fringillida;. 

The  folk)wing  synopsis  expresses  Mr.  Iiidgway's  views  as  indicated  above  : 
a  critical  examination  of  a  series  of  more  than  two  hundred  specimens,  in 
the  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  being  the  basis  of  his  con- 
clusions.—  S.  R  B. 

Species  asd  Varieties. 

Common  Ciiar.\ctehs.  Adiill.  Above  streaked  with  Ansky  upon  .1  lirownisli, 
or  bmwn  and  whitish,  ground;  wing-coverts  tipped  with  wliitish  or  pale  brown. 
Bciieatli  whitish,  .streaked  on  the  sides  with  dusky.  An  indistiiiet,  ligliter  super- 
ciliary .stripe.  Mah.  Rnnip  tin.<re<l  with  rose-pink.  Female.  Rump  not  tinged 
with  pinkish.  Juv.  Without  any  red,  and  with  the  wliolo  lower  parts  thickly 
streaked. 


FRIX(!II,LIDvE-TllE  FIN'CIIKS.  4(jy 

A.  rn>wii  witli  u  (iiiiidnit..  |.,ilcli  of  .liiMsoii,  in  adult  ;  lliront  mid  chin  with 
lldiKsIxy  «|),.t;  ,,iii||sui„l  liul-r,Mihcr.s  i,„L  fd-rd  cousimciumisIv  wiUi  whit,. 
S  Willi  tlic  liivasl  (ill;.,.,!  Willi  hmI. 

1.  A.   oaiieaoeilB.      ltiiin|.    UMstrfid<(Ml   while   (holh  sexes,  nl    all    seii- 
«OMs);   Ih.'  Unu-v  tuil-covoits  with  while  shalls  ;   Ih,.  red   thige  ,mi  tli.. 

breiust  ill  the  j,  id'  u  delieato  pale  losa iis  i)iid<  liiil. 

Itill  vei-y  short  and  thielv,  ils  hi'i.L'hl  lliroii,t.'h  the  liase  neaily 
equalling  th.^  leuKlh  of  the  eulii.eii.  Winj;,  .'i.'^O ;  tail.  li.d.-,.  Mill- 
culnien,  .r.;  hei-hl,  ..!(».     /A,i.    (Jivenland        .         .         \,u:  ca  ,]  enc  e  n  r. 

Bill  nnieh  sinaller,  more  acute,  its  height  (hion-h  Ih..  base  nnicli 
less  than  ihe  length  of  Ih.'  cnlnicn.  Wing,  3.00;  tail,  2.r.0.  Hill  • 
cnhncii,    .;J0;    height,    .22.       Hub.    Coiuinental    uivtic    Amciica 

o     A     ij  ^"''*  '•>'  >f  i  l>f: 

i.  A.  UnariUB.  Kinnp  always  .streaked  ;  h>wer  lail-covcrls  with  dusky 
Bhall -streaks;  the  red  tinge  on  thu  breiust  of  Ih,'  $  ol'  a  rosa.roiis- 
cariiiinu  lint. 

liill  al.oiil  .;i.-.  hi  U'liglh  l,y  .22  h,  I  .^ght  ;  wing,  2.80;  tail, 
2.10.     //„/;.  Coniinenlal  arctic  and  col.l  tenii)enite  .North  America 

,,.,,  var.  // 1)  <i  r  i  ■:  s. 

Hill  about  .40,  or  more,  in  liMigih,  by  .30  in  h.ighl  ;  wing,  3.20; 
tad,  2.(10.     Huh.  (iiiviilaml  in  summer,  and  Continental  arctic  aii(i 
cohl  lem])orato  North  America  in  winter       .         .         .         vm    l,o/hd/li 
B.   Crown  without  any  red  ;  throat  and  chin  wilhoiil  luiv  duskv  sim.i  ;  ,,Mills 
aiKl  tail-leatlu.rs  of  adult  male  edgvd  coils,, icuonsly  with  while.      J  wilh- 
out  red  linge  on  the  breast. 

3.  A.  flavlrostris.  Hump  rosc-piuk  in  the  ^.  brown  .streaked  will, 
dusky  in  9.     jV(,  h;\  on  crown  or  breast. 

9.  Above  umbcr-brown  streaked  with  dusky;  ground-color  of 
rump  light  brown;   throat  and  jngulum  strongly  ochraceous-biiir. 

Hub.    Eiirone .         .        .  ,..,,.    /;,.„,•        ,    • 

•  ......         \ar.  Jld  rir(j s  /ris, 

9.  Above  olive-brown  streake<l  with  dusky;  ground-color  of 
rump  .sulpliur-yollow :  throat  and  jngulum  faintlv  siilphnr-vcll,.w, 
tinged  with  buff.     //<(A.    North  America    .        .'      .        viii:  b  re  ,r steri 


iBgiothus  linarius,  Cabaxis. 

LESSER  BED-POLL. 

FnnffiHn  Unaria,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17<iti,  322. -Arn.  Orn.  Riog.  IV,  1S38,  .-.SR  pt 
cppIxxv.  Friwim,,.  {Jcnnthis)  limirio,  Kkvs.  .t  Mi.as.  Will,.  Kinoi>.  1S4(),' Xc. '115] 
page  \6^.—Acnnlhi.1  rimnw,  Bi-.  Conspectus,  18f)(),  .'•,41.  .Kt/in/htis  Ihutri,,',  Cuiwis' 
-Mus.  Ilcin.  ISill,  IC,].-  lUiitn,  Birds  N.  Am.  18;-„s,  428.  — Coii;s,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  Nov. 
1861,  382.  —  CoopKR  &  SrcKLEY,  1!»8.  —  Sami-kl.s  2!)4.  -  Mavnaki),  B.  E  Mas.s 
1870,  no.  —  Ham,  k  BASMsricii,  Tr.  Chie.  Acad.  I,  1809,  281.  -  Cooi.,-.!,,  (),,,.  fa). 
I,  ISO.  Linariii  miiwr,  Sw.  V.  Bor.  Am.  II,  is:il,  207.  -  Ari).  Syn  1830  114 
-III.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  122,  pi.  dxxix.  /Lim,n,>  hMnlli,  Bimih.m,  Vogd  Dc'utsch^ 
lands.  Ao,„thmhm)!i,  Br.  k  Schi.koki,,  Mon.  Loxicns,  1850,  50,  \^\.  liii.  ,E,,hlhHS 
Iwlbolli,  C0UK.S  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  1861,  385.  Linaria  americnwi,  Max.  Cab.  Journ.  VI, 
1858,  338.  ^■KoiothKx/Ksccsccus,  Cori;s,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Aug.  1801,  222  (Labrador  ;  breed' 
mg  dress).  —  Id.  p.  380.  A^iih.llniH  ros/m/iif,,  Ei,i.i,,t,  lllust.  H.  Am  I  pi  ix  — 
CouEs,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Nov.  1861,  378  (Greenland).  -  Elliot,  lllust.  Birds  N  A  I 
pi.  X.  ' 


494  NORTH  AMKIUCAN  IJIRDS. 

T.    f>iin'iii/  iivd  Winter  Plnmaye 

8r.  CiiAU.  Aihill.  Oromnl-ctiliir  of  llio  ouciput,  niii)i',  scapulars,  aiifl  interscapulars, 
brownisli-wliitc,  each  leatliur  willi  medial  streak  of  dusky-lirowu  ;  runip  and  upper  tail- 
coverts  white,  with  the  streaks  in  shar]ier  contrast.  Winjj;s  clear  brownish-dusky  with  two 
conspicuous  white  bands,  Ibrnied  by  tips  of  middle  and  secondary  coverts ;  tertials  broadly, 
and  secondaries  narrowly,  edged  with  white;  tail-feathers  narrowly  edged  with  wliite, 
this  broader  on  inner  webs.  A  narrow  frontal  liand  (tinged  with  brownish),  an  ol)scuro 
superciliary  stripe,  and  the  lower  parts  in  general,  white;  sides  streaked  with  dusky,  and 
lower  tail-eovcrts  each  with  a  medial  streak  of  the  same.  On  the  tbrchead  and  vertex  a 
somewhat  quadrate  patch  of  inten.so  carmine.  Na.sal  plunndi,  lores,  and  a  small,  somewhat 
quadrate,  gular  spot,  d.ark  silky-brown.     Bill  yellow,  the  cidmen  and  gonys  lilack. 

$.  Throat,  jugulum,  and  breast,  rosaceou.s-carminc  (extending  upward  over  the  max- 
illa', and  backward  over  the  sides  almost  to  the  Hanks) ;  rump  tinged  with  the  same. 

Var.  /  (  u  a  r  in  s  (21,077,  Philadelphia).  AVing,  2.SI);  tail,  2.35  ;  bill,  .3.")  and  .22  ;  tarsus, 
.55  ;  middle  toe,  .;i(). 

Var.  holbOIti  (;i!),2G3,  Quebec).  Wing,  3.00;  tail,  2.40;  bill,  .42  and  .29;  tarsu.s,  .(10; 
middle  toe,  ..'!7. 

A'ar. /(«)//<  o//// (52,457,  Kodiak).  Wing,  3.00  ;  tail,  2.40  ;  bill,  .47  and  .25;  tarsus,.55; 
middle  toe,  .35. 

9.  No  red  except  on  the  crown,  where  its  tint  is  less  intense;  dusky  gular  spot  larger, 
extending  farther  on  to  the  throat. 

Var.  1  i  n  a  riu a  C.)02,  T'enn.).  Wing,  2.70;  tail,  2.30;  bill,  .32  and  .23;  tarsus,  .55; 
middle  toe,  .32. 

Var.  holholli  (39,302,  Quebec).  Wing,  3.10;  t.ail,  2..')0;  bill,  .42  and  .29  ;  tar.sns,  .01 ; 
middle  toe,  .39. 

Var  holholli?  (52,4GO,  Kodiak).  Wing,  2.80;  tail,  2..30;  bill,  .39  and  .23;  tarsus, 
.54  ;  middle  toe,  32. 

II.    Summer  or  Breeiliiu;  Plumage. 

The  pattern  the  .'-ame  as  above,  but  the  dark  tint  intensified  and  spread  so  as  to  almost 
entirely  obliterate  any  lighter  markings,  except  the  streaks  on  the  rump ;  the  wing-bands 
as  well  as  the  dorsal  streaks  obsolete';  streaks  on  the  sides  broader;  frontal  band  dusky 
like  the  occiput.     I'ed  tints  .slightly  intensilied.     Bill  wholly  dusky. 

^.  Throat,  jug.dum,  breast,  and  tinge  on  sides  and  rump,  ro.sy-carmine. 

Var.  Una  r  i  u  s  (type  of  '• /imcescen.f ").  Wing,  2.80 ;  tail,  2.30 ;  bill,  .30  and  .25  ;  tarsus, 
..53  ;  middle  toe,  .33. 

Var.  holholli  (type  of  '' roslnifiis").  Wing,  3.00;  tail,  2.35;  bill,  .41  and  .30;  tar- 
sus, .00  ;  middle  toe,  .40. 

A'ar.  holholli  f  v'^Au,  Kodiak,  July).  Wing,  2.90;  tail,  2.20;  bill,  .40  and  .25; 
tarsus,  .50;  middle  toe,  ..32. 

9.  Mo  red  exce]>t  on  the  crown. 

Var.  linariu.i  (9  type  of  "fuKce.icots").  Wing,  2.S0 ;  tail,  2..30;  bill,  .35  and  .25; 
tarsus,  .52  ;  middle  toe,  .34. 

Young  (fu'st  plnm.agc).  (54,478,  Kodiak,  .July.)  Streaks  covering  whole  head,  neck, 
nml  breast ;  no  red  (Rmcw.w). 

II.Mi.  Circumjiolar  regions.  In  North  Anu'rica  breeding  in  the  sub-arelic  regions,  and 
in  winter  descending  into  the  northern  United  States. 

The  two  races  of  y^'.  luuirius  are  ([iiite  diirorontly  colored  in  siiinnier  and 
in  winter.  In  the  latter  sea.son  the  jdiiniaoe  is  .sorte-  .iid  more  la.\,  tuid  the 
markings  Letter  deliiicd,  tliotioh  in  iitittiinn  witli  a  ,.onsi(leritlile  (ichraoeons 
sull'usiun.     In  spring  the  colors  are  purer,  and  the  markings  most  shar]»]y 


FRIXGILLID.K  — THE  KIXCIIKS.  495 

defined  ;  in  the  brood in,Lj-s(>ason  tlio  iiliiinajxo  assunios  a  burnt  aiipoaranoo, 
the  dark  tints  intonsiryand  s])read,  so  that  soniotinu's  the  inipor  parts  appoar 
almost  nnitbrndy  dusky;  the  liill  appoars  lar;j;or,  in  consoiiuence  of  the  h'ss 
devekiinucnt  of  its  basal  tut'ts,  tiian  in  winter.  In  tliis  ihisky  suiuuior  ('(uidi- 
tion  those  birds  I'orni  the  vA'.  fii>:irs(riin  and  ./i'.  rasfntfuti  of  Couos,  tlu'  latter 
being  the  sunnner  plumage  of  var.  /lullxV/i,  tlie  former  that  of  var.  /iiicrii's. 
In  the  series  of  over  two  hundred  examples  examined,  all  niidsnnnner  spoti- 
meiis  are  in  the  plumage  of  fnaccsa'iix  or  rotilmtus,  while  the  latter  is  not 
seen  in  any  autunnial,  winter,  or  sjiring  birds. 

Speeiniens  of  tiie  var.  ImlhuUi  have  been  received  from  Quebec,  collected 
by  Mr.  W.  Couper. 

Haijits.  Accepting  as  variations  due  either  to  looality,  latitude,  or  seascm 
the  differences  already  reforri'd  to  in  tlie  |ilumage  of  this  siiecios,  it  is  not 
neces.sary  to  consider  the  (juestion  of  races  in  connection  with  our  story  of 
their  habits.  We  jtossess  but  very  little  information  as  to  thoir  jieouliarities 
as  races  in  these  respects.  Treating,  thci,  tlie  Lesser  liod-1'oll,  thougli  a])- 
pearing  in  hmr  dilfering  i)ha.ses,  as  one  spocies,  we  claim  it  to  be  common  to 
the  northern  portions  of  botli  hemi.'jpheres. 

It  is  found  throughout  northern  North  America  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Pacific,  is  abundant  in  the  boreal  regions  of  Kurope,  and  ]irobably  of  Asia 
also.  On  the  Pacific  coast,  Dr.  ('oo])er  has  ob.sorved  it  only  as  far  south  as 
AVashington  Territory.  Farther  nortii  it  is  nnich  more  abiuidant.  Mr.  P>an- 
nister  found  it  common  at  St.  jMichaels,  both  in  summer  and  in  winter.  At 
Nulato  INfr.  Dall  found  this  sju'cies  very  common  in  Mintor,  and  very  lilth^ 
less  so  in  sunnner.  He  states  that  tlie  nest  is  usually  lined  with  liair,  and 
covered  externally  witli  moss,  dry  grass,  and  like  materials,  built  in  bushes, 
near  the  ground.  They  begin  to  build  thi!  ir)th  of  May.  Tlu;  eggs  are  laid 
about  the  1st  of  dune,  and  the  young  are  flying  near  the  end  of  July. 
The  young  of  the  fii>it  year  are  dark,  with  a  small  patch  of  laown  on  tlie 
breast.  After  their  sei'ond  year  the  males  increase  tlie  amount  of  rose- 
color  on  the  head  and  breast,  and  the  very  old  birds  are  (piite  brilliant  in  the 
breeding-sea,son.  At  St.  Michaels,  wliore  there  are  no  trees  and  very  few 
bushes,  these  birds  froipiently  build  tlii'ir  nests  in  the  gras.s. 

Mr.  Dall  states  that  this  bird  has  no  song,  but  that  tlu'ir  cheerful  twitter- 
ing and  chirping,  tlieir  fearless  and  socialilo  ways,  their  bright  ])lumage  and 
elegant  nests,  are  iiuite  enough  to  make  tliem  giuieral  favorites. 

liiehardson  found  ''is  neat  and  liardy  little  bird  one  of  the  few  jiormanent 
residents  of  the  fur  c  iitries,  whore  it  was  seen,  in  the  coldest  wiiather,  on  the 
banks  of  lakes  and  rivers,  ho])])ing  among  the  reeds  or  clinging  to  their  sialk.s. 

Mr  Lord  found  this  sjiooios  a  rare  bird  in  Iiritish  Columbia.  It  was  found 
in  swampy  placijs,  wliere  the  alders  grew  thickly,  and  Mlien;  there  wore  large 
water-])lants.  To  tiiose  it  clings,  pecking  at  their  seed-jiods,  or,  searcliing  the 
remaining  flowors,  feiuls  ujion  anv  insects  they  may  contain,  'i'lioir  song  he 
describes  as  a  soft  and  pretty  warble,  coming  in  bursts,  tlie  singor  jiercliing 


41)0  NOliTH  AMEUrUAX  BIRDS. 

liiiusclf  boldly  on  the  top  of  a  plant,  as  if  to  be  more  plainly  heard  by  his 
companions.  In  early  sjirinj;'  they  feed  on  the  catkins  of  the  alder  and 
hazel.     They  winter  in  small  Hocks  in  Vancouver's  Island. 

HoIImiH  .states  that  tiiis  .species  is  found  irregularly  distributed  over  Green- 
land, coming  always  in  the  tir.st  half  of  Ajiril,  a  little  later  than  tiie  Snow- 
lUiiiting.  It  migrates  to  OreenLmd  from  America,  and  is  much  i-arer  in  Ice- 
land. In  June  it  is  found  nesting  near  the  shore,  and,  contrary  to  the  usual 
nature  of  liirds,  is  very  wihl,  tiiough  at  all  times  el.se  it  is  very  iearless.  At 
this  time  ll.u  male  loses  its  beautiful  crimson  breast,  re.seiid)les  tiie  female, 
and  is  nnich  less  gorgeous  than  in  winter.  It  nests  in  birches,  alders,  or 
willows,  and  lays  five  bluisii-white  eggs,  spotted  with  lear  brown.  Towards 
the  end  of  August  and  in  Sei)tendK!r  they  are  .seen  in  small  Hocks  about  the 
settlements,  the  male  resuming  its  red  breast,  and  all,  both  old  and  young, 
being  very  fearless.  In  confinement  they  soon  became  very  tame,  and  in  a 
few  days  would  perch  upon  his  hand  and  struggle  with  each  other  for  the 
hemp-seed  that  he  iield  to  them,  though  there  was  plenty  of  food  in  their 
cage.  They  feed  on  seeds  and  the  tops  of  lichens.  IJy  October  they  all 
disapi)ear,  and  are  not  seen  in  (heenland  in  the  winter. 

AVilson  states  tliat,  in  his  day,  these  birds  were  \ery  common  in  North- 
western Xew  York,  where  they  appeared  always  with  the  tirst  deep  snow, 
and  were,  on  that  account,  called  Snow-Rirds.  In  severe  winters  tliey  were 
occasionally,  though  very  rarely,  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia, 
where  they  were  very  fond  ot  liie  seeds  of  the  connnon  alder,  and  hung  head 
downwards  while  feeding,  in  tiie  manner  of  our  (ioldtinch.  They  were  very 
unsus]iieious,  and  permitted  a  near  approach  witliout  manifesting  any  signs 
of  alarm.  Mr.  Ord,  in  a  subseipumt  edition  of  AVilson,  states  that  these 
bivds  rarely  visit  I'liiladelphia,  and  that  it  was  many  years  l>efore  he  could 
procure  specimens.  In  the  winter  of  LSI:}  -  14  they  appeared  in  a  flock  of 
learly  a  hundred,  and  were  so  intent  in  feeding  u|)ou  the  .«eeds  of  the  Atri- 
plcv  hastata  that  they  could  be  closely  approached.  Their  call  exactly  re- 
sembled that  of  the  (Joldfinch.  The.se  birds  lingered  in  that  neighborhood 
until  about  the  middle  of  April. 

Their  migration  soutiiward  in  winter  is  evidently  caused  more  by  want  of 
food  than  by  tiie  state  of  the  temperature.  They  remain  in  high  northern 
regions  in  the  most  inclement  weather,  and  often  appear  among  us  in  seasons 
not  reniarkaljly  cold,  and  remain  until  late  in  tlie  spring.  In  LSM.'i,  by  the 
7tli  of  November,  the  weather  still  being  (piitc;  mild,  Nuttall  states,  they  ap- 
peared in  Massachusetts  in  considerable  flocks.  Tiiey  regularly  assendded  in 
the  birch-trees  every  morning  to  feed  on  the  seeds,  and  were  so  intent  on 
their  emidoyment  that  it  was  often  ])ossible  to  a])])roach  the  .shmder  trees  on 
which  they  were  feeding,  and  strike  them  off,  before  they  would  take  wing. 
They  hung  on  the  twigs  with  great  tenacity,  and  moved  ubout  in  reversed 
positions,  in  the  manner  of  the  Chickadees.  They  are  described  by  him  as 
having  a  (piailing  call,  similar  to  that  of  the  Goldfinch,  and  when  crowding 


FRINGILLID^E  — THE  FIXCIIRa  497 

together,  in  Hij^ht,  as  luakinj,'  a  coiil'usc.d  (■,liirj)iiig,  Avilli  a  rattliii,i,'  noise,  and 
niovinj;  oil'  willi  a  sinmltaneous  tuittor.  They  were  attracted  to  tlie  jiineH  liy 
the  Cr()ssl)ill.s,  and  were  liusily  eniiduyeil  in  coUectinjf  tiie  seeds,  dro]iped  from 
the  cones  as  tiui  ('rossl)ills  open^  '  them.  They  at  times  fed  on  the  Inids  of 
fruit-trees.  They  were  always  found  to  he  I'at,  even  on  tlieir  first  arrival, 
and  there  were  no  obvious  reasons  lor  their  movements. 

Mr.  Boarihnan  speaks  of  them  as  eommon  at  C.'ahiis  by  the  first  of  the 
winter.  At  Norway,  Me.,  Professor  Verrill  found  them  very  eommnn  in  fall, 
winter,  and  sprinj;-,  and  most  aliundant  in  Mareh  and  April.  In  Springfield 
they  are,  aceorduig  to  Mr.  Allen,  an  irregular  and  occasional  visitant,  com- 
ing in  very  hirge  lloeks  one  year,  and  again  not  seen  lor  several  years.  In  a 
more  recent  paper  (1X70)  Mr.  Allen  states  that  during  'he  iireceiling  li\-e  years 
these  birds  iiave  been  several  times  very  luimerous  in  Massachu.setts,  ajiiiear- 
iug  in  cjuite  large  flocks. 

Mr.  Audubon  met  with  these  birds  in  Labrador  the  last  of  July,  and  ob- 
tained specimens  of  dilferent  ages.  He  thinks  their  notes  more  like  those 
of  the  Siskin  of  Europe  than  of  our  GohUinch,  uttered  both  when  the  birds 
are  on  tiie  wing  and  when  they  have  alighted.  They  were  in  small  parties  of 
seven  or  eiglit,  evidently  mendjcrs  of  the  same  family.  They  w(!re  tame  and 
familiar,  and  fearlessly  returned  to  the  same  spot  after  having  been  shot 
at.  They  were  also  remarkably  affectionate,  and  he  fre(piently  observed  them 
passing  seeds  one  to  the  other  in  the  most  loving  manner. 

Dr.  Coues  also  observed  this  bird  in  Lalirador,  and  described  it  as  ^-A'.  fas- 
ccscens.  He  found  it  abumlant  along  the  c(jast,  and  was  struck  with  its  re- 
sendjlance,  in  habits,  to  the  Chrijsomitrix  irisfi.H.  It  was  remarkably  unsus- 
liicious  and  familiar,  and  showed  no  signs  of  fear  even  when  v(!ry  closely 
approached.  It  freiiuented,  almost  exclusively,  the  scruliby  junipers  that 
grow  everywhere  in  open  places  in  thick  impenetrable  patches.  He  describes 
its  flight  as  irregular,  rising  and  ialling  in  curves,  and  seldom  protracted  to 
any  great  distance.  While  ])assing  overhead,  it  uttered  a  jjcculiar  rattling 
chirj).     He  thinks  it  has  no  song. 

Dr.  Ivirtland  informs  me  that  early  in  the  winter  of  18(]8  his  grandson 
picked  \\\)  a  wing-broken  male  lJed-1'oll,  and  placed  it  in  his  greenliou.se.  It 
began  at  once  to  feed  on  crund)s  of  bread  and  hay-seed,  and  raiiidly  recovered. 
It  soon  acduired  the  iiabitof  leajnng  from  slu'lf  to  shelf,  among  thephmts.aud 
was  finally  .seen  climbing  up  sonu!  stately  rc/Kiydiiium  shrub,s,and  suspending 
itself,  i)arrot-likc,  by  its  feet  from  the  limbs,  ca])turing  aphides.  Krom  that 
time  it  took  no  other  food,  living  exclusively  on  the  i>arasitic  insects  of  the 
jilants.  So  active  was  it  in  capturing  these,  that  for  two  ni  )nths  it  was  not 
necessary  to  fumigate  the  greenhou.se  to  destroy  them.  From  day  to  day  a 
female  Eed-Poll  hovered  over  the  buihling,  and  her  calls  were  responded  to 
by  the  invalid.  Later  in  the  season  he  escaped  from  his  confinement,  and 
was  seen  to  rejoin  ids  faithful  mate,  which  had  remained  near  him  all  the 
winter.  As  in  Europe,  this  s]i('cies  in  the  Arctic  regions  of  America  has  been 
found  nesting  in  low  trees  and  bushes,  from  two  to  si.\  feet  liom  the  ground. 


498  NORTH  AMKHICAN  BIRDS. 

TIk!  Iiabits  and  iipiiuariiuce  of  tlio  liirds  observed  in  Europe  ftiii)ear  identi- 
cal witii  tliose  of  our  own.  Mr.  Yarrell  .states  that  of  all  birds  these  are  the 
most  easily  tamed,  and  can  be  readily  made  to  breed  in  continement.  In 
Scotland  and  in  parts  of  Kngland  it  is  resident  throughout  the  year,  in  the 
summer  retiring  to  the  leases  of  the  mountains,  and  there  br(;eding  in  the  un- 
derwood that  skirts  the  banks  of  the  mountain  streams.  It  nests  in  bushes 
or  low  trees,  such  as  the  alder  and  the  willow.  These  are  constructed  of 
mosses  am\  Jie  stems  of  dry  grasses,  intermingled  with  down  from  the  catkins 
of  the  willow,  and  lined  with  the  same,  making  them  soft  and  warm.  The 
young  are  jtroduceil  late  in  the  season,  and  are  seldom  able  to  lly  before  the 
first  of  J>dy.  The  ])arent  birds  are  devoted  in  their  attachment.  I'ennant 
relates  that  in  one  instance  where  this  l)ird  was  sitting  on  four  eggs,  she  was 
so  tenacious  of  her  nest  as  to  sutler  him  to  take  her  off  with  his  hand,  and 
after  having  been  released  she  still  refused  to  leave  it.  In  the  winter  they 
descend  to  the  lower  grounds,  and  there  feed  on  the  buds  of  the  birch  and 
alder,  to  reach  which  they  are  oliligeil,  like  the  Titmice,  to  hang  from  the 
ends  of  the  l)ranches,  with  their  backs  downward.  So  intent  are  they  on 
their  work  that  they  are  easily  taken  alive  by  means  of  a  long  stick  smeared 
with  birdlime.  Mr.  Sell)y  states  that  its  notes  during  the  breeding-season, 
though  not  delivered  in  a  continuous  song,  are  sweet  and  pleasing.  Captain 
Scoresby  relates  that  in  his  apjiroach  to  Si)itybergen  .several  of  these  birds 
alighted  on  his  ship.  They  were  so  wearied  with  their  long  journey  as  to  be 
e.isily  cauglit  by  the  hand.  The  distance  of  the  nearest  point  of  Norway 
renders  it  dillicult  to  imagine  how  so  delicate  a  bird  can  perform  this  journey, 
or  why  it  should  seek  such  a  cold  and  barren  country.  European  eggs  are 
five  in  number,  of  a  pale  bluish-green,  spotted  with  orange-brown,  princi- 
pally about  the  larger  end.     They  measure  .05  by  .51)  of  an  inch. 

American  eggs  of  this  species  average  .05  by  .53  of  an  inch.  Their 
color  is  a  light  bluish-white,  which  varies  considerably  in  the  depth  of  its 
shading,  and  this  tinge  is  e.\ceedingl}'  fugitive,  it» being  ditHcult  to  preserve 
it  even  in  a  cabinet.  The  eggs  are  generally  and  finely  dotted  with  a  rusty- 
nrown,  and  are  of  a  rather  rounded  oval  shape. 


iEgiothus  canescens,  cauanis. 

MEALY  RED-FOLL. 

Linaria  cancscnm,  (lori.n,  "  Birds  Kiirii]ic,  pi.  cxciii."  Linota  canrsccns,  Bon.M'.  List,  1838. 
^IcdiilJiis  cdiir.fcciin,  IJdN.  ('(msi)c(tii.s,  1850,  541.  —  l!(is.  &  S('iii,i;i!i;i,,  Moii.  Lo.xifiis, 
1850,  47,  tiil>.  li.  —  li<iss,  Ktl.  I'iiil.  .lour.  1861,  103.  AJijiot/ui.t  aine.iccn.i,  ('.miasms, 
Mils.  Hciii.  1851,  1(11.  —  Haiiu),  liir.l.s  N.  Am.  1858,  42!>.  — ("duk.s,  V.  A.  N.  S.  1801, 
388.  —  Sami'Kls,  ays.  "Friiiijillit  Immilix,  Tkmmixck,  1835.  Not  of  Vicillot." 
lioiiiiliiuti'.  .'  Fi-iiujilhi  li(iiriilU,  All).  Orii.  Itioj?-  V,  183it,  87,  ))1.  occc.  .'  Liimria 
hiirvolis.  All).  liiidsAm.  ill,  ISll,  VJO,  pi.  ilxxviii.  "  LiiKiria  /nifiiniiiDiiii,  Hi)l.liiJl,l., 
Kioycr  Niil.  'I'iilskr.  1843."  .h'niiilliii.s  crilijira,  (.'(Hi;.s,  I'r.  A.  N.  Sc.  Nov.  1801,  385. 
—  Ki.i.lor,  Illust.  N.  Am.  Birds,  i,  pi.  ix. 


1'"KIN(;1M,1I).K  — TllH  riNCIIKS.  499 

Sp.  CiiAH.  Autumnal  female,  flrcenlanil  race  {eanencens).  (ti:i, 1)77,  (irccnland,  Univ. 
Zoiil.  Mii.s.  Copciiliageii.)  In  general  ap|)t'araii('e  like  the  ('orrespoiidiiij;  pluinajre  ofy/i. 
liixiriu.i,  but  the  whole  I'uiiip  iinmaeiihite  white;  lioiital  hand  more  than  twiee  as  wiile  as 
in  liiiarius,  and  better  deCnied  ;  lower  lail-eoverts  without  streaks,  their  shafts  even  beinj); 
white.  Carmine  vertical  pateli  only  alillle  wider  than  the  whitish  frontal  patch  ;  head 
with  a  stroiij;  ochraecons  sull'iision.  Winii',  3..jO  ;  tail,  2.90  ;  bill,  .3.j  an<l  JJO ;  tarsus,  .00  ; 
middle  toe,  .32.     Win^'-foruuila,  1,  2,  and  3. 

IIai!.     Greenland.     V'ariatious  with  .season  probal>ly  as  in  smaller  Contiuculal  race. 

Aihilt  of  both  sejcs  in  sprimj.  Continental  race  {^r.nlipvx).  As  described  for  the  (Irccn- 
land  form,  l)nt  without  the  ochraoeous  .sulVusion.     Sides  very  sparsely  streaked. 

Mnh  in  sprini).  Breast  only  tin<;ed  with  dcdic^ato  peacli-lilossoui-pink,  M/s  crfeiiillitf/ 
farther  hack  medially  than  laterullij,  —  just  the  reveiso  of  Ai.  litiarins  ;  a  ver}'  faint  tin;^e 
of  tlie  same  in  the  white  of  the  rump.  Measurements  (Xo.  19,(iS(;,  Fort  Simpson.  Ai>ril 
30,1800;  B.  R.  Ros.'s,  CouKs's  type) :  Wing,  3.00;  tail.  2  ")5  ;  bill,  .29  and  .25  ;  tarsus,  .iVi; 
middle  toe,  .30;  wing-formula,  2,  1,  3,  4. 

Female  in  spring.  Similar,  but  lacking  all  red  except  that  of  the  pilcinn,  which  is  less 
intense,  though  not  more  restricted,  than  in  the  mide.  ^reasurciiicnts  (.No.  I!),7ti0,  Fort 
Simpson,  April  28;  B.  R.  Ross):  Wing,  2.80;  tail,  2.;5r) ;  bill,  .25  and  .22;  tarsus,  .51; 
middle  toe,  .30. 

/loth  nexes  in  autumn.  (9,  I'ort  Rae.)  The  white  of  the  whole  plumage,  except  on  the 
rump,  overspread  by  a  wash  of  pale  ochraeeous,  this  deepest  aiit(riorly  ;  on  the  anterior 
upper  ])arts  a  deep  tint  of  ochraeeous  entirely  replacing  the  white;  wiiig-markiugs  broader 
and  more  ochraeeous  than  in  the  spring  pliMuagcs  Wing,  2.85;  tail,  2.50;  bill,  .30  and  .25; 
tarsus,  .51  ;  middle  toe,  .30. 

IIaii.  Continentid  arctic  America.  In  winter  south  into  the  United  Stales  (as  far  as 
Mount  Carroll,  Ulinoi.s). 

Thouoli  yE.  rnnn^rrna  is  noavly  identical  with  ^E.  /Iiinriii.'^  in  si/o,  liicsc  two 
sjH'cies  may  always  bo  (li.stiiij^iiisiicd  IVum  oae.li  titlicr  l)y  ccfliiin  wdll-niaiked 
and  constant  ditlercnces  in  colomtion  ;  the  princi]iiil  of  tlicsi'  liiivc  Ih'cii  nieii- 
tioned  in  tlie  synoptical  tiible,  l)ut  a  few  otlier  points  may  lie  n(tte<l  iitn'c.  In 
spvine;  males  of  mwrwvH.s  the  delicate  r()sace(>us-i)iiik  of  the  breast  dnt^s  not 
extend,  np  on  to  the  clieeks,  and  bii#,'kward  it  extends  fait^ier  medially  tlian 
laterally,  scarcely  tingeing  the  sides  at  all  ;  \.hile  in  ^E.  /in<iriii'<  the  intensely 
rosaceons,  almost  carmine,  tint  covers  the  clieeks,  and  extends  backward 
much  larther  lateiully  thtm  medially,  covering  nearly  the  wiiolo  sides. 

Though  the  weakness,  or  shortness,  of  the  toes  comiKired  with  tlie  tarsus, 
is  a  feature  distinguishing,  upon  tilmost  microscopical  c(un])arison,  the  yE.  co- 
itearnu^  in  its  two  races  from  the  races  of  yE.  linarius,  it  will  not  by  any  means 
serve  to  distinguish  cdiK'-iccns  and  c/'tV/yx'.s-,  since,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  meas- 
urements <fii-:n,  the  ]iro])ortion  of  the  toes  to  the  tarsus  is  a  specific,  and  not 
a  race,  character.     (Uidgway.) 

H.XBITS.  The  history  of  tht  ^foaly  l{ed-Poll  can  only  be  jn-esented  with 
some  doubts  and  uncertainties.  We  cannot  always  dcteiiiiine  how  fiir  tlie 
accounts  given  by  others  may  have  belonged  to  this  species,  ami  we  can  only 
accept,  with  some  reserve,  their  statements. 

This  form,  wlicther  species  or  race,  is  known  to  inhtibit  (Ireenland,  where, 
according  to  Dr.  IJeinhardt,  it  is  constantly  resilient,  and  I  iiavo  received  its 


5(J(J  NORTH  AMKUrCAN   lilKDS. 

e{,'gs  from  tliat  ('(luiitry,  wlicio  its  idcutiiii'iitidii  was  apparetitly  comjtlete. 
Wlietlicr  this  bird  is  resilient  in,  roj^ularly  migratory  to,  or  only  accidental 
in,  Europe,  is  us  yet  a  ([uestion  liy  no  means  fully  settled.  Deyland  gives 
it  as  resident  in  Oreenland  only,  and  as  accidental  in  (Jerniany,  Belgium, 
and  the  north  of  France.  He  states  that  it  is  known  to  nest  in  shrubs 
and  in  low  trees,  and  that,  in  all  essential  respects,  its  manners  are  identical 
with  the  common  Ked-1'oll.  One  of  these  birds  wiis  taken  alive  in  a  snare 
in  the  vic.'inity  of  Abbeville,  and  kept  in  a  cage,  making  part  of  the  collec- 
tion of  M.  Uaillon. 

Yarrell  thought  that  suihcient  evidence  c.xi.sted  of  its  specific  distinctness, 
but  Mr.  Gould  regarded  it  as  a  matter  of  doulit  whether  the  birds  found  in 
Europe  were  natives,  fir  only  arrivals  from  nortliern  America.  He  states  that 
among  the  Loiulon  dealers  this  bird,  called  by  them  the  Stone  lied-Poll,  is 
well  known,  and  is  considered  distinct,  but  that  its  occurrence  is  very  rare. 
Occasionally,  at  great  intervals,  they  are  said  to  have  been  abundant. 

Mr.  IJoubleday,  of  Epping,  procured  several  sjieciinens  of  this  bird  in  Col- 
chester, in  January,  18o(j,  and  afterwards  obtained  a  living  pair,  which  he 
kept  for  some  time.  Their  notes  were  much  sharper  than  thn.se  of  the  lina- 
rius.  Its  occurrence  was  most  frctiuent  in  winter,  many  specimens  having 
been  obtained  in  England,  and  some  also  in  Scotland.  Its  hal>its  throughout 
the  year  are  sujijiosed  to  be  very  similar  to  those  of  the  common  lled-l'oU. 
Its  food  is  said  to  be  chiefly  the  seeds  of  various  forest  trees. 

^[r.  Temminck  describes  what  is  undoubtedly  this  sj)ecies,  under  the  title 
of  boreal  is.  H'  this  supjiosition  bo  admitted  to  be  correct,  its  geographical 
distribution  becomes  much  more  clearly  defined.  He  states  that  it  is  found 
during  the  summer  in  Norway  and  Sweden,  aiul  is  resident  of  the  Arctic 
Circle  throughout  the  year,  ami  is  also  found  in  Northern  Asia,  as  well  as  in 
America  and  in  other  parts  of  Europe.  He  has  received  specimens  from 
(.Treenland,  and  tdso  from  Japan,  difVeriug  in  no  respect  from  these  found  in 
Europe. 

Audubon  states  that  he  procured  four  s]ieciinens  of  this  bird  in  Newfound- 
land. In  their  habits  he  could  see  no  difference  between  them  and  the  com- 
mon Ued-1'oll,  l)ut  did  observe  a  noticeable  difference  in  tiieir  song.  He 
also  states  that  one  was  shot  by  Mr.  Edward  Harris  near  Moorestown,  N.  J. 

Mr.  John  WoUey,  in  his  expeditions  to  Lajdand,  found  tliere  only  one 
species  of  this  genns  which  was  clearly  referrible  to  the  Mealy  l!ed-Poll,  and 
was  a  common  resident  l)ird.  One  of  tiiese  eggs  from  Lapland  is  larger 
and  a  nnich  lighter-c(jlored  egg,  than  any  of  the  common  Imarius.  Tiie 
ground  is  a  greenish-wliite,  sparingly  spotted  with  dark  reddish-brown  about 
tiie  larger  end.  Its  measurement  is  .8(1  by  .oS  of  an  inch.  An  egg  from 
Greenland  is  not  jterceptilily  different  in  size,  color,  or  markings. 

Holbiill,  in  his  papers  on  the  fauna  of  (ireeidand,  demonstrates  very  dis- 
tinctly the  s])ecific  dideniuces  ln'tween  tliis  liird  and  tiu>  /imiriiis.  These 
are  its  stringer  and  bnjader  bill,  the  diHeience  in  colors  at  every  age,  its 


FUIXGlLMIhK  -TIIK  FINf'HE.S.  gaj 

much  oreater  si/.,  its  voiy  .lillnvnt  n„t«.s,  an.l  its  ,,„it(,  .lilH-ront  n.o.lcs  of 
lile.  tlie  r,n,r.ans  being  a  slrietly  rcsulcnt  si.ed.s,  and  the  linartns  hdiv 
uiigmtoiy.  " 

In  Mr.  sun.MH.r  this  s,.oci..s  is  toi.n.l  t..  ti.e  ext.vnio  nortli  nf  (Im-nland 
and  has  never  been  ki.uwn  t,,  nest  laithor  sonth  than  the  (lilth  parallel  It 
IS  more  muuerous  in  X..rth  (Iroenland  than  the  Ihiann.,  which  is  rare  at  ti.e 
extreme  north,  wluie  this  is  very  eonunon  even  at  latitu.le  7.r.  This  bird 
biukk  .ts  i.ests  m  bushes  in  the  san.e  n.anner  with  /uurrlus,  and  its  c-s 
closely  resenibl.  those  of  that  bird.  Its  notes,  he  adds,  do  not  at  all  7e- 
senible  those  of  the  Ked-I'oll,  b„t  are  like  those  of  the  A.>p,n.  <,„rr,In. 

It  ,s  a  resident  of  ( Jre<.nland  throughout  the  year,  and  in  the  winter  kee,,s 
on  the  n.ountains  in  the  interior,  but  is  n.uch  n.ore  nunu-ruus  at  latitude  G6° 
than  iarther  south.  In  February,  182(i,  H..lboll  .saw  n.:my  Hocks  on  the 
moun  an.s  between  IJitenlKtnk  an.l  Ou.anak,  and  in  the  journey  taken  in 
l.S.iO  by  a  merchant  fron.  Holsteinborg  into  the  interior  of  the  country  a 
great  nuu.y  Hocks  were  observed.  They  are  also  frcjueutlv  met  with 'by 
rem.leer-Imnters,  who  go  far  into  the  interior.  It  is  rarely Vound  in  South 
l^reenland  at  any  time,  an.l  never  in  the  sunnuer.  In  mild  winters  they 
sometimes  come  ali.n.t  the  settlements,  as  happened  in  the  winter  of  1828-  '^9 
and  agam  in  18;;7  -  :!8.  I„  the  intervening  winters  it  was  not  seen  at  (Jod- 
liaab,  and  n,  severe  winters  it  is  never  to  be  found  near  the  coast,  only  sin-de 
sj)ecnnens  occurring  there  in  sj)ring  and  autumn.  ° 

Mr.  :\IacKarlane  thinks  this  si)ecies  spends  the  winter  at  Fort  Anderson  as 
lie  has  met  with  it  as  late  as  December  and  as  early  as  February,  and  believes 
It  to  have  been  present  in  the  vicinity  in  the  interval  It  nests  in  May 
Mr  Harriott  found  one  ..f  its  nests  on  the  branch  of  a  tree,  about  five  ieet 
from  the  ground.     It  cDiitained  five  eggs. 

Tlie  egg  of  this  speeies  reseftifcles  th^t  of  the  Hnarlis  except  in  size  ami  its 
lighter  ground-color.  The  ground  is  a  bluish  or  greenish  white,  dotted  witii 
a  tawny-brown.  The  egg  is  ..f  a  more  oval  shape,  and  measures  .75  by  (JO 
of  an  inch.  '' 


^giothus  flavirostris,'  var.  brewsteri,   llmawAY. 

BHEWSTEB'S  LINNET, 

Sp.  CiiMi.  G.'noral  arpcaianoo  ..oincwliat  tl.at  of  .E.  limrim.  l.ut  no  ro^l  on  tho  rroM  i, 
and  IlK-  .v„los  mul  nn.ii.  tinov.l  will,  .snlplnn'-yollow  ;  no  Mack  cr„Iar  spot.  9  ,uJ  (Jrouii.l- 
«<>l-r  alu.vo  lif^ht  u.nhor,  homuins  s„lpl,nr-y,.|lo«-  on  tl,..  r.nnp,  ."ad,  li,atlK.r,  own  on  tlic 
«i<.wn,  w,th  a  distinct  medial  streak  of  dusky.  l!..neath  wlnto,  tin-od  with  rnivons-yd. 
low  .■nilcnoHy  an,l  alon-  the  sides;  si.les  and  eii.ssuni  slrrake,!  will,  ,lnskv.  Win-,  nn.l 
taiidnsk-y;  the  fonner  will,  two  pale  fulvous  bands ;   the  seeomlaries,  pnmaries,  and  tail- 

V,l,T""i"""  'r'""''"'  ?■""■  ^'"■'''  "'"•  '^^■'■''  '"^  <"°*  "f  TA„,««s).  "Fn„oilla  „,fc.ce„s, 
\  .KM.,.  I..„„.  F,a.„;.  tah.  41,  I.  1."  ,Juota  montUcm,  Hi-.  &  Sci.LKOKl,  Mou.  l,ox.  18f.o'  '^lI 
Harm  flavirostris,  HiiEilil." 


502 


NOUTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


feathers  narrowly  skirted  with  wliilisli  siilpliiir-ycllow.     A  dusky  loral  spot,  nnd  n  rntlier 
distinct  iifjlitcr  supcMviiiary  stripe.     Wiiij?,  3.(10 ;  tail,  2.50;  tnrsiis,  ..^O ;  iniddio  toe,  .30. 
Winfj-foriiiMlii,  1,  '2,  3,  etc. 
Hah.     Massiu'husetts. 

As  tlie  present  article  on  yEyiothiis  is  goin<r  to  press,  we  have  received, 
tlnou<j;li  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Ikewer,  a  specimen  of  wliat  appears  to  be  a 
tliird  si>ecies  ul'.fJr/iofJins,  ullit.'d  to  the  .K.  Jtavlrosfr is  of  Europe,  obtained 
in  Waltlmni,  Mass.,  by  Mr.  William  Brewster,  of  Cambridge.  Tiiis  bird 
was  killed  in  a  flock  of  yE.  linarius,  of  which  five  were  iilso  shot  at  the 
same  discharge.  None  of  the  others,  nor  indeed  of  any  of  ninety  specimens 
prepared  by  ISIr.  Brewster  dnring  the  winter,  were  at  all  like  the  present  one, 
which  is  entirely  different  from  anything  we  have  ever  seen  from  North 
America. 

The  relationship  of  this  bird  ajipears  to  be  nearest  to  the  uE.  flavirostrvi  of 
Europe,  with  the  9  of  which  it  agrees  in  many  respects,  as  distinguished 
from  linarius  and  cancsccns.  The  European  bird,  however,  lacks  the  sul- 
phur-yellow tinge  (which  gives  it  somewhat  the  appearance  of  Chrysomitris 
pinus),  has  the  throat  and  jugulum  strongly  redci  sh-buff,  instead  of  dingy 
yellowish-wliite,  and  is  nnich  browner  above  ;  besides  which  the  tail  is  longer 
and  loss  deeply  forked,  with  narrower  feathers. 

Habits.  Nothing  distinctive  was  observed  by  Mr.  Brewster  in  regard  to 
the  habits  of  the  specimen  killed  by  him. 


Uknus   LEUCOSTICTB,   Swainso;; 
Leimsticlc,  Sw.UNsnx,  Fauini  15or.  Am.  II,  18:?!,  265.     (Typo,  Limiria  tephrocnth,  Sw.) 

("iKN-.  CiiAH.     Bill  conicid,  roimdod,  ratliL'r  l.liiiit  at  the  tip  ;  the  oidmen  slightly  convex  ; 
the  commissure   .slightly  concave;  the  nostrils  and   'la.se   of  commissure  concealed    by 


Ij-iicoslirte  Irphrocotis 


deprcs.sed  hristly  feathers ;  a  depressed  ridge  exten.ling  about  parallel  with  the  culmen 
above  the  middle  of  the  bill.      Another   more  conspicuously  angulatcd  one  extending 


FRINOILMDyE  _  tHK  KINCIIES. 


503 


u      .lu.,..ny.s.     Ta,.s,..s  al,„„t  ...p.al  ,o  ,1„.  n,i,l,ll..   „...  ,.,..1  .law.     Inn.,.  C  al  „  L 
onger,  >.s  daw  not  .vaclnnj,  l,eyo,„l  ,1k.  l.aso  of  ,1...  „,i,l,ll..  .„„,     „i,„|  ,0.  r.aU.r  1,.  „  " 
.18  claw  ion,..,,  than  tl.o  digital  portion.     U'in.s   vo.y  Ion,;   ,h.st  ,,nill   Ion.       '        'l u- 
prminnes  longer  than  the  .sfuondan..,s.     Tail  fo.ku.l.  '^".'.t,  all  tiu 

Tl.i.s  genus  diflers  fro,„  .Jiyio/kns  in  tlto  more  „l,tuse  an.l.curvecl  l.ill  the 
les.s  developntent  of  l.ristly  feathers  at  the  base,  the  ri.lge  on  the  lower  man- 
dible the  ateral  toe  not  reaching  beyond  the  base  of  the  niid.lle  one  un.l 
possibly  a  longer  hind  toe.  Its  relationship  to  the  other  tillies  will  be  fonnd 
exi)ressed  m  the  synoptical  table  of  Convthmiistuuv 

_    The  number  of  American  species,  or  at  least  races,  of  th-s  genus  has  been 

increased  consi.lerably  since  the  publication  of  JJirds  of  North  Ameri...  live 

n^w  belonging  to  the  American  fauna,  instead  of  tiie  three  there  mentioned 

01  the  species  usually  assigned  to  the  genus,  one,  Z.  ur.ioa,  is  .p.ite  dilferent 

in  form,  lacking  the  ndge  of  the  mandible,  etc.,  and  in  having  the  ends  of  the 

secondaries  graduated  in  tlie  closed 

wing,  instead  of  being  all  on  tlie  same 

line.     The  colors,  too,  are  normally 

different  ;    in    arctoa    being    dusky, 

with   silvory-gray   wings    and    tail, 

without  rose  tips  to  the  leathers  of 

the  posterior  i)art  of  l)ody;  and  in 

LcHcostide.  proper,  the  wings  and  tail 

being   dark-brown    narrowly   edged 

with  whitish,  or  more  broadly,  like 

the  ends  of  tlie  feathers  of  the  body 

behind,   with   rose-color.      For   the 

present,  however,  we  shall  combine  the  species,  not  liaving  before  us  any 

American  specimens  of  L.  arctoa. 

From  the  regular  gradation  of  each  form  into  tlie  other  — the  extremes 
being  thus  connected  by  an  unbroken  chain  of  intermediate  forms  — it  seems 
reasonable  to  consider  all  the  North  American  forms  as  referable  to  one  spe- 
cies (Z.  tephrocotis,  Sw.,  1831)  as  geographical  races.  They  may  be  distin- 
guished as  follows :  — 

Common  Characters.  Body  anteriorly  chocolate-lM-own  ;  po..toriorlv  tin-e.l 
with  rose-rod.  Wing-coverts  (broadly)  an.l  <,uills  edged  with  the  same.  Head 
above  hght  ashy  or  silvery-gray,  as  are  also  the  feathers  aroun.l  the  base  of  nnpor 
niandibl,; ;  the  forehead  and  a  patch  on  crown  blackish.     Throat  dn^^ky. 

Additional  Characters.  The  chocolate-colore.l  feathers  an.l  tiu-  secondary  qnills 
somotmies  the  tail-feathers  and  greater  wing-eoverts,  edged  with  pale  brownish- 
wlnteor  fnlvons ;  the  interseapnlars  with  darker  centres.  Rose  of  nnnp  and 
upper  tad-coverts  in  r.,rin  of  transverse  bands  at  end  of  feathers,  that  of  ab.lon.en 
more  a  contninons  wash.  Lining  of  wings  and  axillars  white,  tin-ed  will,  rose 
at  ends  of  feather...  Feathers  of  crissum  dark  brown,  edge.l  with  wbiiish  some- 
times Unged  with  rose.     Hill  generally  reddish  or  yellowish,  will,  blackish  tip 


Leiicosticle  Uplirocolis. 


504  NOin'II  AMKUKJAM  KIllDS. 

A.   Aiiriciiliira  choculiiU'-lnciw  ii. 

1.  Whole  sidu  of  lusiid  below  tlio  oyo,  iiicliiiliiip  tlio  aurionlnrs,  Hioco- 
latc-lirown.  Chin  not.  Iiordored  nnti-rioily  with  iish.  In  the  liicecjin^r- 
scnson,  heiid  dailu'i-  and  iish  wiiiitin;,'.  Wiiif;,  4.l}o ;  tail,  11.00;  hill  .U  ; 
taisiis,  .72.     llah.    Intii'ioi  re^'iona  of  N'oilli  Anieriea.    .       var.  I /■  p  li  luira  /  i  s . 

2.  Cheeks,  lores,  and  anterioi'  lionlerciC  the  ehin  asli-eolor,  Wiiifr,  -1.00; 
tail,  2.80;  bill,  .44;  tiiraus,  .70.  Hah.  Colorado  anil  Wyoining  Terri- 
tories      var.  (•(tinjiCHtris. 

!!•    Anrieiilars  a.sli-eolor. 

3.  Wing,  4.;J0;  tail,  IJ.OO;  hill,  .40;  tarsus  (?).  Choeolate  ol'th(!  breast, 
etc.,  lifjht,  exactly  as  in  lejilimcofin ;  rose  beneath  restricted  to  the  alidn- 
mee  ;  lores  and  ehin  li<rbt  ash.     Hah,    Northwest  eoast  from   Kodiak  to 

Fort  Sini|)son,  east  to  Wyoinini,' Ti'iritory  .        .        .         \iiv,  li  I  tor  a  I  i  n. 

4.  Win^',  4.(iO  ;  tail,  3.40 ;  bill,  .40  ;  tarsus,  .IH.  Choeolate  very  daik, 
ineliniii^'  to  sepia;  rose  extending  forward  on  to  the  breast;  lores  blaek- 
isli ;  chin  dusky  j^ray  .    ffah.  Aleutian  Islands  (St.  (J<'orge's,  I'nalaschka, 

and  Kodiak) \nv.  y  r  isei  ii  ii  c li  <( . 

A  clcsely  alliutl  species '  iVoin  Kaiutschatkii  ami  tlie  Kiirile  I.slniul  (litters 
mainly  in  liaviny  the  nasal  feathers  as  well  as  the  head  blackish,  but  with- 
out distinct  patch  on  the  tojt,  and  the  najJC  rtisty,  in  contrast  with  the  back. 
It  is  about  the  size  of  L.  (q)hrocotis.  This  species  may  yet  be  delected  in 
the  westernmost  Aleutians. 


Leucosticte  tephrocotis,''  Swainson. 

ORAT-CROWNED  FINCH. 

Linaria  (LcuaisHdc)  kphramlis,  i'.w.  V.  !?or.  Am.  II,  ]8:}1,  2").'),  pi.  1.  LtncnMietc  tephro- 
colis,  Sw.  Uirds  II,  l»;j7.  —  Hon.  Consp.  1800,  530.  --  1!aii;u,  Staiisbury's  Salt  Lake, 
18r>-2,  317.—  111.  Birds  X.  Am.  ]».')8,  430.  —  ('<poim;i!,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  104.  Eriilhrdspiza 
lc])/iri)c,di.s,  15nx.  List,  lS3t<.  —  .\ri>.  Syii.  1839.  -  III.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  170,  pL 
c.xeviii.     Frinijilla  kphrocufh,  .\iii.  Orii.  Uio^^  V,  1839,  '232,  pi.  ccccxxiv. 

Sp.  Ciiak.  (No.  19,2"i.j.)  Male  in  irhiler.  General  color  dark  ehnoolate-brown  or 
umber,  lij^hter  and  more  chestnut  l)eli)W  :  the  feathers  to  a  considerable  dejrrec  with  paler 
edfies  (most  evident  in  inmiatnro  .fpeeimens),  those  of  back  with  darker  centres.  N.isal 
bristly  feathers,  ami  those  along  base  of  maxilla,  and  the  hind  head  to  nape  ash-gray,  this 
color  forming  a  square  patch  on   top  of  head,  and  not  extending  below  level  of  eyes.     A 

1  Lciicostif/i;  hrnnneinuchn.  Frhujilhi  {Liii'irla)  brinnicinnclm,  T?i!AN'lvr,  Hull.  Acnd.  St. 
IVtcrshurg,  1841,  3.").  Mimlifrinijilla  (LcKcdnlicIc)  liruniietHnc/ni,  Hon.  &  .Scu i.kci'.i,,  Men. 
Loxi(!iis,   ISi'iO,  30,  pi.  xlii. 

'^  As  this  sheet  is  going  through  the  ]>ross,  we  have  Iw-en  pemiitted  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  to 
exan.''U'  a  series  of  liird.s,  obtained  by  liiiii  in  Julj%  1871,  on  Mt.  Liueidn,  Colorado,  above  the 
timber  line,  where  they  were  breeding  abnndaiitly.  Alt'ioiif,'li  veiy  dillen'iit  from  winter  L. 
tephrocoli.i,  they  yet  strongly  .suggest  the  idea  of  their  l)eing  that  species  in  summer  dress.  They 
present  the  following  chameteristies  :  — 

Breeding  pi umaijc.  Dilfering  from  the  stngt^  first  described  .ibove,  in  entire  al)seMct'  of  any  ash 
about  tlie  h<'ail,  and  in  deep  black,  instead  of  yer.'iwi.sh  bill.  $  with  the  red  tints  intense 
carmine,  in.stead  of  ])eacli-blossoni  jank,  that  of  the  abdomen  extending  fartlier  forward.  9  hi^^k- 
ing  the  red,  or  with  oidy  a  tiuge  of  it.     Hood  da'k  vandyke-biuwn,  becoming  nearly  black  on 


i''i{iNaiM,ii>.fi  — TiiK  FfxriiKs.  505 

I'rontiil  liluckisli  piitrli  I'xii'iKliii;^  tWnii  luisc  oC  liill  (i'.\i'i'|itiii^  llu!  lirislly  Ci'ulla'i'M  iiiiiiie- 
(liiili'ly  acljiK'ciit  111  it),  ami  ifiu'liiii^'  sdint'wlmt  licyciml  tlic  liiii'  ol'  iln-  eyes,  willi  coii- 
vl'X  outliiic  licliind,  1111(1  fxteiiiiiii;,'  Ics.-  distinctly  mi  lliu  loiai  iv^iioii.  t'liiii  ami  liii'oat 
liaikcr  cliL'stimt,  iiiil  jriayi.-^ii  aiiltiicjily.  liudy  buliiiid  dusky;  IIk;  reathcrs  of  alHloiiioii 
and  lliuiks  wusIilmI,  and  of  I'lissiiiii,  luinp,  mid  iilipfl'  tuil-covorU  tijipcd,  with  rosc-rfil ; 
wiiif,'-(;oVL'rts,  and  Ik  sonic  cxlcnl  (|uiils,  oil;.'c(l  with  tiif  same",  olhciwisc  with  white. 
Hill  ycllowisii,  with  dusky  tip;  feel  lijai'k.  lA'n;,'lli  lict'ori-  skinning',  O.oO;  extent,  I  I.'jO. 
Skin;  Lciijith,  (i,r.O;  wiii^',  •1.30 ;  tail,  3.00. 

Yiiiiii;/.  Pattern  ol'  coloration  as  in  Ihc  adult  of  A.  le/ilinicolis ;  asii  similarly  restiicted, 
hut  with  the  lilack  liontal  patch  liadly  dcliiicd.  The  lirowii  of  tiie  pluiiiai,'e,  however,  is 
of  an  eiilircly  diU'ciciil  slia<lc  lioin  liiat  of  adult  specimens  ol'  tcjilirocitlis,  l)ein<j  of  a  lilack- 
ish-sei)ia  east,  imieli  darker,  even,  than  in  i/riseiiiiiilut ;  each  feather  also  broadly  hordered 
terminally  with  paler,  these  borders  beiiij;  whitish  on  the  throat  and  breast,  brownish  on 
the  nape  and  hack,  and  light  rose  (broadly)  on  the  scapnlais.  The  whole  aliiloinen, 
flunks,  and  crissum  are  nearly  eontinnously  iicach-lilossoni  pink,  which,  with  that  of  the 
lesser  and  middle  winn;-eoverts  and  rump,  is  of  a  liner  and  bri;,diter  tint  than  in  adults. 
The  other  edgings  to  wings  are  pale  oelnw.'eons  ;  under  side  of  wing  pure  while.  ]5ill  dull 
yellow,  dusky  toward  tii(.  Wing,  1.20;  tail,  3.S0.  (liU,li;!S,  I'iiitah  Mountains,  L'tah, 
September  liO,  1870;  Du.  F.  V.  Havdkn.) 

The  young  specimen  ilcscribotl  was  obtained  during  the  siininicr  of  1871 
in  tlie  Uintali  Mountains  ;  and  wore  it  not  unniislaiviilily  a  bird  of  the  year, 
it  would  be  considered  almost  a  distinct  species,  .so  dill'erent  is  it  from 
adult  specimens  of  tcphrovotis. 

Habits.  Of  the  history  tind  habits  of  this  well-marked  and  strikingly 
peculiar  bird,  but  little  is  known.  It  was  tirst  described  by  Swainson  from 
a  single  specimen,  obtained  on  the  Saskatchewan  I'lains,  in  ^lay,  by  Dr. 
Eichardson's  party.  Specimens  were  afterwards  procured  in  Cai)tain  Stans- 
bury's  expedition,  near  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  in  March,  1850.  Dr.  Hayden 
found  them  very  abundant  on  the  Laramie  Plains  during  the  winter  season, 
and  Mr.  Pearsall  obtained  numbers  about  Fort  lienton.  Dr.  Cooper  has  iilso 
seen  one  specimen  brought  from  somewhere  east  of  Lake  Tahoe,  in  Washoe, 
by  Mr.  R  Gruber.  They  were  said  to  be  ])lentiful  tliere  in  the  cold  winter 
of  18G1-G2.  Dr.  Cooper  thinks  it  probable  tliat  they  visit  the  similar 
country  east  of  the  northern  Sierra  Nevada,  in  California. 

A  single  flock  of  what  is  presumed  to  have  been  thi;.:  species  was  seen  by 
Mr.  liidgway,  on  the  5tli  of  January,  in  the  outskirts  of  Virginia  City,  Ne- 

tlu^  forehead  ;  rest  of  head  light  chocolati'-hrowii,  siiifilar  to,  but  inure  faded  than,  that  of  the 
winter  phniiage  ;  nasal  tufts  grayish-wliite. 

Ten  speeimens  collected  by  Mr.  Allen  all  agive  in  the  eharaeters  pointed  out,  by  whieli  they 
differ  from  the  winter  ]iluniage  of  L.  leplifamtis.  Taking  into  eoiisiileration  the  fact  of  their 
black  instead  of  yellowish  bill,  more  intense  red,  and  generally  more  dusky  colors,  as  well  as 
the  other  points  of  distinction  from  the  previously  known  plumages  of  /,.  lefjlimmtis,  and  also 
that  they  are  identical  in  size  and  proportion,  while  specimens  of  L.  kphrocnlh  in  the  breeding 
plumage  have  not  before  been  seen,  it  seems  very  reasonable  to  .su]ppo.se  that  these  specimens 
rein-eseiit  the  breeding  plumage  of  that  s|iecies.  Tliere  i.s  some  resemlilanee  to  L.  brnnncinucha, 
which,  from  the  plate  in  Bonaparte  anil  Sehlegid's  monograph  of  the  Coccolhntiuilinw,  seems  to 
differ  mainly  in  being  lighter  eolnred.  ilr.  Allen  says  that  these  birds  were  breeding  abundantly 
iu  the  locality  where  they  were  found. 
U4 


506  NORTH   AMKIIICAN  lUIU)!^. 

viulii.  Tlio  flock  WHS  llittiiij,'  loslk'ssly  over  tlie  snow  in  tlio  niunnor  of  tlio 
J'fir/riiphinifs. 

Nothing  lias  Itet'ti  nsrcr'ainiitl.Ro  far  as  wonre  now  inlbrnjod.as  to  its  nest, 
eggs,  or  gciu'ial  distiihution  (lining  the  breiiding-season. 

Mr.  .1.  K.  Lord  states  that  he  met  with  a  flock  of  these  rare  and  l)eantiful 
birds  on  the  siunniit  of  tlie  Cascade  Mountains.  It  was  late  in  October,  and 
he  observed  a  flock  of  nine  or  ten  birds  pecking  along  the  ground,  and  feed- 
ing somewhat  in  the  manner  of  Larks.  Puzzled  to  know  what  birds  they 
could  be  at  such  an  altitiule  so  late  in  the  year,  ho  fired  among  them  and 
secured  three,  a  female  and  two  males  in  fine  plumage.  (I'erhaiw  var.  littor- 
al is.) 

In  July  of  the  following  summer,  on  the  summit  of  the  Kocky  Mountains, 
near  the  Kootaiiie  Pass,  he  again  saw  these  birds  feeding  on  the  ground.  He 
shot  several,  but  they  were  all  young  birds  of  the  year.  It  is  therefore  ren- 
dered probable  that  these  P'inclies  breed  on  the  Cascade  and  Ilocky  Moun- 
tains, in  both  at  about  the  same  altitude,  or  seven  thousand  feet,  coming 
into  the  lowlands  during  the  winter,  as  it  is  not  likely  that  they  could  endure 
the  cold  of  tiie  summits,  or  find  there  a  sufticiency  of  food,  the  winter  being 
very  severe,  and  the  snow  three  feet  or  more  in  depth. 

^[r.  Charles  N.  Ilolden,  a  promising  young  ornithologist  of  Chicago,  who 
observed  these  birds  among  the  Black  Hills,  near  Sherman,  at  an  altitude 
of  eight  thousand  feet  above  the  sea,  has  furnished  me  with  interesting 
observations  in  regard  to  them.  He  informs  me  tliat  he  did  not  meet  with 
these  birds  there  in  summer.  They  came  in  small  flocks  in  the  coldest  part 
of  winter.  Their  food  consisted  of  small  seeds  and  insects.  In  some  in- 
stances he  found  the  crops  so  distended  with  seeds  as  to  distort  their  shape. 
They  l>ecome  very  fat,  and  are  excellent  eating.  In  one  si)t!cimen,  a  young 
male,  the  plumage  was  almost  black,  as  described  at  the  beginning  of  this 
article.  These  liirds  were  quite  numerous,  and  nearly  forty  specimens  were 
secured.  Ho  was  not  able  to  learn  anything  in  reference  to  their  breeding- 
]>laces.  Except  by  dissection,  he  found  it  difficult  to  distinguish  between  a 
young  male  of  the  first  year  and  a  female. 

If  the  .specimen  referred  to  in  the  foot-note  at  the  beginning  of  this  arti- 
cle as  collected  by  Mr.  Allen  on  Mount  Lincoln  be  really  this  si)ecip.s,  an  im- 
])ortant  advance  in  its  history  will  have  been  reached,  showing  tliat  their 
summers  are  si)ent  in  the  high  mountain  summits,  and  that  the  rest  of  the 
year  is  passed  low(U'  down  on  the  plains. 


FIUXOILUD.K      TIIK  riN'ClIIX  507 

Leucosticte  tephroootis,  var.  campestris,  IIaiiiu. 

THE  OBAT-CHEEKED  FIHCH. 

Leucudidc  camii'xlris,  Haiiui,  Cimi'KU,  Orii.  Ciil.  I,  1(13,  1870. 

Sr.  CllAli.  lioily  lijrlit  clioi'i)lntc-lii()Wii,  the  t'catlR'rs  cdf.'cd  with  imlci'.  tliosc  (if  llic 
bnck  Willi  nillicr  (InrkiT  (■(•iitri's.  Koiitlicrs  oriiiml  ifj^'ioii,  Hanks  licliiud,  t'lissiiin,  iiiiiip, 
and  uiipei-  tail-uov('rts,  wiiix-fovcrts,  and  primary  (luills,  edged  willi  losc-rcd  ;  secoiidaiy 
qniils  and  tail-t'eatliLTs  with  paii-  fiilvoiiM;  iitlhi  or  no  trnco  of  rose  on  nmlcr  wind's.  Fore- 
head and  paleli  on  crown  hlaekisii ;  the  liind  iiead  to  nape,  cheeks  inilnechalely  nnder  tlic 
eye  (hut  not  ineiiidini,'  the  aurieidars,  e.\ee|)t,  perliaps,  tii(!  most  anterior)  ami  liasc  of 
lower  mandible  all  round,  ashy-gray.  Throat  dusky.  JJili  yellowish,  with  dusky  lip. 
hii\!,!i  dusky. 

No.  41,527,  near  Denver  City,  Col.,  .lanuary,  18(i2  (Du.  C.  Wkhnkik).  Length,  7.00; 
wing,  4.00;  tail,  3  00;  exposed  iwrtioii  of  lirst  primary,  ;5.U/.  Hill  from  forehead,  .(iO; 
from  no.'stril,  .40 ;  tarsus,  ."o ;  middle  loe  and  elaw,  .80;  claw  alone,  :1\\  hind  toe  and 
claw,  .80 ;  claw  alone,  .37. 

Had.    Colorado  Territory  (Dii.  Wkhniok)  ;  Wyoming  Territory  (Mii.  II.  1{.  Duukrk). 

Tlii.s  form  Itears  ii  close  mseiiiblaiicc  to  L.  frji/irom/ is,  and  iiiiiv,  iiidocd,  l)c 
a  variety  of  it ;  but  as  it  (liU'cr-s  in  the  chaiuetcfs  that  appear  ^(eiierally  to  lie 
those  most  constant  in  Litivstictr,  ami  as,  in  lil'ty  skins  of  the  /ijiJuvcotiH 
from  one  locality,  we  have  seen  nothin<f  like  it,  wt;  aii',  inclined  to  consider 
them  distinct.  The  sizes  and  j^eneral  appearance  iire  much  the  same,  tlie 
difference  licinjf  that  in  irjihrocut is  the  whole  cheeks  are  cliocolate  below  tlie 
level  of  the  eye,  the  chin  without  any  pay  ;  while  in  ni mimlrii^  the  sides 
of  head  below  the  eye,  but  not  including  the  ears,  with  a  narrow  border  of 
the  chin,  a'-e  of  tiiis  color. 

From  liUomli>i  this  form  may  be  distingiii.sh  -d  by  the  less  extent  of  ash 
on  the  clieeks,  which  in  littoraliH  covers  the  whole  ears,  and  extenils  back 
fartlier  on  the  head  all  round.  L.  grixnunrhu  is  marked  like  littoralis,  and 
is  much  larger  than  either.  Possi'ily  it  may  be  well  to  entertain  the  idea 
of  its  being  a  hybrid  between  ti'phrocotia  and  /if torn/ is  w  ijrifsciniiihd. 

The  .specimen  described  was  pr(?sented  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  by 
Dr.  Wernigk,  and  at  the  time  was  supposed  to  bo  L.  ff/ihrorDtis. 

Of  this  form,  nothing  as  to  its  habits  is  known  with  certainty.  It  proba- 
bly does  not  diHer  in  any  important  resi)ect  from  the  allied  races. 

Leucosticte  tephrocotis,  var.  littoralis,  Haird. 

HEPBVBirS  FINCH. 

Leucosticte  griseinvrhct,  Er.MOT,  Illust.  Birds  Am.  X.  Lciicos/ic/e  li/tnrah's,  Baiki),  Tr.  C'h. 
A.  S.  1,  1869,  318,  pi.  x.vviii,  f.  1.  —  Dai.i,  &  Basn-lsteii,  lb.  p.  282.  —  Cooi-Kli,  Orii. 
Cal.  I,  162. 

Sp.  Chah.  Body  chocolate-brown,  the  leather.s  narrowly  margined  with  paler,  those  of 
the  back  with  rather  darker  centres      Abdomen,  llaiik.s,  cri.ssum,  rump,  upper  tail-eovcrts, 


508  NOltTH  AMKUICAX   UIKDS. 

win|?-roverts,  iiinl  (|iiills  oilj^'cd  with  rosi'-iv(|,  luoru  ni'  less  coiitiiiiKiiis  (Icust  so  on  the 
rump);  tlic  outer  edges  of  seeoiularies  anil  tail-t'eiilhei's  [lali!  I'lilvous,  tlie  latter  witli  a  rosy 
shade.  Head  silver)  -i,'nvy  ;  the  forehead  and  paleh  on  erown  hlaek  ;  the  eliin  fjray,  eon- 
tinuous  with  that  of  cheek  ;  the  throat  dark  brown,  shadiiif;:  into  tlio  chocolate  of  breast. 
Bill  yellowish,  the  extreme  tip  dusky.  Nasal  leathers  while.  Fiength,  7.10  ;  wing.  4.:iO; 
tail,  ;{.10  ;  exposed  portion  of  lirsl  primary,  .'i.lO.  Length  of  liill  from  furehead,  .(lU  ;  from 
nostril,  .35.     Tarsu.s,  .70. 

IIab.     Kodiak  (Hlsciioif)  ;  Sitka  (nrseiioFK) :  Fort  Simiison,  Ihilish  Columbia  (Ukp- 

■in)  ;  Gilmer,  Wyoming  (.Di'itKKK). 

Tliis  ra(!C,  wliich  we  believe  to  be  the  Southern  eoast  representiitivc  oigrisci- 
niichti,  bears  much  resoinblaiifo  to  thiit  birtl,  but  is  considerably  smaller  ;  the 
colors  are  briojiter  and  lighter,  more  like  those  of  tiiihrorutit<,  tind  the  bill  is 
shorter  iind  more  conictd,  the  dark  jnitcli  on  tlie  heiul  more  restricted,  the  cliin 
more  ashy,  tind  the  brown  of  the  head  not  so  ftn-  forward.  From  tcphrorotis 
it  is  distinguislied  by  the  extension  of  the  ash  of  lieail  below  the  eye  ;  and  from 
cnnijH'sfria  by  having  the  ciir-coverts  ashy,  insteail  of  the  anterior  portion  of 
the  cheeks  only  ;  ami  there  is  a])])iirently  ii  greater  e.xtent  of  gmy  on  the  chin. 

Si)ecimens  obtained  at  Kodiak  in  Fel)ruary  arc  distinguishable  from  speci- 
mens of  griticini(r/u(,  ol)tiiined  witii  them  at  the  same  jilace,  only  by  their 
much  smaller  size,  iind  lighter  chocolate  tints.  Tiie  occurrence  of  both  these 
races  at  the  same  ])lace,  at  tlie  same  time,  is  a  suliject  for  specultttion.  A 
perfectly  typicid  specimen  (No.  nO.'JUO)  ia  in  the  collection  from  (Jilmer, 
Wyoming  Territory,  obtained  by  jMr.  II.  II.  Durkee,  ii  frequent  contributor 
to  the  collections  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  tind  sent  by  him  idong  witli 
numerous  specimens  of  L.  Iqi/trucutts,  with  which  it  appears  to  l;ave  been 
mixed. 

Leucosticte  tephrocotis,  vur.  griseinucha,   liAiitn. 

THE  OBAT-EABED  FINCH. 

Passer  niv/nti.i,  var.  y,  Pai.i.as,  Zoiig.  IJnsso-asiat.  II  (WU),  2:(.  Fn'iifilNi'  {Linorin)  prisei- 
niH-hn,  IlKANirr,  Hull.  Acad.  St.  rctcrshurg,  Nov.  1841,  Sli.  Mont ifriiujiUa  (Leucos- 
ticte) (iriseintichi.  Box.  &  Sen  I,.  Moil.  Loxiciis  (isno),  S.'i,  ])l.  xli.  Lem-nstiete.  t/nsei- 
nueliii,  MAiiin,  liirds  N.  Am.  4:in.  —  Kirri.rrz,  Di'iikwiirdigkcitim  (18,'i8),  1,  aid. — 
Dam,  it  liANMsTKi;,  Tr.  Ch.  Ar.  .S,;.  I,  istiSt,  :>.s-J.  -  liAiiiu,  111.  11.  ;il7,  pi.  xxviii, 
f.  2.  —  Kl.l.lor,  IlluNt  \iii.  15.  pi.  xi.  —  t'ooi'Kl!,  (»iii.  t'al.  1,  Itil.  Leucosticte 
yriseiijciii/s,  (lon.D,  Voy.  Sulphur. 

Sp.  Char.  Deseripiion  of  spoeimen  No.  54,240:  (xcnpi-al  eolor  dark  brownish-choco- 
late anteriorly,  the  feathers  of  back  rather  darker  in  the  centre,  and  with  ]ialcr  edges. 
Forehead  and  crown  lilack  ;  rest  of  the  head,  iii"'"diiig  the  cheeks  and  cars,  of  a  rather 
silvery  gray  ;  throat  bla^'kish,  .^hading  oil"  insensibly  into  the  chocolate  of  Incast.  Featiicrs 
of  abdomen  (and  hinder  part  of  breast  to  a  less  degree),  Hanks  and  cri.>vsnm,  with  the  rump 
mill  upiier  tail-coverts,  and  les.-ier  and  middle  wing-coverts,  tipped  with  dark  pomegranate 
or  rose-red,  allowing  mor  ■  or  less  of  thin  dusky  ba.ses  to  be  seen,  espeeiallv  above,  wdiero 
there  is  an  aiipearancc  of  bars.  Wing  and  tail  feathers  brown,  iie,ii-ly  all,  including  the 
greater  wing-coverts,  edged  with  pale  yellowish-gray  u  ilh  only  a  faint  tinge  of  ro.sc.  Bill 
dusky ;  da'  'ce.st  at  tip.     Legs  black. 


FUINOlLLlIhK  — TIIH  IMNCIIKS.  5Q() 

Dimensions:  Total  luiii,'!!!,  T.HO ;  wiutr,  •l.'^i';  (nil,  '■>.'>*>.  Ivxnoscd  [Hirtion  of  liist  |iii- 
niiiiy,  .'i.")!).  JJill,  IriPiu  I'oifiieiwl,  .(JU ;  iVom  lutstril,  .I'J.  Li'i^s :  tarsus,  .1).");  luiildlc  loc 
iiiul  claw,  .02;  claw  alinic,  ..'J'/ ;  himl  toe  and  claw,  .()!):  claw  alone,  .;i.S. 

IIau.     Al<Milian  Islands  (Hi.  (!coi'gi''s  and  riiahuschka). 

This  is  coiisiilunibly  tlio  largest  of  tiiu  Aiiu'rican  siiccics  di'  Liinvnllrlf,  ami 
lias  a  longer  bill.  It  also  has  the  chocolatu  and  rose  color  darker,  and  the 
rose  extending  iarther  forward  ou  the  breast  than  in  other  species.  It  could 
only  lie  conlbunded  with  C.  llf/orniis  as  to  color,  both  having  the  liead  abdve, 
and  on  tiie  sides,  a.shy,  covering  the  whole  ear-coverts;  but  the  dusky  patch 
on  the  crown  is  more  extended,  the  ash  of  chin  iiKire  restricteil,  and  the 
throat  darker.  The  rose  extends  iarther  along  the  breast,  and  the  tints  arc 
diflerent.     Tiie  size  is  much  larger. 

A  specimen,  apparently  young,  jierhaps  a  female,  differs  in  didler  tints, 
and  a  tinge  of  ochreous-yeHow  on  the  middle  of  tiie  alidonien  and  crLssuni. 
The  lining  of  the  wings  is  without  tiny  rose-color. 

IJonaparte  and  Schlegel  describe  the  young  of  this  sj)ecies  as  without  rose- 
color. 

Specimens  of  this  bird  were  obtained  at  St.  (leorgo's  Island,  Avith  the  eggs 
(which  are  white),  1)y  Afr.  W.  IF.  J)all.     J)r.  Minor  found  it  at  Tnalaschka. 

II.ABITS.  Tiie  (Iray-eared  Finch  is  the  largest  s]iecies  of  this  remarkable 
genus  known  to  inhabit  North  America.  Tlius  far,  excejit  in  onc^  instance,  it 
has  been  met  with  only  in  the  Aleutian  Islands  and  I'nalasclika.  In  the  latter 
jilace  they  were  met  with  by  Dr.  T.  T.  Elinor,  and  in  the  former  liy  .Mr.  I  tail. 

JNfr.  Ii.  lirown  (Ibis,  IHOH,  ]i.  41':^)  states  that  a  single  s|iecinien  of  this 
very  rare  bird  was  taken  at  Fort  L'upert,  Vancouver  Island,  in  June,  18(12^ 
by  Mr.  I'.  M.  C.'ompton,  the  officer  in  charge  of  that  station.  Tiiis,  however, 
may  have  belonged  to  the  var.  /l//(ir(i/is. 

"Mr.  Dall  states  that  they  abound  on  the  Pribylow  and  the  other  Aleutian 
Islands,  A  nnmlier  of  sjiecimens  were  obtaiiu^d  on  tlie  St.  (Jeorge's  in  Au- 
gust, though  at  that  time  they  were  moulting.  At  that  season  tiiis  bird 
had  no  ,song  exce])t  a  clear  chir]),  .sounding  like  mrZ-fi  urif-d-irc'r-ircrf.  It 
was  on  the  wing  a  gretit  ])art  of  the  time,  rarely  alighting  on  the  ground,  but 
darting  ra])idly  in  a  series  of  descending  and  ascending  curves.  At  one  time 
it  would  sM'ing  on  the  ln'oad  to]>  of  an  umbelliferous  plant,  and  at  another 
alight  on  .son;e  ledge  of  tlie  jierjiendicular  liluff,  Juinjnng  from  ]inint  to  ])oint, 
as  if  delighting  to  test  its  own  agility.  Mr.  Dall  adds  that  its  nest  is  a 
sini])le  hollow  on  one  of  the  ledges,  ])rovided  with  a  few  straws  or  a  bit  of 
mos.s.  They  deposit  their  eggs  in  May,  and  these  are  four  in  number.  In 
August  tlieir  young  were  fully  fledged. 

They  feed  on  the  siseds  of  grasses  and  other  small  iilants,  but  in  the  cro]) 
of  one  Mr.  Dall  found  two  or  three  small  beetle.^.  They  were  also  received 
from  Kodiak,  through  Mr.  I>isclioff. 

Their  eggs  are  of  a  grayisli-white,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  yellowish,  and 
measure  .Oo  by  .?(•  of  an  inch. 


51U 


NORTH  AMKKICAN   lilliUS. 


Gknus  FLECTROPHANES,   Mkyer. 

Phrt ropha lies,  tilF.YKn,  "  Tascliciiluu^li,  ISIO."     Afjassiz.     {Tyyo,  Einhfrhn  nivdiji.) 
CcnlniphniKK,  KAur,   "  Kiitw.  Ucscli.   l'',iii'o]>.   Tliierwelt,  1621)."     Agiissiz.     (Tyi*>  E.  Inp- 
pan  iai. ) 

Gkn.  CiiAii.  Bill  variable ;  conical;  tli(!  lower  mandible  higher  than  the  upper;  the 
sides  of  l)()tli  iiiMiidililcs  (in  the  typical  spe<ies)  ifuarded  by  a  closely  applied  brush  oC 
stid'eued  bristly  leather.-!  directed  forwards,  and  in  the  upper  jivw  concealing  tho  nostrils; 


<r 


Vttrirophaius  nivalis. 

the  outlines  of  the  bill  nearly  straight,  or  slightly  ciuved ;  the  lower  jaw  considerably 
broa-'er  at  tiie  base  than  the  upper,  ami  wider  than  the  gonys  is  long.  Tarsi  considerably 
longer  than  the  middle  toe;  llie  lulciid  toes  nearly  eijual  (the  inner  claw  largest),  and 
rcftciiing  to  the  liase  of  the  middle  elaw.  The  hinder  claw  very  long,  moderately  curved 
and  acute,  considerably  longer  than  it.s  t<ie ;  the  toe  and  claw  together  reaching  to  the  middle 
of  the  middle  <law,  or  beyond  its  tip.  Wings  very  long  and  much  pointed,  reaching 
nearly  to  tlie  end  of  the  tail ;  the  lirst  (piill  longest;  the  others  rapidly  graduated ;  the 
tertiaries  a  little  longer  than  the  seeondaries.  Tail  moderate,  about  two  thirds  as  long  as 
tiie  wings;  nearly  even,  or  slightly  eniarginated. 

The  species  of  this  genus  are  esseiititilly  boreal  and  cosmopolitan,  altliough 

America  jwssesses  four  species 
not  found,  like  her  two  others, 
in  the  Old  World.  Tliey  are 
all  ground-birds,  collecting  in 
large  flocks,  iii  autumn  and 
winter,  on  prairies  and  plains, 
some  of  the  sjjccies  passing  far 
to  tlie  soutliward.  There  is 
much  variation  in  the  color,  and 
in  tlie  details  of  structure  of 
bill  and  feet.  In  P.  nivalis 
alone  is  the  fringe  of  bristly 
feathers  idong  tlie  side  of  tlie  bill  very  distinct.  The  gonys  idso  is  excep- 
tiouidly  short,  being  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  culmeu. 


P'lrlri'itliinifs  nil'nlis 


FUINGILLID.E  — THE  FINCHES.  511 

The  females  are  less  stroii^'ly  inarkcd  tliaii  tlie  iiialt'S,  lackinjj;  tlio  distinct 
patches  of  black  (which,  however,  are  nearly  always  faintly  imlicateil),  and 
other  characters,  and  are  streaked  like  the  tipizdiina: 

Species  and  Varieties. 
A<  Prevailinjr  color  wliito. 

1.  P.  nivalis.  $.  Racik,  scnpulars,  oiiils  of  tortialw,  alula,  torniinal  half  of 
priniarlfs  ami  tlio  iniddlu  tail-li-atliers,  docp  black  ;  otherwise  pure  white. 
9.  The  lilaek  rei)laced  hy  grayish  with  lilack  spots;  crown  frrayisli 
spotted  with  lilack.  Yoiuii,'  <'onsidcral(ly  tinged  with  ochraccoiis. 
ll(tb.     Cireiiinpolar  regions:  south  ii;  winter  into  the  I'niled  States. 

B.    Ahove  brown,  spotted  with  black.      ,J.  Crown  blai'k. 

a.  Six  to  ten  middle  tail-feathers  almost  wholly  black;  the  rest  without 
bliiek  ends.  ^  with  a  inichal  collar  of  rufous  or  bull",  and  without  rid'ous 
on  the  wings. 

2.  P.  lapponicuB.  $.  Head,  all  round,  and  jugulum,  deep  black;  a 
post-oi.'ular  stripe,  running  downward  behind  the  bhick  jugular  patch, 
and  entire  lower  parts  from  the  jugulum,  white.  Xuchal  collar  chestiuit- 
rufous.  9  with  the  black  areas  merely  indicateil  by  a  dusky  clouding, 
and  merely  a  tinge  of  rufous  round  the  nape.  Huh.  ('in'unipolar 
regions;  south  in  winter  into  the  United  States. 

3.  P.  pictUB.  f.  Head  above  and  laterally  deep  black,  Ijordcred 
anteriorly  and  below  with  white;  a  post-ocular  stripe,  and  an  ovate 
auricular  spot  of  the  same.  Nuchal  enUar  and  culire  lower  surface 
bright  bud".  9-  ''"''-  grayish-biifl',  darker  above  ;  above  distinctly,  and 
on  the  jugulum  obsoletely,  streaked  with  black.  //'(/'.  Interior  iilains 
of  North  America, jiorth  to  Aretii;  Ocean. 

4.  P.  ornatUB.  $.  Head  above,  an<l  whole  breast  and  abdomen, 
black;  a  superciliary  strijie,  side  of  head,  chin,  throat,  anal  region  and 
crissum,  white ;  nuchal  collar  rufou.s.  9  tiaidly  distinguishable  from 
that  of  P.  pictus. 

a.  Leiwcr  wing-coverts  brow!ii.sh-g''ay ;  lilack  l-eathers  of  brea.st, 
etc.,  without  riilbu.^  edges.    Ihib.    Interior  plains  of  I'liitcd  Stales. 

var.    o  )•  II  ft  t  us. 

b.  Lesser  wing-covert.s  black;  black  fcatluMs  of  breiust,  etc.,  with 
rufous  edges,  /fiib.  Southern  pliiius  of  North  America,  and  table- 
land of  Mexico var.   mefuiiumiin. 

h.  Only  two  middle  tail-feathers  almo.st  wholly  l)lack;  the  ri.vst  with  black 
ends.  ^  without  a  luichal  collar  of  rufous  or  bull',  and  with  rufous  on  the 
wings. 

,').  P.  maccowni.  ^.  Crown,  and  a  broad  crescent  on  the  jugulum, 
black;  rest  of  head  ami  neck  ashy,  approaching  white  on  the  throat 
and  over  the  eye;  beneath  white,  above  grayish-brown,  streaked  with 
black;  middle  wing-eovcrts  rufous.  9.  Above  yellowi.sh-umbcr,  be- 
neath yellowish-white;  thii.'kly  streaked  above,  nnstreaked  beneath. 
No  rufous  on  wings,  and  no  black  on  head  or  jugulum.  /Mi.  I'lains, 
from  Texas,  northward. 

There  seems  to  be  no  siipcitil  reason  for  subdividiiiif  tliis  {•onus,  altluiii};li 
this  has  been  done, —  /*.  niritlis  liein^  alone  retained  in  I'/crtru/i/uiiirn ;  P. 
maccowni  formino;  the  type  and  sole   member  of  the  genus  Jihi/iico^j/uincs 


512  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

(IJaird,  1858),  and  the  rest  coming  under  Centrophntufi  (Kauj)).  The  cliar- 
acters  upon  which  these  are  billed  tire  very  trivial,  lieiiig  mainly  the  varying 
degree  of  si/e  of  tlie  hill  and  lengtli  of  tli(!  liind  daw.  In  tliis  latter  respect 
there  is  too  much  individual  variation  in  the  same  s])ecies  to  admit  of  this 
being  available  as  a  specitic,  much  less  as  a  subgeneric  character,  while  the 
size  of  the  bill  is  uot  of  more  than  specific  importance. 

Flectrophanes  nivalis,  Mkykr. 

SKOW-BtrilTINO. 

Emhtrha  nii-nlis,  Lixs.  Syst.  Niit.  I,  17C(i,  308  (not  Frini/i!fa  in'rnli.i,  \,A.  —  FoiisTF.r,, 
riiilii.  TiaiiH.  LXIl,  177-J,  403.  —  Wii.sdx,  Am.  Urn.  Ill,  1.^11,  HO,  jil.  xxi.  —  Aru. 
Oni.  Itioi,'.  II,  1S3J,  575;  V,  ]83it,  4iMi,  pi.  lS!i.  Kuiiicrhii  {I'/ie/nijilxiiw.t)  nivnlis, 
15oN.  ()l)s.  182,'>,  No.  8i».  "  Pkclroplui MS  nivnlis,  Mkyki:."  —  I'.o.n.  !,ist,  1838.  —  Arn. 
Syii.  1S3U,  103.  —  111.  Biid.s  Am.  Ill,  1841,  55,  pi.  15.-).  —  M.\x.  Cab.  J.  VI,  1858,  345 
(Si.itzlifigcii).  —  lUiiiD,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  432.  —  Newton,  IWs,  1805,  502.  —  Dai.l 
k  Hanxisteh,  Tr.  CIi.  A.  S.  I,  1S(UI,  282  (Alaska).  —  Cooi-eu,  Oni.  Cal.  I,  177.— 
Samuels,  296.  Embcrim  monknut,  (!.mi;i.in,  Syst.  1,  1788,  8(37,  25.  Embcri^a  music- 
linn,  Omei.in,  Syst.  I,  1788,  807,  7.    Einbiriz(iij/((ciiilis,  L.viilA.M,  liul.  Oiii.  1, 17!)0,  398. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Afdlc  Coldi's.  in  spi-iiiir  pluiniitjo,  ciitiivly  black  iiiiil  white.  Middle  of  back 
between  .scapulars,  terminal  half  of  primaries  and  teitiaiie.s,  and  two  innermost  tail- 
fcalliers,  black  ;  elscwlier(i  pure  white.  Legs  l)lack  at  all  .seasons.  In  winter  dres.s  white 
beneath;  the  head  and  rnmp  yellowi.sh-brown,  as  also  some  blotches  on  the  side  of  the 
breast;  middle  of  liack  brown,  streaked  with  black;  while  on  winf;s  and  tail  much  more 
restricted.  Length  about  0.7.");  wing.s,  4.;!;-);  tail,  .'!.l),-);  Hrst  quill  long(!st.  Female, 
Spring,  contiiuioiis  white  beneath  only;  above  entirely  streaked,  the  feathers  having 
blai.'kisli  eentre.s  ar  a  whitish  edges;  the  black  streak.s  prcilominate  on  the  back  and 
crown.  YoviKj.  Light  gray  above  with  ol)soleto  dusky  streaks  on  the  back;  throat  and 
juguhnii  |)alcr  gray,  the  latter  with  ob.solete  streaks;  rest  of  lower  parts  dull  white. 
\Ving-eovert.s,  secondaries,  and  tail-feathers  broadly  ctlged  with  light  ochracoous-brown. 

IIam.  Northern  America  from  Atlantic  to  Paeilic ;  south  into  the  United  States  in 
winter,  as  far  as  Georgia  and  Southern  Illinois. 

S])ecimens  from  North  America  and  Europe  ajipear  to  be  (|uite  idciutical ; 
there  is,  however,  a  great  amount  of  vnrialion  iimong  individuals. 

Haiuts.  The  connnon  Snow  liunting  is  found  throughout  northern  North 
Americii  to  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Seti,  and  in  the  winter  months  extends 
its  migrations  into  the  United  States  as  indicated  aliove. 

Mr.  J)all  states  that  in  Alaska,  when  observed,  they  went  altogether  in 
flocks.  It  was  at  times  excessively  common,  iuul  at  others  entirely  absent. 
It  builds  its  nests  on  the  hillside,  generally  on  the  ground,  under  the  lee  of 
a  stone,  lie  obtained  a  large  inimber  of  these  birds  at  Nulalo,  in  the  winter 
of  l.S()7  -  OS.  It  was  much  more  common  there  than  the  /'.  /iipjionicKs,  which 
wiis  only  seen  in  the  s])ring,  while  this  bird  was  there  all  the  year  round.  ]\Ir. 
Dall  also  met  with  these  liirds  on  St.  (ieoigtj's  Island,  tind  Mr.  iiischolf  ob- 
tained them  at  Sitka.  According  to  Mr.  Bannister's  observiitions  it  was 
altogether  less  abundant  than  the  J'.  iKpiiunuiia,  and  seemed  to  prefer  rather 


FIUNGILLIILK  — TIIK  FIXCIIl'X  513 

dinuront  situntior.s.  On  St.  Alicliiicl's  Islmul  lie  never  s;i\v  one  uf  this  .s])e- 
cies  lar  iVoni  llie  .slinre,  wliile  the  oilier  species  wiis  alnniilanl  cverywliero  in 
tlio  interior  oF  the  ishuid.  Dnrini;'  tiie  snninier  he  never  saw  more  than  one 
or  two  of  these  liirds  at  one.e,  nor  anywhere  excopt  on  I'ocky  [loints  or  on 
small  roeky  islands  near  tiie  shore.  These  localities  they  .seemed  to  slmre 
with  the  li'avens  and  I'utlins.  In  tiie  autumn  they  are  more  ,ure;;arious,  Imt 
still  seem  to  prei'er  the  vicinity  oi'  water.  Mr.  Bunnister  also  observed  this 
bird  at  I'nalaklik,  where  it  is  common 

Wilson  was  of  the  opinion  that  tliese  binls  derive  a  considerable  part  of 
their  food  from  tlie  seeds  of  certain  aipiatic  plants,  and  tins  liesn]pposi'd  one 
of  the  principal  reasons  wliy  tliey  prefer  remote  ucjrtliern  regions  intersected 
with  streams,  ponds,  lakes,  antl  arms  of  the  sea,  aboundin,ii;  with  such  ])lants. 
On  Seneca  liiver,  near  J.ake  Ontario,  in  Octol)er,  he  met  with  a  lari,'e  Hock 
feeding  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  supported  on  the  elo.se  tops  of  weeds  tliat 
rose  i'roni  the  bottom.  They  were  running  aliont  with  great  activity,  and 
the  stomachs  of  those  he  shot  were  tilled  not  only  with  the  seeds  of  that 
plant,  but  also  with  nnnnte  shell-iisli  that  adhered  to  the  leaves. 

Iiiehardson  states  that  this  sj)ecit's  breeds  in  the  most  northern  of  our 
Arctic  islands,  and  on  all  the  shores  of  the  continent,  from  Chesterfield's  Inlet 
to  Behring  Strait.  The  most  southerly  of  its  breeding-iilaces  known  to  him 
was  Southampton  Lsland,  in  fla;  (iL'd  jiarallel,  where  Captain  Lyons  found 
a  nest  on  the  grave  <tf  an  Ks(piin)aux  ciuld.  Its  nest  was  usually  maile 
of  dry  grass,  neatly  lined  with  deer's  hair  and  a  few  leathers,  and  is  gen- 
erally fixed  in  the  crevice  of  ii  rock,  or  in  a  loo.se  pile  of  tindiers  or  stones. 
The  eggs  are  described  as  of  a  greenish-white,  with  a  circle  of  irregidar 
umber-bi'own  spots  round  the  larger  end,  with  numerous  blotches  of  subducil 
lavender-jjurple.  didy  L'2,  in  removing  some  drift  timber  on  a  beach  at 
Cape  I'arry, he  disco\ered  a  nest  on  th(!  ground,  containing  tour  young  Snow- 
birds. Care  was  taken  not  to  injure  them,  and  while  they  were  .seated  at 
breakfast,  at  a  distance  of  only  two  or  three  feet,  the  ])arent  birds  made  fre- 
quent visits  to  their  oifspring,  each  time  bringing  grubs  v.i  their  Idlls.  The 
Snctwbirds  are  in  no  apparent  haste  to  leave  for  tiie  South  on  the  ap]iroach 
of  whiter,  lait  linger  about  the  forts  and  open  places,  jiicking  up  .seeds,  until 
the  snow  heccnnes  too  tleej).  It  is  not  until  Decendier  or  January  that  they 
retire  to  the  south  of  the  Saskatchewan.  It  returns  to  that  river  about  the 
middle  of  February,  by  April  it  has  reached  the  (ioth  parallel,  and  by  the 
beginning  of  May  it  is  hiund  on  the  shores  of  the  Polar  Sea.  At  this  period 
it  feeds  on  the  buds  of  the  Sarifrdi/n  <i/iiiiisl/ij'i}/itt,  one  of  the  earliest  of  the 
Arctic  jdants.     The  young  are  fed  with  insects. 

The  Snow  lUmting  is  also  an  iidiabitant,  during  the  breeding-season,  of 
the  Arctic  regions  of  Kurope  and  Asia,  and  the  islands  of  ihe  Arctic  Sea. 
Scoresby  states  tiiat  it  resorts  in  large  Hocks  lo  the  shores  of  Spitzbergen,  and 
Cajjtain  Sabine  includes  it  among  the  birds  of  <Jreenland  and  the  Xortli 
(Jeorgiau  Islands,  where  it  is  among  the  earliest  arrivals.     Mr.  I'roctor,  who 


514  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

visited  Iceland  in  18l?7,  Ibund  the  Snowbird  Ineoding  there  in  June.  He 
found  their  ne.sts  placed  among  Lirge  .stoncss  or  in  the  fissures  of  rocks,  com- 
posed of  dry  grass  lined  with  liaii"  and  feathers.  Tlie  eggs  were  I'rom  four 
to  six  in  iiumher.  Tiie  male  attends  the  female  during  incubation.  Mr. 
Proctor  states  that  he  has  seen  this  bird,  wiien  coming  fnjni  the  nest,  rise  u]i 
in  the  air  and  sing  sweetly,  with  its  wings  and  tail  spread  in  tlie  manner  of 
the  Tree  Pipit.  Linnaeus,  in  !)is  Tour  in  Lapland,  mentions  seeing  these  birds 
in  that  country  about  the  end  of  May,  and  also  in  'luly.  He  also  mentions 
that  this  bird  is  tho  only  living  thing  that  has  been  .seen  two  thousand  feet 
above  the  line  of  perpetual  snow  in  the  Lapland  Alps.  This  bird  also  breeds 
on  the  B'aroe  Lslands.  Mr.  Hewitson  found  its  nest  in  Norway.  It  contained 
young,  and  was  built  under  some  loose  stones.  Young  birds  have  also  been 
noticed  early  in  August  among  the  Grampiims,  in  Scothuul,  rendering  it  prob- 
able that  they  breed  in  that  locality,  and  perhaps  in  considerable  numbers. 
As  the  severity  of  winter  increases,  they  leave  the  heaths  where  tiiey  have 
fed  upon  the  seeds  of  gra,sses,  and  descend  to  the  lowlands,  frequenting  the 
oat-stubbles,  and,  when  the  snow  is  deep,  approaching  the  coast.  Their  call- 
note  is  pleasing,  and  is  often  repeated  during  their  flight,  which  they  make 
in  a  very  compact  body.  Bt'fore  settling  on  the  ground  they  make  sudden 
wheels,  coming  almost  into  collision  with  each  other,  uttering  at  tiie  same 
time  a  ]ieculiar  guttural  note.  They  run  on  the  giound  witli  all  the  ea.se  of 
Larks,  and  rarely  perch.  Temminck  states  that  they  are  very  abundant  in 
winter  along  the  sea-coast  of  Holland. 

Their  apjiearance  in  Massachu.setts  is  usually  with  the  first  Iwavy  falls  of 
snow,  in  December  and  January.  They  are  most  abundant  in  the  open 
places  near  the  sea-coast,  and  formerly  were  \cry  numerous  in  tlu;  marshes 
between  Boston  and  IJrooldine.  A  wounded  male  in  full  adult  plumage  was 
taken  by  me,  in  18;>8,  and  kept  .some  time  in  confmenient.  It  would  not 
accustom  itself  to  a  cage,  and  a  large  box  was  prej)ared  in  which  it  could 
run  more  iit  large.  It  fed  readily  on  grain  and  cracked  corn,  delighted  to 
bathe  itself  several  times  in  the  day,  liut  would  not  lie  reconciled  to  my  near 
presence.  On  my  a]i])roach  it  would  rush  about  its  prison,  uttering  its 
peculiar  call-notes,  blending  with  thorn  a  hnid  guttural  cry  of  alarm.  As  the 
spring  approached,  it  warbled  occasionally  a  few  notes,  but  uttered  from  time 
to  time  such  mournl'ul  cries,  as  if  bewailing  its  cajjfivity,  that  it  would  have 
been  released,  had  its  crippled  condition  jiormitfed  it  to  take  can-  of  itself 
It  was  given  in  charge  of  a  friend,  but  did  not  live  through  the  heat  of  the 
ensuing  sunnner. 

It  is  stated  that  a  nest  of  this  bird  was  found  among  the  White  IVIoun- 
tains  by  Mr.  Kirk  Poott,  of  Hoston,  in  the  summer  of  l.S.'U.  It  contained 
young  birds.  Tins,  if  the  identification  was  correct,  was  ])robably  an  acci- 
dental occurrence.  None  iiave  betMi  noticed  there  since,  nor  have  I  ever  been 
able  to  find  any  of  the  ])erinanont  residents  among  tlie  mountains  that  have 
met  with  these  birds  in  that  riigiou,  except  in  winter. 


FRINGILLIDyE  — THE  FIXCHES.  515 

The  only  antlienlieateil  nost  and  egi,'9  (10,4o3)  in  tlio  Sniithsonian  collec- 
tion WL'io  received  I'roni  Mr.  U.  AlacFarhinc,  with  the  parent,  taken  on  tlie 
Arctic  coast  cast  oi'  Fort  Anderson,  and  luivinj,'  on  the  lalud,  "  Nest  situated 
in  a  cave  in  a  sand-luuik."  The  nest  is  deeply  saucer-siiaped,  and  composed 
of  wiry  grass-stems,  witli  ii  lew  featliors  in  the  lining;  external  dianiet(>r 
3.75  indies,  internal  almut  :!.()()  ;  depth,  2.50  e.\ternally  and  1.50  internally. 
The  eggs,  five  in  number,  are  of  a  dull  white,  with  perhaps  a  faint  bluish 
cast,  sjirinkled  and  spatti-red  with  dilute  yidlowish-rufous,  tiie  markings  most 
numerous  towai'd  the  larger  end  ;  tliey  measure  .\)'j  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .64 
in  breadtli. 

Flectrophanes  lapponicus,  Si.i.by. 

LAPLAND  LONQSFUB. 

"PringiUnlappomcK,  Lisx.  Fiuiiia  Siurini,  17ii],  .s)).  '235."  — In.  Sy.st.  Ifnt.  I,  1766,  317. 
FoKSTKK,  Phil.  Traii.s.  LXII,  1772,  lill.  Kmhn-iyi  (P/<r/ivi)liuiirs)  lnjrimHicci,  Sw. 
F.  a  Am.  II,  1831,  248,  pi.  xlviii.  Eiiihvrha  lai>pnnica,  Ann.  Oiii.  Hiog.  IV,  1838, 
473,  1)1.  30').  Phclniphancsldji/iiminis,  "Ski.iiy,"  Hon.  List,  lS:i8.  —  AlM).  Syii.  1S39, 
98. —  lu.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  ISll,  .")(l,  (il.  I'i2.  -  JUriii),  liiriis  N.  Am.  1S.')8,  433.— 
Dali,  &  Bann'i.si'eu,  Tr.  Cli.  A.  S.  I,  iMiH,  •>:!  (Ala.skiO.  •  ('ouiM'.i!,  Orii.  Cal.  I,  178. 
—  Samtkls,  300.  "  Ceiilriiphuiu'^  lii/i/iiniii-iiN,  K.Ml',  Kntw.  (!i'si-li.  Kmopc  Tliicrw. 
1829."  — Cahani.s,  Mils.  Hoin.  ISni,  127.  '•  Fri,i,ii//,i  r.,l,;irutii,  Pali..  Itiii.  710, 
sp.  20,"  Fmioli  pj.  Ill,  1793,  4i)4,  pi.  i.  ''nilm/ihn,  .nloird/un,  GltAY,  Li.st 
Gen.  1841,  App.  1842,  11. 

Sp.  Chai!.  ,!/((?<>.  iroml  all  round,  and  nuuk  blank,  c.xtondinff  on  tlu^  jiisiilum  in  a 
crcscentic  patch;  a  broad  lino  iVom  above  and  behind  \\u)  eve,  sides  of  neck,  a  patch 
in  the  black  of  hind  head,  and  whole  inider  part.-*,  white  ;  the  .sides  of  body  streaked 
broadly  with  black.  A  liroad  half-collar  of  chestnut  on  back  of  neck,  s(>parated  from 
tli(!  hood  narrowly,  and  from  the  ivuricidars  and  throat  broadly,  by  the  white  stripe  from 
the  eye.  Above  l)rownish-l)lack,  the  feathers  .sliarply  edged  with  brownish-yellow.  Outer 
tail-feathers  white,  except  the  basal  ])ortii)M  of  inner  wel),  and  a  .shaft  streak  at  end; 
next  feather  with  a  Avhite  streak  in  end,  rest  black.  Lejrs  black  :  bill  yellow,  tipjied  with 
l)lack.  In  wint<'r  phuna,!>-e  the  l)lack  and  other  markings  overlaid  by  rusty  and  fulvous; 
beneath  liy  whitish.  Female  with  the  black  feath- 
cis  of  hea<l  edp;ed  with  yellowish-rusl y  ;  the  throat 
white,  l)ordcred  on  the  sides  and  behind  by  blackish  ; 
feathers  e(hj;c(l  witii  grayish-wbite,  the  rufous  of  nape 
ob.scnre,  and  streak<'d  with  blackish.  Length  of  male, 
().2");  winir,  ;!.!)0  ;  tail,  2.S(). 

TTaii.    Xorthern   portions  of  the  Old  and  the  New 
Wiirld;  lircedini;  in  arctic  and  subarctic  rei^ion.s,  and 
in  winter  deseendiiif,'  .southward,  as  far  at  least  as  New  York,  Southern  Illinois,  and  Fort 
Garland,  New  Mexico. 

Autumnal  s])Ccimoiis,  of  both  sexes,  differ  in  having  the  piattern  of  colora- 
tion obscured  by  och  iceous  borders  to  the  feathers,  and  a  general  rusty  cast 
to  the  plumage. 

There  appears  to  be  no  dilfeniuoe  between  North  American  and  European 
specimens  of  this  bird. 


510  Noimi  AMihacAN  juitDi^. 

Habits.  Tln!  Laplaiul  Loiit^spur  is  an  Aiclic  ri'sidoiit,  l»eloii<,'ing  etiually 
to  tlio  two  coiitiiioiils,  rarely  dt'scfiidinj,'  even  in  wiiitor  to  tcMiUK-rate  ro>,'ions, 
and  then  chiolly  in  its  inunaturc  [)liiniai;i'.  In  iMiropo,  aeco.  ling  to  Varrull, 
only  a  few  spccinions  liavu  lii'on  found  in  tlu;  Uritish  Islands,  and  tlirse 
were  single  individuals,  mostly  found  in  coniiPiiny  wilii  Larks.  Tliey  havo 
also  been  taken  in  France,  in  Helgiuni,  and  in  dill'erent  parts  of  Geriuany. 
Degland  states  that  these  hirds  are  oceasinnally  snared  on  the  coast  at  Dun- 
kirk, and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Antwerp,  but  these  are  always  young 
males  in  their  winter  jilumage. 

Pennant  states  that  it  is  found  in  Siberia,  and  near  the  Ural  Mountains, 
migrating  in  the  winter  as  far  .south  as  Switzerland ;  and,  according  to 
Necker,  they  have  also  been  taken,  always  in  company  witii  Larks,  in  the 
vicinity  of  (ieneva.  It  inhabits  Norway,  Sweden,  the  Faroe  Islands,  Spitz- 
bergen,  Iceland,  and  (Jreenland,  in  the  summer. 

Iiichardson  mentions  that  the  Lapland  Hunting  is  connnon  in  the  fur  re- 
gions, wintering  on  the  coast  ol'  Hudson's  IJay.  During  its  stay  it  feeds  on 
grass-seed,  the  fruit  of  the  juniper,  and  the  pines.  As  he  never  met  with 
these  l)irds  during  the  winter,  he  suspects  that  their  princijial  retreats  are  on 
the  borders  of  Lakes  Huion  and  Superior,  and  the  country  westward.  In 
1827  they  apiieared  on  the  ]ilains,  at  the  (,'arlton  House,  about  the  middle 
of  May,  in  very  large  Hocks,  in  com|)any  with  Shore  Larks  and  the  P.  jncia, 
liequenting  the  o]ien  sjjots  where  the  fires  had  destroyed  the  grass.  In 
the  same  season  they  came  a  few  days  later  to  the  Cumberland  H(jiise,  and 
kept  constantly  about  the  furrows  of  the  new-ploughed  fields.  Tiie  year 
betbre  they  had  been,  in  smaller  flocks,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Franklin, 
latitude  65°,  in  the  Ijeginning  of  May.  Their  croj)s  were  found  filled  with 
seeds  of  the  aljiine  arbutus. 

Mr.  Audul)on  met  with  them  in  enormous  flocks  in  Kentucky,  about  Feb- 
ruary If),  ISU).  They  were  in  company  with  the  Shore  Larks  and  the  Snow 
Buntings.     Xone  of  these  were  in  perfect  plumage. 

^Ir.  liidgway  cites  this  as  a  common  winter  visitant  in  Southern  Illinois, 
abundant  in  unusually  severe  winters,  either  in  large  flocks  l)y  itself,  or  a 
few  individuals  mixed  up  in  flocks  of  Shore  Larks. 

^Ir.  Dall  gives  ^lay  12  as  the  date  of  the  first  arrival  of  these  birds  at 
Xulato,  and  adds  that  it  is  not  at  any  time  a  very  common  bird.  He  was 
not  able  to  find  its  nest  at  Xulato,  Init  was  informed  by  tiie  Indians  that  it 
builds  on  the  bare  hillsides,  in  hillocks  of  grass,  and  that  it  does  not  leave  the 
nest  when  any  one  approaches,  but  sits  jierfectly  still,  and  thus  often  escapes 
detection.  He  considers  it  a  very  fhie  singer.  Spetnniens  W(>re  received  from 
Sitka,  obtained  by  Bischoff.  To  this  account  Mr.  Bannister  a(hls  that  it  is 
by  far  the  most  abundant  of  the  land-birds  found  at  St.  Michael's.  It  aji- 
])eare(l  on  that  island  about  the  (Uh  of  INIay,  and  from  that  time  until  about 
the  middle  or  latter  ])art  of  September  they  were  observcil  in  great  numbers 
all  over  the  island.     He,  too,  was  not  succt;ssful  in  finding  its  nest,  though 


FUIN(iH,Lri).K-  THE  FINCIIKS.  517 

the  birds  wun;  stiiitetl  up  liy  liiiiidrutls  un  t^very  walk  over  llio  isliiiid.  Krom 
this  he  inters  tluil  they  iiiiist  lie  very  curetully  coneeided.  lie  (tlleii  searehed 
i'or  Uu!in,  lull  always  with  llie  same  result.  Mr.  iSaiiiiisler  regarded  thi.s 
speeies  as  deeidi'dly  tla^  best  songster  of  '  s  t'aiiiily. 

In  tiie  far  Xurlli  it  is  an  extremely  al)undanl  spcHnes  t'rum  one  iMcan  to 
the  other,  in  the  winter  mo\ing  t'artlier  south,  to  the  United  States,  in  Lirge 
tloeks.  It  has  not  been  I'ouuil  in  ('alit'orniii,  iuit  in  the  eentral  and  eastern 
regions  has  been  obtained  as  I'ar  soutii  as  lA'avenwortii,  Kan.,  Kaeine,  Wis., 
Hoston,  and  New  York.  It  is  stated  Ity  dillerent  oii.servers,  that,  like  the 
Lark,  it  sings  only  while  in  motion  in  the  air,  or  while  .suspended,  and  that 
its  notes  are  agreeable  an<l  melodious. 

According  to  liichardson,  tliey  breed  in  moist  meadows  on  the  shores  of 
the  Arctic  Sea,  the  nest  being  placed  in  a  small  hillock,  among  mo.ss  and 
stones.  It  is  comjiosed  externally  of  <lry  .stems  of  grass,  interwoven  to  a 
consideriible  thickness,  and  lined  very  neatly  and  com|ia('tly  with  deer's  hair. 
The  eggs,  seven  in  nuinl)er,  he  de.scrilies  as  i)ale  oclire-yellow,  spotted  with 
brown.  .Sir  James  l!o.ss  found  them  liy  no  means  numerous  in  the  higher 
northern  latitudes,  and  obtained  one  nest,  containing  five  egg.s,  in  -luly. 

According  to  Ilolbiill,  this  bird  is  connnon  ah)ng  the  shores  of  lM)tli  Xorth 
and  South  (Jreenlaial.  They  reach  (iodliaab  in  tlie  beginning  of  May,  and 
Godhaven  a  month  later.  Their  migrations  do  not  take  jilaee  all  at  once, 
but  they  are  constantly  arriving  during  the  month.  It  remains  in  South 
Greenland  until  the  beginning  of  Septend)er,  and  longer  if  the  dee])  snows 
do  not  tlrive  it  away.  This  bird  is  never  met  on  slii])lKiard  until  the  vessels 
are  in  Davis  Strait,  ])roving  that  their  migrations  nmst  be  from  America. 
The  Greenlanders  call  it  Narksamatak  (inhaliitant  of  the  ]ilainsj,  —  an  aj)- 
ju'ojn'iate  name,  as  it  only  lives  on  tlie  lowlands  near  the  ,sea-sliore,  where  it 
buihls  its  nest  in  the  manni'r  of  the  Lark,  in  the  grass,  or  among  the  lidu'ns. 
Its  live  eggs,  of  a  dirty  olive-color  spotted  with  brown,  are  smaller  than  those 
of  P.  iiiralis.  The  song  of  the  male  bird,  as  it  hovers  in  the  air  or  rocks  on 
a  swaying  twig,  is  very  clear  and  meh  dious.  It  is  even  known  as  the  l!reen- 
land  Nightingah^  Its  food  is  seeds,  and  it  is  not  known  to  seek  insect- 
larva;  on  the  houses  of  the  Greenlanders,  as  does  tlie  /'.  iiini/is.  In  their 
winter  dress  they  all  res(>mble  the  femide  in  her  summer  i)lumage,  only  in 
the  male  some  black  is  seen  in  the  head-feathers. 

Fabricius  descril)es  its  eggs  as  five  or  si.x  in  lunnber,  of  a  reddisli-gray 
with  brownish  spots.  Degland  describes  their  ground-coliu'  as  an  asliy-gray, 
eov(!red  with  spots  of  light  brown,  with  lines  and  spots  of  deep  brown,  and 
also  of  clear  black. 

Kggs  from  Anilerson  IJiver  exhibit  great  variations  in  their  a]>i)earance, 
more  from  the  diU'erence  in  the  distribution  of  their  s])ots  than  from  varia- 
tions in  colors.  Where  distinctly  visilile,  the  ground-color  appears  to  be  of 
yellowish-gray,  frequently  .so  thickly  spotted  as  not  to  be  recogni/alile.  The 
blotches  are  of  various  shades  of  Ijrown,  with  .shadings  of  olive,  ])ur[)le,  or 


518  NOIITII  AMKRICAN  BIUU8. 

ivil,  iiiid  lit  times  iiliiiost  lilack.  In  somu,  tine  olivc-lirown  dots  covit  tlio  o^^g 
so  coinplL'toly  as  to  maivc  it  aiijicar  as  of  mu!  unitorni  dci'ii  cnitir.  In  titlior.s 
till)  lii'owii  is  li_nlit('r  and  mttw.  ui'  a  rcddisli  line,  and  a;;ain  in  otliisrs  tlio 
niiukinj^s  iiru  in  inc^uliir  distribnlion,  anil  of  dilliavnt  sliadrs.  Tiii-y  nitus- 
nro  .Hit  iiy  .(io  of  an  iin-li. 

Nest  witli  oj^ys  (7414),  eoUoctod  on  Aiidi'vsnn  iJivor,  Franlvlin  I'my,  June 
27,  l)y  11.  MiicFarlani',  was  luiilt  on  the  j^round,  und  is  deeply  saiieui-sliuped, 
nieasiirinj,'  '.\~'>  in  external  and  'I.'.W  in  iiileriial  dianieler  ;  tlie  depth  2.75 
exteriorly  and  l.od  interiorly.  It  is  coinposed  of  coar.se  wiry  gras.s-stems, 
and  .softly  lined  with  feathers  of  Lin/tijiiis.  The  o^gs,  five  in  number,  have 
the  ground-eolor  liuht  umlier-druii,  this  faintly  blotched  with  deeper  livid 
slate,  and  with  a  few  stra^ugly  lilaek  lines,  niueii  as  in  certain  Ichriild  and 
in  C/ioiitfcstdi.     Thoy  measure  .8ti  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .(i'.i  in  breadth. 


Flectrophanes  pictus,  Swainhon. 

SMITH'S  BUNTIKO ;  FAINTED  LONOSPVB. 

Emlieriza  (P/eetroplitnici)  /)ii/ii,  Sw.  V.  I!.  Am.  II,  1S31,  250,  jil.  4i»  (.spring).  —  Nutt. 
Man.  II,  58!).  /'/,drii/il(inii.'<  j;'rhi.i.  All).  Syii.  IMi'.l,  '.Ml.  —  III.  iiiid.s  Am.  Ill,  1841, 
52,  pi.  I'liii  (liicliiirilMin'.s  spiiinicii).  —  U.viuif,  liiids  N.  Am.  l!«,'.8,  4;i4.  —  D.m.i,  & 
H.WNi.-iiKi;,  Ti'.  ell.  A.  .S.  I,  isil'.i,  28;!  (AliisliiO.  /uiihcrhn  pir/n,  Aid.  Oiii.  Ww^.  V, 
18;)!l,  !tl,  pi.  rcci-.  ('(ii/i-ii/)liiiiii:s  /lirhi.i,  ( '.Mi.  Mils,  llcin.  1851,  127.  I'kdroplMtlcS 
xmithi,  Aril.  Birds  Am.  VII,  1844,  ;i;!7,  jil.  (•(•ccl.xxxvii  oviiitci). 

Sp.  Cii.Mi.  }f<ilo,  Spiiiiir.  Top  anil  .>;i(l('s  of  licml  liliick.  A  line  from  liiil  ov(>r  the 
eve.  loi'i's.  lower  anil  |io.<tciior  boriliT  «il'  the  liliii'k  i-lii'cks,  t'ais  (cni'ircli'd  liy  lilack),  ami  a 
small  pati'li  in  llic  nape,  white.  Miitiic  iimler  parL-^.  and  extendimj:  lotmd  neck  to  iiapo 
(wliiTo  it  lioiinds  abniplly  the  lilaek  of  liead),  lnill'  or  liudit  einiiaiiion-yellow  ;  tin;  iindor 
tail-covert  ]inler ;  tlie  inside  of  wiiiLis.  wliile.  Featliors  of  iippc'r  siirlhcos  lilack,  edjj;e J 
with  yellowish-irrav  ;  shoiilders  or  lesser  coverts  and  the  j^reater  lilack;  iiiiddlc  white, 
InrminLr  a  eonspicuoiis  jiatcli.  (Quills  eilL;eil  e.xlernally  with  white,  this  involviiiL!-  iho 
whole  outer  weh  cif  outermost  primary.  Whole  of  outer  anil  most  of  second  tail-tealher 
white.  IJill  dusky;  lower  inandilile  and  lei;s  yellowish.  Leii^'tli,  5.50;  wini!-.  Ji.'iO ; 
tail.  2.7") ;  hill,  A'>. 

Feinitle.  The  iiiarkings  ol'  male  (iiintly  indicated,  but  the  Mack  and  hiifV  wanting. 
Head  aliovo  hrowii,  streaked  centrally  with  paler.  A  narrow  dark  line  on  each  sido  the 
throat,  and  hrownish  streaks  acro.«s  the  jiigiihim,  and  alouu-  sides  of  liodv.  Traces  visible 
of  the  whitt!  marks  of  the  head.     Bill  and  feel  as  in  the  male. 

n.AR.  Prairies  of  Illinois  and  Missouri  Plains,  in  winter;  in  snminer  north  to  the 
Arctic  Ocean. 

This  sjiccies  is  quite  similar  in  form  to  P.  /tippoiiirufi,  althouoh  with  slen- 
derer bill,  itnd  perhaps  lonoer  hind  claw.  While  the  colors  of  adult  males 
are  very  ditl'erent,  the  females  have  a  decided  resemblance;  they  may,  how- 
ever, be  distinguished  in  all  stages  by  the  black  oi'  dusky  legs  of  lapponieiis 
and  the  yellow  of  pictus,  and  perhajis  by  the  more  dusky  upper  mandible  of 
the  latter. 


l-'IMN(HM,in.K  — TIIK  I'lN'CllKS.  519 

IIaiui's.  Tliis  species  wiis  lirst  olitiiiiied  hy  Sir  Joliii  Ifieliiirdsiin's  |Piirty 
aiul  (leserilied  hy  Swniiismi  in  llie  Fkhihi  I'unriilt-.inii  rlrmui.  It  Wiis  oh- 
sei'ved  assotiiatinj,' willi  llie  Lnplaiid  IJiintiiijis  on  the  lianks  df  tlie  Saskatclie- 
waii,  l)iit  IK)  iid'iiniiatii)ii  was  niitaiiKMl  in  regard  tn  its  lu'eedin.^'-liiiliils,  No 
specimens  in  tlie  matiiiv  plnniai,'"'  iire  kmiwii  Id  have  lieun  olitained  in  tiie 
I'nited  States,  lint  liirds  in  the  inimatnn!  plnina^c  are  not  iinlreiiuent,  in 
early  spring,  tliri>nj,'h(int  Illiimis.  Mr.  Audubon,  in  company  with  Mr.  Har- 
ris and  Mr.  IJell,  obtained  specimens  of  these  liirds  near  Kdwardsv  ille,  and 
descrilied  them  as  a  nt'w  species.  Mr.  iiell  states,  in  reemd  to  these  birds, 
tluit  ho  I'onnil  them  very  abundant  on  th(!  low  ^irairie  near  a  lake,  a  lew  miles 
rriini  Kdwardsville.  They  were  generally  in  larye  Hocks,  and  wiien  once; 
on  till'  ground  they  bewail  to  separate.  They  ran  very  nimbly,  in  a  manner 
resembling  that  ot'  the,  (ira.ss  Finch,  and  when  {\\v.\  arose,  whicii  they  rarely 
did  unless  they  woro  nearly  approaclie<l,  they  uttered  a  sharji  click,  repeated 
scvoral  times  in  quick  succession,  and  moved  with  an  easy  nndnlating  motion 
for  a  short  distance  and  then  alighted  very  suddenly,  st'eniiiig  to  iall  jierpen- 
dienlarly  several  feet  bi  the  ground.  They  jiret'erred  the  spots  wlicre  tlic 
grass  was  shortest.  When  in  the  air  they  Hew  in  circles,  to  and  fro,  lor  a  few 
minutes,  and  then  alighted,  keeping  up  a  constant  chirping  or  call,  .somewhat 
like  that  of  IIk;  IJed-l'oll. 

These,  birds  wei'e  ob.served  in  large  nnmlMMs  at  Tort  Anderson,  and  on  the 
Lower  Ander.son  Kiver,  by  Mr.  MacFarlane,  and  a  large  nnndicr  of  their 
nests  obtained.  These  were  all  on  the  giniiiid,  and  usually  in  open  spaces, 
but  also  in  the  vicinity  of  trees.  The  usual  mnnber  of  eggs  found  in  a  nest 
ajipoars  to  have  been  lour.  'I'he  nests,  for  the  most  part,  were  censtrucled 
of  fine  dry  gras.ses,  carefully  arranged,  and  lined  with  down,  feathers,  or  liner 
materials  similar  to  tho.se  of  the  outer  jiortions.  In  a  few  there  were  no  feath- 
ers ;  in  others,  feathers  in  dilferent  ]iroportions  ;  and  in  a  few  the  down  and 
feathers  eomjiosed  the  chief  jiortion  of  tlie  nest,  with  only  a  few  leaves  as  a 
base  to  the  nest.  They  were  .sometimes  sunk  in  e.\cavations  made  by  the 
birds,  or  placed  in  a  tu.ssock  of  grass,  and,  in  one  instance,  [tlaced  in  the 
midst  of  a  bed  of  Labrador  tea. 

They  were  also  olitained  at  Fort  Yukon,  at  the  mouth  of  Porcupine  Kiver, 
by  St rachan  Jones.  They  were  nuich  more  abundant  in  tlu'  Mackenzie  lliver 
district. 

Specimens  of  this  bird,  in  the  fall  plumage,  were  obtained  from  Fort 
Sim])son,  w\w.w.  Mr.  I*.  W.  Koss  states  that  it  a]i]iears  on  its  way  north  in 
May.  They  resort  to  the  fields  around  the  fort  in  search  of  grain.  Although 
these  birds  kec])  entirely  apart  from  the  /'.  nlra/i-'i,  Mr.  IJoss  has  fretjuently 
ol)sorved  stiveral  7*.  /iqijuiniiiis  associating  with  thiMii. 

When  their  nests  are  apjiroached,  the  female  ([uietly  slips  off,  while  the 
male  bird  may  be  seen  hojiping  or  flying  from  tree  to  tree  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  nest,  and  will  at  times  do  all  he  can  to  induce  intruders  to  with- 
draw from  the  neiuhborhood. 


520  NORTH  AMKI!I("AN   lllltKS. 

Till)  e^'ys,  fivo  in  nmiiln'r,  hnvv  n  Ii;,'lit  cliiy-tuilorod  frronnd,  aro  ninrkofl 
with  oliscuic  lilcitclics  ol'  liivcinior  iiml  ilaikcr  lines,  dots,  ami  lilotclios  of 
(liu'k  [(Uiiilisli-liriiwn.     Tliny  lueasuro  .SO  hy  .tia  of  an  iucli. 


Plectrophanes  ornatus,  TmvNs. 

OHESTNUT-COLLABED  BUNTING ;  BLACK-BELUED  LONOSPVB. 

/'l,cli:i/>/i'ni  suiiiiiliis,  T(i\vnm;mi,  .1.  A.'.  Niil.  Sc.  VII,  l.s;i7,  1M».  —  111.  NniTiitivc,  l,s;l!),  344. 
—  Alil>.  Syii.  18;!!»,  !i!i.  111.  jtiiils  Am.  Ill,  1.S41,  5:1,  pi.  iliv.  —  NuiT.  Man.  I,  (M 
vi].,)  184(1,  ".37.  -  lUiiai,  liiids  N.  Am.  ^s:,H,  4:).'..  ICmli,  rixn  <„;i,i/,i,  Ain.  Oni.  Hin^. 
V,  l^;!<,l,  44,  |)I.  cnxiiv,  I'.  1.     CiHlrn/iliitiics  di-iiii/ks,  Caiiamn,  Miis.  Ili'iii.  1)S51,  l'i7. 

SrCaAii.  r>ill  cliiik  |)IiiiiiIm'i>iis.  .I/k/c.  Ciowii,  ii  iiiiiiiiw  (rcscciit  on  tiic  ,'<i(|(' ol' tliu 
\h',u\.  with  II  liiii'  naiiiiiiL'  iiiin  it  IVniii  lu'liimi  tlic  eye,  cnlii'i.'  lirnist  iiiiil  apper  jmrt  of 
liclly  nil  roiaiil,  liliii'k :  llinuit  iiml  .-iiilrs  of  the  lioiul,  lower  part  of  Imlly  and  andor  tnil- 
onvcrt.*,  with  lia.scs  of  llii'  lail-fciitlii'is,  while.  The  white  on  tiie  tail-l'('ather.<  raiis  for- 
ward as  .'111  iieate  point.  A  ehe.stnat  hand  on  the  hack  of  the  iieek  exleadinir  ronnd  on 
the  .-iides.  Hesl  of  upper  pails  -jray isli-liiown,  slreakeij  with  darker.  iMiddii!  coverts 
with  a  white  paleli.  Li'sser  w  iiii;-eoverts  like  llie  hack.  l-i'j;-<  ihi.sky,  hill  hliii',  darker  at 
tip.     Leiiu'lh  aliDiit  ."i.'J.")  inches  ;   win;;-,  ;{.2(l ;    lail,  2.:!0  ;   tarsus,  ."o. 

FfiiKilc  lacking'  llie  hliick  and  chestnut  colors;  the  hlack  of  thu  breast  indicated  by 
dasky  streaks  iiad  u  line  of  streaks  each  side  of  the  throat. 

IIaii.  Plains  of  the  Upper  Mi.s.soiiii.  San  Antonio,  Texas,  sprinp;  (Dresskr,  Ihi>s,  1805, 
48(!). 

Habits.  This  .spocics  was  first  (lisoovcrtHl  by  ^fr.  Townsend,  wlio  pro- 
cnivd  a  single  specimen,  a  male,  on  the  I'pper  Missonri  Hiver.  He  de.scribi'S 
it  as  liy  no  means  a  common  bird,  keejiine;  in  jiairs  and  liviiig  e.xclnsivoly  on 
the  ground.  It  was  remarkably  shy,  and  Mr.  Townsend  wtis  not  able  to  pro- 
cure more  than  a  single  specimen. 

]Mr.  Xnttall  states  that  he  met  with  thi.s  bird  early  in  May,  on  the  wide 
gras.sy  jilains  of  the  IMatte.  The  birds  were  already  paired  for  thi!  season. 
He  heard  Ihein  utter  no  notes  other  than  a  chirp,  as  they  kept  busily  foraging 
for  their  siilisistence. 

]Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  (.American  Xaturalist,  i\Iay,  1872)  speaks  of  this  bird  and 
the  Lark  ]>unting  as  by  far  the  most  interesting  species  seen  by  him  in 
Western  Kansas.  They  were  not  only  characteristic  of  the  region,  but  were 
also  among  tlui  few  birds  strictly  confined  to  the  arid  plains.  They  were 
(Utile  abundant,  but  were  only  met  with  on  tli((  high  ridgtss  and  dry  jdateaus, 
where  they  seemed  to  live  .somewhat  in  colonies.  At  a  few  localities  they 
were  always  numerous,  but  elsewhere  would  be  freiiuently  not  met  with  in 
a  wholt!  day's  drive.  They  were  very  wary  and  tenacious  of  life,  often  flying 
a  long  distance  after  having  been  sliftt  through  vital  parts.  Most  of  the 
specimens  had  to  be  killed  on  the  wing,  at  fi  long  range.  Tluiy  are  strong 
fliers,  and  seem  to  delight  in  flying  in  the  .strongest  gales,  when  all  the  other 
liirds  a]ipear  to  move  with  difficulty,  and  to  keep  themselves  concealed  among 
the  grass.     'I'liis  bird  sings  while  on  the  wing. 


KI!IN(ilM.II),K      TIIK  KINCIIKH.  521 

Mr.  H.  E.  Diwaor,  in  his  papor  on  tlio  liinls  of  SouIIumh  'IVxiis,  niiintions 
tindinij;  tiic,  ('lii'sfnut-cdiliinii  Muniiiij,'  in  flocks  i-iirly  in  tlio  sprin;,',  on  llio 
pi'iiiriL's  near  San  Anlunio,  but  it  was  not  a  nunin  m  liinl  tiiori'. 

Dr.  Woodlioiiso  found  this  spc^cios  (piite  rare  in  tlic  Indian  Territory,  wlioro 
he  wii.s  only  alilo  to  socuru  n  Hiu<<h  spocininn. 

Captain  IJIakiston  mot  wilii  tiiis  species  on  tiio  Sa.skatcliewan  I'lains  on 
tlio  lutii  of  May,  1838,  —  a  hiyiier  range  than  lias  been  noticed  iiy  any  one 
else. 

13r.  llcerninnn,  while  on  a  trip  to  the  IJocky  Mountains  in  IS4.S,  met  witii 
this  species  in  small  flocks  and  pairs,  seatfered  over  tin;  prairies  of  the  I'latte 
Ikiver,  and  was  so  fortunale  ns  to  meet  with  one  of  its  nests.  It  was  built 
on  the  ground,  and  was  made  of  an  interweavin;,'  of  fine  j,'rasses  and  lined 
with  hair.  He  describes  the  e<j[f,'s,  which  were  four  in  number,  as  havinf;  a 
white  j,'round,  with  black  lines  at  the  larjffu-  end,  and  a  few  faint  blotches  of 
a  neutral  tint  scattered  over  their  whole  surface. 

This  description  does  not  quite  correspond  with  the  e,<,'i,'s  collected  by  Mr. 
Audulion  on  the  Upj)er  Missouri.  These  have  a  clay-colored  <>round  with  the 
slightest  possible  tinge  of  green,  and  are  marked  with  fine  dots  of  purplish- 
brown,  and  larger  markings,  blotches,  and  short  lines  of  dark  brown.  They 
measure  .70  by  .");>  of  an  inch,  anil  have  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  eggs  of 
both  7*.  2>tr(i'f<  and  J',  inum  ■rui. 

Five  eggs  of  this  si)ecies,  obtained  at  Fort  Hays,  Kansas,  .June  I,  1871,  by 
Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  measure  .7r>  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .08  in  breadth.  They 
are  small  in  proportion  to  the  bird,  and  are  somewhat  jjointed  at  one  end. 
Their  ground  is  a  gray  or  grayish-white  shade  of  stone-color,  and  this  is 
somewhat  sparingly  marked  with  blotches  of  dark  brown,  almost  black,  and 
lighter  markings  of  innplish-brown.  The  nest  was  placed  on  the  ground,  and 
was  comix)sed  altt)gether  of  fine  stems  of  grasses. 

Flectrophanes  omatus,  var.  melanomus,  lUmu. 

BLACK-SHOULDERED   LONGSPUR. 

ricctnphancs  melanomus,  liAUU),  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  436,  pi.  l.xxiv,  I'.  2.  —  JIkkkmanx, 
.\,  0,  13. 

8p.  Ciiah.  Bill  yellowisli,  diirk  limwu  .iloiif;;  tlio  onlnioii.  ifnU:  Crown,  a  .short  .stripe 
behind  the  eye,  ivnrl  a  short  crescent  liehiiid  the  ear-eoverts,  entire  Ijreast  a.s  far  back  a.s 
the  tiiighs,  and  the  les-ser  winjr-eoverts.  bliiek.  The  black  on  the  breast  margined  with 
dark  cinnamon.  Sides  of  head,  chin,  throat,  and  region  behind  the  black  of  tlie  belly, 
white.  A  broad  iialf-colliir  of  dark  cinnamon-brown  on  the  liaek  of  the  neck.  Tail- 
feathers  mostly  white  ;  the  innermost  tipped  with  dark  brown  ;  the  white  ending  in  an 
acute  angle.     Length,  'kIJO;  wing,  3.40;  tail,  2.<i().     (No.  G,2!)0.) 

Hab.     Eastern  slope  of  the  Ro(;ky  Mountains,  Mexico,  on  the  table-lands,  north  to 
Tipper  Mis,souri.     Orizaba  (Sci.atku,  1800,  251);  San  Antonio,  Texas,  spring  (Duksskh, 
Ibis,  ISO"),  480);  Fort  Whip|)le,  Arizona  (Cocks,  1'.  A.  X.  S.   ISOti,  81);  Vera  Cruz, 
plateau,  breeding  (Sit.miciiuast,  1,  iwl). 
0« 


522  NORTH  AMKRTOAX  lUUDS. 

As  already  stated,  this  bird  is  very  similar  to  /'.  oruafus.  It  appears  to 
be  a  very  little  larj^er,  or,  at  any  rati',  witii  considerably  lonjior  wings. 
The  bill,  however,  is  shorter  and  stouter;  the  hind  claw  (U'.eidcdly  longer. 
The  chestnut  of  the  back  of  the  neck  is  darker.  Tiie  white  on  tlie  outer 
web  of  the  tertiaries  and  secondaries  is  nnich  ])urer  and  widi'r.  The 
rufous  margins  of  tiie  pectoral  feathers  we  have  never  seen  in  /'.  onmtiDi. 
The  most  striking  j)eculiarity,  however,  is  in  having  the  shoidders  black, 
instead  of  brown  like  the  rest  of  the  wing-ieatliers,  edged  with  paler.  JJoth 
have  tiie  white  posterior  row  of  lesser  wing-coverts. 

An  in  mature  male  (O.liill)  has  the  black  of  the  head  mixed  with  brown, 
and  a  maxillary  series  of  spots  on  each  side  of  tl-'  throat.  A  female  has  a 
similar  series  of  spots  ;  the  under  parts  generally  being  brownish-white,  the 
shafts  across  the  breast  and  along  the  sides  streaked  with  brown,  the  con- 
cealed portions  of  the  feathers  light  l)rown,  fading  out  to  the  whitish  e.xterior. 
Then;  is  no  black  on  the  shoidder,  nor  chestnut  on  the  na])e. 

P^iUy  mature  s])ecimens  of  this  bird  and  of  orimfns  are  .so  rare  in  collec- 
tions as  to  render  it  dillicnlt  to  decide  positively  as  to  their  true  relationship. 
It  is  by  no  means  impossible  that  they  merely  represent  different  conditions 
of  piuniage  of  one  species,  but  for  the  presi?nt,  at  least,  we  prefer  to  con- 
sider them  as  distinct.  Tlie  J\  me/anoitiKs  is  resident  on  the  tal)le-lands  of 
Mexico. 

Hauit.s.  Of  the  habits  and  general  histoiy  of  this  species,  very  little 
is  known.  Its  clo.se  resenililanc(^  to  J',  onutfiis  is  suggestive  of  its  probaltly 
etpially  close  similarity  in  nesting,  eggs,  and  manner  of  feeding.  Spe(umens 
have  been  received  from  Mexico,  from  Fort  Tiiorn,  from  Xew  Mexico,  I'ole 
Creek,  and  tiie  Ulack  Hills.  From  the  last-named  jjlaees  they  were  obtained 
in  Augn.st  and  September. 

Dr.  lieerniann,  in  his  h'eport  on  the  liirds  ob.served  in  Lieutenant  Parke's 
routf  near  the  'A2i\  parallel,  mentions  having  met  witii  tliese  birds,  which 
1.0  calls  the  lUack-shouldercd  Longspiir,  at  a  large  ])rairie-dog  vilhige  some 
miles  west  of  Tiuirto  del  Dado.  They  were  in  flocks,  and  were  associated 
with  J'.  niKcivicni.  From  that  jioint  to  the  ifio  (irande  he  found  both  of 
tliese  species  abundant  wherever  tiiey  struck  isolated  water-holes,  these  being 
the  only  places  fca-  niih's  around  w  here  drink  can  be  ])rocuri'd.  When  shot 
at,  they  ri.se  as  if  to  go  away,  liut  are  forced  to  return,  afti'r  descriliing  a  few 
curves,  to  the  only  spot  wher"  they  can  ])r(MMire  tiieir  necessary  drink.  Tiiey 
may  thus  be  killed  in  great  niiinbers.  Dr.  Heermann  states  that  he  has  seen 
from  a  liundred  to  a  hundred  and  fifty  thus  brought  down  in  four  or  five 
discharges  of  a  gun. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  on  the  4t]i  of  April  a  small  flock  <if  what  was 
at  first  supposed  to  be  the  J\  onintus  was  noticed  near  the  town  of  San 
Antonio.  They  were  ]nirsiicd,  and  found  on  the  banks  of  the  San  Pedro. 
They  were  not  very  shy,  and  siiocimens  were  jn'oiaired  whiitii  pnvcd  to  \)v 
of  this  species.     Tiiis   is  the  (Uily  time  that  tliey  have  been  observed  in 


FlUXn ILLID.K  —  T[1E  KINCIIES. 


523 


that  ]mit  of  th((  coiintry,  tlM)ii_i,'li  they  may  liavo  Iwen  mistaken  I'or  other 
species. 

Di.  ("ones  mi'iition.,  tlie  takiiiu  ol'  a  siiij^le  specimen  of  liiis  species,  Octo- 
ber 17,  on  the  ojicn  j^rassy  jilains  of  Arizona. 

This  species  is  also  j,Mven  l)y  ^Ir.  Snmichrast  as  ii  resident  throughout  the 
year  of  the  great  phiins  of  tiie  phiteaii  of  Mexico.  From  tliem  it  occasion- 
ally tlesccncls  to  the  distant  intervals,  as  far  as  Orizaba,  or  ut  the  elevation, 
above  the  gulf-level,  of  1,220  metres. 


Plectrophanes  maccowni,  T.Awiti'Xrr;. 

CHESTNUT-SHOULDEBEO  LONOSFUK ;  MACCOWN'S  BUNTIKO. 

I'lii/ni/iliiiiifs  miicrairni,  I,.\\vi!r.xiK,  Aim.  X.  Y.  I.vi'.  V,  Sept.  IS.'il,  1'i'J.     AVcstcvn  Texas. 
Ca.ssin,  llliist.  1,  viii,  IS;')."),  -J^S,  1)1.  .\.\xi.\.  —  IIkkiim,  X,  i',  \i.  13.  —  1!aii:i),  ISii'ds 
N.  .\ni.  18M,  iil. 

Sr.  CiiAii.  Mdlf  ill  spriiiij.  Tup  of  liciiil.  ii  lnoad  .stripe  ciich  side  llic  throat  I'rom 
lower  luiiiiilililc,  ami  a  liroad  en'sceiil  -on  Juj^'iiluiii, 
l)la<'k ;  .siili-  of  licail  iiicliidiiiu;  lores  and  hand  ahovc 
the  oj'c,  throat,  and  under  parts,  ashy-white ;  ear- 
I'overts  bordered  above  and  behind  by  blaekish,  nin- 
niii};  out  at  tlu;  niaNillary  stripe.  Hreastjnst  behind  tiie 
blauk  crcseent  and  sides,  showinir  dark  bases  of  leath- 
ers. I'pper  parts  asliy,  lini:ed  with  yellowish  on  tlie 
inandil)le.  and  .streaked  with  dusky  ;  least  so  on  nape 
and   rump.     Les.ser  wiuj;-eoverts  ashy ;  median  ehest- 

iHit-brown,  with  blaekish  bases  sometimes  evi.l.Mil;  '■'■'"•'■J''"'"'"'"'""'™'' 
the  (piills  all  bordered  broadly  e.xteriially  with  whitish,  beeomini;  more  ashy  on  .seeondaries. 
Tail-leathers  white  c.xeept  at  the  eoneealed  bases  and  the  eii<ls,  whieh  haveatransver.se 
(not  obli(pie)  tip  of  blaekish  :  the  ontermost  while  to  th(>  end;  the  two  central  like  the 
\n\vk.  Hill  dark  plumbeous;  leu's  blackish.  In  winter  the  markinj.'s  nioic  or  less 
obscm'cil ;   the  bill  and  Icirs  niori'  yellowish. 

Ffiiiiilr  lacks  the  black  markini;s,  which,  however,  are  indicated  obsolcli'ly  as  in  other 
/'li'iiro/iliiiiici ;  there  is  no  trace  of  chestiMit  on  the  wini^.s,  no  streaks  on  the  breast, 
[.enjith,  ;V)0;  wiuir,  ii.dO;   tail,  L'..")!) ;  bill,  .K!. 

Hah.     Kastern  slopes  of  Itoekv  Monii'  'ins,  from  Texas  to  I'ppcr  .Missouri. 

This  species  varies;  cousiderabu  '  •liirking.s,  lint  io  readily  recognized 
among  other  J'/rc/rojilKdw-'i  in  tdl  stages  by  short  hind  toe,  very  stout  bill, 
and  the  tranavei-se  dark  bar  at  t)ie  end  of  all  ttiil-feathers  except  the  inner 
and  (Miter. 

IIaihts.  Mac'.'owiiV  (.ark  Itiinting  is  yet  anntherof  the  various  R])ecies 
of  our  birds  whose  history  is  \cry  little  known,  tind  in  regard  to  which  the 
most  we  arc  id)le  to  state,  at  present,  is  that  they  a]i])ear  in  did'ercnt  iiarts 
of  the  inti'rior  ]ilaiiis  of  the  United  States,  between  the  Uocky  ^baintains 
and  tiio  Missouri  iiixc;'  tind  tlm  lower  tributiuies  of  the  ^lississippi, 
extending  from   New   Mexico  and  Texas  u  '  iliward,  during  the  breeding- 


524  NUUTII  A.Mf:iMCAN  BIRDS. 

season,  to  tlie  nortlieni  bouiidaiy  of  (lio  riiitod  States.  It  was  first  discov- 
ered by  Captain  Maccown,  wlio  obtained  it  in  Texas,  where  he  t'onnd  it 
in  company  with  a  Hock  of  Shore  J.arks,  and  wliere  it  winters  in  eonsider- 
able  numbers.  Mv.  Dresser  afterward  met  with  it  in  small  Hocks,  early  in 
A]>ril,  on  the  prairies  near  San  Ant- ;'io.  It  was  not  very  common,  and  he 
was  only  able  to  obtain  two  specimens  during  his  stay  in  that  section. 

Dr.  Heermann  found  tiii;,  species  congregated  in  large  flocks,  in  company 
with  the  lUack-shouldered  Bunting.  They  were  engaged  in  gleaning  the 
seeds  from  the  .scanty  grass,  on  the  vast  arid  plains  of  New  Mexico.  Insects 
and  berries  formed  also  a  part  of  their  ibod  ;  in  search  of  these  they  showed 
great  activity,  running  about  with  celerity  and  ease.  In  the  spring,  large 
flocks  were  seen  at  Fort  Thorn,  having  migrated  thither  from  the  Xorth 
the  previous  fall.  With  the  return  of  n)ild  weather  they  again  departed 
for  the  North  for  the  purjKJses  ol'  incubation.  Among  these  large  flocks  Dr. 
Heermann  noticed  also  the  Shore  Lark,  but  they  formed  only  a  small  pro- 
portion of  the  whole  nundjcr. 

In  a  letter  to  Mr.  ('assin.  Dr.  Heermann  states  that  lit  found  this  species 
congregated  with  large  nundiers  of  other  birds  about  the  isolatetl  water-holes 
in  the  barren  plains  of  New  Mexic(j. 

jMr.  J.  A.  Allen  states  (Am.  Xat.,  May,  1872)  that,  during  a  few  weeks'  stay 
near  Fort  Hays  in  midwinter,  he  found  Macct)wn's  Longspur  tolerably  fre- 
cpient  in  that  vicinity. 

An  egg  of  this  species,  in  the  coUectitn  of  the  late  Dr.  Henvy  Bryant, 
measures  .80  by  .0(1  of  an  inch.  Its  ground-color  is  a  light  })luish  clay-color, 
marbled,  dotted,  blotched,  and  lined  with  light  neutral  tints  of  lavender  and 
darker  markings  of  puri)lisli  and  reddish  brown.  The  nest  was  placed  on 
the  ground,  and  is  comi)osed  entirely  of  coarse  grass-stems  (Xo.  1^,521,  J. 
Pearsall,  Fort  IJenton). 


Sunr-VMiiA-  PYRGITIN.ffi!. 

The  introduction  into  tiie  United  States,  at  .so  many  di.stant  points,  of  the 
Kuropean  House  Sparrow  (I'lpyitn  domcsfica)  renders  it  necessary  to  intro- 
duce it  with  any  work  treating  of  tlie  liirds  of  North  America,  although 
totally  different  in  so  many  features  from  our  own  native  forms.  I  fol- 
low Degland  and  (ierbc  in  placing  the  genus  I'l/rr/ifu  in  a  se|)arate  sub- 
family {Pjinjitimr,  see  jiage  44()),  without  any  distinct  idea  of  its  true 
aflinities,  as  it  does  not  come  legitimately  witiiin  any  of  the  sul)f'aniilies 
estalilished  for  the  American  genera.  In  some  res]iects  similar  to  certain 
CoiTolhrausfinfl',  in  the  short  tarsi  and  covered  nostrils,  the  wings  are  shorter 
and  more  rounded,  the  sides  of  tlie  bill  with  .stiff  bristh^s,  etc.  Tiie  much 
larger,  more  vaulted  bill,  weaker  feet,  and  covered  nostrils,  distinguish  it  from 
Si)izclli)uv. 


Kill XGILLIJJ.K  —  THE  FLNCllES. 


525 


Gknus  PYRGITA,   Cu viKii. 

Pyrrjilii,  Citvif.I!,  H.  A.  1817.     (Type,  Fiiixjilht  doimslicn,  LlNX.^ 

I'a.sser,  ItuissuN,  tJin.  17t)l).     .Sum  ■  type.     Dkgi.and  &  Gi;i!lii:,  Oiii.  Kurop.  I,  lSfi7,  'JliO. 

Gkn".  Ciiau.  Bill  mbiit^t,  swolli'ii,  without  any  distinct  ridi^o  ;  u]);)t>r  iiiul  midiT  DUlliiius 
curvod ;  luai-gin.s  iiillexcd;  piihiU,'  viiultcd,  without  any  kuoli ;  nostrils  covfivd  hy  sparse, 
short,  iii(.'Uinljuiit  leathers;  side  of  bill  with  still',  ai)pi'essod  bristles.  Taisi  short  and  stout, 
about  o(iual  to  or  shorter  than  the  middle  toes;  claws  short,  stout,  and  considerably  curved. 
Wings  longer  than  tail ;  somewhat  pointed.  Tail  nearly  even,  einarginated,  and  slightly 
rounded. 


P3rrgita  domestica,   Cuv. 

THE  HOUSE  SFASBOW. 

Fringilln  domestica,  Lixn.  Syst.  Nat.  l^th  cd.  iSi,  17t)t).  Pyrijitu  dumcslu-n,  Vvv.  Itcg. 
All.  2il  ed.  (18'2i)),  1,  439.  /'«.«.•(:;•  daineduuti,  Dkulaxd  &  Uiniui:,  Oriiitli.  Kiuop.  1, 
1.S67,  241. 

Sp.  CiiAU.  Millie.  Above  chestnut-brrrwn  ;  the  intersrapulai-  leal  hers  slrcaUed  by  blacU 
on  inner  wel)s;  the  tup  ol'head  and  nape,  lower 
back,  rump,  and  tail-cover'.s  i)lain  ashy ;  narrow 
frontal  line,  lores,  chin,  throat,  and  jugidiun 
black;  rest  of  inider  parts  grayish,  nearly  white 
along  median  region.  A  broad  chestnut-brown 
."trijie  from  behind  eye.  rnmiing  into  the  chest- 
nut of  back  ;  checks  and  sides  of  neck  ■white; 
outside  of  dosed  wing,  pale  chestnut-brown, 
with  a  broad  white  lian<l  on  the  middle  cov- 
erts, and  behind  showing  the  brown  ipiills; 
the  lcs^■^^  coverts  dark  chestmit  like  the  h<'ad 
stripe.  Tail  dark  brown,  edged  with  pale 
chestnut.  Hill  black  ;  feet  rc(ldish.  Iris 
brown. 

FcmiiJi:  DmIIci'  of  color,  and  licking  lln;  black  of  face  and  throat;  liicast  ami  alidoiiiru 
reddish-ash;  checks  ashy  ;  a  ycllow-oclire  band  above  and  behind  the  eyes,  aiwl  across 
I  he  wings.  Head  and  neck  above  lirownish-ash  ;  body  above  reddish-ash,  streaked  lon- 
gitudinally with  black. 

il/a/e  in  iriulcr.  The  ciilors  generally  K'ss  disliiict.  Length,  fJ.tIO;  wing,  "2.8") ;  tail, 
'21)0;  tarsus,  .70;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .(id. 

Tlic  irou.'^o  Spiirrow  of  ]Mir<i]M'  has  liceii  iiitrodiici'd  intn  .so  nniny  pnrts 
of  tliL'  Fiiiteil  States  as  to  roiiik'i'  it  jirohalile  that  at  no  distaul  day  it 
will  have  lujcome  one  of  our  most  fanuliar  species.  Brotijilit  ovit  to  tiie 
New  World  within  a  eoniparatively  few  years  it  has  coiniueneed  to  inul- 
ti])iy  about  tlie  larger  cities,  especially  in  tlie  environs  of  Xew  York,  as  also 
about  Tortland,  Uoston,  Newark,  and  riiiladelphia.  Tiio  liv-'t  ellort  made  to 
natunili/e  it  about  Washin^l  m  i'ailed  in  conse([ueiice  of  the  death  of  three 
hundred  individuals  imported  iiy  the  Smithsonian  Institution.     A  second. 


Pyriiitti  itoifuslica. 


526  NOimi  AMKRICAX  lUllDS. 

liowcver,  in  1871,  was  mnre  sucocssrul.     One,  thnusiiiid  liinls  wciiv  let  loose 
in  the  imlilic  sciiuircs  of  riiiladclpliiii  in  tliu  spring  of  ISd!).     In  and  about 
Havana  it  is  said  to  l)o  coninioii,  as  also  about  (ireat  Salt  Lake,  wjiero  it 
was  locently  introduced  by  the  Murnions,  according  to  ^Ir.  J.  A.  Allen. 
Habits.     The  coiamon  House  .Simrrow  of  Europe  has,  witliin  the  jiast  few 

yoar.s,  achieved  a  right  to  a  place  in  the 
avi-liuina  of  Xorth  America  by  its  com- 
plete introduction,  and  its  reproduction  in 
large  miniliers,  in  various  parts  of  the 
country,  from  Portland,  ^le.,  to  Washing- 
ton City,  as  also  al)out  Salt  Lake. 

The  tir.st   attem])t   to  introduce  these 
Ijirds,  within   my  knowk'dge,  was  made 
bv  a  gentleman  named   Deblois,  in  I'ort- 
i',r,',t„  ,/o„usnr„.  liind.'Me,,  in  tiie  fall  of  1S.-.8.     Six  birds 

were  set  fit  liberty  in  a  large  garden  in  the  central  part  of  the  city. 
They  remaineil  in  the  neighborhood  through  tiie  winter,  and  in  the  siiel- 
teriug  porch  of  a  neighlioring  church  they  found  ])laces  of  sheltei'  and 
security.  In  the  following  sju'ing  three  nests  weie  l)uilt  in  dwarf  pear- 
trees  in  the  garden  in  which  tliey  were  lirst  set  at  lilierty.  One,  at 
least,  of  these  nests,  was  suci'essl'ully  ()ccupie<l,  and  si.x  young  birds  were 
reared  from  it.  A  second  nest,  with  four  young,  was  also  hatcheil  by  the 
same  i)air.  Neitlier  of  tiiese  nests  wiis  glolinlar  in  shape,  but  open  and 
coarse,  built  of  Iriy  and  straws.  Tliese  nests  were  taken,  after  their  use,  and 
came  into  my  ])os.session.  Since  tluni  I  k.ave  been  informed  tliat  these  birds 
increased  and  multiplied,  and  for  a  while  were  (piite  almnelant  in  that  portion 
of  tlie  city,  and  a  large  colony  of  this  Sparrow  appeared  in  the  winter  of 
1871  in  liockland,  V..^ 

Two  years  later,  Mr.  Kugene  ScJiielfelin,  of  Xew  York,  ini])orled  and  set 
at  liberty,  near  Madison  S(piare,  in  that  city,  twelve  ol'  tlii^se  birds,  and  this 
he  repealed  for  several  successive  summei's.  In  180-1,  fourteen  birds  were 
set  at  lil)erty  in  t'ential  Park,  by  tht;  Conimissioners.  Other  birds  were  also 
brought  from  Kngland,  by  ditfereut  ])arties,  in  the  Cunard  steamers,  and  re- 
lea.se(l  at  .'ersey  City.  These  liave  increased  very  hirgely,  and  have  sju'ead 
to  tiie  adjoining  cities,  until  these  liinls  have  become  familiar  and  .social  resi- 
dents in  all  the  large  citit'S  and  towns  within  an  e.xtentled  area  around  New 
York,  as  well  as  in  all  parts  of  that  city. 

Tliey  were  introduce(l  into  liostou  by  the  City  C.overnnu'ut  in  1S()8.  Two 
hundred  birds  were  ]iurchased  in  (leniiany,  Imt  unfortunately  all  died  on 
their  passage  exce]it  al)out  a  score.  These  were  set  at  lilierty  in  .Fune,  but, 
weakened  by  tlieir  sea-\dyage,  several  of  them  Mere  found  ilead  in  th(!  deer- 
park,  and  the  rt!st  di.sappeared.  The  I'ollowing  sunnner  more  were  imported, 
hut  all  died  e.xcejit  ten.  These  were  well  cared  for,  and  oidy  released 
Avheu  in  excellent  condition.     For  .some  months  nothing  was  seen  of  these 


I''ltIN(llLI.II).K  — TIIK  I'INCIII'X  527 

birds,  and  the  ('X]i('iiiiu'iit  wiis  siijijmjsciI  ti>  lio  a  i'ailuii',  wlieu  it  was  asccr- 
taiiKMl  tliat  tlioy  had  ln'taki'ii  thiMiisolves  to  the  \iciiiity  til'  stables  in  the 
southern  part  of  tlie  city,  had  iiiereu-^ed  and  niulli])Ht'd  in  hirij;c  niiniliers, 
rea|i]iearin|;'  in  the  winter  to  the  number  of  one  liundred  and  lifty.  They 
were  rej^ularly  fed  by  tlu!  t'ity  Ibrester  each  day  in  thi'  di'er-])aiU,  and  roosted 
at  nij,'ht  in  the  Ihatcli  of  the  roofs  of  tlie  iniihlings.  Since  then  tliey  liavc- 
very  lar^uely  increased.  Aliout  twenty,  that  same  suninier,  were  set  at  lilierty 
in  ^lonument  Sc^uare,  (  harlestown. 

Tn  lcS(i!l  about  one  thousand  birds  were  imjHjrted,  ])y  the  City  (iovern- 
ment,  into  I'hiladelpiiia.  Fortunately  they  canu'  in  ^ood  condition,  and  beintf 
released  early  in  May  inuuediately  sejiaraled  into  scattered  parties  and  pre- 
jiared  for  themselves  now  homes.  Some  appeared  in  Morristown  and  other 
distant  towns  in  New  -lersey.  Others  wandered  to  (lermantown,  and  the 
remoter  suburbs  of  riuladeli)liia,  where  they  found  tlie  elierry-trees  in  lull 
blossom,  and  where  their  exploits  in  slripiiin;^  tlu^  blooms  from  the  trees 
gave  a  not  very  favorable  tirst  im]iression  of  these  new-comers. 

it  has  been  exceedinL;ly  interesting  to  watch  the  manners  and  lial)its  of 
these  strangers  in  their  new  homes.  They  have,  liecome  (|uite  tame,  are  fear- 
less and  gentle,  and  as  they  have  been  very  kindly  trci>ted  live  '.n  a  condition 
of  semi-dome.stieation.  At  first  they  built  their  nests,  and  ])a.ssed  their  win- 
ters, ill  Xew  York,  among  the  thick  ivies  that  cover  the  walls  of  .so  many 
churches,  in  such  eases  building  globular  n.ests.  As  .soon,  however,  as  suit- 
able l)oxes  wen^  prepared  for  tlu^m  in  sulVicient  (piantities,  these  were  taken 
pos.sossion.  of  in  preference  to  anything  elsi'. 

At  the  time  of  their  introduction  the  shade-trees  in  the  parks  and  .scjuares 
of  Xew  York,  l'hiladeli)hia,  ISrooklyn,  Xewark.and  otlier  ]ilaces,  were  greatly 
infeste<l  with  the  larva'  of  the  na'asure-wornis  thai  destroyed  tlieir  foliage. 
Since  then  these  worms  have  almost  mtirely  disappeared.  A  doulit  has 
been  expressed  whether  the  Sjjarrows  destroy  these  insects.  That  they 
eat  them  in  the  larva'  form  I  do  not  know,  liut  to  their  destruction  of  the 
chrysalis,  the  moth,  anil  the  egg.s,  1  can  testify,  having  been  eye-witness 
to  the  act. 

Aj)i»rehensioiis  have  been  ex])ressed  lest  these  new-comers  may  molest  and 
drive  away  <mu'  own  native  liirds.  How  this  may  be  when  the  Sparrows 
become  more  numerous  cannot  now  be  determined,  but  so  far  they  manifest 
no  such  disiK)sition.  Since  their  introduction  into  lUiston  tiie  Ciiippiug 
Sparrows  ajjpear  to  have  increased,  and  to  associate  by  ]ireference  with  their 
Kuro])ean  visitors,  feeding  with  them  unmolested.  I  have  been  unable  to 
detect  a  single  instance  in  which  they  have  been  molested,  in  any  manner, 
liy  their  larger  eompaniou.s.  Tiu'ir  ]iredatory  aguressjous,  however,  upon  tiie 
rights  of  the  common  lioliin  have  been  noticed,  ami  deserve  mention.  The 
Sparrows  appear  to  be  extravagantly  fond  of  eartiiwonns,  b\it  not  able  to 
hunt  for  them  them.selves.  Tliey  have  learne(l  to  watcli  tiu'  l!(d)in  as  it 
forages  ibi  these  worms,  keejiing  around,  at  a  respectful  distance,  and  as  soon 


528  Noirni  amkkican  biuus. 

as  Olio,  with  iimdi  toil,  liiis  (Iraggod  a  worm  from  its  place  of  concealment, 
down  swoops  the  bird  and  impudently  carries  it  oil'.  The  poor  bewildered 
and  pUnulored  Jfobin  essays  a  late  and  vain  attempt  to  protect  its  food. 
The  Sjuirrow  is  too  nimble,  and  the  worm  is  gone  before  its  rightful  owner 
can  turn  to  face  the  robber. 

The  S])arrows  endure  the  severest  of  the  winter  weather  without  any 
apparent  inconvenience,  appearing  as  cheerful,  contented,  and  noisy  with  the 
thermometer  at  zero  as  at  any  other  time.  They  are  (piite  fearless,  esiiecially 
in  Xew  Yori<,  running  about  under  the  feet  of  the  passers-by  with  perfecit 
indilference  and  confidence.  In  Boston  I  have  noticed  their  nests  in  con- 
venient places,  a  few  feet  above  crowded  sidewalks.  In  winter  they  come 
regularly  about  the  houses  to  be  fed. 

The  House  Sparrow  has  also  been  introduced  into  Australia,  where  it  has 
become  acclimated,  and  was,  at  the  last  accounts,  rapidly  increasing  in  that 
quarter.     It  is  likewise  very  common  about  Havana,  Cuba. 

In  the  Old  World  this  bird  has  a  widely  extended  area  of  distribution,  and 
is  resident  whei'ever  found.  It  is  very  abundant  in  the  British  Islands  and 
throughout  the  northern  and  centrcal  2wrtions  of  Europe.  In  Spain  and  in 
Italy  it  is  replaced  by  two  clo.sely  allied  species  or  races.  This  bird,  how- 
ever, is  also  found  in  No.  h  Africa,  in  the  Levant,  at  Trebizonde,  and  among 
the  mountains  of  Xubia.  Specimens  have  also  been  received  from  ■:he  Him- 
alayas, from  Xepaul,  and  the  vicinity  of  ( "alcutta. 

Ijoth  in  Europe  and  in  this  country  the  Sparrows  ])air  early  in  the  season. 
I  have  known  tliem  sitting  on  their  eggs,  in  lloston,  in  ]March.  Tiiey  are 
very  prolific,  have  broods  of  five,  six,  and  even  seven  at  a  time,  three  or  four 
times  in  a  season.  They  are  full  of  life  and  animation,  somewhat  disposed 
to  brief  and  noisy  quarrels,  which  are  always  harmless. 

Their  great  attachment  and  devotion  to  tlit  ir  young  is  dwelt  upon  by  all 
English  writers  as  quite  remarkable.  They  evince  a  great  i)artiality  for 
warmth,  and  even  in  midsummer  line  their  nests  with  all  the  feathers  they 
can  pick  uj).  In  New  York  it  is  a  favorite  amu.sement  with  the  children  to 
carry  with  them  to  the  public  ])arks  ([uantities  of  feathers,  which  they  throw, 
one  Ijy  one,  to  the  Sparrows,  to  witness  their  anuising  contests  for  possession. 

The  eggs  of  this  bird  are  oval  in  shape,  jiointed  at  one  enil,  with  a  ground 
of  a  light  ashen  color,  Ijlotched,  dotted,  and  streaked  with  various  shades  of 
ashy  and  dusky  brown.  They  measure  from  .85  to  .95  of  au  inch  in  length, 
and  from  .00  to  .05  in  breadth. 


Subfamily    SPIZELLINiE.—  The  Sparrows. 

Char.  Bill  variable,  usually  almo.st  .straight;  somplimcs  curved.  Commissure  gener- 
ally iieai'ly  .^^tniiu'lit,  or  sliirlitly  eonoavn.  Upper  man(lil)le  wider  tlian  lower.  Nostrils 
exposed.  Wings  modeiati' ;  the  outer  iiriniaries  not  niuuh  rounded.  Tail  variable. 
Feet  large;  tarsi  mostly  longer  than  the  middle  toe. 


FKIXUILLIDvE  — THE  FrXCIIES.  529 

The  species  arc  usually  small,  and  of  dull  color,  though  Iraiuently  liaiul- 
sonioly  marked.  Nearly  all  are  streaked  ou  the  hack  and  crown,  often  on 
the  belly.  None  of  the  Tnited  States  spwies  liave  any  red,  hhie,  or  orani,'c, 
and  tiie  yellow,  when  jm.'sent,  is  as  a  .superciliary  .streak,  or  on  the  elhow 
edge  of  tiu!  winj;'. 

In  the  arrangement  of  this  sidifaniily,  as  of  the  others  belonging  to  the 
Friiiijillidiv,  we  do  not  profess  to  give  anything  like  a  natural  system,  but 
merely  an  attempt  at  a  convenient  artilicial  .scheme  by  which  the  determina- 
tion of  tiie  genera  may  be  facilitated. 

\t  Tail  small  and  .'iliorl  ;  consiiliM'iilily  m-  ilociclcilly  .sliortcr  lliaii  tlio  wiiijrs, 
owing  e'itlii'r  to  tin-  elongation  ol'  tin'  wing  or  tlie  .^lioitLMiinjr  of  tlio  tail.  Lateral 
toe.<  slioitcr  than  tlic  niiddli^  without  its  claw.  Spci'ics  .streaked  above  and 
below.     (Passerculeae.) 

«.  TliieUly  .•streaked  overvwiieic  almve.  on  llir  sides,  and  across  tiie  breast. 
Wing  iiointed ;  longest  jii-iniaries  eonsiderably  longer  than  the  .secondaiies. 
Tail  forked. 

Ceiitronyx.  Hind  i^law  very  laige;  rather  longer  than  its  digit.  The 
hiiul  toe  and  elaw,  together,  as  long  as  or  longi'r  than  the  middle  toe 
and  elaw.  (Jther  toes  as  in  Passerciiliis,  Claws  gently  enrved.  Terlials 
sliorler  than  the  secondaries.  Tail  I'oiked,  l)nt  the  lateral  feathers 
shortei'. 

Fasserculus.  Hind  elaw  as  long  as  its  digit:  the  toe  ei|ual  to  the 
middle  one  williout  i,-;  claw  ;  lateral  toes  falling  eonsiderably  short  of 
the  middle  elaw.  AViiigs  very  long;  lirsl  primary  longest.  Tertials  as 
long  as  the  primaries.     T.ail  linked;  leathers  aeule. 

Fooceetes.     Hind  elaw  shortei' than   its  digit;   the  whole  toe  less  tlian 
the  middle   too   without   its   elaw.     Lateral   toi's   nearly   e(iual   to   th(? 
middle  one,  without  its  elaw.      Tertials  Imt  little  longer  than  seeou- 
daries.     Tail  stitl'ened,  forked;  feathers  acute,  outer  ones  white. 
/'.  Moderately  streaked  above,  on  the  si<les,   and  on  the  breast,   the   latter 
sometime.'?  nnstreaked  ;   the  dorsal  streaks  broader,  the  others  fainter  than  in 
the  la.st.     Wings  short,  reaching  a  little  beyond  the  base  of  the  tail.     N'ot 
nnu'h  difVerenoe  between  the  prinuuies  and  seeondai'ies.     Tail  short,  grad- 
uated, and  the  feathei-s  lanceolate,  acute. 

CoturniculuB.     Dill  shoit;  thick.     Tertials  almost   ecpial  to  the  pri- 
maries;  truncate  at  the  end.     Claws  sn\all,  weak  ;  hinder  one  shoitei' 
than  its  digit.     ( )nt.stretelie(l  feet  not  |-eaehing  the  U[>  of  the  tail.    Tail- 
leathers  not  slill'eiied.     (bi  one  species  tail  nearly  eipud  to  the  wing.) 
AmmodromuB.     Hill  .slender,  .small  at  base,  and  elongated.     'I'l'rtials 
not   longi'r   than    the  secondaries;    rounded   at  the   tip.     Claws  large, 
hinder  one  equal  to  its  digit.     Outstretched  toes  reacliHig  considerably 
beyond  the  end  of  the  stilVened,  almost  sransorial  tail. 
B.  Tail  longer  ami  liroader :  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as,  .sometimes  a   very  little 
longer  than,  the  wings,  which  are  rather  lengthened.    The  primaiies  c<insiderably 
longer  tlian   the  .secondaries.     Xoiie   of  the  species  streaked   beneath,  and   the 
back  alone  streakeil  above.     (Spizelleae.) 
a.  Tail  romided  or  .slightly  giadiiatcd. 

Chondestes.     Tail  <'onsideralily  griiduated,  not  emtirginatecl.     Lateral 
toes  considerably  shorter  than  the  middle  toe.  without  its  claw.     Wings 
very  long,  decidedly  longer  than   the  tail,  reaching  llu"  middle  of  the 
li7 


530  NORTH   AMK.IIICAN   lilUI^S. 

tiiil.  Vii'sl  c|iiill  IdiiucsI.  IIiikI  .stri|)iM|.  linck  sliciikcd.  Wliito 
boncatli.  A  wliilc  Mulcli  on  llu'  ciiil  ol'  the  liiil-lrallicrs. 
Zonotrichia.  Tiiil  iiiiKlciuti'ly  jj;nuliiiitiMl.  Wiii^'^  nuMliTatc,  iilioiu  us 
loiij,^  iis  llif  tail,  rcacliiii;,'  almiil  over  tli(>  liasil  loilPlli  ol'  llic  tail;  lilsl 
iiuill  li'ss  than  the  si'coiid  tn  lointli.  Feel,  lai;;i'.  Head  siriiicd  with 
Mack  niid  white,  or  with  lii't)\vii  and  dchrai't'oiis.  Hack  .sticakcd. 
Junco.  Tail  very  ncailv  c(|nal  to  the  wings,  slightly  cinarginatc,  and 
decidedly  roundi.'d.  Outer  toe  lalher  longer  than  inner,  reaching  the 
middle  claw.  Xo  streaks  anywhci'e  exce|tl  in  yonng  ;  l)laek  or  ash- 
color  ahove  ;  belly  white;  with  or  without  a  rufous  back  and  sides. 
Outer  tail-leathers  while. 

Foospiza.  Tail  U'nglhcued,  slightly  graduated;  tlio  leathers  unusually 
broad  to  the  end.  Itill  slender.  Wings  about  as  long  as  the  tail,  reach- 
ing lint  little  beyond  its  external  base.  Tertials  bi'oad,  and,  with  the 
secondaries,  rather  lengthened.  Heconil  to  litlli  f|nills  nearly  e<inal,  and 
longest.  Hill  dark  lead-color.  Tail  black.  rnilbrni  ashy-brown 
aliovo;  white  beneath.  Sides  of  head  \\ilh  stripes  of  black  and  white. 
h.  Tail  decidedly  forkcil  ;  a  little  shorter  than  the  wing,  .souietinies  a  little 
longer. 

Spizella.  Size  rather  small.  AViugs  long.  Lower  mandible  largest, 
rniforni  beneath,  or  with  a  jx'ctoi'al  spot  or  the  chin  black. 
C  Tail  leugtliened  and  graduated  ;  ilecidedly  longer  than  the  wings,  which  are 
very  short,  seari'ely  extending  beyond  the  external  base  ol'  the  tail.  Keet  reach- 
ing l)iit  little  beyond  the  middle  of  the  tail.  Species  all  streaked  above;  streakeil 
or  nearly  nnicolor  beneath.  \o  wliiti'  on  wings  or  tail.  Outer  lateral  toe  llie 
longer,     rirst  ipiill  not  the  shortest  of  thi'  ])iimarios.     (Melospizeae.) 

Melospiza.  ("ulnicn  and  connnissurc  nearly  straight.  Claws  stout ; 
hinder  one  as  large  as  iis  digit.  Tail-feathers  ratln'r  broad.  Body 
streaked  beiiealh. 

Peucaea.  Culmcn  and  connnissurc  cnived.  Claws  weak  ;  hinder  one 
not  nnicli  cuiveil,  decidedly  shorter  than  its  digit.  Tail-feathers  narrow. 
Without  .streaks  beneath,  oxce|)ting  a  mu'row  maxillary  stripe. 
D.  Tail  rather  .slioi't,  and  much  graduated  ;  longer  than  the  wings;  the  midrib 
more  median.  Culmcn  curvi'd.  Tarsus  considerably  longer  than  middle  too. 
Outer  toe  longer.  Jhit,  little  dilference  in  the  length  of  the  ([uills;  the  onler 
ones  much  Duinleil;  even  the  second  tpiill  is  shorter  than  any  other  primary 
except  the  lirst. 

Embernagra.     Coloi'  olive-green  above. 


Gfais  CENTRONYX,    15a Hit). 

Ccntroivj.v,  B.mud,  Birds  X.  Am.  IS'iS,  44ii.     (Type,  Kmhi'ciyi  Immli,  Xvw.) 

(iKN.  CiiAit.  IJill  elongated;  the  lowei'  Uiandilile  .smaller:  outlines  nearly  straight. 
Tarsus  lengthened,  considerably  exceeding  the  mitldle  toe.  Latcr.il  toes  iMpial.  not  reach- 
ing the  liaso  of  the  middle  elaw.  Hind  toe  veiy  largi';  the  claw  rather  longer  than  its 
digit.  an<l  in  its  elongation  resembling  Plcr/rii/iJiiiiii'n,  but  nior<'  curved:  the  digit  and  claw 
togetln-r  rather  longer  than  the  middle  toe  and  elaw.  Wings  very  long,  I'cachiug  beyond 
the  middle  of  the  tail,  and  Ijoyond  the  end  of  the  I'ovcils.  Tertials  shorter  than  the 
piiinaries,  and  but  little  longer  than  the  secondaries.  T.iil  short,  much  less  than  from  the 
carpal  joint  to  end  of  .secondaries;   little  more  than  two  thirds  the  entire'  wing.     It  is 


FKIX(iIM,ll).K      TIIK  KINCUKS. 


5,31 


sli<;litly  foikcil,  and  inoilciiitcly  iiniiidi'il  liilcrally  ;  tlio  luatlicis  all  annto.     Cdlorsimu'what 
as  ill  l'ii.i!ii'irii/n.i. 

This  j^'i'ims  diU'crs  ('mm  Pdxxiirii/ns,  as  statod  in  tlio  (U'scri])ti(iii  of  tlio 
species  IiuIIkt  dm.  It  wduld  lie,  tai<eii  fur  ricilnipliaius  on  accoii'.t  ul'  its 
lengthened  liind  claw,  wliicli,  however,  is  more  curved  than  in  that  j^cnns  ; 
the  tarsi  are  much  longer,  the  tertials  less  elongated,  and  tlie  coloration  dif- 
ferent, tliough  closely  resenililiiig  that  of  the  female  J'lccttvp/tuncs.  liut  one 
siieeies  has  thus  fur  been  recognized. 


Centronyx  bairdi,   r.\inn. 

BAIBD'S  BUNTING. 

Emhcrhit  ludrdl,  Aii>.  IMnls  Am.  Vll,  1S|:!,  :i."i!i,  pi.  il.     Ci/nnikiilus  bainlt,  linN.  Syn. 
185(1,  481.     C'ciili-11,1,1..-  Iiidnli,  lUiiii),  IJiril.s  N.  Am.  I.SjS,  411. 

Si'.  Ca.M!.  Soiiii'wiiat  siinilai-  in  ijcncr-al  iiiipcMrancc  tn  /'n.i.in-rnhi.i  siivdiniii.  Hack 
rrriiyisli,  .■streaked  Avitli  dusky.  Cniwii  lU'Mi'ly  ciivci'cd  liy  lijack  streaks,  liiil  <livi(l(Ml  liy 
a  liroad  nifdian  liand  of  Ijiowiiisli-ycllow. 
Ky('li<ls  and  a  Cainl  siipciciliary  slript>  yi-l- 
liiuish-wliitc.  IJcncalli  while,  wilii  a  nia.K- 
iiliirv  lilackisli  stripe  and  smne  narrow 
streaks  (in  the  upper  pait  dl'  the  lireasi,  and 
sides  of  till'  tlirnat  ai:  .  liody.  Outer  edj;-es 
and  tips  of  tail-featliers  white;  the  two 
(inter  feathers  olisoletely  white.  ISend  of 
wing  white.  Luin^th,  1.75;  wiiijr,  '.i.lSI);  tail, 
2.20. 

Il.vn.     Month  of  liie   Yellowstone  Uiver. 
t)nu  speeimt'ii  only  known. 


(Vntn'iij/,r   hatf'Ut  litin/. 


Tiiis  s|)(H'ios  has  somewhat  of  the  general  apiiearauce  of  I'nn.'icrnihis 
si'vanim,  hut  with  imiiortiint  dil'.eri'iicc^'  lioth  of  form  and  color.  The  iiill 
is  nnicli   longer,  tind  more  slender  in  ])i'0])ortion.    The  wings  are  (piite  un- 

usuidl}'  long;  tlie  jirimaries  more 
than  lialf  an  inch  longer  than  tlie 
tertiaries  ;  the  first  (|uill  as  h)ng  as 
till  fourth,  iind  hut  little  less  than 
the  second  and  tliird.  The  tail  is 
very  short;  the  featlu'rs  narrow 
and  ipointed.  Tlie  feet  are  large; 
tlie  hind  claw  very  long  and  con- 
sidcrahly  cin-ved,  as  are  the  otlier 
claws  generally. 
The  s]ieeies  was  hasod  by  Mr. 
Audubon  on  a  skin  iu'ougiit  by  him  from  the  nioutli  of  tlie  Yellowstone 
Kiver,  in   \M'.\,  in  rather  defective  and  worn  plumage.     Tliis  has  hitlierto 


Ctnlroniix  bninli. 


532 


NORTH  AMLIUICAN  nillDS. 


served  as  tlio  basis  ol'  all  tlie  (lescriptions  nf  tlio  specii's  wliidi  is  Justly 
consiili'R'd  one  of  tlie  raicsl   in  the  North  American  I'ainia. 

Haiuts.  In  rejj;anl  to  tiie  luihits,  distribution,  or  jfener:''  history  of  this 
very  mre  species,  hut  little  is  known,  only  one  sjiecinien  havinj;  been  met 
with.  This  was  procured  l>y  Mr.  Audubon's  party  to  the  Yellowstone  lliver, 
in  Dakota,  on  the  last  day  of  .Inly,  iS4:>.  Tiiat  it  is  a  resident  where  ob- 
taine<l,  certainly  during  the  breeilinj^-season,  is  a  natural  int'erenee  from  the 
circumstances  of  its  capture.  That  it  may  l)e  a  common  Itird  in  certain 
other  ]H)rtions  of  the  rej,'ion,  innnediately  nortli  of  Dakota,  is  (juite  proliable. 
Its  clo.se  habits,  as  described  liy  Mr.  Audubon,  favor  its  escapinj^  notice  wher- 
ever it  may  c.\ist. 

The  specimen  was  mot  with  in  a  wet  place,  overfjrown  closely  by  a  kind 
of  slender  rush-like  jira.ss,  from  the  midst  of  wliich  the  notes  of  these  birds 
were  heard,  and  at  lii'st  mi.staken  for  those  of  the  Marsii  Wren.  A  search 
was  innnediately  instituted  for  the  sinj^ers,  which  Mr.  IJell  soon  ascertained 
could  not  be  the  Wren  in  (picstion,  tiie  notes  bein^-  much  softer  and  more 
prolonged.  Much  dillicnlty  was  encountered  in  tiie  endeavor  to  raise  them 
from  the  long  close  grass  to  which  they  closely  confined  them.selves,  and 
they  were  several  times  nearly  trodden  on  lieibre  they  Mould  take  wing, 
almo.st  instantaneously  realighting  within  a  few  .steps,  and  running  like  mice 
through  the  grass.  After  a  while  two  were  .shot  while  on  the  wing,  and 
proved  to  be  adult  male  and  female.  The  i)arty  found  this  species  quite 
abundant  in  all  such  situations,  and  there  seems  to  have  been  no  doubt  that 
it  was  breeding. 


Gexis    PASSERCULUS,    Honap. 

Pa.i.wivii!i/n,  iioNAi'.  ('0111]).  lAat  IJiiils,  lS;iS.     (Tyi)i',  FfiiKjIlhi  mirriiina.) 

Okx.  Tirvn.     Rill  iiioili'r.itcly  coiiiriil ;   the  lower  iiiaiKlililc  siii;ill('i- ;  lintli  outlines  nearly 

.^Jtraiglit.  Tar.sns  aliiMit  equal  to  tlic  niiildle 
tor.  Latoriil  toes  aliont  eiiual,  their  claw.'* 
I'aiiinp;  far  sliort  of  tlio  niiddlo  one.  Hind 
toe  niiieli  lonpror  tlian  tlie  lateral  one.«,  rcaoli- 
inp:  ns  far  as  llie  nii(l<llu  of  the  midille  claw ; 

f^i^  ___— ■        y^  -^r: -^-^  "'•"'  <'liiws  nuxlerately  eiu'ved.     Winp's  '.nnisu- 

^  ■<  '=^  ally  lonsr.  rcachinfj:  to  the  inidille  of  the  tail, 

and  almost  to  the  end  of  tlie  niiper  eoverts. 
The  tertials  nt'arly  or  (|iiite  a.<  long  as  the 
jiriiiiarie.s;  the  tir.st  primary  longest.  The 
tail  is  quite  .short,  eonsidcrahly  shorter  than 
tliowinsis;  as  lonii;  as  from  the  eariial  joint 
to  the  end  ot  the  seeondarius.  it  is  eiiiar- 
giuate,  and  .slightly  rounded ;  the  foathors  pointed  and  narrow. 

The  essential  chtiracters  of  this  well-marked  genus  lie  in  the  elongated 
wings,  longer  than  tiie  tail,  the  tertiaries  equal  to  the  ])rinuu'ies,  the  first 


iM;i.\(!ii.i.in.K  — TiiM  KiN("iii:s.  53;-} 

quill  almost  l(>ii;,'c'st.     The  Icljs  aw  \<n\<i,  tiie  oiitstri'U'lu'd  lues  i'ciU'liiii,i;  U- 

tlu!  oml  of  Uk;  tail  ;  tiic  liitciiil  too  coiisiilonilply  sliditi'i'  liiaii  tlic  iiiiddlc, 

wliicli  is  nut  iiuuii  l(iii,i,'('i' tluiu  tlie  liimlui'.      Tlio  tail  is  .sIkhI,  iiaiTDW,  iiiid 
tiiiiiiij;iiiato  ;  the.  ruallit^is  aiiiitu. 

Specios  and  Varieties. 

Common  C'liAit.vcTiMis.  Aliovr  L'tnyisli-Kiuwii,  ImmicmIm  wliiic  ;  wlioli'  upiiur 
siirliicf.  as  well  ,i.<  iln'  \nvn>\  iiml  siili -s.  siiciUcd  wMli  dusky.  Alight  siiiier- 
ciliiiry  stiipc,  iiiul  ,a  wliilisli  iiiiixilliiry  one,  tin'  latter  hordi'ivd  aljovc  and  liclow 
by  .stl'i|>cs  ol'  cdalcsi'iMl  dusky  si  leaks. 

A.  Itill  small,  tlio  fiilnicii  slightly  (•(Hhmvi'  in  ihu  iiiiddlu  portion;  a  iHc(liaii 
light  stfipc  on  the  <To\vii. 

I.  P.  savanna.     Snpci-ciliary  stripe  yellow  iinteriorly ;  streaks  on  iho 
hack  lilaekisli,  sharply  ili'lined. 

Til  run  I  (I  lid  iijijirr  jiiirt  0/  iiliilomcn  iinsfrrill.iil ;  vrrli:r-.ilriiir   iril/i- 
imf  ifi  Ihiir  liiH/i', 

T'ill  .;!  I  IVom  llii'ehead  ami  ."J.")  in  depth  at  the  liase;  wing,  'J.S.'i; 
tail, 'J.-'jII.  Colois  deep;  outei' snrliic'e  ol'  wing  (in  spring)  deeideilly 
reddisli.     //((/(.   Eastern  I'rovin C  N'urlli  .Vinerii'a        .       \nv.  xn  rn  ii  n  a  . 

Uill,  .;!2  ami  ,20,  or  less;  wing,  *2.7.");  tail,  L'.lO.  Colors  very  pale  ; 
outer  sniliK'u  of  wing  (in  spring)  pale  nshy.  //((ft.  Western  I'rov- 
inee  of  .North  AiniMiea,  e.\eepl  coast  ol'  Calilnrnia,  where  replaced 
\iy  \i\v.  aiilliiiius Mu-.  al  11  It  il  i  u  II  s. 

J5ill.  .;>"  and  .27,  or  eonsidei-alily  more;  wing.  li.lO;  tail,  2.10. 
Colors  as  in  mvuuuu.     IliiU.  Xorthwust  coast,  of  Xorth  .\meriea 

var.  .V  (( /( (/  "■  /  (■  /(  p  II  .s'  / .« . 

Tliroot  ttiiil  upper  part  of  abdomen  flrtnlid  ;   ri'rle.r-sln'/ie  kIiiuiiiIi/ 
fiiiijed  ivitli  i/ilhiir, 

rSill,  .;i;!  and  .10;  wing,  2..')l);  tail,  l.iio.  CoWa  darker  than  vtn-. 
saraiiiia,  the  groinid-eolor  imue  nnii'urni,  and  the  lilaek  streaks 
heavier  and  more  nninerous.     Iliih.  Coast  of  California.      var,  (iii  I  li  in  ii  s. 

2.  P.  princeps.  Superciliary  stripe  white  nntoriorly  ;  streaks  on  ilic 
back  .sandy-l)r<iwn,  liadly  defined.  Wing.  .">.2') ;  tail.  2.ti0;  lull.  .4")  and 
.2:5;  tarsu.s,  .!),') ;  middle  toe.  .StI.  //ab.  Kasterii  Ma.s.'^achii.sctts  (north- 
ern regions  in  sinnmer?). 

B«  Bill  robust,  the  enlnien  arched ;  no  mpflian  light  stripe  on  the  crown. 
Siiiieri'iliary  stri[)o  white  anteriorly ;  streaks  on  the  back  .Kandy-browii, 
ob.'iolet<'. 

3.  P.  rostratus. 

Bill,  .4.'!  aid  .nO;  wing,  2.00;  tail.  2.2.").  O round-color  aliovc 
fulvous-gray,  beneath  white;  the  streaks,  aliove  and  below,  sandy- 
l)rown.  Colors  mncli  as  in  /'.  priiirriis.  Huh.  Coast  of  Cali- 
fornia, to  the  niotilh  of  the  Colorailo  lliver;  Cape  St.  Lucas  in 
winter         .........         var.   ro.i  I  r<i  f  n s. 

Bill,  .3.'5  and  .22;  wing,  2.")');  tail,  2.00.  (iioinid-eolor  above 
phinibeons-gray  ;  lieneath  white  ;  streaks  tilackish-lirown.  Ilah. 
Cape  St.  Lucas  (resident?) vav-  (j  n  t  tn  t  ii.i. 

A  careful  cxauiiiintiou  of  the  very  larL^e  series  of  FKAnnrii/xx  tillied  to 
savanna  iu  the  museuiu  of  the  Suiithsouiau  Institution,  recently  made, 


534 


NORTH  AMERICAN  IJIUDS. 


briii^is  lis  to  the  Sfime  coiK'lu.sion  as  that  nwhod  in   ISfiS,  namely,  that, 
<,'ranting'  a  single  species  extoiKling  over  tlie  whole  of  Xoith  America,  there 

are  several  yeoj;rai)hical  races  in  (lillerent 
regions.  Thus,  taking  the  eastern  bird 
as  the  standard,  with  its  darlc  coh)rs, 
reddish  wint.s,  anil  deep  yellow  super- 
ciliary stripe,  and  the  comparative  or 
entire  absence  of  spots  on  the  lower  part 
of  breast,  we  havt;  in  tlie  middle  prov- 
ince, and  to  smne  extent  in  tiie  western, 
a  race  rather  smaller,  with  more  attenu- 
ated and  htnger  bill,  and  i)aler  colors  ; 
the  wings  grayish,  tiie  yellow  of  head 
•being  scarcely  appreciable  (var.  nUituli- 
nns).  On  the  coast  of  California,  an- 
other series  of  the  size  and  prnjiorfions  of  the  last,  liut  with  dark  yeUow 
superciliary  stripe,  —  the  vertex-stripe  even  yellowish,  —  dark  colors,  and 
the  lower  part  of  breast,  as  well  as  the  tiiroat,  decidedly  streaked,  as  well 
as  the  jugulum  (var.  anthinn^)  ;  and  finally  on  the  northwest  coast,  from 
I'uget  Sound  to  Kodiak,  a  fnurth  race,  mnch  larger  than  typical  7*.  nKvainia, 
but  al)solutely  umlistingui.shable  in  color,  proportion  of  bill,  etc.  (var.  sand- 
vnrhnixis).  P.  ant/ihiiia  is  not  found  north  of  (.'alifornia,  but  the  other  two 
of  the  western  race  may  occur  together  at  any  point  of  the  coast  north, 
perhajis,  of  the  (Joliimbia  liiver. 


Pax<frnihis  savn)mfi. 


Passerculus  savanna,  Bonap. 

SAVANNA  SPABBOW. 

FmiriUla  unvnnnn,  Wilson,  Am.  Orii.  Ill,  1811,  5'),  pi.  xxii,  f.  2. —  lit.  IV,  1811,  72, 
1)1.  x.\.\iv,  f.  i.  —Am.  Oni.  liioK.  II,  lSa4,  (i;! ;  V,  1839,  516,  [il.  cix.  Pimnwdui 
siii;i,(,iii,  lluN.  List,  1838. —  III.  (.'oiispi'ctus,  1850,  480.  —  Cam.  Mils.  IMii.  1851,  131. 
—  Haiku,  IJiid.s  N.  Am.  IS.'.S,  442.  —  Cocks,  P.  A.  N.  S.  18t;i,  22:(.  —  Sa.ml'ki.s, 
301.  Emhm-,1  suvfimui,  Aid.  Syn.  1839,  103.  —  In.  Mints  Am.  Ill,  1841,  08,  j.l. 
clx.  ?  Fn'ii;/il/ii  hycmclis,  (!.M.  I,  1788,  922.  —  Liciit.  Vi'i/ii.liiiiss,  1S23,  No.  250. 
Omi'liii's  ctcsi  ii|)li(ni,  liascd  on  Pcinii'iit  .Xntii'  Zoiil.  11,  370  (wiiiti'r  Fiiu-li),  iipplii-s 
n|Uiilly  well  to  ii  liiigu  nuiiilier  of  spciics.     Linuria  savanna,  UlcilAUDsnx,  List,  1837, 

Sp.  CiiAit.  I'ViitluT.-*  of  till'  upper  parts  f^onornlly  with  a.  fciitral  streak  of  liliirkisli- 
browii ;  tli(!  .xlivaks  of  iIk-  hack  with  a  slight  niibiis  .siifl'iisioii  latuially  ;  the  fcathora 
iMltrcil  witii  gray,  which  l.s  lightest,  on  tho  .•<i'apiilar.s,  and  t'oiiii.s  lhcu>  two  gray  stripes. 
Crown  with  a  lnoad  inc'(liaii  sliip(>  of  yclhjwish-gray.  .\  snpcri'iliary  siroak  from  tho  t)ill 
to  tlie  hai'k  of  the  hoad.  cyiMids,  and  edge  of  tho  olbow,  yollow,  paliM'  boliind.  A  yullow- 
i,sli-vviiiti!  numdihiilar  stripe  curving  behind  the  ear-cov(!rts,  and  inarginoil  above  and 
below  by  brown.  Tlie  lower  margin  is  a  scries  of  thickly  crowded  spots  on  thi,"  sides  of 
tli('  throat,  wliii'li  are  also  found  on  the  sides  of  the  neck,  across  the  upper  ]iart  of  the 
breast,  and  on  iIk'  sides  of  liody,  a  dusky  line  liack  of  the  eye,  in;ikiiiir  tlire<'  on  the  side 
of  head  (iiuhidiug  the  two  inandibulaij.     A  few  faint  spots  on  liie  throat  and  eliin.    Rest 


FKL\(ilLLIlhE  — THE  HNCllEti. 


585 


■  A); 


of  un.loi'  parts  wliito.     Outer  tnil-rcatlicrs  and  primiirics  oajrcd  with  wliitc     Luii^tli,  0. 
winj;-,  2.70;  tuil,  2.1(1. 

Young.  Grouiiil-i-clor  of  tliu  upper  p:-'s  (;excupt  win.^s  and  tail)  light  odirap«oiis, 
more  brownish  on  top  of  head,  n|)iR'r  part  of  baek,  and  on  upper  tail-coverts  ;  the  streaks 
blacker  and  more  eonspienoiis  than  in  the  aibilt.  lieneath  with  an  oehraceoiis  tinge 
anteriorly,  the  streaks  liroader,  and  deeper  blaek,  than  in  the  adnlt,  tliongh  less  sharpK- 
delincd.     The  infra-nnixillary  streak  <'Xpaiided  into  a  broad  blarkish  elongated  l)lotch. 

Haii.  Eastern  North  Anu'iiea  to  l\n-  Missouri  plains,  and  northwest  to  Alaska.  Cuba, 
winter  (Cab.  Jonr.  IV,  (J). 

Si)ecinieiiH  vary  C(iiisi(loral)ly  in  size,  color,  and  .shape  of  iiill,  l.nt  the 
average  is  a.s  tlescrilied.  Spriiio-  birds  have  the  niarkinj^.s  .sltarper  and 
clearer,  the  dark  streaks  with  little  ur  no  snd'nsion  of  rufous. 

II.VBIT.S.  The  Savanna  Sparrow  is  an  abundant  .species  throuoliout  North 
America,  from  the  Atliintic  sea-board  to  tlie  (Jreat  Plains.  It  is,  however, 
everywhere  iiuicii  less  common  in  tlie  -interior  tiiiin  nearer  tiie  shore.  The 
Smith.soniiin  specimens  tire  from  points  its  iar  south  as  Gcorj-ia  and  Loiiisi- 
anii,  and  as  far  west  its  the  Dlack  Hills  of  Wyomin---.  It  passes  north  throiioh 
Mas.sacliii.setts,  from  the  first  to  tiie  middle  of  April,  and  some  remain  to  lireed 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  Maynard  sjieaks  of  it  as  a  common 
summer  resident.  Tliis,  h(j\vever,  is  true  only  of  n  few  restricted  maritime 
localities,  but  is  not  .so  of  tlie  entire  eastern  ]iortion  of  the  Stale.  It  occurs 
l)oth  in  the  sidt  inar.slies  of  C'liarles  liiver  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Fresli  Toiid, 
but  I  cotdd  never  trace  it  in  any  of  the  neigid)oring  towns.  ?t  is  occtision- 
ally  met  with  in  inland  situations  where  we  would  not  naturally  look  for  it. 
In  the  summer  of  ISG'.l,  :Mr.  William  I'.rcwster  found  quite  a  colony  of  tlieso 
birds  in  an  open  field  near  the  (ileii  Hou.se,  at  tlie  foot  of  Ml.  Wasliington. 
They  had  nests  with  eggs  the  last  of  July  and  the  first  of  August. 

In  Western  Massachusetts,  according  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  rarely  or  iie\er  stops 
to  breed.  In  Western  i\Iaiiie,  Mr.  Verrill  mentions  it  as  a  common  summer 
visitant,  and  as  lireeding  tlicre  in  the  latter  part  of  May.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Eastport,  and  in  all  the  i.slands  of  the  (irand  Menan  group,  I  found  these 
Sparrow.s  very  abundant.  Tliey  almost  invariably  built  tlieir  nests  in  ile- 
pressions  on  the  edge  or  just  under  the  projecting  tops  of  high  bliitfs  of  liiiid 
near  the  sea.  They  were  liy  far  the  most  abundant  of  the  land-birds,  and  it 
Wiis  quite  common  to  find  their  nests  in  close  jiro-ximity  one  to  anotlier.  • 
Tliey  arrive  there  in  April,  an,!  leave  in  September,  passing  slowly  south 
more  in  reference  to  the  abundance  tjf  their  Ibod  than  the  severity  of  the 
season,  luitil  the  weather  becomes  very  .severe,  when  they  all  disappear.  Tliey 
v'nter  in  liie  Southern  States,  from  Virginia  to  (Jeorgia,  and  are  especially 
abundant  in  the  Carolintis.  Dr.  C'oues  states  that  they  were  very  common 
about  Columbia  from  October  to  April,  moving  in  large  flocks  and  associ- 
ating with  other  s])ecies.  Wilson  states  that  he  met  with  this  species,  from 
Savannah  to  Xew  York,  in  all  the  low  country,  and  regtirded  it  as  resident 
in  those  jdaces,  but  nirely  found  at  a  distance  from  the  sea-shore.  He  found 
them  e.s])eeially  numerous  at  (Jreat  Egg  Harbor,  N  J. 


536  NdllTlI  AMKKICA.N  JUIiDS. 

Dr.  Cones,  in  liis  visit  to  r/il)nuliii',  in  ISfJO,  found  tiiis  Sjiarrow  almndant 
in  tliiit  reyion  in  low  moist  niciulow.s  and  inaishy  tracts  near  the  soa-slioro, 
liut  never  noticed  it  in  any  other  situations.  He  fre(|uently  observed  it  there 
f'eedin,n  on  tlie  beds  of  dried  eel-grass  along  tlie  rocky  shores,  searching  for 
food  in  conii)any  with  tlie  Titlarks  and  small  Sandpipers. 

During  my  visits  to  the  islaiuls  of  the  ]>ay  of  Fundy,  in  one  of  which  I 
remained  a  number  of  days,  I  had  a  good  opportunity  to  notice  these  birds. 
In  many  respects  their  habits  undergo  noticeable  changes  during  the  breed- 
ing-season. As  they  j.ass  north  or  soutii  in  their  migrations,  they  are  not 
l)articularly  shy  or  ditlicidt  to  api)roacii,  but  when  they  liad  nests  they  seemed 
to  become  particularly  cautious  and  mistrustful.  The  male  and  female  sat 
by  turns  upon  their  eggs,  b\it  generally  one  remained  witliin  hailing  distance, 
and  always  gave  promptly  a  signal  of  danger  when  the  nest  was  approached, 
at  which  the  other  would  glide  from  the  nest,  running  off  on  the  ground  like 
a  niou.se.  I  found  it  impossiljle  to  identify  by  shooting  the  parent  on  the 
nest,  and  only  accomplislied  its  identification  by  means  of  snares.  When 
once  lost  in  the  tall  grass,  it  was  impossible  to  find  it  again,  or  if  it  reap- 
peared it  was  impossible  to  tell  which  of  the  many  chirping  Sparrows,  all  of 
them  out  of  reacli  of  shot,  and  keeping  a  sharp  lookout  on  my  movements, 
liad  any  coiniection  with  tlie  nest.  This  manu'uvre  was  gone  through  with 
in  every  nest  1  found,  but  1  soon  learned  to  distinguish  them  without  the 
need  of  gun  or  snare. 

This  Sparrow  is  eminently  terrestrial,  confining  itself  almost  entirely  to 
tlie  ground,  and  rarely  alighting  on  anything  even  so  high  as  a  fence. 
Though  frequenting  low  moLst  ground.s,  its  nest  is  always  in  a  dry  spot  and 
usually  somewliat  elevated.  The  nest  is  almost  always  sunk  into  tlie  groird, 
is  made  very  simply  and  loosely  of  dry  grasses,  with  a  lining  of  softer  mate- 
rials of  the  same.  I  have  never  found  any  other  material  than  this  in  the 
many  nests  I  have  examined,  although  nests  of  var.  itlaiuliniifi,  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Fort  Anderson,  are  freipiently  lined  with  feathere  or  deers'  hair, 
according  to  MacFarlaue. 

The  eggs,  five  or  six  in  nundior,  vary  consideraldy  in  their  appearance.  In 
siiape  they  are  a  rounded  oval,  one  end  being  much  more  pointed  than  the 
other.  Tiiey  measure  .68  by  ftn  of  an  inch.  In  some  the  ground-color, 
wliich  is  of  a  greenish-white,  is  plainly  visible,  being  only  ])artially  covered 
by  l)lotches  of  lirown,  shaded  with  red  and  i)ur}ile.  These  blotches  are  more 
numerous  aljout  the  larger  end,  becoming  continent  and  forming  a  corona. 
In  others,  the  ground-color  is  entirely  concealed  by  confiuent  ferruginous 
fine  dots,  over  which  are  darker  markings  of  brown  and  purple  and  a  still 
darker  ring  of  the  same  about  the  larger  end. 


FJ^INGILLID.K  — THE  FINCriES.  Qgi, 

Passerculus  savanna,  mu.  alaudinus,  Bonap. 

WEST  .RN  SAVANNA  SPAHROW. 

Pnssercuh,,  ,ihni,lhu,s,  lip.  Coini.tMs  R.n.lus,  XXXVII,  !),.,-.  1853,  OlS,  Palifomia  —In 
Notes  ()initl,ol,>:,ri,j,„.,  Ivjattiv,  l.sr,4,  IS  (ivpHnt  of  preciMliiiK).  -  nAllin,  Hinls  X  Am' 
ISA  44.!,  pi.  .xlvi.  -('..oi-Kii  &  Sr.Ki.KY,  197.  pi.  xxviii,  f.  2.  -  Elmot,  Illust.  An> 
B.  MI.-  l)Ar,..>^  liA.NMsiKii,  Tr.  Ch.  Act.  I,  I8(i9,  284  (Alaska). -Copkh,  Oin.  Cal. 
I,  181.  l-us^n-nihi.H  mcauna  and  P.  anl/iinus,  Dall  &  Banmstek,  Tr.  (Jh  Ac  I 
186!),  pp.  28.!,  284.  •         •    '. 

Sp.  C..AU.  Similar  t„  /'.  .~,„rrnu,o.  hut  Mnall.-r;  the  bill  ..l.Mi.loror  an,l  more  olon-atod. 
Littlo  of  yellow  lu  the  .sui.orcMliary  strip,-  (must  ,listiiK-t  anteriorly);  the  re.st  of  the'head 
without  any  t,n,i;e  of  the  ..an.e.  (Jeneral  ••olor  mueh  paler  an.l  -rayer  than  in  P.  suvmnm 
lireast  with  only  a  lew  .spots.     Length,  0.2.1 ;   wing,  l'.?,");   tail,  2  ;j() 

Hah.  Mi,l,lle  an.l  \Ve.slern  Provin.'es  of  North' Anieri...  ;'.s"o,uh  to  Onzaha,  north  to 
Ahusk-a  (Kodiak)  and  the  Aretic  coast,     Oaxaca  (Scl.  Oct.);   Vera  Cru.  (winter,  Sumi- 

C'IIKAST). 

This  wo.stern  race  of  P.  srmmna  i.s  .sninller,  considerably  paler  in  general 
colors,  tiie  sii].er(Mliary  stripe,  with  little  yellow  in  it,  and  the  l-ill  more 
slender,  and  longer.  In  coloiation,  some  Atlantic  coast  specimens  often 
exhibit  an  ai)pr...ximati.)n,  especially  in  the  pale  tint  of  the  sni-erciliary 
stripe;  but  the  l)ill  is  always  decidedly  m„re  attenuated  in  (>/,nt,/iHits. 

The  "Western  Savanna  Sj)arrow  is  a  common  .species  throu-^hout  the  West- 
ern Province  of  North  America,  from  the  i-lains  to  California,  and  from 
Alaska  to  Mexico.  In  California  it  appears  to  be  replace!  alony  the  Pacific 
coast  by  the  variety  ,ni//,hn>.^,  a  (luite  diflerent  and  very  local  form.  In 
Alaska,  specimens  were  obtained  by  the  natiu'alists  of  the  Itussian  Tele- 
graph Expedition  at  various  localities,  chiefly  in  the  interior,  and  on  the 
Yukon  it  was  obtained  by  :\rr.  Lockhart.  Dr.  Cooi)er  found  it  at  Fort 
Steilacoom,  in  Wa.shington  Teriifoiy,  where  it  was  in  company  with  P.mnd- 
wirhemis,  in  the  wet  meadows.  In  California  this  species  inhabits  chiefly, 
according  to  Dr.  Cooper,  the  dry  plains  of  the  interior  of  the  State.  The 
statement  of  the  occurrence  of  this  form  anywliere  along  the  coast  of  Cali- 
fornia should  be  received  with  considerable  doubt,  since  in  the  laige  series 
of  these  birds  all  specimens  from  this  region  are  of  the  variety  anthinus, 
an  exclusively  littoral  type. 

^  Hahits.  Tlie  Western  Savanna  Spnrrow  was  found  throughout  the  C.reat 
I'.asin,  by  Mr.  K'idgway,  in  all  wet,  grassy  situation.s,  in  whicii  prererence  it 
is  like  its  eastern  relative.  It  was  very  abundant  at  Carson  City,  inhabiting 
exclusively  the  meadows.  At  Salt  Lake  City  it  was  also  very  abundant'^ 
fretpienting  the  wet  meadows  near  the  Jordan. 

This  bird  was  idso  ol)tained  at  Sitkii  by  ISischolf,  and  was  found  on  the 
Yukon  by  ]\Ir.  Lockhart.  It  is  the  only  .sjn'cies  found  in  tlu!  Valley  of  the 
Mackenzie,  uji  to  tlie  Arctic  c.iast. 

Dr.  Cooper  also  met  witli  it  annuig  tlie  low  meadows  of  Washington  Ter- 


G8 


538  NORTH  AMERICAN  B-IRDS. 

ritory,  wlierc  thoy  arrived  in  March,  and  remained  until  late  in  October. 
Tiiey  were  usually  found  anion^ii  tiic  grass,  from  which  they  rarely  rise, 
except  to  sing  their  faint  and  lisjiing  trill  from  a  weed  or  some  low  Imsh. 
Mr.  liidgway  represents  this  song  as  corresjjonding  with  the  syllables  witz- 
tvitz-wiH-tzuH.  This,  he  states,  is  uttered  in  a  weak  and  lisping  manner,  as 
the  bird  perches  on  a  bush  beside  the  brook,  or  on  a  fence,  or  as  it  nestles 
among  the  grass  on  the  ground. 

Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  them  as  only  winter  visitants  in  Calil'ornia,  and 
there  residing  only  on  the  dry  interior  plains,  as  far  south  as  San  Diego, 
where  they  remain  in  large  flocks  until  April.  He  has  never  met  with 
this  bird  during  the  summer  months,  though  some  are  supposed  to  remain 
and  breed  in  the  high  prairies.  He  did  not  meet  with  any  about  the  sum- 
mits of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in  September.  They  api)eared  to  prel'er  the  dry 
rolling  prairies  to  marshes,  though  they  were  occasionally  found  in  the 
latter. 

This  species  is  also  a  migratory  visitant  to  the  Department  of  Vera  Cruz, 
Mexico,  where  they  are  said  l)y  Sumichrast  to  pass  the  winter. 

Their  nests  are  built  upon  the  ground,  and  are  comjiosed  almost  entirely 
of  the  dry  stems  of  grasses,  and  are  lined  with  finer  materials  of  the  same. 
Their  eggs  measure  .75  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .52  in  br(!adth,  have  a 
greenish-white  ground,  over  which  are  distributed  numerous  markings,  spots, 
and  blotches  of  various  sizes,  of  a  light  purjilish-brown  and  a  deeper  red- 
brown,  confluent  about  the  larger  end,  where  they  form  a  crown. 

Near  Fort  Auderscm  nests  were  found  in  great  numbers,  no  le.ss  than  two 
hundred  and  four  having  been  obtained  during  four  summers  in  that  locality. 
These  nests  were  all  taken  on  the  ground,  under  low  grass,  in  dry  sjwts  in 
a  large  marshy  prairie,  and  it  is  stated  that  they  were  ne\er  found  in  any 
other  situation  or  locality. 


Fasserculus  savanna,  var.  sandwichensis,  Baird. 

NOBTHWESTEBN  SAVANNA  8FABR0W. 

Emberizn  simdwicheiixiy,  Om.  I,  1788,  875.  Emhrrhn  nrefien,  L.\rii.\M,  Iiid.  Orn.  I,  1790, 
414.  Frincfilhi  tnrlicn,  Viooits,  Zoiil.  of  Hlossoiii,  18;ii(,  20  (pciliiilis  one  of  tlic  smaller 
species).  —  "  BliA.NDT,  Icon.  Ross.  "J,  (i."  Eiispiza  iircliai.  Up.  Conspeetiis,  IH.in,  iii'.*. 
Zaiwtrichia  arctiai,  KiNsiii,  187"i.  Eiiiherizii  chrfimpn,  Pai.i.a«,  Zoiif;.  Rosso-As.  II, 
1811,  4.'i,  tab.  xlviii,  fif;.  1  (I'niilii.skiO.  Situihrich  Ilini/liuj,  Latii.  Syii.  II,  1783,  202. 
Uiiiilrtskii  liuiitimj,  I'knnant,  Arctic  Zoiil.  II,  'MV\  ;<20,  Xo.  229  (not  of  |i.  3(i4,  N'o. 
233).  I'tismrciilun  siniilirif/iniiiix,  Haikd,  IJiids  N.  Ami.  Ifj.'if*,  444. — I)ai,i.  &  Bansls- 
TEii,  Tr.  Cli.  Ac.  I,  18C9,  284. — Coupkii,  Oni.  Ciil.  I,  180.  P(i,ise.rc.ulm  rnvdiiiui, 
Dall  k  Banslstku,  Tr.  C'h.  Ac.  1,  18ti9,  283. 

Sp.  CllAR.  Almost  o.Kiiotly  lik(?  /'.  stircnna,  but  half  an  iiicii  li)ii,i.'i'r,  with  niueli  larfjcr 
bill.  liOiiirth,  ().  12  iiichc.<;  \viii;r,  ;i,0(>|  tail, 'J.')").  Bill  above,  .50  ;  below,  .;i(i ;  i,'ai)e,  .50 ; 
depth,  .27. 

Uab,     Northwe.'iterii  con-st  from  the  Columbia  Itiver  lu  Kiis.siiiM  .\nicrict.. 


FRINGILLID/K  — THE  FINCHES.  539 

Specimens  of  tliis  race  from  Sitkn,  are  absolutely  mHlistingiiishable  from 
eastern  R  mvuitiui  except  in  size ;  tiie  colors  and  jiroportion  of  bill  being 
the  same.  A  yonnj,'  bird  (from  Kodiak)  differs  from  that  of  soranna  in 
larger  size,  and  a  brigiit  redilish-fnlvous  tinj^'e  to  upper  parts,  and  a  deep 
yellowish-fulvous  tinjic  on  Jnj^'ulum  and  along  tlie  sides. 

JLvuiTH.  Tliis  variety  is  the  north  west -coast  form  of  the  common  Savan- 
na Sparrow,  and  is  found  during  the  sunnner  from  Oregon  to  Alaska.  Ur. 
Suckley  states  that  he  found  this  s])eeies  an  abundant  spring  visitor  at  Fort 
Steilacoom.  J)r.  Cooper,  in  his  Zoiilogy  of  Wasliington  Territory,  states  it  to 
be  only  a  passenger  tlnviigh  tiiat  section,  migrating  nortliward,  at  the  end  of 
April,  in  i)airs,  and  not  returning  until  tlie  end  of  Seiitember.  They  come 
back  in  Hocks,  and  frequent  the  shores  and  prairies  along  the  sea-coast.  Their 
plumage  seems  to  lu;  the  same  at  all  seasons.  Xothing  is  known  of  their 
note.  They  are  sujiposed  to  spend  their  winters  in  Soutiiern  Oregon  and 
California,  though  tiieir  actual  ja-esence  has  not  been  detected  in  either  State. 
They  do  not  remain  (hning  the  sunur.er  near  the  Columl)ia,  but  pass  to  the 
north,  or  to  the  interior  plains  east  of  the  Cascade  IJange.  Dr.  Cooper  states 
that  their  habits  closely  resemble  tiiose  of  /'.  (nit/nnim. 

Mr.  Dall  states  that  two  specimens  of  this  species  were  taken  at  Sitka  by 
^fr.  liischoff: 

Passerculus  savanna,  var.  anthinus,  Bonap. 

CAUFOBNIA  SHOBE  SFAKBOW. 

Pnimroihi.idiil/ihiiis,  Ijonap.  Comptos  Itoiulu.s,  X.KVll,  Dec.  isr)3,  919,  Russian  Ami-rica.l 
—  In.  Notes  Oriiitli.  Dclattiv,  1854,  19.  —  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.  I808,  p.  445.— 
CooiM-.i!,  Oiii.  ('al.  I,  1870,  183. 

Si'.  CiiAii.  Similar  to  /'.  saruniK/,  but  smaller.  Beneath  tinned  with  reddi.sh.  Breast 
and  upper  part  of  belly  tliiel<ly  spotted  with  sharply  defined  sajrilfato  brown  .'jpotf, 
e.vhibiting  a  teiideney  to  ajTgregation  on  the  niiildle  of  the  belly.  Superciliary  stripe  and 
one  in  the  middle  of  Ihe  erown  <k'cided  trreenish-yellow,  the  head  jreiierally  tinged  with 
the  .'same,  a,*;  also  the  baek  ami  sides  of  the  neuiv.  tender  tail-eoverts  somewhat  streaked. 
Lenirtli,  5.00;  wing,  2.()(i;   tail,  •_'.'_'4. 

ILvn.     Coast  of  CaHfornia,  neai-  San  l'rancisc:o ;  "  Russian  America.  Kodiak  "  (Bonapautk). 

This  is  the  most  strongly  marked  of  tlie  several  races  of  P.  ,wr«?i?jn,  dif- 
fering from  all  the  otiiers  in  several  important  respects.  The  markings  be- 
neath are  more  generally  disi)er,sed,  extending  l)ack  upon  the  lower  part  of 
the  breast,  and  forward  o\er  the  throat ;  the  lower  tail-coverts  have  distinct 
medial  blackish  streaks,  though  they  are  somewhat  concealed.  The  median 
strijie  on  the  crown  is  decidedly  greenish-yellow,  not  pale  ashy  ;  the  whitish 
edges  to  the  intersca])ular  feathers,  ,so  conspicuous  in  the  otiier  races,  are  more 
concealed,  presenting  a  more  uniformly  brown  surface  above,  with  broader 

>  From  tlio  fact  that  this  form  is  not  fouiul  in  any  part  of  .Maska,  nor,  indeed,  north  of  ralifor- 
iiia,  it  is  ])robalile  tliat  the  loc.ahlies  of  aiUliinus  and  ulaudiniis  were  transposed  in  Bonaparte's 
original  descriptions. 


540  NOimi   AMERICAN-    ItllUW. 

liluL'k  strijje.s.  The  Inoud  latoval  stripes  of  tlie  crowii  are  deep  olive  or  hair- 
brown,  witli  narrow,  sliari)ly  (IcfiniMl,  intense  black  streaks,  insteail  of  ])alo 
j,'ra3'isli  as  in  (ilniti/iiins  (sprinji  (hess),  or  light  brown  as  in  xdnntiiK  (spring), 
with  broader,  less  dee]),  black  streaks. 

IIaiuts.  The  Shori'  Sparrow  of  California  is  said  to  be,  to  a  remarkable 
degree,  the  peeuliar  marsh  species  of  the  Pacitie  coast  of  that  State.  Dr. 
Cooper  states  that  he  very  rarely  met  with  these  birds  ont  of  the  salt  marshes, 
where  they  lie  so  close  and  run  so  stealthily  among  the  weeds  that  they  are 
Hushed  with  dillicnlty.  They  ri.se  only  to  Hy  a  few  rods,  and  drop  again 
into  their  covert.  They  are  not  at  all  gregarious,  except  when  migrating,  ami 
are  found  singly  or  by  pairs.  They  are  abundant  about  San  Francisco  in  the 
winter,  though  Dr.  Coo])er  is  not  sure  that  any  are  i'ound  so  far  south  in  the 
snmmer.  Near  San  J)iego,  in  February,  they  had  already  begun  to  utter 
their  short  and  pleasant  song,  as  they  jterched  on  the  top  of  some  tall  weed. 
Dr.  Coojter  observed  them  in  that  neighitorhood  into  April,  but  did  not 
succeed  in  finding  any  of  their  nests,  nor  was  he  ever  able  to  meet  with  this 
sjiecies  at  San  I'edro  in  sunnuer. 

Dr.  Cones  speaks  of  (Ibis,  1 8(5(1,  p.  208)  finding  three  species  of  the  diffi- 
cult group  oi  Fiooiercnli,  and  all  of  them  very  abundant,  in  Southern  Calilbr- 
nia  in  November.  These  were  /'.  roxtnt/iis,  P.  (ilnndinm,  ami  V.  inithiniii^. 
The  antln'iiiis  seemed  confined  to  the  moist  salt  gmss  and  sedgy  weeds  of  the 
sea-shore  it.self.  It  was  llushe<l  with  great  difficult}  and  then  its  ilight  was 
very  rapid  and  irregular.  It  would  alight  again  almost  immediatel}',  and  run 
with  great  celerity  among  the  roots  of  the  thick  grasses,  and  was  therefore 
exceedingly  difficult  to  procure.  /'.  alinuliniai  was  common  two  or  three 
miles  away  from  the  coast,  but  Dr.  Coui's  did  not  find  one  mixing  with 
P.  anthiiiiid.  It  was  a  brush  and  weed,  rather  than  a  gra.ss,  species,  associating 
with  Anthus  ludoviciaims  and  Zoiiotrichia  eoronata. 


Fasserculus  princeps,  Mavxaud. 

IPSWICH  SFARBOW. 

Ccntronijr  bairdi,  Mavnaiu),   Natiirnli.st's  Oiiiili-,  1870,  117,  froiitispinee  (Ipswii'li,  Mas.s.). 
Passerciiltiy.  princeps,  May.naiiii,  Aiiidiiiiin  Naturalist,  1872. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Bill  sin.ill,  exactly  tlic  sanio  in  furni  and  size  as  that  of  Cdilrm))/.r.  bnirdi, 
but  [jioportioiially  sinalliM- ;  tcrtials  scarcely  exceeding;  llic  sccoiiiiarics ;  tail  ciiiai'fiiiiatc, 
the  IcalluM-s  acute,  the  intermedia'  atteiniatcil  teiiniiially.  Oiitstrelclicil  feet  reaeliiiifj; 
about  lialf-way  to  the  t'liil  of  the  tail.  In  coloi-  almost  exactly  like  /'.  roslvatuii,  but  dif- 
fei-ciU  ill  inaikin};s.  Above  ligiit  ashy,  the  dorsal  feathers  li^dit  saiidy-l)i'own  centrally, 
producing  an  obsoletely  spotted  appearance;  shafts  of  dorsal  feathers  black.  Outer  snr- 
fac<!  of  tlu-  winirs  pale  sandy-biown.  the  feathers  darker  centrally;  terti.ils  with  their 
outer  \vcl)s  whitish,  and  with  a  coiispicnoiis  black  central  area.  Crown  becouiiilir  darker 
liiown  anteriorly,  where  it  is  divided  by  a  rather  indistinct  line  of  ochraciiins-white  ;  an 
mdistinct  siiperciliai-y  stripe",  and  a  very  conspicnons  maxillary  stripe  of  the  same;  thu 
latter  bordered  above,  from  the  rictus  to  the  end  of  the  am'iculars,  by  a  mwrow  stripe  of 


l'IUN(i[l,LII).K_TlI|.:  FrxniLX  r.1 

')4 1 

dusky:  lores  a„.1  snl,-..,l.ilal  nyion  like  th..  supoiviliniT  slri,...;  auriclars  |mI..  l„nw„i.l, 

hketlu.  .TowM,  lM,nl,.n.,l  .lon.u   Ih-   „,,p,.r  ,n„l   lo«vr  ..,|,v  will,  a  ,|uskv  tow  strip,. 

n.M„-atl,  wh,„.,  sl,,-l„lv  (i,,,v,l  will,  „sl,y  „„  th..  Ih.„ks:  si.i.s  ..f  ,1,..  ,|,,„,;,    wl,„|,.  1,,....,., 
si.l,.s,a,„l   (lanks,  w„h  m„,t„w  slr,.ak.s  ,.1' san,ly-l,r,.WM,  nmro  hla,.kisl,  i„war,l    tl„.  .|,.,|,  • 
I'l-  om,.„,  cnss,,,,,,  a,„l  li„i„n.  .,r  ,l,„  „.i„j,,  i„„„a,.„lat,.;   tl.n.at  with  a  U.w  ini,,,,...  s,'„.,.k.' 
i'lit  ah.iio;  ,.a,.h  si,lo  bonier,.,!  I.v  a  "  hri.il,. "  ,,f  siilliis,.,!  stn'aks. 

^^      (Coll....,„r's   X.,.   1,7.14,   Ipswi,.!,,   Mass.    I),.,..    1.    ISdS;     , '.    .1.    M„v„„,,.)     \vi„... 
.i.-.;   taikJ.(.(l;  ,iihiioii,  .4..;   tarsus..!).-,;   iiii,l,ll,.  I,,,..  .S(l ;   hjml  .law     4(t' 

9.  ((;.>ll..(.t.,r's  X„.  (V_'4,1,  Ipsw  h.  (»,.t.  1,-.,  1S7I  ;  C.  .1.  M.)  \Vh,^^  _'.!.(.;  tail  •'4..- 
eiiliiuMi,  ...(I;  tarsus,  .85;  i„j,l,ll,.  t.M,  .(!.-,:   hiii.l  ,. law.  .:!(!.  '  "'      ' 

(C„l!,.,.t„r's  X„.  (VJ24,  Fpswi,!,.  (),.|.  14,  1S7I  :  ( '.  .1.  M.,  Wi,,.  ;j.,)0;  „ul  li.K.-  ..„). 
nifii,  .,!();  tarsii.s,  .85;  mi, Ml,,  t,,,..  .(it);  hill,!, .law.  .:!!).  ' 

TI.e  ai.ecimen.s  <lt"scril.o.l  t.lM.ve  w.to  at  first,  supiM.,...,!  t..  be  ('n,troH>p- 
hairdi,  luivinu.  sevon.l  points  „f  n.,^,.ml.la.ia!  t..  that  s,aHm.s,  u  I'Mniimiisuu 
with  the  typi!  m  l'r,.te,H.s,„.  IJainl's  .■ull(...ti..n  at  (irst  railin.ir  t,.  .stal.li.sl,  a  .lif- 
terence,  as  it  was  in  laiUul  and  iiiucli  \v„n,  suinmcr  i)lunia^r,.,  wl,il,.  n.e  .Mas- 
sacliusotta  specimens  w.to  in  i.erle.^t,  l.len.le.l  fall  .Imss,  .so'tiiat  ti  satisfattory 
.'oinparison  was  almost  imi.ossil.le.     A  mure  recent  examination,  l.owrver, 

with  the  a.lvanta,y;."ortwo  additional  specimens  oftlieMassaelmsettslnr,]  lias 
full.y  convinced  Mr.  .Alaynard  that  his  specimens  are  not  Cnih-oin/.r  iJirdi 
and  that,  indeed,  they  are  relerrihle  in  all  respects  to  the  ofims  J'assnni/as  ' 
In  careliilly  cxaminin^r  tJie  typo  of  ('rnfn»i>/.r  hairdi/M  is  seen  that  its 
cliara..teristic  features  are  the  iollowin-:  Outstretched  feet  reachin-  In^yond 
the  end  of  the  tail ;  hind  claw  as  Ion,-  as  its  digit.and  much  curved  ;  — whereas 
in  ]\Ir.  IMaynard's  specimens  the  ontstretclied  feet  reach  to  only  ai.oiit  the 
middie  of  the  tail,  while  the  hind  claw  is  much  shorter  than  its  di"it  and 
only  slightly  curved.     With  a  wiii^;  .1  (I  to  .4r.  of  an  inch  loiiL^er,  they  laive  the 
tarsus  not  any  longer,  and  im.portionally  more  slender.    In  colorati.ui  they  aiv 
still  more  dideront.     The  most  strikin,iv  feature  in  V.  hamli  is  ti  l.ioad  and 
very  conspicuous  median  stripe  ..f  ochrace.ais-hnir  on  the  cn.wn,  lumh-red  o'l 
each  side  by  an  aggregation  of  black  streaks,  which  form  the  predominating 
color  of  the  lateral  stripes;  of  this  median  strijie  there  is  scarcely  any  trace 
in  the  specimens  under  consideration,  while  the  crown  generally' is  -.rayish- 
brown,  with  small  dusky  .streaks;  (I  hainii  has  broad,  conspicuous,  black 
stripes  on  the  back,  while  P.  nmipmrdi  has  obsolete  sandy-brown  ones;  in 
a  hairdi  there  are  only  a  few  simdl  stretiks  of  black  atiross  the  juguliun 
and  along  the  aides  and  flanks,  while  in  /'.  mnniKirdi  the  whole  I'.ivast,  as 
well  as  the  sides  and  flanks,  are  thickly  streaked  with  laoader  marks'of 
sandy-lu'owii. 

In  point  of  coloration,  as  well  as  in  the  feet,  there  is  in  reality  a  much 
closer  resemblanc(!  U^  Ris^nrnlm  ws/mfii.'^;  but  in  this  the  v(.ry' diflerent 
bill  and  dilieront  arrangement  of  markings  are  sullicient  distinctive  charac- 
ters. 

Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  tiiere  can  l)e  little  doubt  that  the  present  birds 
are  well  entitled  to  the  name,  which  Mv.  Mayiiiird  has  given  them  ;  for  after 


542  NORTH   AMERKWN  JIIRDS. 

iiiakiiiji  all  possililo  allowaiico  lor  seasonal  difrcivDces  in  coloration,  we  liavo 
i'oiiiiil  it  inipossihio  to  rccoMcilo  tlieni  witli  tlu;  ('.  Inilnli. 

In  this  spufius  there  is  a  slij^lit  siiperticiiii  resiMnhlaiice  to  I'oorntcs  ffra- 
iin'iiciis;  liiit  upon  comparison  it  will  lie  i'ound  to  lie  entirely  diHerent:  tiuis, 
/'.  ijrii in  incus  lacks  the  median  litiht  stripe  on  tlie  crown,  has  the  lessor  wing- 
coverts  rni'ons  and  the  lateral  tail-leathers  white,  wliile  tlie  streaks  are  all 
blackish  and  the  gnnnid-cohtr  diflerent;  tlie  generic  details,  too,  are  ijuite 
diflerent. 

llAiiiTS.  Tliis  species  has  been  olitaiiied  only  in  Eastern  Massachusetts, 
where,  in  the  neigldiorhood  of  Ijiswicli,  it  was  i'ound  among  tiie  sand-hills  by 
the  sea-sliore.  Tlie  jdace  wliere  the  individuals  taken  were  met  with  is  a 
rather  remarkable  tract,  three  miles  in  lengtii  and  nearly  one  in  bre.adth.  It 
is  as  treeless  as  the  (!reat  I'lains,  and  as  bleak  and  barren,  with  no  vegetation 
excej)t  a  scant  growth  ol'  coarse  grass.  ]\Ir.  iMaynard  obtained  ids  first  speci- 
men early  in  Decendjer,  18(18.  Although  others  were  seen,  yet  this  was  all 
he  was  then  able  to  obtain.  He  lias  since  taken  others  in  the  same  place 
and  season.  Nothing  is  known  as  to  its  habits.  It  uttered,  as  it  rose,  a  siiort 
chirp  ol'  alarm. 

Passerculus  rostratus,  Raiud. 

BAN  DI£60   SFABEOW. 

EmhtrizK  rnntrn/a,  Cvssin,  I'l-.  A.  N.  Si'.  VI,  1852,  348.  Ammodrmmis  rostratus,  C'as.sin, 
111.  I,  ISiiu,  '2'2(i,  pi.  x.xxviii.  I'usscrculus  rostmlus,  ISaiiiu,  IJirds  X.  Aiu.  185ii,  44(5. 
—  Cool'Kli,  Oni.  Cal.  1,  LS70,  1S4. 

Si'.  ("fi.\h.  Bill  very  loiipj  (.5")  nf  an  inch  aliovc).  W'lioln  iippci'  part.s  and  sidos  of 
head  and  nock  pule  bi'ownish-ffiiiy  (alniD.-Jt  I'ulvou.s),  nearly  every  li'atliei'  witli  a  darker 
central  bloli.li,  darki'st  aloui;-  the  AiaW.  A  .^'aieelv  appieciablc  central  .stripe  in  the 
crown,  an  oliscurc  y<'ll()\vi.>h-\vliit(!  .su]H'r<'iliarv,  and  a  whilish  maxillary  one.  Under 
part.-!  ])nro  while;  strc.nkcd  on  the  breast  and  th(^  .sides  of  throat  and  body  with  dark 
brown  (the  streak  paler  externally).  Under  tail-covert.s  nnspotted  white.  Tail  and 
win^' leathers  and  winjjs  niaririneil  with  the  <'i)lor  of  the  back;  the  edges  of  tert'arius 
rather  paler.     Leni;th,  5..'50;  winjr,  L'.ilO;  tail,  2.;!(). 

II.\n.  Coa.st  of  C'alilbrnia,  .south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas;  month  of  Colorado  River  (Dit 
Uai.,mi;i!). 

The  bill  of  this  species  is  very  long  and  conical,  the  cutting  edge  nearly 
stniight.  Tlie  wings  arii  rtithcr  long,  the  tertiaries  nearly  as  h)ng  in  the 
closed  wing  its  the  ]iriiiiaries ;  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  tpiills  longest, 
the  first  rather  h)nger  than  the  fifth.  The  tail  is  short  and  emarginate,  tiio 
fenthers  ntirrow,  acute,  and  moderately  stilf.  The  tarsi  are  long ;  the  claws 
little  curved. 

This  species  resembles  the  P<is<inrii!iis  .lavrnini.  rather  more  than  any  of 
the  other  sparrows  witli  spiitted  lireasts  ;  the  bill  is,  however,  very  much 
longer  and  larger,  exceeding  any  of  our  American  sjiecies  of  its  size,  the 
upper  outline  more  convex.     Its  cohus  are  much  paler,  and  it  lacks  the 


]  •  I !  I  \  ( i  I L  L I DJE  -  T 1 1 1-:  VI XC 11  IvS.  54  3 

yellow  on  tlio  liui>  '  mul  wiiij.'.  Tlic  nmcli  sliorter  tail  and  entire  absence  of 
nitbiis  di.stii)<,qii,sli  it  IVoni  tlie  spotted  Mr/asjii-dK  In  sIiajK!  tlie  liili  is  jiku 
that  of  Aiamudruiitus  cuaduvutus,  but  it  is  laryur;  the  head  lucks  tlie  yel- 
low, etc. 

In  .s(jine  specimens  the  streaks  on  the  l)ack  are  almost  obsolete. 
IIauits.     .So  liir  as  is  known,  this  lard  seems  to  ha\  e  a  soniewluit  restricted 
habitat,  being  ap]iarently  contined  to  the  sea-coast  of  Southern  ( 'alilornia. 
There  it  was  first  met  with'  by  Dr.  Ileermaun,  in  tlie  neighborhood  nf  San 
J)iego,  and  was  desciibed  by   Mr.  Cassin  as  an  Aiiuiwi/roiiiiix,  with  which 
genu.s  of  birds  it  seemed  to  have  many  jjeculiarities  in  common.     Dr.  Ileer- 
mann  first  met  with  this  bird  in  Usr.l,  on  the  siiores  of  the  bay  of  San  Diego, 
in  company  with  other  species,  api)arently  in  search  of  grass-seed.     After- 
wards, in  the  I'acilic  l.'ailroad  Survey,  witii  Lieutenant  Williaui.son,  he  again 
met  with  these  birds  in  considerable  nund)ers  at  Santa  liarbara  and  San  !'((- 
dro.     In  all  the  places  in  whicli  he  met  with  it  he  found  it  frwpicnting  low 
sandy  beaches,  and  the  heavy  sedge-grass  which  abounds  on  the  shores.     On 
the  former  it  seemed  to  l)e  feeding  on  marine  insects  and  seeds  thrown  up 
by  the  tide,  and  in  the  latter  to  tind  places  for  easy  and  immediate  conceal- 
ment when  alarmed  or  pursued.     Naturally  it  appeared  to  be  a  quiet  and 
unsu.spicious  bird.     He  heard  it  utter  no  other  note  than  a  .short  sliarj)  chirp. 
J)r.  Cooper  thinks  this  sjiecies  has  a  nnicli  greater  ailinity  to  the  Aunno- 
drami  thiui  to  the  7'^^s•.^rr(7^//,  both  in  its  bill  and  claw.s,  as  well  as  in  its 
habits.     He  found  them  very  abundant,  lioth  at  San  Pedro  and  San  Diego, 
at  all  seasons,  and  he  does  not  think  that  they  migrate  at  all  from  those 
localities.     He  found  them  frecpienting  the  .shores  of  the  bays  and  the  ,sea- 
beache.s.     They  also  came  confidently  and  familiarly  about  the  buildings  near 
the  water,  feeding  on  any  seeds  or  insects  they  could  find.     On  the  beacli 
they  run  along  the  sand,  in  the  rows  of  drifted  sea-weeds,  seeking  their 
food,  and  rarely  take  to  flight  unless  surjiriscd,  and  then  oidy  fly  a  short 
distance.    Dr.  Cooper  has  never  known  them  to  alight  on  any  bush,  nor  does 
he  think  that  they  have  any  song.     The  only  note  he  has  ever  heanl  them 
utter  is  a  short  chirp.     At  San   Pedro  he  saw  them,  in  July,  feeding  their 
young,  but  he  has  never  found  a  nest  that  he  was  certain  belonged  to  this 
si:)ecies. 

Dr.  Cones  found  this  bird  abundant  in  Southern  California,  where  it  kept 
among  the  thick  weeds  of  the  dry  plain,  and  was  much  on  the  ground,  where 
it  ran  as  easily  as  a  ripilo,  often  flying  up  into  the  bushes  and  resting  there 
(piietly.  They  were  to  be  seen  also  in  great  nundiers  .sunning  them.selves 
and  catching  Hies  on  the  piles  of  lumber  on  tlie  wharf,  so  tame  as  to  be  almost 
liable  to  be  struck  by  a  cane. 

It  is  a  winter  I'esident  at  Cape  St.  Lucas,  where  Mr.  Xantus  found  them 
abundant.  They  were  not  seen  there  in  summer,  though  it  is  ])robalile  they 
reside  on  the  shores  in  its  neighborhood.  Their  nest  and  eggs  remain 
unknown. 


544  NOKTII  A.MEUKJAN  lilllUii. 

Fasserculus  rostratus,  vur.  guttatus,  l.vwii. 

BT.  LUCAS  SPABBOW. 

/'a.i.iiri-(ilii.i  ijiil/iitiiii,  I,awiii;nck,  Aim.  X.  Y.  I-yi:.  VIM,  lH(i7,  473.  — ('"orr.li,  Orn.  Onl. 
I,  185. 

8r.  Cirvi!.  AIkivc  pliiinlicoiif-Lrrny;  tlu'  ('(Mtlici'.i  of  tlic  ));u'l\  with  (lii.«ky  Rontrcs  and 
pnlcr  l'iIkl'.s  ;  the  tojx)!'  huad  also  .stivakcil  with  ilii^ky  ami  wit  i  an  alnuist.  iiiappiufialili.' 
iiuMllaii  stripe  dI'  lifriitef.  Upper  tail-coverta  siifjhtly  darker  in  ihi'  centre.  No  rul'oiis 
edirin^'s  to  the  feathers.  IIinmI  with  a  pale  yellowisli-wiiite  liainl  I'roin  liill  over  the  eye; 
and  a  niandihidar  one,  nearly  white,  liordered  aliove  and  lielow  liy  the  du.sky  line  of 
other  /'(mscrfuliis.  I'lider  parts  white,  thi<'kly  streaked  on  jiif;uliiin,  hreast,  luul  Hanks 
with  dusky,  liiintly  on  inidi'r  tail-i'overt.s.  liill  and  lefjs  rather  dusky  ;  iris  lirown.  Lenj,'tli, 
o.iH) ;  Willi;,  2..")(t;  tail,  l.!t.");  taisn.s,  .80;  middle  toe  and  claw,  .75;  bill  above,  .51 ;  gape, 
.51) ;  greatest  height,  .'J5. 

IIah.     Cajie  St.  Lucas  (Dec,  185U;. 

This  liinl,  of  wliicli  a  sinjflo  .specimen  only  is  .so  far  known,  is  very  closely 
reliiteil  to  J',  ivn/ni/ns,  tliouoli  very  easily  distiiigiiislKHl  from  it.  It  is  con- 
sitleralily  smtiUev  than  rotitmtm,  the  bill  more  slender,  the  ujjper  parts  much 
darker,  lieiiij;  pliimheous,  not  .sandy-colored;  the  stripes  beneath  darker;  the 
bill  and  le.gs  more  du.sky.  Tliest^  diiferenees  n)iiy  not  iinlieate  a  distinct 
species,  l)ut  as  tiie  .siiecimen  here  described  differs  entirely  from  all  the  speci- 
mens of  a  large  nnmlu'r  of  /'.  rust  vn  In  a,  it  is  yet  entitled  to  consideration  tis 
ii  marked  variety,  —  jirobidily  the  resident  race  at  Cape  St.  Lucas,  where  the 
Viir.  nisfratns  is  merely  a  winter  visitor. 

llAiiiTs.  Tin;  St.  Lucas  Finch  is  a  new  species,  in  regard  to  the  habits 
of  which  nothing  whatever  is  as  yet  known.  It  was  obtained  at  San  Jos(5, 
in  Lower  (,'aliforniii,  l)y  Mr.  .Tohn  Xantus,  in  Decendier,  18;")!).  It  was  found 
in  comjiany  with  a  ilock  of  I'onsn-rii/iis  rn,sfr(ifiis,a,nd  the  presumption  is  that 
its  habits  may  resemble  those  of  that  little-known  species. 

Gk.vus  P00C2iTES,  n.\niD. 

Poncii/cs,  Baiim),  Hints  N.  Am.  1858,  447.      (Type,  Friiiail/n  grnmhica,  Gm.) 

Gex.  riiAH.  Hill  rather  largo  ;  upper  outline  .slightly  deonrved  towards  the  end,  lower 
straight;  eijniinissiire  slightly  eoneave.  Tarsus  about  eipial  to  the  middle  toe;  outer  toe 
II  little  longer  than  the  inner,  its  olaw  reaching  to  the  eoneealed  base  of  the  middh^  claw  ; 
hind  toe  reaching  to  the  nii<ldle  of  the  middle  I'law.  Wings  unusually  long,  re.'icliing  to 
the  middle  of  the  tail  as  far  as  the  coverl.s,  and  pointed;  the  |)riiuaries  considerably  longer 
than  the  secondaries,  which  are  not  much  surpas.sed  by  tlu?  tertiaries;  second  and  third 
quills  longest ;  (irst  little  shorter,  about  eijiial  to  the  fourth,  .shortc'r  than  the  tail ;  the  outer 
feathers  .scarcely  .shorter;  the  feathers  rather  still";  each  one  acuminate  and  sharply  point- 
ed ;  the  feathers  broad  nearly  to  the  end,  when  they  are  obli(piely  trniicale.  Streaked 
with  brown  above  everywhere;  beneath,  on  the  breast  and  sides.  The  lateral  tail-feather 
is  white.    Shoulder  chesluut-ljiow n. 


FUINOILLIIXK  —  TIIK  I'INCIIK.S. 


545 


TIio  cssontiiil  oliiiractcr  of  the  jj;nmis  coiisi-slis  in  tlio  loiif;  Uiid  jxiiiitcd  w  iiij^'s, 
longiT  tliiiii  tli(i  tail  and  witliout  long  Icrtials;  and  tlic  nitlier  still,  lurked 
tail,  with  its  acnto  luathui's.     JUil  uno  species  is  reeuguized  at  present. 


Fooceetes  gramineus,  l-Aiin 


OBASS  SFABBOW ;  BAY-WIKOED  BUNTINQ. 
Vnr.   icriiiiiliieii8> 

FrliKjiJhi  iiriiiiniiai,  Gm.  Syst.  Xat.  I,  17SS,  i)^L».  —  Ari).  Oiii.  Bi  >«.  I,  1S:J1,  473;  V,  502, 
|il.  xc.  Kmhcn'zii  (iriimiiiai,  Wil.siiN,  Am.  Oni.  IV,  1811,  .ll,  jil.  xxxi,  1'.  .I.  —Am. 
Syii.  183U,  102. -III.  IJiid.s  Am.  Ill,  1841,  05,  pi.  cllx.  —  .M.vx.  C'lili.  .Tour,  vi,  1858, 
342.  Ffiiiijilhi.  (/iiiiiiliii-hM  iirtniiiiH'ti,  Swainson,  V.  H.  Am.  II,  1831,  254.  Zinio- 
Irifhiii  ijniiiiliicii,  IJo.N.  last,  1838. ---Ir.  ('Diisiicctus,  1850,  478.  I'lmcaJcs  (jnun incus, 
li.UKl),  nird.sN.  Am.  18,'i8,  447.    -  Samiki.s,  3(I3. 


Above  lijjlit   j'l'Uowisli-lirown  ;  llip  i'ciiliiors 


Vonratt'S  i^miniiifiis. 


Sp.  Chah.  Tiiii-rciiilins  riitiicr  iicutc. 
overywlieru  .struiikL'd  iibiupily  with 
(lark  lirown,  even  on  the  .^lidcs  of  the 
nei'k,  \vhi<'h  are  iiiilor.  lieiioutli  ycl- 
lowisih  (soincliiiics  reddish)  \vliil<'; 
on  the  jujfulum  iiiul  .side.-<  ol"  neck 
and  body  .streaked  with  brown.  A 
faint  light  ."iiperciiiary  and  maxillary 
.stri|)e ;  the  latter  niari;lned  above 
and  below  with  dark  brown  :  the  \\\>- 
per  stripe  contiimed  around  the  ear- 
coverts,  which  are  darker  than  the 
lirown  color  elsewhere.  Winf:s  with 
the  shoulder  light  ehestiuit-brown, 
and  with  two  dull  whitish  l)ands  along  the  ends  of  the  eovert.s ;  the  outer  edge  of  the 
secondaries  also  i.s  while.  Kxin)sed  ;iortion  of  outer  tail-feather,  and  edge  and  tip  of  the 
second,  white,  fiength,  abo\it  (i.'Jo ;  wing,  ii.lO;  tail,  2.")();  liiJI,  .;i;5  from  frontal  fealiiers 
to  point,  by  .33  in  depth  at  ba.se  ;  tarsus,  .72.  Bill  yellow,  dusky  above ;  legs  yellow. 
(Measurement  of  No.  10,147  $,  Wa.shington,  D.  C.) 

Had.     Ea.stern  Province  of  United  States. 

Var.  conflnis. 

Pooccrtrs  firi(miiieii.i,  vnr.  aoifitiix,  liAiiMi,  liinls  N.  Am.  1858,  p.  448  (hi  text  under  P.  r/m- 
miiifiis).     Poolw/ch  ijnniiiiicKs,  Codi'r.i;  &  Sitklkv,  200.  —  Coon- ii,  Oru.  t'al.  1,  ISO. 

Sp.  CliAii.  Resembling  P.  iirmniiieiis,  \m{  colors  paler,  the  dark  streaks  narrower. 
Bill  more  slender,  tarsi  longer.  (Measurement  of  40,803  ^,  Fort  WhipiiU-,  Arizona: 
Bill,  .30  from  point  of  frontal  feathers  by  .25  in  depth  through  base;  tiusu.s,  .78;  wing, 
3.3."} ;  tail,  2.80). 

ILvn.  Westi'rn  and  Middle  Provinces  of  United  States,  south  into  ilexico;  Oaxaca 
(Sci,.  1859,  370 ;  March). 

Tliis  .sjiecies  is  readily  identified  by  the  absence  of  a  median  stripe  on  the 

head,  the  chestnut-brown  of  the  shoulder,  and  the  white  lateral  tail-feathers. 

The  young  birds  have  the  ground-color  above  more   whitish,  the  streaks 

blacker,  in  sharper  contrast ;  the  streaks  on  jugul'.an,  etc.,  less  sharply  de- 

00 


546 


NORTH  AMKRICAN  BIRDS. 


Ml?-N-5j'.\l;C/;f\  '.   iV*  A,  1  ' 


.^W 


fined  ;  the  jj;oneml  appoarniiet',  liowevov,  is  not  different  from  the  adnlt.  Some- 
times there  is  a  doeidetl  cinnamon  wash  beneatli.  Western  specimens  (var. 
(wijiiiia)  ai)iiear  to  be  paler,  witli  longer  wings,  and  longer  and  more  slender 
hills,  in  this  respect  vesemliling  other  Finches  {Mc/onpi::!,  '*''.'«c?r«/«.s,  etc.). 

All  specimens  from  west  of  the  llocky  Mountains  are  to  be  referred  to 
var.  tviijinis. 

Hauits.     The  Lay-winged  or  Grass  Finch  is  a  very  abundant  species 

wherever  found,  and  has  a  very  ex- 
tended distribution.  Accepting  as 
one  species  the  slightly  variant 
Tcices  above  indicated,  thi.s  bird 
extends  from  Floritla  and  ^lexico, 
on  the  south,  to  the  STth  parallel 
of  latitude,  and  from  tlie  eastern  to 
tlie  western  shonfs.  It  was  found  by 
liichardson  frequenting  the  plains 
of  the  Saskatchewan,  v;here  it  ar- 
rives early  in  May  and  leaves  in 
September,  and  where  it  nests 
abundantly  in  the  short  withered  grass  of  that  sterile  region.  Richardson 
did  not  trace  it  farther  nortli  than  the  57th  parallel,  and  it  was  not  obtained 
on  the  Yukon  or  i\nderson  liivers  by  Mr.  IMacFarliuie  or  Mr.  Lockhart.  It 
breeds  from  Northern  Virginia  north. 

In  the  Middle  States  it  is  partially  resident,  a  portion  remaining  all  the 
winter.  South  ol'  Washington  it  is  chiefly  migratory,  only  found,  in  any 
nund)ers,  from  Xovendier  to  Miircli,  and  probably  but  few  remaining  to  breed. 
Audubon  states  tliat  he  never  saw  any  of  this  species  in  any  portion  of  Lou- 
isiana, Missouri,  Kentucky,  or  Ohio.  Air.  Dresser,  on  the  other  hand,  found 
them  connnon  about  San  Antonio  in  August  and  Sci)tember,  and  also  in  May 
and  June,  and  had  no  doubt  that  some  remain  to  breed. 

It  is  very  abundant  tlu'oughout  New  England,  arriving  in  some  seasons  as 
early  as  March  11,  and  remaining  until  (piite  late  in  the  fall,  often  through 
Novendicr.  It  is  found  chiefly  in  dry  open  fields  and  ptistures,  where  it 
nests,  with  no  pains  at  concealment,  on  the  ground,  in  dei)ressions  made  by 
its  own  work.  It  is  an  unsuspicious  and  fearless  species,  neither  seeking 
nor  avoiding  the  companionship  of  man.  It  does  not  usually  build  near 
houses,  yet  is  not  unfreiiuently  known  to  do  so.  It  may  be  often  found 
perched  on  fences  along  the  roadside,  chanting  its  simple  and  pleasing  lay, 
and  quite  as  fre(iuently  in  the  road  feeding  and  dusting  itself  The  latter 
operation  it  is  very  fond  of  ])i'actising,  and  almost  any  day  in  tlie  summer 
these  birds  may  be  found  in  such  situations. 

West  of  the  Great  Plains  is  found  a  marked  variety  of  this  species,  differ- 
ing in  many  respects  from  the  eastern.  The  western  species  or  race  of  this 
Finch,  Mr.  Kidgwuy  states,  is  an  abundant  summer  bird  in  all  the  elevated 


Kill XGILMIXE  — Tin.;  FINCHES.  547 

grassy  portions  of  the  Wost.  It  is  ospccially  ciiiuMctiiristic  of  tlie  liiyher 
grassy  slopes  of  tiio  elevated  mountains,  jiarticularly  in  the  liocky  Mountain 
regions,  and  its  sweet  and  simple  song  is  one  of  tlie  pleasant  associations  of 
those  regions.  It  descends,  in  the  autunui,  to  the  lower  districts,  having  been 
observed  during  Septemlter  in  the.  greatest  abundance  .imong  the  "  vye-grass" 
meadows  of  Senot  Valley,  at  the  northern  end  of  the  Kast  Humboldt  liange. 
It  nests  on  the  ground  in  grassy  banks,  in  various  situations. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  this  bird  abundant  on  the  Xi.squally  Plains,  about 
Puget  Sound;  and  Dr.  Cooi)er  says  it  is  common,  in  sunnner,  on  tlie  ])rairi('s 
of  the  interior  of  Washington  Territory.  Dr.  Cooper  also  found  it  wintering 
in  the  Colorado  Valley,  in  considerable  numbers,  but  all  disap])eared  in 
April.  He  thinks  they  breed  in  Northern  California,  though  he  has  never 
found  them  doing  so.  Dr.  Newberry  states  that  they  are  common  in  the 
Sacramento  Valley,  both  in  the  summer  and  in  the  fall.  It  was  found  by 
Mr.  Boucard,  in  winter,  near  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

Their  song  is  a  very  simi)le  and  ]ileasant  succession  oi  .soft  notes,  resem- 
bling that  of  the  Canary,  but  thinner  and  feeliler.  It  is  begun  early  in  the 
morning  and  continued  a  fev/  hours,  and  then  renewed  at  sunset  and  kept  np 
often  until  after  dark.  It  is  also  not  unlike  the  song  of  the  Song  Sparrow, 
but  is  neither  so  varied  nor  no  loud  and  strong.  It  continues  to  sing  until 
late  in  the  season. 

They  feed  in  the  road,  eating  insects,  seeds,  and  grain.  They  are  Ibnd  of 
searching  also  in  ploughed  fields,  and  keej)  principally  upon  the  ground,  ex- 
clusively so  when  they  are  searching  for  tlieir  food. 

Although  as  unsns])icious  as  the  Song  Sparrow  or  tlie  Chipping  Sparrow, 
this  Fincli  rai'ely,  like  them,  conies  about  the  house  for  crumbs  of  bread,  but 
seems  to  prefer  to  forage  for  itself  in  the  fields  and  by  the  roadside.  Taken 
from  the  nest,  these  birds  may  be  readily  tamed,  and  soon  become  very  in- 
teresting and  familiar  little  pets,  thougli  Nuttall  states  that  where  several 
are  thus  kept  they  become  very  jealous  of  each  other,  and  quarrelsome. 

Their  nest  is  always  jilaced  ujion  the  ground,  and  is  very  simi)ly  con- 
structed of  dry  stems  of  grasses,  with  no  other  lining  than  soft  tine  materials 
of  the  same.  They  have  two,  and  sometimes  three,  broods  in  a  season. 
When  their  nest  is  a])i)roaclied,  they  make  use  of  various  artiticos  to  draw 
away  the  intruder,  and  often  vary  their  devices  in  a  very  striking  manner. 
In  May,  1830,  crossing  a  field  within  a  few  rods  of  my  home  in  Eoxbury,  I 
nearly  ste]>ped  upon  a  female  sitting  ujotu  her  nest.  Slu'  imnjediately  tum- 
bled forward  towards  me,  counterfeiting  tlie  most  extraordinary  lameness, 
so  much  so  that  I  siqiposed  that  I  had  really  ste])pe(l  upon  and  severely 
injured  her.  I  stooped  to  pick  np  what  I  sujiposed  to  be  a  wounded  bird, 
and  found  her  nest  and  four  eggs.  Visiting  her  nest  again,  as  I  api)r(«ichcd 
she  flew  from  it  quietly  and  silently,  and  immediately  began  the  same  ma- 
u'.euvres,  at  some  little  distance  from  her  nest,  which  she  discontinued  as 
soon  as  she  noticed  that  I  was  examining  her  treasures.     These  devices  she 


648 


NORTH  AMERICAN. BIRDS. 


variod  soveral  times  in  a  very  rcinarkalile  maiuiev.     In  Massaclnisetts  I  have 
known  tins  sj)L'cius  to  liavt;  its  coniplunient  of  eggs  l»y  tlie  lotii  of  April. 

Tiic  eggs  of  tiiis  ijpecie.s  are  nsually  Hve,  ulten  fonr,  and  rarely  si.x  in 
number.  Tliey  are  ol'  an  olilong-oval  slia])e,  the  smaller  enil  but  slightly 
more  jjointed  tlian  tiic  otlier.  Tlicy  vary  -  latly  in  size,  ranging  from  .'JO  to 
.80  of  an  ineh  in  length,  and  averaging  aliout  A\~t  in  breadtli.  Tlieir  ground- 
color is  a  jiale  greenish-white,  marked  with  spots,  lines,  dots,  and  blotehes 
of  various  shades  of  reddish  and  purplisii  brown.  In  some  eggs  the  spots 
are  few  and  small,  eliieHy  eonlhient  in  a  ring  about  the  larger  end,  while  the 
ground-color  is  very  plainly  distinguisiiable.  In  others  the  ground  is  nearly 
concealed  by  the  abundance  of  the  spots. 


Colnniicitiiis  passcrinii.s. 


Gems   COTURNICULUS,    Bonap. 

Coturniciilii.i,  lidNAi".  (icof?.  List,  1838.     (Tyjic,  Friii<ji/la ptisseriiui,  Wils.) 

Gen.  CiiAii.     Bill  very  largo   and  stout,  (oxcopt  in   f.  lecontei) ;  the  unilur  mandible 

lii'diulcr,  but  lower  than  tho  nppei-,  which  is  deci- 
dedly convex  at  the  basal  portion  of  its  upper 
onthne.  begs  moderate,  apparently  not  reaching 
to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  tarsus  appreciably 
longer  than  the  middle  toe;  the  lateral  toes  equal, 
and  witii  tlieir  claws  falling  decidedly  .short  of  tiie 
nnddlo  claw ;  the  hind  too  iuterniediate  between 
the  two.  The  wings  are  short  and  rounded, 
reaching  to  the  base  of  tin;  tail ;  the  tertiaries 
almost  .IS  long  as  the  primaries ;  not  much  dill'er- 
enee  in  length  in  the  priin.aries,  althougli  the 
outer  three  or  four  arc  slightly  graduate<l.  The 
tail  is  short  and  narrow,  shorter  than  the  wing 
(except  in  C.  lecontei),  graduated  laterally,  bill  slightly  eiuarginate  ;  the  feathers  all  lanceo- 
late ind  acute,  but  not  stifl'ened,  as  in  Aiinuoilromus. 

Tliis  genus  agrees  with  Pam^i'voihn^  in  the  short  and  narrow  tail.  The 
wings  are  much  shorter  and  more  rounded ;  the  feet  shorter,  especially  the 
middle  toe,  which  is  not  as  long  as  tlie  tarsus.  The  tail-feathers  are  more 
lanceolate.     The  bill  is  much  larger,  and  more  swollen  at  the  base. 

The  essential  characters  of  this  genus  consist  in  the  swollen  convex  bill ; 
the  short  toes,  com))ared  with  tiie  tarsus;  the  short  and  rounded  wings;  and 
the  very  small,  narrow,  slightly  graduated  tail,  with  its  lanceolate  acute 
feathers  (except  in  the  South  American  C,  nuinixihc). 

In  some  respects  there  is  a  resemblance  to  Ammorl roviv)^,  in  which,  how- 
ever, the  bill  is  very  much  more  slender ;  the  wings  still  shorter,  tind  more 
rounded;  the  tail-feathers  much  stiller,  and  evcai  more  lanceolate;  the  toes 
extending  l)eyond  the  tij)  of  the  tail ;  the  middle  toe  rather  longer  than  the 
tarsus,  instead  of  considerably  shorter. 

C.  lecontei  has  the  same  general  form,  but  a  much  smaller  bill. 


FKINGILLIDJi-TlIK  FINCHES.  54Q 

Synopsis  of  Species. 

_  Common  Charactkh..  Cmwn  and  \nu-k  .treak,.,!  with  bia.,.-  npon  an  a.l.y  olivo  or 
cnestnut  gmnn,l ;  bcMu.atl,  wl,iti.h,  tingcMl  across  the  breast  wi,n  odna.:.,.,;'  or  a^hv 
plan,   or  wtl.  l.la.k.sli  streaks  0,1  tl.e  brea.st.     A  liffht  suporeilia.y  strip... 

A.   l\ul-leathurs  attenuato.l,  acute  at  (.■mis,  innd.  graduated.     ()„  tbe  crown 

a  median  liglit  stripe. 

«.  A  dusky  streak  on  ,.ach  side  oC  the  throat,  and  one  above  the  h-ht 
ocliraceons  inaxiilary  stripe.  '^ 

i.  C.  henslowi.     itill  very  robust,  .35  alonj?  ctthnen  by  .30  deep        • 
at  base       W  n,;r,  '.'.•25;  tail,  l.'.2l).      Head  oehraeeous  or  greenish 
ohve,  hghter  on  the  throat;  a  blackish  stripe  on  each  si.le  .,('  tlie 
crown,     lireast  streaked  with   black  at  .all  ages.      /lab.   Eastern 
1  rovinco  of  United  States. 
ft.   Ko  dusky  streak  <,n  si.le  of  throat  nor  above  the  tnaxilhu. 

2.  C.  leoontei.  Bill  very  narrow,  only  .10  broad  by  .20  deep  at 
base.  AIe.l,an  stripe  of  tl,e  crown  ochrac..ous  Ibr  anterior  third 
the  remaining  part  ashy-white;  snpeiriliary  strip-i  wholly  oehra- 
eeous; edge  of  wing  white;  breast  sparsely  sticuked  in  the  .i.lult 
J^Vmg,  2.1-),  tail,  -.'.I'O.  JM.  Plains  west  of  the  Missouri,  from 
Texas  to  Dakot.a. 

3.  C.  passerinuB.  Bill  robust,  .23,  or  in..re,  broa.l,  by  .24,  or  more, 
deep  at  base.  Median  strii)c  of  the  crown  ochr.aceous  through- 
out; superciliary  stripe  yellow  anteriorly,  ashy  jiosteriorly ;  e.h'e 
of  wing  bright  yellow,  breast  nnsticakod  in  th.;  adult,  strJaked  hi 
the  yonng,  in  which  tlie  head  stripes  arc  ashy,  with  no  yellow  on 
wing  or  over  lore. 

Colors  dark,  the  black  markings  predominating  above.  Ad. 
Anterior  lower  parls  deep  l)uff  at  all  seasons.  Juv.  Dusky 
streaks  ou  bivast  very  distinct.  Bill,  .33  and  .30  ;  wing,  2.00; 
tail,  1.90.  Hub.  Eastern  I'roviiice  of  United  States,  an.l 
West  Indies       .        .  ,..,,.  „,„ 

Colors  pale,  the  light  markings  pre.lominating  abf)vo.  Ad. 
Buff  of  the  breast  scaiTcly  ol)servable  in  siininicr.  ./hi:  Dusky 
streaks  on  breast  scarcely  appreciable.  Bill,  .33  an.l  .24 ;  wing, 
2.G0  ;  tail,  1.90.     Ilab.    Western  Province  of  United  States 

B.    lail-feathcrs  broa.l,  rounded  at  en.ls;  only  slightly  rounded.    Crown  not 
divided  by  a  median  strip.\ 

4.  C.  manimbe.  Head  clear  nshy,  whitish  on  throat;  crown  uni- 
formly streaked  with  bla.l-.  Supr.i-loral  streak  and  e.lge  of  wing 
bright  yellow.     Xo  streaks  on  breast  in  adult. 

Breast  tinge.l  with  .ishy  ;  black  streaks  on  upper  parts  iniieli 
narrower  than  the  intervening  ones  of  the  ashy  grouiul-color ; 
dorsal  feathers  rufescont-uml)er  medially,  c  g.-.i  with  ashy,  and 
with  a  shaa-streak  of  black.     Wing,  2.3.')';  tail.  2.00.    J/ub. 

^''^^•^^ .  v.ir.  VI  a  II  im be. 

Breast  tinged  with  oehraeeous;  black  stivaks  on  upp.'r  parls 
much  bro.a.ler  than  the  ashy  oni's  of  the  groun.l-eolor ;  .lor^^al 
feathers  bla.-k,  edge.l  with  ashy;  wing,  '/•:.■);  tail,  1.90.  /f„l,. 
Buenos  Ay  res  and  Uruguay var.   d  o  r  .v ,/  lis. 


550 


NURTU  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Coturniculus  henslowi,  Bunap. 

HENSLOVS  BUNTIVO. 

Embcrhd  haishnri,  Ann.  Orii.  liioj;.  T,  1831,  3i'.0,  pi.  Ixxvii.  -  In.  Syn.  18;i0,  104.  -In. 
Dinis  Am.  Ill,  1841,  75,  pi.  clxiii.  —  NrnAi.i.,  Man.  I,  1832,  App.  Coluntiinilus 
hiuishiiri,  l?iiN.  List,  1838.  —  In.  Conspectus,  1850,  481.  —  Baiiid,  Hiiils  N.  Am.  1858, 
451.  —  M.\YNAl!i),  Minis  K.  Muss.  1870,  117. — Sa.\iuki,s,  30G.  Friiujilla  hemluwi, 
NuiTAiL,  iMaii.  I,  (2a  ed.,)  1840,  571. 

Si'.  CiiAK.     Upper  \)i\v\»  ^-ellowisli  liiown,  tlit;  'lood,  neck,  ami  upper  parts  of  liaek 

tiiifreil  with  prwni.-^li-j'ullow.  Iiiter.s(.'a))iilar  leathers 
dark  brown, .^ulliused  externally  with  luiglit  browni.'^li- 
reil;  cacli  fcMtlier  witli  jirayi.sh  borders.  Terliaries, 
rnnip,  and  tail-featliers  aliriii>tly  dark  ehe.stinit-brown, 
darkest  eenti'ally,  paler  externally,  and  narrowly  inar- 
ginctl  with  frray.  Crown  with  a  broad  Iilaek  .^potted 
sstripe  on  each  side  ;  these  s])ots  continned  down  to  the 
back.  Two  narrow  blaek  mandibular  .stripes  and  one 
]>ost-oeular  on  each  side  of  tlie  head,  and  an  obscure 
l)lack  ereseent  or  spot  behind  the  auricuhus.  Under 
parts  li,u;ht  lirowiiish-yellow,  paler  on  the  throat  and 
abdouien.  The  juf^uluni,  upper  part  of  the  breast,  and 
tlie  .sides  of  the  body,  eonspieuously  streaked  with 
blaek.  Edjje  of  wing  yellow.  A  strong  tinge  of 
pale  ehe.stnut  on  the  wings  and  tail.  The  median 
tail-feathers  and  upper  coverts  ches  nut  or  rufous 

brown,  with  .sliar])ly  delined  .shaft-.streaks  of  blaek.  Length,  5.25;  wing,  2.15;  tail,  2.15. 
Hau.     Eastern  United  States  ius  liir  north  as  M.i.ssaehuselts ;  westward  to  the  Loup 

Fork  of  Platte. 

Tliis  species  is  related  to  C.  jmascrinns,  but  readily  distiiiguishetl  by  tlio 
Avoll-niarked  strijies  on  bieiist  and  sides,  tlie  oreoiiisli-yellow,  not  chestnut- 
brown,  of  iiead  iind  nii])e,  and  the  two  mandibular  dusky  stripes.  The  mid- 
dle tail-feathers  are  reddish  with  only  a  very  narrow  sliiirply  defined  median 
sliaft-stretik  of  liluck,  instead  of  having  the  greater  jiortiou  of  the  centre 
dusky  with  .scnllojnHl  edges.  I  have  not  seeu  young  bird.s,  but  tiiey  probtibly 
dillur  little  from  the  adiilt.s. 

Habits.  Tlie  history  and  general  distribution  of  Ilenslow's  Bunt  inn  is 
still  somewhat  imperfectly  known.  Mr.  Audubon  first  met  with  it,  in  1820, 
in  Kentucky,  nearly  opposite  to  (^'inciimiiti.  It  was  seen  on  the  ground, 
?  inongst  the  tall  grass,  ami  is  said  to  have  exhibited  all  the  ]toculiarities  of 
Ills  tribe.  He  was  afterwards  informed  that  this  bird  is  abundant  in  the 
ritate  of  New  Jersey,  and  that  it  breeds  there ;  and  in  evidence  of  this  he 
mentions  receiving  a  si)ecimen  from  J)r.  Trudeau,  obtained  by  that  gentle- 
man himself.  Mr.  Audubon  also  mentions  that  both  J)r.  Bachman  iind  he 
ha\'e  procured  a  gretit  number  in  Scjuth  Ctu-olina,  where  they  abound,  in  the 
latter  part  of  autunm,  and  where,  also,  a  portion  remain  during  the  winter. 
In  Florida,  ^Ir.  Audubon  again  met  with  tliese  birds  in  the  winter.     They 


Coturniculus  jtafS'  ritiiis. 


FRTNr,TT.LID/E  — THE  FINCHES.  551 

were  in  j^reat  mun'tors  in  nil  the  pine  harnMis  of  that  State,  in  light  and 
sandy  suil,  and  in  >.'ouds  but  thinly  overgrown  I)y  tall  pines.  They  never 
alight  on  trees,  hut  sjiend  their  time  ou  the  ground,  running  with  great  ra- 
pidity through  the  grass,  in  the  maimer  of  a  mouse. 

In  New  Jersey  they  were  found  in  ])loughed  fields,  where  th"y  are  pre- 
sumed to  ha\e  been  ovt!rluoke<l  and  mistaken  for  the  VeUow-winged  S[)ar- 
row.  Jklr.  Auddjon.  supposed  that  they  were  not  found  farther  eastward 
than  that  State. 

Specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  collection  have  been  procured  indeorgia 
in  December  ;  in  Maryland  in  July ;  at  i'ort  Jtiley,  Kansas,  Southern  Illi- 
nois, and  in  Xebrf   ';  i,  in  June. 

In  Massachusc '  ts  they  are  regular  summer  visitants,  though  as  yet  they 
have  been  met  wiMi  in  only  a  few  instances  and  in  a  somewhat  restricted 
locality.  They  're  now  met  with  nearly  every  year,  and  several  nests  have 
been  taken.  Mr.  Maynard  obtained  two  specimens,  May  10,  in  a  wet 
meadow  in  Newton.  Their  song-note  he  describes  as  like  the  syllables  see- 
wid;  the  first  syllable  prolonged,  the  latter  given  (piickly.  This  bird  was 
first  obtained  in  Berlin,  in  that  State,  by  ^Fr.  E.  S.  Wheeler,  who  discovered 
its  nest  and  eggs.  It  was  mistaken  for  Bachman's  Finch,  and  was  at  first 
so  placed  on  the  record,  though  the  error  was  immediately  corrected.  Since 
then,  in  that  town,  and  in  one  or  two  others  in  its  neighborhood,  other  nests 
have  been  met  with.  Mr.  William  Brewster  obtained  several  specimens  in 
Lexington,  May  14,  1872.  It  is  quite  probable  that  it  has  been  confounded 
with  C.  2>(i-'^scrinits,  and  it  is  now  supi)o.sed  to  be  more  common  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State  than  that  bird. 

One  specimen  of  this  Bunting  was  taken  near  Washington,  during  the 
summer  .season,  from  which  circumstance  Dr.  Cones  gives  it  as  an  exceed- 
ingly rare  summer  resident  of  the  District  of  Coliunbia. 

In  1.S71,  INIr.  Bidgway  ascertained  that,  so  far  from  being  rare,  Henslow's 
Bunting  is  very  abundant  on  the  prairies  of  Southern  Illinois,  as  well  as  the 
Yellow-winged  species,  but  far  exceeding  the  latter  in  numbers.  Though 
entirely  similar  to  that  bird  in  habits  and  manners,  it  may  be  veadily  distin- 
guished by  its  note,  which  is  said  to  bean  abrupt 2»7-/?(/,  much  more  like  the 
common  summer-call  of  the  Shore  Lark  than  the  lisped  gmsshoiiper-liko 
chirp  of  the  0.  pamrinvs,  and  to  be  uttered  as  the  bird  perches  on  the  sum- 
mit of  a  tall  weed,  the  tail  being  depressed,  and  the  head  thrown  back  at 
each  utterance.  A  number  of  unidentified  eggs  were  sent  to  me  several 
years  since,  by  Mr.  Kennicott,  from  near  Chicago.  They  resembletl  some- 
what the  eggs  of  C.  jmsticrinus,  but  were  not  the  eggs  of  that  species.  I 
have  now  no  doubt  they  belonged  to  this  bird. 

The  nest  is  built  in  the  ground,  in  a  depression,  or  apparently  an  excava- 
tion scratched  out  by  the  bird  itself,  and  is  a  well-made  structure  of  coarse, 
dry,  and  soft  reeds  and  gras.ses,  well  lined  with  finer  materials  of  the  same 
descri])tion.     The  eggs,  five  or  six  in  number,  somewhat  resemble  those  of 


552  NOHTIl  AMKIUCAN  15IRD.S. 

tlu;  ('.  ])(is.<!rriiius.  Tlioir  j,n'(Mn)(l-c(ili)r  is  a  cluar  l)ii^flit  wliitc,  and  tlicy  are 
spottcil  with  well-(U'fiiit'(l  icddisli-lirowii  inaiki:igs,  and  more  subdued  tints 
of  purple.  The  niarkinjj;s,  su  lav  as  I  liave  seen  tlieir  eggs,  are  finer  and 
fewer  than  thuse  of  ^'.^)(^s,^r;■/««.s,  and  are  distiibuted  more  excUisively  around 
tlie  hirger  end.  The  eggs  niea.sure  .7iS  by  .GU  of  an  incli,  and  are  of  a  more 
oblong-oval  than  thuse  of  the  common  Vellow-Wiiig. 


Coturniculus  lecontei,  Boxap. 

LECONTE'S  BUNTING. 

Embcrha  kcmitd,  Arn.  Minis  Am.  VII,  lSi3,  338,  pi.  (■ceol.xxxviil.  -  Max.  t'al).  Jour.  VI, 
1858,  340.  Coturniculus  lecontei,  Box.  Conspectus,  1850,  481.  —  IJauii.',  Birds  N.  Am. 
18.'i8,  452. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  much  luoio  slenilor  than  in  C.  heiislowi.  First  (piill  the  longest,  tlio  rest 
(liniinisiliinfr  rapidly.  Tail  cinargiiiate  and  roumled,  with  the  foathors  acMitu.  Upper  parts 
light  yellowish-red,  streaked  with  brownish-blaek ;  the  margins  of  the  feathers  and 
.seapnlar.s  pale  yellowish-white.  Tuil-lbathers  dtisky,  margined  with  light-yellowi.sh. 
Lower  parts,  with  the  eheeks  and  a  broad  band  over  the  eyes,  line  buft".  Medial  line 
yellowi.sli  anteriorly,  nearly  white  behind.  The  bull"  extending  to  the  femorals  and  along 
the  siiles,  streaked  with  brownish-blaek.  Throat,  neck,  and  upper  parts  of  the  breast, 
without  any  streaks,  and  plain  bull".  Length,  4.40;  wing,  2.13;  bill  along  ridge,  .37; 
edge,  .")().     Logs  fle.sh-color ;  bill  dark  blue. 

Had.     ilouth  of  Yellowstone,  to  Texas. 

Since  the  regret  ex]iressed  in  tlie  Birds  of  North  America  (1858)  at  the 
loss  of  the  single  specimen  known  of  this  species,  another  has  been  received 
by  the  Smithsonian  Institution  from  Washington  Co.,  Te.xas,  collected  by 
Dr.  Lincecnm.  It  is  in  very  poor  condition,  having  been  skinned  for  an 
alcoholic  preparation,  and  does  not  admit  of  a  satisfactory  description  of  the 
colors.  In  its  unspotted  breast,  the  rufous  feathers  of  tlie  hind  neck,  the 
absence  of  maxillary  stripes,  and  apparently  in  the  markings  of  the  wings,  it 
is  most  like  C.  jjasKcriiivs.  Although  the  inner  tail-feathei's  have  the  narrow 
stripe  of  luns/owi,  tiie  hill  is  nuich  smaller,  as  stated  by  Andubon,  than  in 
the  others,  and  is  apparently  bluish,  not  yellow.  Tlie  vertical  stripe  is 
deep  buff  anteriorly,  and  pale  ashy  posteriorly,  instead  of  buff  throughout, 
and  the  superciliary  stripe  is  continuously  buff,  instead  of  yellow  anterior  to, 
and  ashy  behind,  the  eye.  In  the  comparative  length  of  wing  and  ttiil,  it  is 
most  nearly  related  to  hcnslovi,  but  the  bill  is  very  much  narrower  than  in 
either.  Ujion  the  whole,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  its  actual  specific  distinct- 
ness from  both  its  allies. 

Hahits.  T.,econte's  Sharp-tailed  Sparrow  was  procured  by  Audubon  in 
his  expedition  to  the  Yellowstone.  He  speaks  of  its  having  very  curious 
notes,  which  he  describes  as  of  a  sharp,  querulous  nature,  and  a  general  habit 
of  keeping  only  among  the  long,  slender  green  grasses  that  here  and  there 
grew  up  in  patches  along  the  margins  of  the  creeks.     So  closely  did  it  keep 


KUI N(il LLID.K  —  THE  FJN( 'I I KS.  5r)8 

ill  the  coverts  to  wliii-li  it  rosoited,  tliat  it  wiis  v»mv  difHcult  to  IVuce  il  tn 
rise  oil  till!  wiii^,  Mlifii  mily  it  cmilil  \n'  pnu'iiri'd.  Mr.  Audulion  did  not 
meiit  with  its  iR'st,  or  yoiiiiji,  iiiid  they  rciimin  univiiown. 

Tins  type  siieeiniun  was  presented  liy  .hidiilH)!!  to  Trofessor  IJaird.  A 
second  was  sent  to  the  .Smithsonian  Institution,  i'lom  Texas,  by  Dr.  Lince- 
ceuiii. 

Coturniculus  passerinus,  Hoxap. 

TELLOW-WINOED  BUNTINO. 

FriiigiUa]jn3Si.'n'ii'i,  Wii.scin,  Am.  Oiii.  Ill,  1811.  7il,  \i\.  savi,  I".  5. —Arn.  Oni.  l5io<;.  II, 
1834,  180  ;  V,  4!»7,  1>I.  exxx.  Fiimjillii  (S/iiyi)  iHmerimt,  Bos.  Olis.  Wils.  1825, 
Xo.  111.  Coliiniiculiis  jKiswriitii,  Ucix.  List,  1838.  —  In.  Consixrtus,  IS.'iO,  481.- 
HaikI),  Hinls  N.  Am.  18.18,  450.  —  Samtkls,  305.  /Ciiilicfizn  /)(is.si:n,iti.  All).  Syii. 
1839.  —  III.  Binl.sAin.  Ill,  1841,  73,  Jil.  ulxii.  Ftinijilhi  niirininniin,  ((iM.)  Xittai.i,, 
Man.  I,  1832,  404.  In.  (M  ed.)  1840,  570.  —  ((isiKMS,  Sy.st.  Xiit.  I.  1788,  '.fJl /r 
?  f  FriiKji/lii  iiittihcutit,  Lath.  IikI.  Oin.  I,  1700,  450.  -  XriT.  Man.  I,  183-2,  5li,". 
f  PiinniriiKi  pni/iiisis,  ViKll.LoT.     Vol  iin)  kill  lis  lij-icriis,  (Jossk. 

LocALrnK.s  :  Oaxaca,  March  (Sci,.  1859,  370).  C.uateinnia  (Sci..  Ilii.s,  I,  IS).  Ciilia  (winter, 
loimiioii, '.'All.  Jourii.  IV,  7).  (.'onta  Hica  (("All.  .loiiru.  VIII,  1800,  411  ;  Lawi:.  IX, 
103).     Vera  Cruz  (\vinti!r,  Sit.m.  Mimii.  Ho.st.  Soc.  I,  552). 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Feathens  of  the  upper  part's  l)ro\vni.>ih-rulbu.s  or  nlicstnut-lirown.  iiiar^'iiK'il 
narrowly  ami  abruptly  with  ash-color;  reddest  on  the  lower  part  of  the  back  and  ruiiip  ; 
the  l'uather.s  all  abruptly  black  in  the  central  portion;  thi.s  (>olor  visible  on  the  interscapu- 
lar region,  where  the  rufou.s  is  more  restricted.  Crown  bhutkish,  with  a  central  and  super- 
ciliary stripe  of  yellowi.^h  tinged  with  brown,  brightest  in  front  of  the  eye.  llend  of  the 
wing  bright  yellow  ;  le.'sser  coverts  tinged  with  greenish-yellow.  Quills  and  tail-leathers 
edged  with  whitish ;  tcrtiaries  much  variegated.  Lower  parts  brownish-yellow  or  buff, 
nearly  white  on  the  middle  of  the  belly,  darkest  on  the  juguliim.  The  feathers  of  the 
upper  breast  .and  sides  of  the  body  with  obsoletely  darker  centres,  the.se  sometimes 
wanting.  Sides  of  breast  against  bend  of  wing  with  a  few  black  streaks,  usually  con- 
cealed.    Length  about  5  inches ;  wing,  2.40  ;  tail,  .2.00. 

I'\B.     Eastern  United  States;  .south  to  Guatemala;  .Jamaica,  resident;  Porto  Rico. 

The  young  of  this  species  liave  tlie  juguhnn  and  sides  of  the  bresist 
.streaked  with  black,  much  more  distinct  than  in  the  adult,  and  e.xhiliiting  a 
slight  resemblance  to  C.  hcnsIovH.     The  ujiper  parts  are  less  varied. 

Specimens  from  the  Far  West  have  the  bill  more  slender,  the  reddish  of  tlio 
back  considerably  paler,  the  dark  markings  of  the  back  restricted,  the  liglit 
stripe  on  the  head  with  scarcely  any  yellow,  a  deciiled  spot  in  front  of  the 
eye  (juite  yellow,  and  little  or  no  ochraceous  on  the  breast. 

Tlie  young  bird,  with  streaked  jugulum,  may  be  most  leadily  distinguished 
from  C.  licndinoi  by  the  grayer  plumage  without  any  shade  of  chestnut  or 
greenisli-yellow,  the  sparseness  of  stretiks  on  the  side,  the  absence  of  the 
two  mandibular  dusky  stripes,  and  the  broad  dusky  centres  of  the  middle 
tail-feathers. 

Quite  a  fine  series  of  specimens  from  Jamaica  and  other  West  India  Isl- 
ands aftbrds  ample  material  to  judge  of  the  validity  of  the  C.  tivicrioi  of 
70 


554  Noin'ii  AMi:i!i('.\N.  liiitns. 

Gosso.  Tt  is  scarcoly  possilile  to  (listiii,u:iiisli  tlii'so  Janiiiicnn  ajieoiinens  from 
tiXiiiiipli's  lit  111  the  Kiistt'iii  l*i(i\  iiicc  (if  llic  I'liitcd  Stati'H,  tlioiigli  inimite 
(lilVcri'iicc's  niv.  ulisfrviilili".  Tlirir  .sizi;  is  .soiiU'wiiat  sinalli-r,  l)iit  tliciy  uiv,  resi- 
dent III  till'  region  wliero  alitaii't^d  ■  and  (lie  sliail<'s  of  cidor  arc,  just  appre- 
cialdy  darivor.  Tlioi'c,  arc,  liducs-cr,  no  dilfcrouces  sutlieicnt  to  justify  retaiii- 
inj^  the  name  /i.rimis,  to  dcsi^nutc  even  a  variety. 

All  tiic  spccinu'iis  in  tin;  collection  fioin  Ah'xico  and  (Juateniala  arc  in 
the  autumnal  or  winter  dress,  so  that  it  is  prolialde  that  they  are  not  resi- 
dent there  ;  they  appear  to  he  identical  with  North  American  specimens,  and 
rcferrihle  to  the  varii-ty  p((xsii-liiii.i  as  restricted. 

IJetwi'.'n  Slimmer  and  winter  .specimens  ;4reat  diflerences  are  oh.servahle ; 
in  the  former  season  the  edges  of  the  feathers  heconie  worn,  so  that  ollen  the 
chestnut  spots  disajipear  entirely,  while  the  other  nmrkings  become  poorly 
defined,  leaving  the  Idack  Wotciics  ])red(imiiiant. 

II.MMTS.  The  comniiin  Yellow-winged  Sparrow  appears  to  he  n  bird  of 
irregular  and  unequal  distrilmtion,  found  in  certain  localities  in  great  abun- 
dance, and  not  seen  in  the  intervening  districts.  According  to  some  writers, 
it  is  partial  to  .sandy  places  near  the  sea,  and  this  is  certainly  true  of  the 
neighborhood  of  Xew  York  City,  and  also  of  a  large  portion  of  the  New 
Jersey  coast.  It  is  likewi.se  the  case  in  certain  portions  of  Eastern  Massa- 
chusetts, as,  according  to  Mr.  ]\raynard,  this  species  is  very  numerous  in 
Nantucket,  where  it  breeds  abundantly.  I  have  never  met  with  this  Sparrow 
in  Massachusetts,  exciipt  in  a  single  instance,  near  I'xistoii,  nor  in  any  collec- 
tions of  eggs  have  I  seen  any  that  I  suppo.sed  coiiM  be  tlio.se  of  this  .sjiecies; 
yet  ill  the  western  part  of  the  State,  according  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  is  an  abun- 
dant Slimmer  visitant,  arriving  there  al)out  the  first  week  in  ^fay,  and  leav- 
ing early  in  September,  breeding  in  dry  fields  and  iiastures,  and  raising  two 
broods  in  a  season.  According  to  Mr.  Hoardman,  it  is  an  occasional  visitant 
in  tlic  neighborhood  of  Calais,  yet  rare  ;  arriving  there  the  first  of  April,  five 
weeks  earlier  than  it  shows  itself  in  Springfield.  Yet  that  this  bird  has 
ever  been  met  with  lietween  lioston  and  Calais  does  not  appear.  It  was  not 
seen  in  Western  Maine  by  Professor  Yerrill. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  this  bird  appears  also  to  be  a  not  un- 
conimon  summer  resident.  In  18(50,  I  received  from  Mr.  T.  S.  Ihandigee 
several  nests  found  in  tiiat  neighborhood.  Tiicy  were  all  constructed  on  the 
ground,  in  a  field  of  thin  grass,  and  their  tops  were  all  nearly  covered  over. 

Dr.  Ileermann  states  that  he  found  this  bird  a  not  uncommon  species,  in 
the  sumiiKT  season,  near  San  Antonio  ;  and  Mr.  Dres.ser  also  jirocured  a  speci- 
men there  in  the  early  summer.  Dr.  Lincecum  mentions  it  as  a  common 
resident  in  Washington  (.'ounty,  in  the  same  State.  He  de.scribes  it  as  a 
close-hiding  ( Jrass  Sparrow,  running  on  the  ground  in  the  manner  of  a  mouse, 
and  never  seen  to  alight  on  trees.  ])r.  C'oues  speaks  of  it  as  a  resident 
species  in  South  Carolina,  especially  abundant  during  the  period  of  migra- 
tion. 


FI!l.\(ill,I.II)J.:_THK  FFNCIIKS  r-- 

000 

Tt  has  l,o,M.  iumul  ^imw.  rmnnnu,  dnviw^  tluMvintu'  muntl.H,  i„  (Vntnl 
A,u.rK.a,  s,,.,.Muons  Intvin^  Lc-.u  pronuv,!   tla-.v  I.y  SoHor  Con.stan.Ma   Mr 

Mr.  \utta;i  an.l  .Mr.  Aud.il,..,,  sp.-ak'  <,f  it  as  cK■,.urrin^r  in  ()r.-.,„  I,„t  Dr 
toopor  .1.1  net  n.ec.t  ni,h  it  un  tl.o  I'acific  coast.  I,,..  K„„,,,u^  „,;,,„,,,  , 
s.n.le  s,,ocn„ov  n  .no  of  the  inrks  of  the  Colorado,  in  Fehruarv.^  Mr  IMd.- 
way  H'et  w.th      e  wostc-rn  Torn,  of  ihi.s  .species,  in  snitablo  pla.es  h.  tl^ 

^Zr  '""'  '"'""''  "'^'"•""'  '"•"•'•"^^'^  '••■■  '^  tlJnan.e  oo"" 

rn  the  vu^inity  oC  Newark.  X.  .1.,  .  have  lo„n<I  this  speeies  apparentlv  one 
of  t  e  nK.st  ahundant  n.  that  nei,hhorhoo.,,  havi„.  ohtaine.l  here  in  the 
month  of  June  n.ore  eggs  of  this  than  of  any  othe,  .speeies 

In   XorthtieUl,  III    near  the  lake  shon,  Mr.  i;oh..rt   K.nni.ott  n.et  with 
the  nests  ot  these  bn.ls  in  great  ala.ndanee.      Fron.  the.se  faets  I  infer  th. 
It  IS  not  necessarily  or  e.xelusively  a  l.ird  of  the  .sea-shore,  la.t  that  in  eer- 
am  hworn^ae  loeaJ^ties  it  is  as  ahnn.lan,  in  ti...  interior  as  on  the  eoa      ^1 

A     ■;Lr:rt    •'"''' '";'"^^^'''   ''"'"  '''-^'^^  •■•  Maine.an.lin.n;th 
Atlantic  to  the  interior,  nearly  or  .piite  to  the  I'aeiKc  coast 

In  Jamaica.  Mr.  March  states,  this  species  is  not  uncon.nion  in  the  savan- 
nas and  grass  lands  near  Spanish  Town.     It  is  a  resident  in  that  island 

K    breeds  there  in  eonsi<lerable  numbers,  nesting  in  tufts  of  grass-roots." 
It  IS  only  common  in  certain  localities. 

I  have  never  heard  its  note  to  know  it.  Wilson  speaks  of  it  as  a  short 
weak,  nitorrupted  chirp.  Acconling  to  Mr.  Hidgway.  it  bears  a  .dose  resem- 
blance to  the  note  ..f  a  grasshop,,er.  Nuttall  says  thoy  sing  in  an  a^n-eeable 
voice  something  like  that  of  the  Purple  Finch,  though  less  vigorouJ^;^  and 
Audubon  characterizes  it  as  an  unmusical  ditty,  composed  of  a  few  notes 
weakly  enunciated  at  intervals. 

Tt  is  terrestrial  in  its  habits,  li^  ing,  nesting,  and  feeding  on  or  near  the 
gi-oun.l.     It  subsists  on  larvae,  insects,  and  the  seeds  of  grasses  and  small 

This  bird  builds  its  nest  on  the  groun.l,  usuallv  in  a  small  tuft  of  -rass  or 
n.  a  cluster  of  plants.     It  is  made  of  dry  grasses,  and  is  lined  with  line  bent 
and  hoi'sehair.     The  y..ung  are  said  to  follow  their  parents  for  a  short  time 
but  soon  separate,  an.l  learn  to  take  care  of  themselves.     This  speeies  is  not 
Un^wious,  and  is  never  seen  in  flocks,  not  even  when  just  about  to  mi-rate 

Wilson  ami  Nuttall  .lescribe  the  eggs  as  grayish-white,  sprinkled  "wit  I, 
l^own.  Audulu.n  says  they  are  dingy-white,  sprinkled  with  brown  spots 
1  ns  IS  not  accurate.  The  grouu.l-color  is  a  clear  crvstalline  white,  beau- 
tifully dashed  and  marbled  with  bol.l  markings  of  an  almost  golden  brown 
niose  spots  vary  in  size,  are  often  .piite  large,  an.l  occasionally  make  a 
••orona  about  the  larger  en.l.  The  eggs  are  of  a  rounded  oval,  almost  sphcri- 
cuJ,  shape,  measuring  .75  by  .03  of  an  inch. 


550 


NOHTII  AMKKICA-N  ItlliDS. 


Coturniculus  passerinus,  var.  perpallidus,  limcwAY. 

WESTERN  YELLOW-WINGED  BUNTINO. 

CohnniiculiM  fMsseriniis,  var.  jur/xil/iiliin,  ItiixiwAV,  l{('|ioit  (if  F.  S.  Cinil.  Kx|il.  loili  Par. 
Ciiliiriiii'Klii.i  jia-sstriiius,  CiMii'Kii,  (tin.  I'al.  I,  IMO. 

Rr.  CiiAit.  Adiilf  (Xo.  r>H.w:>  jj,  Antclopi-  1.,  fiicut  Suit  Lake,  .lime  4,  IW!!);  T.  S. 
Ocol.  Exjil.  4(ltli  piiriillil)  siiiiiliir  to  var.  /in.ineriiin.i,  Init  the  lij;lit  tints  uIhivc  prfvailiu},', 
lliL'  ^'roiind  a  [mk'  asli-nolor,  ami  the  (•licstiiut  spots  in  t-xooss  ol'  tiic  Ulack  oni'8.  Spt'cks 
on  the  naju!  very  minute.  Hnll'  tinfre  to  ("hooks,  throat,  and  jnj,'uhini  so  Taint  a.i  to  bo 
scai'coly  api)ro(Malile.  Winjr,  'i.tiO;  tail,  !.!)();  hill,  .;5;!  (Voni  tVontal  toathors  l)y  .24  in 
(Icptii  at  base;  tarsus,  .70.  YDinii/  (Xo.  ").'!.!)42  Hnhy  Valley,  Nov.,  July  22,  18(!H)  dilloriuf,' 
from  3'ounf,'  ot"  vai'.  paxKeriniin  in  a  predoniinaiico  ol'  tho  lifjfht,  instead  of  the  dark,  mark- 
ings on  uppei'  surliiee,  streaks  across  hreasl  so  faint  as  to  he  just  approciaWe,  instuad  of 
distinft,  and  nearly  hlaek. 

Hai!.  AVostorn  Provim.'u  of  I'nited  ritules,  tioni  eastern  hiusu  of  Hooky  Mountain.s  to 
the  I'aeilie. 

This  very  apin-ecialily  (liflerent  raro  roplaces  the  restricted  viir.  pnsHi'riinis, 
ill  tlie  Western  Province  of  the  United  States.  In  its  paler  colors  aiul 
iinu'li  more  slender  l)ill  than  its  eastern  rejtreseiitative,  it  agrees  with  J^tsscr- 
ciiIhs  ahnnllniiii,  J'oucwffn  con/ini.s,  etc.,  as  coiniKiretl  with  P.  savuiiiui,  P.  gra- 
minrns,  etc.  It  is  to  this  race  that  the  l)i;)orapliical  notes  in  the  preceding 
article  refer,  as  far  as  based  on  western  specimens. 


Gkni-s  AMMODROMUS,  Swaixson. 

Ammndromua,  Swain.son,  Zoiil.  .lour.  Ill,  1827.     (Tyjif,  OriohiH  oiuiittcutu.i,  Om.) 

Gkn'.  Cuah.  Hill  very  lonfr,  slender,  and  iittenuatcd.  eonsidorahly  cin'vod  towards  the 
tip  above.  Tiie  i^niiys  straij,dit.  A  decided  lobe  in  middio  of  cutting  edge  of  upper  bill. 
Tile  lejrs  and  toes  are  veiy  long,  and  reach  considerably  beyond  the  tip  of  the  short  tail. 
Tlie  tarsus  is  a1)oMt  equal  to  the  elongal(Ml  middle  toe;  the  lateral  toes  ei|nal,  their  claws 
tiilhng  consideralily  short  of  the  base  of  tlic  niidclle  one;  the  liinil  claw  equal  to  the 
lateral   one.      Wings  .short,  reaching  only   to   the  base  of  the  tail;  much  rounded;  the 

.secondari(!.s  tuid  tertials  etpial,  and  not  tnucli 
.shorter  than  the  primaries.  The  tail  is  rather 
xliortcM-  lliim  the  wings,  and  graduided  laterally  ; 
each  feather  still'eneii,  lanceolate,  iuid  ai'iite. 

Color.    Streaked  alioveaiid  acioss  the  breast; 
verv  faintlv  on  the  sides. 


The  essentiiil  characters  consist  in  the 
slender  and  eloiigated  hill ;  tiie  long  legs 
reaching  considenihly  Ixiyond  the  tail, 
with  the  lateral  claws  falling  considera- 
bly short  of  the  middle  one ;  and  the 
very  .short  rounded  wings,  rtither  longer  than  the  ciineate  tail,  with  its  stif- 
fened and  lanceolate  feathers. 


Atmnnilrnmvs  caiulacutus. 


KIMNOIM.IO.K  — TIIK  FINCHKS. 


00 1 


Common  CllAliACTKUS.  Aliovc  olivacroiis  av  asliy,  the  crown  waslicd  willi 
lirowii  latfially.  tlio  dorsiil  liallnis  ilarUcr  iciilrallv  ;  lnMii'alli  wliilc,  tiii^cil 
ai  riiss  I  111'  jii;.'iiImiii  with  ocliraccoiis  orasliy  ;  jiif^iiliiiii  sli-caktMl;  a  iliisky  "  I  iridic  " 
on  cacli  side  ol   liiidal  ;  almvc  it  a  maxillary  slri|ii'  ol'  ocliraccoiis  or  while. 

1.  A.  caudaoutuc.  Ail.  Aliovc  olivi'.  tiic  ilorsal  I'callici'.i  dnrkiH' and  cd^'cd 
willi  wliitisli-ochfaccons;  sn|icrciliai'V  and  Tiiaxillary  stripes  deep  ochraceons; 
jnjrnlMni  and  sides  linj;ed  with  tlie  same,  and  sharply  streaked  wilh  Mack. 
Jill'.  Wholly  ochraceons,  ilarker  ahove;  ( rown  and  hack  streaked  wilh 
hiack,  the  Conner  divided  ni'diaily  hy  a  pale-hrowii  stripe;  hreasl  and  sides 
streaked  with  hluek.  /fuli.  Alliuilic  coast  of  United  States. 
'2.  A.  maritimuB.  Ad.  Ahove  ashy,  the  dorsal  leathers  ohsoletely  darker 
centrally;  superciliary  stripe  yellowish-ashy,  hri^'hl  yellow  over  the  lores; 
maxillary  stripo  white;  jii},'ulniii  and  sides  tingud  with  ashy,  the  lormer 
ohsoletely  streak<'d  with  dark  ashy.  Jnv.  Ahovi^  olivaceous,  the  crown  ami 
hack  streaked  wilh  lilaik,  ihe  liiriner  not  divided  hy  a  li^dilcr  median  line; 
hrenst  uiid  sides  washed  wilh  ochraceons  and  dislinelly  stieaked  with  Mack. 
Hub.  Alluntiu  coast  of  United  States. 


Ammodromus  caudacutus,  SwAixsny. 


SHARP-TAILED  BXTNTINO. 

Oriohin  rniiiliinihis,  (Imi-.i.in,  I,  I'.s.s,  ;i!M.  -  I.aiiiam,  Iml.  Oni.  I,  I'Oii,  lS(i  (not 
Fi-iiiijilla  ciitiiliiciilii,  I.ATll.).  Friiii/il/ii  cii iiilm-utit,  Wii.,so\,  Am.  Oiii.  IV.  l.Sll,  7", 
pi,  .\.\xiv,  I",  ;i.  —  Ani.  Orn.  Ww^.  11,  1834,  281  ;  V,  41t!t,  pi.  cxlix.  Ju-iniilll'i  (.s>//:-/) 
mudnciitii,  Hon.  .Syn.  182S,  llil.  /'(m-vic/hc  cinnliinitu,  ViKii.i.or.  Aniiii'iilrniiiiis 
ciiudid-ulus,  SwAix.sox,  Birds,  II,  lS;i7,  l!8it.  —Am.  .^^yiiopsis,  Ks:i!l,  111.  In.  I'.irds 
Am.  Ill,  1811,  1(18,  pi.  clxxiv.  —  Uonap.  Cmispntus,  18.5(p,  48'2.  l?Ali;i),  Hiids  N. 
Am.  18;kS,  4.'.:!.  —  .Samiki.s,  :jii7.  Fn'ii'ji/ln  llifi>niH.'\  NrrrAi.i,,  .Man.  I,  \x:i2,  Mi 
(2d  cd.  184n,  ."lUO).     Sliiii-p-liiiliil  (h-iiik,  I'ksna.nt,  Antic  /<iiil.  II,  2i'>l,  New  York. 


Sp.  CiiAK.  Upper  parts  hrownisli-olivaceons.  Head  lirownish.  sticakecl  wilh  M 
the  sides,  and  a  hroad  ec^ntral  slri|i<'  ol'  ashy.  Ba<'k  Molched  wilh  darker;  edirc- 
terseapnlar  ti'athers  and  inner  secondaiics  whitish,  just  exterior  to  a  lila<'kish  sii 
A  broad  superciliary  and  maxillary  stripe,  nieetini,'  behind  tlit;  ashy  ear-coverts, 
h.'incl  across  the  upper  breast,  bufl'-yellow.  The  siiles  of  the  throat  with  a  brown 
the  upper  part  of  the  breast  and  the  sides  of  the  body  streaked  with  black;  i 
under  parts  whitish.  Iv|ii-c  of  wiinj'  yel- 
low i.sh-white.  Bill  yellowish  below;  dusky 
above.  The  female  appears  to  have  more 
bulT  on  th(!  breast  than  the  male.  liciigtli, 
5  inches;  wiiifr,  2.l!n. 

H<tb.      Atlantic    coast   of  the    Unite(l 
States. 


ack  on 
:  of  in- 
ll'nsion. 
and  a 
stripe ; 
est  of 


Till!  yoiiiio;  i.s  of  n  mow.  ycllowisli 
tiiioo  above  and  lieU>w;  the  streaks 
on  the  back  more  con.spieiioiis  ;  tlie 
sciiimlar  leathers  without  the  whitish 
edoino.  '■" "■■ ■ 

Ill  auttuniial  and  winter  speciinen.s  the  buff  tints  are  iiiuuh  deeper  than  in 


Aminivlrnmiis  raiirtttnitiis. 


558  NORTH  AMKKICAM   lilliDS. 

s|iriiij,';  tlio  sides  of  tlir  crown,  n.s  well  us  tlic  dark  luiirkiiij^'S  on  tlio  l)a('k, 
nioro  iiitensilird,  and  in  ^'router  contriist  with  llio  lif,ditor  iLsliy  and  olive 
tint.s. 

IlAItlTS.  Thu  Sliarji-tailed  Fincii  is  one  ol  llie  most  Htrikinj^  ami  well- 
characterized  of  laud-liirds,  and  as  pecidiar  to  the  seashore  as  tlie  '/'riiii/ir. 
In  habits  it  very  chtsely  resemhles  the  wiioh;  family  of  Waders  in  many 
striking  respects.  Like  thorn  it  feeds  upon  small  crustaceans  and  minute 
marine  insects,  keeping  ahont  the  water's  edge,  walking  uimju  the  lloating 
weeds  and  other  substances  raised  by  th(!  tide,  pn'l'eri'ing  this  mode  of  life 
to  a  more  inland  residence,  and  only  resorting  to  the  uplands  to  feed  upon 
the  s(ieds  of  grasses  and  sedges  when  their  food  fails  them  at  the  watei's 
edge. 

Dr.  Coue.s  is  of  the  o])iniou  tliat  this  l)ird  does  not  breed  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  IJeaufort,  N.  (".,  and  that  it  leaves  for  the  Xorth  in  iMay,  having 
a  more  northeiii  habitat  than  A.  miiri/itiin.  He  does  not  coincide  with  those 
who  detect  a  resemblance  between  tiie  actions  of  the  Aiiitnodrinui  and  of 
the  Sandpipers.  He  thinks  the  manner  in  which  they  climb  the  reeds,  slide 
uj)  and  down,  and  hang  from  them  in  various  attitudes,  is  more  like  that 
of  Nuthatches  and  Titmice.  On  the  ground  they  seem  to  him  unmistakably 
spari'ow-like. 

This  Sharp-tailed  Fincli  is  abundant  along  the  coasts  of  Connecticut  and 
J{hode  Island,  and  is  also  found  in  Massachusetts,  though  s])aringly,  and  only 
in  a  few  congenial  localities.  In  the  marslies  of  Charles  lUver,  near  Boston, 
this  species  is  occasionally  common  in  the  breeding-season.  In  the  summer 
of  18(19,  Mr.  II.  W.  Ilenshaw  found  quite  a  number  of  their  nests.  Mr. 
Alaynard  has  also  taken  it  among  the  niarshes  of  Ipswich,  which  is  probably 
about  its  extreme  northern  limit.  It  has  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  been 
traced  to  Maine.  In  these  localities  it  probably  raises  two  broods  in  a  sea- 
son, as  it  appears  there  in  May,  and  remains  until  into  October.  They  are 
eminently  terrestrial,  run  on  the  ground  like  mice,  are  difficult  to  Hush,  and 
can  only  be  shot  while  on  the  wing.  They  lie  close  to  the  gi'ound,  and  con- 
ceal themselves  in  the  grass. 

They  are  also  very  numerous  in  the  marshes  in  the  neighborhood  of  New 
York,  and  especiall}'^  so  in  New  Jersey,  breeding  along  that  coast  to  Cape 
May.  How  much  farther  south  than  this  they  are  found  1  cannot  state,  but 
I  did  not  meet  with  any  at  Cape  Charles,  when;  tlie  maritimus  was  very 
abundant. 

In  the  winter  this  species  is  found  in  large  flocks  along  the  shores  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  jNIr.  Audubon,  however,  did  not  find  any  in  Florida. 
In  the  marshes  near  Charleston  they  are  found  in  immense  flocks,  so  nnich 
so  that  Audubon  has  known  of  forty  being  killed  at  a  single  shot.  They 
search  in  the  sedgy  marshes  for  their  food  when  the  tide  is  out,  and,  on  the 
approach  of  the  returning  waters,  retreat  to  the  higher  shores  and  to  the 
rice  embankments. 


Fill  N(!  1 1,1,1 1). K       TIIK   h'lNCUKS.  551) 

Till'  llii,'lit  of  tliis  spceicH  is  (|iiitc  dill'iiriMit  rnmi  Uiiit,  of  aiiy  otlior  bir(l,iui(l 
by  it  llu^y  iiiiiy  ii(  diicc  In-  iccdj^'iiizt'd.  In  llyiii^',  tlicy  ulso  ilidp  tlii'ir  tiiils 
very  low. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  lliat  diiiinj,'  tlii^  winter  tlie  Sliarp-tailnd  Finrli  is 
rurni.shud  with  an  o.Ktra  (inantity  oi'  Icatlusrs  on  tlic  rMmp,  for  which  hv.  tinds 
it  dillicult  to  account. 

Thii.si-  birds  are  essentially  niariliuie,  are  found  only  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
soa,  an<l  alway.s  kee|)  iiumediately  about  the  water,  exeept  wlu'ii  the  inclcni- 
oncy  of  the  weather  drives  them  to  the  hijj;h  ^'ra.ss  of  the  uphual.s  for  .shelter. 
They  walk  and  ru.i,  or  remain  feedini^  on  the  lloatin<;  wee(ls  and  other  siili- 
stunces  raised  by  the  tide,  with  all  tlie  ea.se  and  fearle.s9nes,s  with  which  they 
move  on  the  land.  They  are  jj;reyariou.s  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  Southern 
marshes  are  found  feeding  in  comiianies.  During  the  breoding-.season  they 
keep  more  in  pairs,  and  are  found  more  isolated.  At  this  time  they  are  also 
shy,  and  dillicult  to  delect.  Their  usual  call-note  is  only  a  single  /nrrt,  and 
in  the  love-season  their  series  of  twitters  Mr.  Audubon  thiidvs  hardly  wor- 
thy to  be  called  a  .song.  They  feed  indi.scriminutely  on  .seeds,  in.sects,  small 
crustaceans,  and  various  forms  of  refuse  matter  floated  or  thrown  u^i  by  the 
tides. 

On  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  where  these  birds  are  found  in  the  greate,st 
abundance,  they  have  at  least  two  broods  in  a  season.  Their  nest  is  on  the 
ground,  in  a  smidl  tu.ssoek  of  grass  or  sedges,  l)ut  little  removed  from  the, 
reach  of  the  tide,  and  is  placed  in  a  depression  apparently  e.xcavated  for  the 
[)urpose.  They  are  loosely  made  of  soft  and  slender  grasses,  arranged  in  a 
circular  form.  The  nest  is  laige  for  the  bird,  sfjacious  and  deep,  and  is  softly 
lined  with  finer  and  similar  materials. 

Their  eggs,  five  or  six  in  nund)er,  are  of  a  somewhat  rounded  oval  .shape, 
having  an  average  breadth  of  ..'>9  of  an  inch,  and  vary  in  length  from  .7H  to 
.70.  Their  ground-color  is  a  light  green,  occasionally  a  dull  white,  with 
hardly  a  jierceptible  ting(!  of  greeni.sh,  thickly  sprinkled  CMpially  over  the  en- 
tire egg,  with  tine  rusty-brown  d(jts.  These  are  of  various  sizes,  but  all  lino. 
In  a  few  the  larger  dots  arc  conHuent  in  a  iir.g  an  and  the  larger  end;  in 
others,  the  finer  dots  are  so  small  as  to  Ijc  only  tli.stin:;uisliable  under  a  glass, 
concealing  the  grouu<l-color,  and  giving  to  the  egg  ai)  almost  uniform  rusty 
color.  These  eggs  vary  but  little  in  shape,  and  are  nearly  equally  rounded 
at  either  end,  though  never  entirely  so. 


500  NOKTIl  AMKlilCAN   lilUDS. 

Ammodromus  maritimus,  swainsox. 

SEASIDE  BUNTING. 

Frhiijilld  iiiiiiiliiiKi,  Wii.SdN,  Am.  t)rii.  IV,  1811,  t!8,  |)1.  xxxiv,  f.  2.  -  Al'i).  Orii. 
Hiofj.  I,  1831,  |il.  xciii.  ^imiiiiHlrdiiiiis  mariliiniii,  S\v.  Zuiil.  Jour.  IJI,  1.^27,  ;i2S. 
—  BiiNAi'.  List,  IMJS.  -  In.  Coiis|).  ISfid,  l^-J.  -  Am.  Syiuijisis,  183"),  llo.  -In. 
Birds  Am.  Ill,  18(1,  103,  pi.  clxxii.  -  I!aii;ii,  Binls  X.  Am.  18r>S,  454.  —  Samikl-s, 
308.  Frhiiiilla  (Ammuilromus\  marilivin,  XriT.  Aliiii.  I,  (2il  cd.,)  1840,  5y2.  Friu- 
ijilh  iiiiiqiillirmiii,  Am.  Oni.  Hiof;.  II,  1834,  285  ;  IV,  1838,  3!»4  ;  V,  183i),  499,  \\. 
ccclv.  .liiiiiiiKlromui  niiKyillivmiii,  I'niN.  Mut,  1838.  —  111.  C'oiis|icctu.s,  18,')0,  482.  — 
Ari>.  Syn.  1839.  —  III.  Minis  Am.  Ill,  1841,  100,  |il.  clxxiii.  FriiniUh<  (Ammoilm- 
inus)  mnniillivriii/i,  Nl  n'Al.l.,  Man.  I,  (2il  cd.,)  1840,  WA. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  AliDVo  oliviioeoiis  a.'^liy-bi'own  ;  iii'iiily  unifonn.  Iml  willi  tlu?  centres  of  in- 
tcr.sciipiilnr  li'iilluMS  darker  and  edf:;ed  Ikintly  witli  paler;  very  obsoletely,  almost  inap- 
preeiably  streaked  elsewhere,  especially  on  the  head,  which  has  a  faintly  defniod  median 
stripe  of  pnrer  a.shy.  Beneath  white ;  the  breast  and  sides  and  under  tail-coverts  witii 
rather  indistinct  streaks  of  dark  a,shy-t)rown.  tendinfr  to  form  a  larj^e  s|)ot  in  centre  of 
breast;  an  ashy  mandibular  .stripe  eonliiuied  into  the  a.shy  sides  of  neck,  and  outtini;  oil' 
and  enclosing  a  white  stripe  above  it.  A  spot  of  yellow  anterior  to  eye,  contimicil  over 
it  as  an  almost  inappreciable  grayish  stripi\  Edge  of  wing  snlpliur-yellow.  Bill  lead- 
color ;  leel  dusky.  Length  about  (i  inches  ;  wing, '2.50.  In  autunui  the  brea.st  and  sides 
tinged  with  fulvous;  the  liaek  with  rufou.s. 

Young  birds  (.1.  mirn/illivnii/if)  have  markings  unich  more  distinct,  and  clo.sely  resem- 
ble A.  aii((l(iriil(i,  tiiough  larger.  They  will  be  most  rciidiiy  distiugni.shed  by  the  absence 
of  the  fulvous  superciliary  stripe. 

IIah.     Atlantic  sea-coast  of  United  States,  uorthwiuil  to  Long  Tslaml  Sound. 

The  siiiiie  sea-soiial  ilin'ereiices  in  colorati(jii  are  observable  in  this  species 
as  in  A.  vandiiciUKn. 

Haiuts.  Tlie  Seaside  Finch  has  very  nearly  the  same  distribution,  hab- 
its, and  manners  of  life,  as  the  Sharii-tailed  species,  and  the  description  of 
these  in  one  wonld  ans\V(!r  almost  e(|ually  well  for  the  other.  There  are, 
however,  certain  shades  of  dilference  in  several  respects  to  be  observed. 

This  bird  is,  if  anything;,  more  southern  in  its  distribution  tlian  the  other, 
and  does  not  extend  its  visits  in  summer  so  far  north.  While  the  Sharj)- 
taihid  Fincli  is  not  an  uncommon  bird  on  tiie  siiores  of  the  New  I'^ngland 
States,  as  far  to  the  north  as  Tp.swich,  the  Seaside  Finch  is  comparatively 
rare,  much  more  so  now  than  it  was  formerly.  Mr.  Maynard  states  tiiat  he 
lias  searched  carefully  for  it  froi"  the  Merrimack  to  the  extreme  southern 
shores  of  Massiichusetts  without  finding  any  specimens,  nor  could  lie  find 
any  on  the  island  of  Nantucket,  a  very  naturiil  and  cono;enial  locality.  Dr. 
Cones  states  that  it  is  abundant  on  the  New  nam])shire  coast,  but  recent 
eiuleavors  hav(!  failed  to  detect  it.  In  IH.'ill  and  18:^7  a  few  isolated  pairs 
built  in  the  marshes  of  Stony  l$rook,  near  Jioston,  above  tide-water,  iiestino; 
not  on  the  o;round,  but  in  low  bushes.    Tiiey  were  identified  by  Mr.  Audubon. 

In  the  summer  of  1852  I  found  this  species  very  abundant  on  the  low 
sandy  islands  of  Cape  Charles,  Va.     TIhmv,  in  every  instance,  their  neste 


l-'i;i.N(ill-MI).K      Till';  KIXCIIKS.  5(31 

well'  ill  low  hnsluis,  iiliout  ii  I'imiI,  IVoim  tliu  ,<;r()uinl.  I'lify  wcru  the  only  luml- 
birds  fouml  on  tlicsc  islands. 

llcv.  ('.  M.  .louos  inroiMiH  nw.  tlial  at  Mailisuii,  Conn.,  on  tliu  coast,  tlui 
Suasidu  and  tlic  Sliarp-tailod  Finclu's  ocenr  in  about  C(iual  nunilniis  in  tlie 
salt  niai'sho.s.  llo  was  iiv)t  ablo  to  obsi-rvn  any  spociiic  (litVcivnci'  in  their 
modi!  of  iicstin".;',  ox("i'iit  that  tlu^  iiuiri/iiitus  snenu'd  to  lie  inor,'  (-oninion  in 
that  part  of  the  marsh  nearest  the  shore,  while  the  nindintitii^  was  more 
abundant  furtiier  back  towards  the  hinidands,  though  this  was  not  the  inva- 
riable rule.  He  sometimes  found  the  nests  suspended  in  the  salt  grass,  the 
latter  being  interwoven  with  the  other  materials.  Tu  all  .sncli  cases  the  en- 
trance was  on  the  side  (tf  tiie  nest,  in  the  manner  of  the  Marsh  AVren.  At 
other  times  he  found  the  nest  placed  under  a  i^uantity  of  lodged  grass,  but 
resting  on  a  portion  still  lower.  In  such  cases  it  is  generally  open  at  the  tnj). 
He  has  also  found  theai  on  the  ground,  and,  wlien  thus  placed,  always  much 
more  bulky  than  when  l)uilt  as  above,  a  consideraiile  (piantity  of  dead  gra.ss 
being  laid  down  to  keep  the  nest  above  the  wet,  though  not  always  \\ith 
success.  On  CoblVs  Island,  \-a.,  Air.  Jones  only  found  the  m(iriliiii>i!<,  the 
nests  of  which  were  in  liushcs,  from  one  foot  to  eighteen  inelies  fi.im  the 
ground. 

The  call-note  of  this  species  is  said  to  l»e  a  monotonous  chiri),  and  its  song 
hardly  to  deserve  that  name.  The  notes  t)f  winch  it  is  comitosed  are  few, 
and  have  neither  variety,  emphasis,  nor  attractiveness. 

Dr.  Cones  states  thiit  this  Fincli  begins  to  sing  whtiu  mating,  and  is  after- 
wards, during  the  incubating,  i)articularly  earnest  and  ]u'rsevering  about  it. 
Each  jiair  usually  claims  some  particular  cojjse,  and  tlie  male  usually  has  his 
favorite  singing-post,  to  which  it  coiitinually  resorts.  He  adds  that  its 
simple  song  is  something  like  that  (»f  the  Yellow  diouldered  Sparrow,  begin- 
ning with  a  few  slow  notes,  then  a  rapid  trill,  finally  slurred,  till  it  .sounds 
like  the  noise  made  by  some  of  the  grasshojipers. 

These  l)irds  are  at  all  times  shy  and  dillicult  to  l)e  ajiproaehed.  When 
their  nest  is  visited,  the  parents  leave  it  and  seerete  themselves,  and  cannot 
be  tmced  without  great  ditliculty.  When  llnis  hidden,  they  will  almost 
suller  themselves  to  be  trodden  upon  before  they  will  ily  up. 

Mr.  Audubon  thinks  they  iiavo  two  broods,  their  tirst  being  liatched  out 
early  in  June.  Their  nests,  he  states,  are  usually  placed  ne.\t  to  the  ground, 
but  not  sunk  in  it.  Their  footl  consists  of  marine  in.sects,  small  crabs,  and 
snails,  as  well  as  small  sand-beetles  and  seeds.  Tlieir  flesh  has  a  rank,  un- 
savory flavor,  so  nmch  .so  that,  having  had  some  made  into  a  pie,  he  could 
not  eat  it.  He  states  also  that  they  are  resident  in  the  Southern  States,  and 
are  found  along  the  (iulf  coast  as  far  as  Texas. 

The  nest  is  strongly  but  coarsely  woven  of  dry  sedges,  stems,  and  grasses, 

and  is  lined  with  similar  but  flner  materials.     The  eggs  are  live  in  number, 

have  a  grayish-white  groiuid,  and  are  s])otted  and  blotched  with  reddi.sh- 

brown.     Tilt!  blotches  are  distril)uted  over  th(>  entire  egg,  and  are  niudi 

71 


.■)()2 


NORTH   AMIilflCAN   HIItDS. 


liu'i^LT  lliaii  in  tlio  rinii/niittii>i.     There  is,  indeed,  no  similarity  between  the 
two  eggs.     Tliey  nieasnre  .SH  by  .ti.S  of  an  inch. 


r>r,r,i  S 


Gkni's   CHCNDESTES,  Swaixson. 

Cl(,)ii(h:i/cs,  SwAlNsoN,   riiil.  Mii'i-  '.  I''*-'',  435.  —  In.  Kiiuiui  Bor.-Aiii.   II,  1831.     (Tyi)c. 
f'hamlish.i  .ilriijiidis,  Sw,,  (Mnial  to  Fn'iiijiHii  ijnuiuiidca.  Say.) 

CIkx.  CuAii.     Bill  .swollen  ;  l)Otli  outlines  frciitly  curved  ;  liie  lower  iiiiiinlihlu  as  liiph  as 

liie  upper;  the  eoiiiiuissui'e  aniru- 
lateil  at  the  ba.se,  and  then  sliirhtly 
siuuateil.  Lower  luaudilile  latliei' 
narrower  at  the  lia.se  than  the  leniftli 
of  the  j,'onys  ;  broader  than  the 
upper.  Tarsi  nioderate,  about  ecpuit 
to  \\w  middle  toe  ;  lateral  toes  e(|ual 
and  very  short,  reachinj;  but  :ittlu 
lieyoud  the  middle  of  the  peiiulti- 
uiate  joint  of  the  middle  toe.  and 
falling  eonsiderably  .short  of  the 
base  of  midille  i^law.  AVings,  lonp;, 
pointed,  reaching  nearly  to  the  mid- 
dle of  I  he  tail  ;  the  tertials  not 
longer  than    the    seeondaries ;    the 

first  quill  shorter  than  the  seeuiid   and   third,  which  arc  equal.     The  tail  is  moderately 

long,  considerably  giadnati-d.  the  li'atliers  rather  narrow,  and  elliptically  rounded  at  the 

end. 

Stieaked  on  the  back.     Head  with  well-delired  large  stripes.    Beneath  white,  with  a 

pectoral  spot.     Only  one  species  recognized. 


Chiiivhsl'  N  unninnnni. 


Ghondestes  grammaca,  Bonap. 


LABK  SPABBOW. 

Frinijilh  fjrfiminiioi,  Sav,  in  I.mig's  Exped.  K.  Mts.  I,  1823,  139.  —  Bon.  Am.  Orii.  1, 
182'),  47,  ]il.  V,  f.  3.  — Ain.  Oni.  Hiog.  V,  1839,  17,  pi.  cirxe.  Chnn'k.i/rs  (jmmmaat, 
Box.  List,  1838. —  In.  C'onspwtu.s,  1850,  479.  —  Baiiiu,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  4.5(5.— 
L'ooi'Kii  &  SrcKi.KV,  200.  --Mavxaud,  Birds  K.  Mass.  1870,  112  (Massachusetts).— 
Cooi'Kit,  Oni.  t'al.  1,  193.  Embcriza  tjiinnimicii,  AuD.  Synopsis,  1839,  101.  —  lu. 
Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  03,  pi.  clviii.  —  Max.  Cab.  .lour.  VI,  1858,  343.  Clwndestcs 
stri'iiitK.i,  SwAlx.soN,  I'hilos.  Mag.  1,  1827,  435. 

Si'.  CuAH.  Hood  chestnut,  tinged  with  lilack  towards  the  forehead,  and  with  a  median 
stripe  anil  superciliary  stripe  of  dirty  whitish.  Rest  of  upper  parts  pale  grayish-olive,  the 
interscapular  region  alone  streaked  with  dark  brown.  Beneath  white,  a  round  spot  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  breast,  a  liroail  maxillary  stripe  cutting  off  a  white  stripe  above,  and  a 
.short  line  from  the  liill  to  the  eve.  continued  liiintly  behinil  it,  black.  A  white  crescent 
under  the  eye,  btu'dered  lielow  liy  black  and  behind  by  ehestimt,  on  the  ear-coverts.  Tail- 
feathers  dark  brown,  the  outermost  eilged  externally  and  with  more  than  terminal  third 
white,  with  transverse  outhne  ;  the  whit';  decreasing  to  the  next  to  innermost,  tipped 
broadly  with  white.     Length,  (i  inches ;  wing.  ."i. 30. 


FHINOILLIDJ';  — TllH  FINCIIliti.  5G3 

Haii.  From  Wisconsin  nnil  Illinois  (also  in  Micliigan  and  Oliio)  to  the  Pacific  coast; 
Cape  8t.  Tineas,  soutli  to  Texas  anil  Mi'xifd.  Uaxaca  (Sn,.  18.')!»,  .'!7!)) ;  Vera  Ci'n/  (winter, 
SuMicnuAST,  iVyj);   Kiislern  Massaclinsetls,  aceiilental  (Mavxaimi). 

The  colors  of  the  loinalo  are  duller  than  in  the  male,  the  chestnut  less 
lu'ijiht,  the  hlack  not  so  intense  ;  the  pattern,  however,  is  the  same. 

The  young  bird  has  tlie  Ineast  and 
throat  with  a  good  many  spots  of  dark 
brown  instead  ol'  the  single  large  one 
on  the  breast.  The  other  markings  are 
more  obscure. 

IIauith.  The  Lark  Finch  is  i'mnul 
from  Eastern  Illinois  to  the  racific,  and 
from  Oregon  to  Texas.  Within  this  wide 
area  of  distribution  it  is  everywhere 
abundant  in  the  open  prairies  and 
plains.  It  is  not  found  in  wooded  re- 
gions. This  bird  was  described  by  >Say, 
and  was  first  met  with  by  Longs  expe- 
dition to  the  Missouri  Itiver.  It  was  not  known  to  either  Wilson  or  Au- 
dubon, and  its  habits  were  very  imperfectly  known  to  Xutlall. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  bird  very  abundant  in  Texas  throughout  the  sum- 
mer, arriving  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sau  Antonio  in  March,  and  leaving 
there  early  in  October.  He  found  their  iiest.^  quite  conuiion,  and  u.-^tially 
built  in  a  mes(ptite  tree  or  bush,  of  Hue  roots  and  grasses.  ')r.  Heermann 
also  found  it  abundant  in  Xew  Mexico.  In  Arizona,  Dr.  Cones  found  it, 
chiefly  in  .spring  and  autunni,  a  migrant,  and,  at  those  seiisons,  \i'ry  mimer- 
ous.  Many  remain  during  the  .summer  to  In-eed,  and  a  fiw  are  found  in  the 
winter.  It  was  met  with  near  New  Leon,  Mexico,  In-  Lieutenant  Couch,  but 
was  not  obtained  in  ^'era  Cruz  by  Sumichrast.  It  was  taken  near  Oiixaca, 
Mexico,  by  ^Ir.  Boucaid.  A  single  s]iecimen  was  obtained  al  Kort  Dalles  in 
Oregon,  by  Dr.  Suckley,  but  it  was  not  met  with  1»v  him  west  of  the  (.'ascade 
Mountains.     Mr.  Townsend  states  that  he  also  found  it  in  that  region. 

Dr.  Cooper  did  not  find  this  species  in  the  Colorado  ValL'v,  tlnmgh  it  has 
been  obtained  at  Fort  Yuma  in  December;  and.  as  he  has  met  with  them  in 
large  flocks  in  the  valleys  of  San  Diego  in  Febrnsiry,  he  concbi(h's  that  they 
winter  in  the  southern  part  of  California.  They  breed  from  San  Diego 
throughout  California,  and  as  far  north  as  the  Columbia,  where  they  arrive 
early  in  May.  Dr.  Cooper  has  never  found  their  nest  in  CV.lifornia,  but 
has  frtiquently  met  with  it  in  Kansas  and  Nebraska  in  May  ami  June. 
He  found  them  on  the  ground,  and  their  nests  were  constructed  chiefly  of 
grass. 

He  speaks  of  them  as  singing  very  sweetly,  and  states  that  in  their  song 
they  resendde  the  Canary  more  than  any  other  bird.  They  freiiuent  the 
open  ])lains,  usually  in  the  neighborhood  of  trees,  u]Min  which  they  often 


504  NORTH    AMEHirAN   l?IRnS. 

alight  in  flocks.     Tlioir  food  consists  of  tin.-  soeils  of  gi-ass  and  other  small 
plants,  which  they  collect  on  the  jj;roun(l. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  hird  was  siiot  in  Massaclmsetts  in  1845,  by  Mr. 
Samuel  Jillson.  It  was  taken  in  (iloucester,  on  tlu^  coast,  where  its  appear- 
ance was,  of  course,  jiurely  accitlental. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  careful  ol)servations  of  Mr.  Ridgway  for  tiie  prin- 
cipal portion  of  our  knowledge  of  the  manners  and  mode  of  life  of  this 
species,  which  he  has  recently  ascertained  to  be  an  abundant  summer  resi- 
dent in  Southern  Illinois.  It  is  probably  equally  abundant  throughout  the 
State,  and  is  i'onnd  as  far  east  as  (Jhio,  where  it  becomes  rare. 

The  Prairie  Lark-Finch  was  found  by  that  accurate  observer  very  abundant 
at  Sacramento,  Cal.,  where  it  frequented  alike  the  oak  groves,  the  cottonwood 
and  willow  copses,  and  the  weedy  fields  and  meadows.  At  Sacr.unento  it  was 
eminently  arboreal,  ({uite  in  contrast  with  its  habits  as  observed  in  Illinois.  It 
was  also  met  with  in  the  interior,  wherever  the  locality  was  suited  to  it.  Near 
Salt  Lake  City  it  is  one  of  the  most  numerous  oi'  the  birds  inhabiting  the 
artemisia  grounds,  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  in  company  with  Poospiza 
hilinenta  and  Spizdla  hrnocri.  It  is  called  by  the  Utah  l)oys  the  Snake-Iiird, 
from  the  supposed  rose  .iblance  of  its  striped  head  to  that  of  a  snake.  At 
Sacramento  it  is  greatly  prized  as  a  cage-bird,  and  young  l)irds  readily  sell 
there  for  four  dollars  a  pair.  He  states  that  the  delightful  song  of  this  bird 
has  no  jiarallel  among  the  North  American  Frivffillida;  and  claims  that  in 
this  respect  it  is  pre-eminently  superior  to  that  of  all  the  other  members  of 
this  family.  As  it  perches  ujion  the  summit  of  a  small  tree,  on  the  telegraph 
wire,  or  upon  a  fence,  its  notes  may  be  heard  throughout  the  day,  in  the 
morning  before  those  of  any  others,  and  late  in  the  evening,  when  all  except 
for  this  irrepressible  songster  is  silence. 

The  song  of  this  species  is  described  as  composed  of  regularly  divided 
parts,  almost  perfect  in  compass,  in  vigor  and  continuity  unsuriuis.sed,  if  not 
une(jualled,  by  any  other  North  American  species.  It  begins  with  a  series 
of  chants,  the  style  reminiling  one  somewhat  of  the  Cyanonpiza  cyanea,  but 
each  .syllable  loud,  rich,  and  clear,  and  uttered  with  a  peculiar  emotional  trill, 
the  whole  seemingly  delivered  in  a  hurried  manner,  in  one  continuous  gush 
of  sprightly  silvery  notes,  each  accompanied  by  a  metallic  tremolo.  As  if 
exhausted,  the  singer  falters,  and  the  notes  become  scarcely  audible,  then 
suddenly  reviving,  as  if  in  great  joy,  the  song  is  resumed  in  all  its  vivacity, 
until  the  bird  at  last  really  appears  to  be  overcome  by  its  efforts. 

Dr.  Coues  met  with  this  s])ecies  in  Arizona  in  the  winter.  He  writes  me 
as  follows :  "  The  most  eastern  point  where  I  observed  this  sp(3cies  was  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  I  saw  a  good  many  in  the  suburbs  of  that  city  in  May,  1865. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  Sparrows  about  Fort  Whipple,  ]mrticularly 
(luring  the  migrations ;  the  majority  pass  northward  in  April  and  May,  but 
many  lireed  in  the  vicinity,  and  some  pass  the  winter  in  sheltered  situations. 
It  is  generally  seen  in  com])anies,  frequenting  the  skirts  of  woods,  the  under- 


KUIX({II,I,II).K  — TIIH  FIXrriKS. 


565 


brusli  alonjr  inouutain  rivulets,  and  similar  situations,  wliere  the  seeds  of 
various  plants  arc  ]ir()ciiral)l(f ;  its  },'eneral  habits  resemble  those  of  the  species 
of  Zoiuilrichiar 

The  nests  were  found  by  Mr.  Riilyway  in  various  situations;  the  lari,'er 
nundier  were  upon  the  ground,  but  several  were  in  trees  varying  in  li(>ight 
from  six  to  twenty  feet  troni  the  ground.  They  were  found  "frf)ni  the  latt(!r 
part  of  May  through  June.  A  nest  olttained  in  Southern  Wisconsin  l)y  Mr. 
Thure  Kumlien  is  very  homogeneous  in  structure,  consisting  entirely  of 
loosely  intertwined  stems  of  dry  grasses,  sedges,  and  cariees.  ft  was  imilt 
on  the  ground,  is  nearly  hat,  and  has  only  a  very  shallow  cavity.  Its  entire 
height  is  less  than  two  inches,  and  the  depth  of  its  depression  not  half  an 
inch.  The  diameter  of  tiie  nest  is  three  and  a  half  inches,  and  that  of  the 
cavity  at  the  rim  three  inches. 

The  maxinuuu  number  of  their  eggs  is  five.  Their  average  measurement 
is  .85  by  .65  of  an  inch.  The  ground-color  is  usually  a  grayish-white, 
rarely  a  light  brown,  marlded  and  streaked  with  waving  lines,  and  a  few  dots' 
of  black  or  a  blackish-brown. 


Genus  ZONOTRICHIA,   Swaixson. 

ZomtrkhUt,  HwAiNsoN,  Fauna  Roi.-Aiii.  II,  1S31.     (Type,  Emhenza  letujophrya.) 

Gen.  Chak.  Body  rather  stout.  Bill  conical,  sli.ditly  notoiied,  soincwliat  coiupn.sse.l. 
excavated  inside;  the  lower  mandible  rather  lower  than  the  upper;  <roiiys  slifrhtly 
convex;  commissuie  neai'ly  straight.  Feet  stout;  tarsus  rather  lonjrer  than  middle'^ to.;"; 
the  lateral  toes  very  nearly  equal.  Hind  toe  lon.irer  than  the  lateral  one.s;  their  claws 
just  reaching  to  base  of  middle  one.  Inner  claw  contained  twice  in  its  toe  proper; 
claws  all  slender  and  consideralily  curved.  Wings  moderate,  not  reaching  to  the  miildle 
of  the  tail,  but  beyond  the  rump;  secondaries  and  tertials  ciiual  and  considerably  less 
than  longest  primaries  ;  second  and 
third  <|nills  longest;  first  about  equal 
to  the  fifth,  nuich  longer  than  tertials. 
Tail  rather  long,  moderately  rounded; 
the  leathers  not  very  broad. 

Back  streaked.  Rump  and  under 
parts  immaculate,  except  in  young. 
Head  black,  or  with  white  streaks, 
entirely  difl'erent  Irom  the  back. 

This  genus  embraces  somt'  of 
the  most  beautiful  of  American 
Sparrows,  all  of  the  Itirgost 
size  in  their  subfamily.  xonuiruiim  i,ucnji/,n/s. 

All  the  species  properly  belonging  to  tiiis  genus  tire  North  American; 
several  South  American  species,  have,  however,  been  assigned  to  it;  but 
they  are  none  of  tlicin  strictly  congeneric  with  those  given  below. 


5(i()  NOirril  AMElilCAN   lUUDS. 

I'oMMON  CliAHACTKiis.  Ffiillicrs  of  iiitoisciipiiliir  rpprioii  liliu;kisli  centrally,  pass- 
iiij?  into  nifoiis-lu-own  and  imIucI  with  pal.T.  llunip  and  iippm-  tail-Vovort.s 
iniii'onii  oliviiCL'ous-asliy  blown.  Two  wiiito  bands  on  the  wings;  the  tertials 
cdfrcil  with  iiilbiis.  lionfiiih  without  stivaks.  Head  above  marked  with  blaok, 
and  generally  with  white.     Cheeks  plumbeons. 

A.    Black  of  the  ciown  divided  by  a  median  light  stripe.     Juguluni  ashy. 
a.  Throat  ashy,  unii'orm  with  the  brciust 

1.  Z.  leucophrys.  Median  stripe  of  the  crown  wliite.  A  black 
stripe  from  behind  the  eye,  and  a  white  superciliary  stripe. 

a.  A  black  stripe  from  the  eye  to  forehead,  across  lore.  I  fab. 
Eastern  Province  of  North  America,  west  throughout  Rocky 
Mountains;  Cape  St.  LucHs  in  winter  vnr.  le  ii  cophrys . 

^.  No  black  streak  in  front  of  eye,  the  lores  being  wholly 
n.shy.  Ilah.  Western  I'lovince  North  America,  t>ast  to  Rocky 
Mountains \M:yambeli. 

2.  Z.  coroiiata.  ^Median  stripe  of  ei-own  yellow  foi'  anterior  and 
ash  lor  posteiior  half.  Black  of  crown  conn'ng  down  to  eye  and 
ear  covert.s,  leaving  no  light  superciliary  stripe.  Ilah.  Pacific 
Province  of  North  America;  accidental  east  of  8icrra  Nevada. 

i).    Throat  pin'e  white,  in  sharp  contrast  with   the  dark  ash  of  cheeks 
and  jugulum. 

3.  Z.  albicoXlis.  Median  stripe  of  crown  white.  A  light  super- 
ciliary strijie,  yellow  antci^ior  to  the  eye,  and  white  behind  it;  a 
black  streak  along  upper  edge  of  car-coverts.  Ilab.  Eastern  Prov- 
ince of  North  America. 

B.   Black  of  the  crown  not  divided,  but  continuou.^;.     Jugulum  white. 

4.  Z.  querula.  Lores,  forepart  of  cheeks,  with  the  chin  and 
throat,  deep  black;  whole  side  of  head  behind  the  eye,  ashy. 
Lower  parts  pure  white;.     Hub.   Missouri  Plains. 


Zonotrichia  leucophrys,  Sw.unson. 

WHITE-CEOWNED  SPABBOW. 

Eiiiberim  Uucophnjx,  Foi;.sti.:ii,  Pliilos.  Trans.  LXII,  1772,  382,  426.  —  Omklik,  Syst  Nat. 
I,  1788,  874.  -  Wir.soN,  Am.  Orii.  IV,  1811,  1!),  pi.  .vx.vi,  f.  4.  Frhuiilln  {Z,molndmi\ 
leuo,,,hr,is,  Sw.  F.  H.  Am.  II,  1831,  25.5.  Znnntrkhia  leucophn/s,  Ilox.  List,  1838  - 
IH.  (V.nsp.  lS.-)0,  478.-1UII!!.,  Birds  N.  Am.  IS.-iS,  4.18,  pi.  Ixi.x,  f.  2.-Coitk.s, 
P.  A.  X.  S.  18(il,  224.  —  M,\vNAi!i>,  Birds  E.  Ma.s.s.  lS7(t,  118.  — Coopkii,  Orn.  Tal.  \, 
19ti.  —  Sa.muki,s,  30i).  FriiKji/lii  /i-iimp/iri/s,  Aun.  Orn.  Biog,  II,  1834,  88-  V  .''.15 
pi.  .•xiv.-lB.  Sy,,.  1830,  121.-1...  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  157,  pi.  c.xcii.  ' > Sptella 
vm.,im„,  BoNAi'.  Comp.  Rond.  1853  (cith.-r  this  or  Z.  gtunbdi).  iniitc-crnvncd 
Sparroii;  ri;xx.\NT. 

Figured  ill  Hiiffox,  Ois.  IV,  192,  pi.  ccxxiii,  f.  2,     Winter. 

Si>.  Char.  Head  aliove,  upper  half  of  loral  region  from  the  bill,  and  a  narrow  line 
through  and  behind  the  eye  to  the  occiput,  black;  a  hmgiludimd  patch  in  the  mid.lle  of 
the  crown,  and  a  short  line  from  above  the  anterior  corn.'r  of  the  eve,  the  two  confluent 
on  the  occiput,  wliite.  Si.les  of  the  head,  forepart  of  breast,  and  lower  neck  all  round, 
pale  ash,  lightest  beneath,  and  shading  insensibly  into  the  whiti.sh  of  the  belly  and  chin  \ 
sides  of  belly  and  under  tiiil-cov.'rls  tinged  with  yellowish-brown.  Inter.scapular  region 
streaked  broadly  with  dark  eliestnut-brownish.  Edges  of  the  tertiaries  brownish-chestnut. 
Two  white  bauds  on  the  wing. 


l>'UlN(ilLI-ll).l<;  — TIIK  I'lNCIlKS. 


o()7 


Ziinnlrir/iiil  fmrnplinjs. 


/^ffHi((/e  siiiiiliir.  liiit  siimllcr ;  iiiiinainic  liinls  in  liivt  winter-,  \\  itii  llic  lilack  aiici  wliilr 
stripi'-i  on  the  umwn  rcpliici'il  liy  ilMi'k  (•licslniil-liiown  iiml  luiiwnisli-ycllow.  I,t'nf;tli, 
7.10  inches;  winij:,  .'>.-■'>.  Ynuiiij  o/' /Ac //«(;•  tliiei<ly  slreaived  willi  (lnsl<y  (in  tlio  lireast. 
Tiie  tateiiil  slrijies  of  llie  ciown  dull  lirown,  tin-  nu'ilian  one  stiviikeil  wliilisji. 

II.vi).      United  Slates  I'loni   the  Atlanlie  to  iho  Rocky  Mountains,  wlieie  they   Ipeeonie 
associati'd    with    Z.   i/itinhch'.     Capo    St.   Lucas; 
(Jrc.'enland  (ItKiNil.MtDT,  This,  III,  7).     Breed  in 
VValisatch  Mountains  (IJiuoway). 

Tlio  wliitc  of  tlio  crown  scjiai'atos  two 
Jiliick  stripes  on  either  sidt;,  nit  her  niir- 
rowtir  tlum  itself.  The  black  line  Itehiiitl 
llie  eye  is  coiitinuetl  anterior  to  it  into  tiio 
lilaek  at  tlie  base  of  the  bill.  The  lower 
eyelid  is  white.  There  are  some  ol>sciirc 
cltjudinj^s  of  darker  on  the  neck  above. 
The  rump  is  immaculate.  No  white  on 
tlie  tail,  except  very  obscure  tips.  The 
white  on  the  winifs  crosses  the  ends  of  the  midille  and  ,nreater  coverts. 

The  character  distinguishing  the  western  representative  {Z.  (jumbcli)  of 
leucophri/s  is  ap})iirently  \'ery  trilling,  Imt  is  very  constant. 

Habits.  The  White-crowned  S])arro\v  is  found  I'rom  tlie  liocky  Moun- 
tains eastwixrd  to  the  Atlantic,  tind  in  till  the  intervening  territory,  from  the 
Southern  States  to  the  Arctic  region.s.  In  the  high  meadows  of  the 
Wahsatch  Mountains,  Mr.  IJidgway  found  this  bird  very  abundant,  and  one 
very  characteristic,  breeding  there  (juite  as  numerously  as  any  other  s[)eides. 
In  all  that  region  Mr.  Itidgway  did  not  meet  witii  ii  single  individual  of  ^. 
(jnmhdi,  its  western  representative.  At  the  encamjtment  at  i'iirley"s  I'ark 
these  birds  soon  became  on  very  familiar  terms  with  the  ptirty.  'i'hey  were 
very  sociable,  and  paid  fretpient  visits  to  the  cook's  tent,  and  jiicked  up,  with- 
out the  slightest  signs  of  feai",  the  crumbs  from  the  ground.  Their  sweet 
morning  carol  was,  he  stiites,  delightful  to  the  ear,  and  they  were  lield  in 
great  favor  by  all.  A  nest  of  these  birds  was  found  on  the  ground,  tit  Parley's 
Park,  June  2(3.  It  was  built  in  a  bunch  of  Gii-nuunn.  Specimens  of  this 
species  were  obtained,  iu  winter,  tit  Ctipe  St.  Lucas,  Lower  California,  by  Mr. 
Xantus. 

Although  iin  eastern  species,  ptissing,  in  its  migrations,  tlirough  the  South- 
ern Atlantic  States  to  Labrador  in  the  si)ring  and  returning  in  tiie  ftdl,  it  is 
a  rare  species  in  all  New  Piiigland.  Mr.  Doardman  .says  that  it  is  not  com- 
mon in  Eastern  Mtiine,  anil  ^Ir.  Verrill  that  it  is  rare  in  the  western  part  of 
thiit  State.  In  Eastern  Ma.ssiichusetts  it  is  very  rare.  Mr.  Maynard  men- 
tions obtaining  a  single  specimen,  May  27,  and  regards  it  as  ([uite  a  rare 
migrant.  I  have  never  met  with  the  bird  near  Poston,  and  do  not  believe 
that  it  is  found  there,  except  singly  iind  rarely.  In  the  western  ])iU't  of  tiie 
State,  though  less  rtirc,  it  is  very  far  from  being  connnon.  It  is  found  there 
in  the  spring,  from  the  20th  to  the  3Uth  of  May,  and  in  October  from  the  1st 


r,(;y  Noinri  amkiucan  birds. 

to  tlio  intli.  Mr.  Alien  met  witli  it  fioiii  May  7  to  .Tniie  (1,  in  18(11,  when 
tlioso  birds  were  moro  coninion  tliiin  usual.  At  this  period,  further  \ve.st,  in 
Ohio,  Western  Pennsylvivnia,  and  New  York,  these  hird.s  are  very  abundant. 
From  April  10  to  the  latter  portion  ol'  May,  in  1852,  they  were  abundant  in 
the  nei},diborhood  of  Washinytou,  the  ('a])itol  <irountls  Ijeinj,'  full  of  them. 
They  were  familiar  and  feark's.s,  aiul  seemed  to  deligiit  to  search  for  food 
under  the  large  Norway  spruces,  branching  down  to  the  groinid.  Their 
abundance  that  si)ring  may  have  lieen  exceptional,  as  Wilson  apj)ears  to  have 
met  with  but  very  i'aw  si)eciinens. 

Mr.  Aiulubon  fVmntl  these  Spairows  very  al)undaut  in  Labrador,  where 
they  were  apparently  late  in  breeding.  Tt  was  not  until  the  0th  of  .luly  that 
he  found  one  of  their  nests.  This  was  placed  among  the  moss  at  the  foot  of 
a  low  fir.  It  was  made  externally  of  dry  hypnum  mosses,  matted  in  Inuiches 
like  the  coarse  hair  of  some  (|uadrui)ed,  and  internally  of  fine  dry  grasses, 
arranged  with  great  neatness,  to  the  tiiickness  of  half  an  inch,  with  a  full 
lining  of  the  delicate  yellow  fibrous  roots  of  the  Coptin  frtfu/ia.  The  nest 
was  five  inches  in  its  external  diameter,  and  two  in  depth,  the  cavity  two  and 
a  quarter  wide  and  one  and  three  (quarters  deep.  The  eggs,  five  in  nimiber, 
he  describes  as  of  a  light  sea-green  color,  mottled  towards  the  larger  end 
with  brownish  spots  and  blotches,  a  few  spots  of  a  lighter  tint  being  dis- 
persed over  the  whole.  All  the  nests  found  were  placed  on  the  ground  or 
among  the  moss,  and  all  were  alike  in  their  construction.  I5y  the  beginnii  g 
of  August  the  party  met  with  young  that  were  able  to  tiy.  l?y  the  mitldle 
of  that  month  tliey  had  commenced  their  southern  migrations. 

Dr.  Coues  also  found  this  Sparrow  breeding  in  great  lunnbers  along  the 
entire  coast  of  Labrador.  Fouiul  in  all  situations,  it  seemed  to  be  particu- 
larly fond  (jf  dee]),  thickly  wooded,  and  secluded  ravines,  surrounded  by  high 
precipitous  cliffs,  and,  when  in  more  open  districts,  confining  itself  to  tan- 
gled patches  of  juni[)er  and  scrubby  firs.  He  descril)es  it  as  a  very  active 
and  .sprightly  liird,  almost  continually  in  motion.  It  sehlom  alights  without 
rapidly  jerking  and  flirting  its  tail,  and  uttering  its  loud  chirpings.  While 
the  female  is  incubating,  the  male  usually  mounts  to  the  top  of  the  cliff  or  a 
neigldioring  tree,  and  repeats  his  loud  and  not  unpleasing,  though  somewhat 
monotonous,  notes  for  the  space  of  half  an  hour  or  more.  He  describes  its 
song  as  very  similar  to  that  of  the  White-throated  Sparrow,  consisting  of 
two  long-drawn  syllables  with  a  rising  intonation,  then  three  more  in  a  quick, 
hurried  manner,  with  a  falling  cadence,  —  pee-dee-de-de-de ;  the  whole  is 
delivered  in  a  mellow  whistle.  If  approached  while  thus  engaged,  the  per- 
former l)ecomes  instantly  silent,  and  dives  hastily  into  the  nearest  cover. 
The  nest  was  always  placed  on  the  ground,  and  usually  in  little  patches  of 
low  heath,  abundant  wherever  the  ground  was  dry.  He  found  a  nest  on  the 
23d  of  July,  containing  young  just  hatched.  The  female  flutters  off  in 
silence  when  her  nest  is  disturbed,  but  the  male  bird  vociferates  his  angry 
remonstrance,  flirting  his  tail  aiul  jerking  his  body  in  an  energetic  manner. 


FRINGILLID.E  — THE  FINCHES.  569 

The  food  of  this  bird,  in  Liibnidor,  wus  I'ouiid  to  consist  of  small  coleop- 
terous insucts,  grass-seeds,  a  variety  of  berries,  as  well  as  minute  shell-fish, 
for  which  they  searched  the  margins  of  ponds  near  tlie  sea-shore.  They 
"vere  also  seen  to  pursue  insects  on  tlie  wing.  Mr.  Audubon  .speaks  of  its 
song  as  consisting  of  six  or  .seven  notes,  and  describes  it  as  loud,  clear,  and 
musical,  although  of  a  plaintive  nature,  diminisliiiii;  in  power  to  the  last  note. 
Its  flight  he  describes  as  low,  swift,  and  protracted. 

Dr.  (Joues  did  not  find  this  bird  abundant  in  South  Carolina  during  the 
winter,  and  conjectures  that  it  does  not  go  so  far  to  the  south.  Its  migrations 
do  not  appear  to  be  well  defined,  and  nowhere  is  it  known  to  be  abundant 
during  this  season.  Lieutenant  Couch  met  with  it  at  IJrownville,  Texas,  and 
Tamaulipes,  Mexico,  and  at  t^harco  Escondido,  in  March,  at  whicli  time  tliey 
were  in  fl()cks,  indicating  a  more  southern  migration  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed. 

It  extends  its  northern  migrations  to  the  extreme  northern  and  northeast- 
ern portions  of  the  continent,  and  also  to  Greenland.  On  tlie  Yukon  and 
Anderson  Rivers  it  is  n'placed  by  the  Z.  (jarnhdi.  It  is  not  abundant  in 
Greenland,  llolbiill  obtained  a  single  .specimen  only  in  August,  and  after- 
wards met  with  a  Hock  of  young-  birds..  He  infers  that  they  breed  in  the 
interior,  but  are  restricted  to  a  very  narrow  strip  of  territory. 

Eggs  of  this  species,  from  Wyoming  Territory,  measure  from  .HO  to  .05  of 
an  inch  in  length  by  .70  in  breadth,  and  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape.  The 
ground-color  is  a  light  greenish-white,  thickly  marked  with  reddish-brown 
and  lighter  markings  of  an  obscure  purplish-brown.  The  intensity,  depth  of 
coloring,  and  size  of  the  darker  brown  markings,  vary.  They  are  princi- 
pally disposed  about  the  larger  end. 

Zonotrichia  leucophrys  var.  gambeli,  Gambel. 

WESTEBir  WHITB-CROWHED  SFABROW. 

Fringilla  gnmbeli,  Nurr.  Man.  I,  (2(1  cil.,)  1840,  556.  —  G.v.MnF.L,  I'r.  A.  N.  St'.  Pliila.  I, 
1843,  262  (Cnliforiiiii.)  Zoiiulrichiti  ijnmbeh',  Ovmbki.,  ,I.  A.  N.  Sc.  2(1  scrips,  I,  Dec. 
1847,  50.  —  Baikd,  Binls  N.  Am.  1838,  460,  pi.  l.xix,  f.  1.  —  Loud,  Pr.  R.  A.  lust. 
IV,  1864,  119  (British  ColmiiWii).  — Cooi'F.K  &  SucKi.RV,  201.  —  D.vll  &  Ba.nni.stek, 
Tr.  Cli.  Ac.  I,  1869,  284  (Alaska). -—Cooi-Eli,  Orii.  Cal.  1,  195.  Zonotrichia  leu- 
cophn/s,  Nkwueuuy,  Zoiil.  Cal.  &  Or.  Route  ;  Rep.  P.  R.  R.  VII,  iv,  1857,  87. 

Sp.  Char.  Precisely  similur  to  Z.  leiirophrys,  but  rather  smaller ;  the  lores  are  pjray 
throughout,  this  color  continuous  with  a  white  superciliary  stripe  along  the  side  of  the 
head.    Lenpth,  6.25 ;  wing,  2.83 ;  tail,  3.08. 

Had.  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific  coast,  north  to  Nulato  and  Fort  Kenai,  east 
tlirough  the  valley  of  the  Mackenzie  River,  and  south  to  Jalisco  and  Afazatlan.  Mexico. 

As  stated  in  the  previous  article,  the  only  appreciable  and  constant  differ- 
ence between  this  race  and  Z.  Jevcophrys  is  found  in  the  character  of  the 
black  stripe  on  the  side  of  the  crown.     In  leucophrys  the  black  passes  down 
72 


570  NORTH  A.MEUICAN  BIIIDS. 

over  the  upijer  liiilf  of  the  l(jres,  mid  in  front  of  tlie  oyo,  to  a  line  continuous 
with  tlie  cutting  ed<»e  of  the  bill,  iind  sends  back  a  slioit  lirancli  to  the  eye, 
which  cuts  oft'  the  white  superciliary  stripe.  In  fjamhili  the  superciliary 
stripe  passes  continuously  forward  to  the  asliy  lores,  cutting  oil'  tlui  black  I'  m 
the  eye.  The  lower  edge  of  the  black  anteriorly  is  much  higher  than  in 
Icucophri/ii,  and  nearly  on  a  line  with  the  nostrils. 

We  cannot  give  any  positive  character  by  which  immature  specimens  of 
leucophr>/.i  and  (jumhcli  may  be  distinguished,  unless  that  tlie  short  dark  line 
from  forehead  to  eye  of  the  former  is  indicated  by  a  greater  amount  of  dusky 
at  the  base  of  the  feathers  of  that  region. 

The  young  of  this  species,  like  that  of  lniivjiJir//s,  is  streaked  with  black- 
ish on  side  of  the  throat,  across  the  breast,  and  on  the  sides  of  body,  instead 
of  being  entirely  unmarked  beneath,  as  in  the  adult. 

One  specimen,  collected  in  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  connects  this 
form  with  leucophri/s,  and  may  possibly  be  a  hybrid.  In  tiiis  tliere  is  a 
black  spot  in  front  of  the  eye,  but  sej)arated  from  the  black  of  the  crown  by 
the  usual  light  superciliary  stripe  ol'  f/(imhcli. 

Some  specimens  from  the  coast  region  of  California  have  the  ash  of  head 
and  breast  duller,  and  with  a  brownish  cast,  and  the  spots  on  the  back  black 
instead  of  deep  dark  brown. 

Hadits.  Tiie  Western  White-crowned  Sparrow  is  found  in  great  abun- 
dance, from  Mexico  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  between  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
the  Pacific.  Dr.  Suckley  found  this  bird  very  abundant  at  Fort  Dalles 
and  at  I'uget  Souiit'  at  both  of  which  jikces  it  is  a  c(uistant  summer  resi- 
dent. It  was  i.lways  found  in  excellent  condition.  He  states  that  it  makes 
its  nest  in  low  bushes,  among  the  stalks  of  lupins  and  other  shrub-like 
weeds.  Dr.  Cooper  also  mentions  that  this  bird  is  very  abundant  in  all  the 
prairie  districts  of  Washington  Territory,  especially  where  there  are  low 
bushes.  Unlike  most  of  the  Sparrows,  it  was  also  common  on  the  coast 
prairies,  where  he  found  it  breeding.  They  arrive  at  tlie  Straits  of  Fuca  at 
the  end  of  March  in  large  numbers,  and  leave  for  the  Soutli  in  October.  He 
afterwards  found  them  at  Fort  Mohave,  in  the  Colorado  Valley,  quite  com- 
mon throughout  tiie  winter,  some  remaining  until  the  IStli  of  May,  but  he 
does  not  think  that  any  remain  there  to  liived.  They  are  also  abundant,  in 
winter,  from  San  Francisco  south,  through  all  the  inhabitable  country.  In 
summer  they  are  found  in  the  Sierra  Nevada,  to  their  summits,  and  are  also 
plentiful  in  the  regions  north  of  the  Columbia.  A  few  remain,  during  the 
summer,  in  the  cool  district  about  San  Francisco.  In  June,  1804,  Dr.  Cooper 
met  witli  its  nest  near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.  It  was  built  in  a  bush, 
about  a  foot  from  the  ground,  formed  of  neatly  interwoven  grasses,  and 
lined  with  softer  materials.  He  describes  its  song  as  loud,  but  short  and 
melancholy,  heard  at  intervals  during  the  whole  year,  and  frequently  at 
night. 

The  Western  White-crowned  Sparrow  was  first  met  with  by  Mr.  Kidgway, 


FRINr.TM.ID.K  — TIIK  FINCIIEa.  571 

at  the  Summit  i^ItfiKlow.s,  near  the  summit  of  Douner  Lake  Pass  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  at  an  altitude  of  aliout  seven  thousand  feet.  It  was  there  an  abun- 
dant and  ( liaraileiistii;  liirtl.  Tiie  males  were  in  full  son«{  in  all  ])arts  of  the 
meadow,  and  were  nestinj,'  in  such  numl)ers  that  on  the  evenint;  of  .July  9, 
on  halting  for  the  night,  in  a  hurried  search  no  less  than  twenty-seven  of 
their  eggs  were  obtained  within  about  fifteen  minutes.  In  every  instanco 
the  nests  were  endnidded  under  a  speeies  of  dwarf-willow,  with  which  the 
ground  was  covered.  The  birds  were  extremely  misuspicious,  the  male  often 
sitting  on  a  bush  witiiin  a  few  feet  of  the  collector,  aiul  chanting  merrily  as 
the  eggs  were  being  Ijlown.  In  one  instance,  having  occasion  to  rei)ass  a  spot 
from  which  a  nest  had  been  taken,  the  female  was  found  sitting  in  the  cavity 
from  which  its  nest  had  been  removed.  Tiiis  species  is  only  a  winter  visitant 
of  the  lower  country,  but  is  there  universally  distributed,  and  always  found 
in  bushy  localities. 

Mr.  IJannister  states  that  this  bird  was  tolerably  abuiulant  among  the 
alder-bushes  in  certain  parts  of  St.  iMichael's  Island.  Mr.  Dall  found  it 
common  at  Nulato,  and  es])ecially  so  at  Fort  Yukon.  It  arrived  at  Niilato 
about  May  2U.  Its  nests  and  eggs  were  obtained  from  Indians  at  Nowika- 
kat,  on  the  Yukon  IJiver.  Dr.  Kennerly  met  with  these  birds,  in  February, 
at  White  ( 'liif  Creek,  New  Mexico.  They  were  first  observed  on  ajjproach- 
ing  the  liig  Sandy,  and  from  thence  to  the  Colorado  they  were  I'ouiul  in  abun- 
dance. They  were  mostly  in  tlocks,  and  were  generally  found  among  the 
bushes,  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  He  also  met  with  it  in  the  valley  of  the 
liio  ( Irande,  Corralitos,  and  Janos  Kivers.  It  .seemed  to  prefer  the  vicinity 
of  settlements,  where  it  was  always  seen  in  greater  numbers  than  else- 
where. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  these  birds  common  about  San  Antonio,  Texas,  during 
the  winter,  arriving  late  in  September.  Some  may  remain  and  breed,  as  sev- 
eral were  observed  there  in  June.  Dr.  Coues  also  found  them  abundant  in 
Arizona,  where  he  first  observed  them  September  15.  After  this  they  became 
exceedingly  numerous,  and  remained  so  until  January.  Later  than  this  only 
a  few  stragglers  were  seen,  until  April,  when  they  again  became  abundant. 
By  far  the  greater  part  left,  and  i)roceeded  north  to  breed. 

These  Sparrows  were  found  l»reeding  on  the  Yukon  and  at  Fort  Anderson 
in  great  numbers  by  Messrs.  MacFarlane,  Lockhart,  and  Ross.  Their  nests 
were  in  nearly  all  ca.ses  fcniud  upon  the  ground,  often  in  tufts  of  grass, 
clumps  of  Labrador  tea,  or  other  low  bushes.  Tiiey  were  composed  of  hay, 
and,  in  nearly  every  instance,  were  lined  with  deer's  hair,  and  in  a  few  with 
feathers.  A  few  were  without  any  lining.  In  selecting  a  situation  for  their 
nests,  they  seemed  generally  to  give  the  preference  to  open  or  thinly  wooded 
tracts.  The  male  bird  was  usually  seen,  or  its  note  heard,  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  nest.  The  eggs  were  obtained  from  the  4th  of  June  to  the 
1st  of  July.     Their  maximum  number  was  six  ;  the  most  common,  four. 

Mr.  B.  II.  Eoss  states  that  this  species  arrives  at  the  Arctic  Circle  from 


572  NORTH  AMKIUCAN  UIllDS. 

about  the  15th  to  tlio  2()tli  of  Aliiy,  and  at  Slave  Ijiko  only  a  few  days 
earlier.  They  are  then  no  longer  in  fhxiks,  Imt  have  already  paireil.  They 
commence  nesting  almost  innnodiately  upon  their  arrival  at  the  Yukon  and 
at  Fort  (lood  lIo})e.  Mr.  Jtos.s  I'ound  ne.sts  made  as  early  as  May  20  to  25, 
wliilo  there  was  still  considerable  snow  ujton  tiie  ground.  They  mostly  nest, 
however,  in  the  fust  hall"  of  June,  the  young  usually  hatching  between  the 
15th  and  .'}()th,  and  leaving  the  nests  when  less  than  a  month  old.  They  all 
leave  tlie  Arctic  t'ircle  about  the  middle  of  Sejitendjer.  A  few  were  seen 
at  Fort  Simpson  in  tlie  lattei'  part  of  that  month.  When  starting,  they 
gather  in  small  (locks.  The  nest  is  built  on  high  ground,  among  low, 
open  bushes,  always  at  the  foot  of  some  shrub  or  bush,  and  more  or  less 
protected  and  concealed  by  grass.  It  is  never  placed  in  the  edges  of 
nmrshes,  like  Meluniiiza  linco/ni;  nor  on  small  prairies,  like  iliG  Fa xscr cuius 
savanna ;  nor  in  thick  woods,  as  does  sometimes  the  Z.  ulbicollis.  The  nest 
is  neatly  built,  is  more  compact  and  of  tiner  materials  than  that  of  the 
latter.  It  is  large  and  deep,  formed  externally  of  coarse  grass,  and  lined 
with  finer  materials. 

When  started  from  her  nest,  the  female  flies  off  a  few  yards  and  flutters 
silently  along  the  ground  to  divert  attention.  If  unsuccessful,  she  flies 
about  her  nest  uttering  sharj),  harsh  notes  of  anxiety.  The  male  is  less 
bold  on  such  occasions.  Their  favorite  habitat  is  light  open  bushes,  atl'ect- 
ing  neither  open  plains  nor  deej)  woods  and  never  perching  so  high  as 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  usually,  in  all  their  movements,  keeping 
close  to  the  earth. 

Its  food,  so  far  as  could  be  observed,  consisted  almost  wholly  of  seeds, 
sought  mostly  on  tlie  ground.     It  hatches  only  a  single  brood  in  a  year. 

Mr.  13.  11.  lioss  adds  that  this  is  the  most  abundant  Sparrow  throughout 
the  Mackenzie  liiver  region,  and  also  the  most  interesting.  Through  the 
spring  and  summer  its  melodious  song,  which  strongly  calls  to  mind  the 
first  notes  of  the  old  air,  "  O  Dear !  what  can  the  Matter  be  ? "  may  be 
heard  from  every  thicket,  both  night  and  day.  When  sleeping  in  the 
woods,  Mr.  lioss  states  that  he  has  often  been  awakened  by  several  of 
tiiese  birds  singing  near  him,  answering  each  other,  throughout  the  short 
night,  Avhen  all  the  other  birds  were  silent.  On  this  account,  but  for  the 
richness  and  melody  of  its  song  the  bird  would  have  made  itself  quite 
disagreeable. 

The  Cree  Indians  name  this  Sparrow  Wnh-si-pis-chan,  because  they  think 
this  resembles  'ts  notes,  the  last  of  which  are  supposed  to  imitate  the  sound 
of  running  water.  It  sings  long  after  the  breeding-season  is  past,  and  its 
notes  may  be  heai'd  even  into  August. 

The  eggs  measure  .85  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .65  in  breadth,  and  have  a 
ground  of  a  greenish-white  marked  with  a  rusty-brown.  They  are  of  a 
rounded-oval  shape. 


FUliSUlLLID.K  — THE  FINCilKS.  573 

Zonotriohia  coronata,  Baird. 

OOLOEH-CROWNED  BPAHBOW. 

Embcrha  coroiiiild,  Pai.i.as,  Ziiilg,  Kosso- AHiiit.  II,  1811,  14,  plain.  Zumt  rich  inc.,  nAiiii>, 
IlinlH  N.  Am.  IS.IS,  4iil.  —  IIkkum  X,  S,  48  (nr,st).  -  Cdcii'KU  k  SrcKi.KV,  aol. — 
D.vi.i.  &  llANXiNTKii,  Tr.  t'h.  Ac.  I,  ISiiii,  284  (Aliwkii).  -  ('c(i>n;ii,  Oin.  Cal.  I,  1U7. 
KiiilieriM  iilricii/iil/ii,  Alli.  Orii.  ItioK.  V,  18;!i»,  47,  pi.  I'c^c.xciv  (nut  of  (Imi.I.IN).  Fiiii- 
ijilla  atriciipilld,  Aiii.  Syinipsis,  isau,  122.  —  li..  Hirds  .Viii.  Ill,  1841,  lii2,  (il.  cxriii. 
FriiKjillii  iiurmii/iillii,  Nri'lAI.!.,  Man.  1,  (2il.  I'll.,)  1S4(I,  .l.'ir).  Xniiiilriiliiii  inirnfapilln, 
Hon.  t'oiiap.  185(t,  478.  Nr.wiiKiiKV,  Zoiil.  ('ill.  Jt  Or.  Ituiitf,  Hi'i).  I'.  IJ.  K.  VI,  iv. 
1857,  88.  Emherizii  atriai/iilld,  C<.\t.  I,  1788,  87')  (in  pnrt  only).  —  Latii.  Ind.  415. 
Mdck-aiiwnal  BiiiiHiiij,  I'i:nxaxt,  Arc.  Zuol.  II,  a64.  —  Lath.  II,  l,  202,  49,  tab.  Iv. 

Sp.  Ciiau.  Hood,  froiii  Mil  to  iippci  part  ol'  nape,  piiro  Mack,  liic  iniildli'  lon^.'itudiiial 
third  ouciipied  liy  yellow  on  llio  niitiMior  liall,  ami  palu  ash  on  the  po.sli'iior.  Sidtw  and 
under  parts  of  head  and  nouk,  with  nppcr  part  of  hrca.*!,  n«h-color,  piis.finf,'  inscn.sibly  into 
whiti.sh  on  the  middle;  of  tho  body;  sidus  nml  under  tail-roverls  tinj^i'd  with  browni.sh. 
A  yellowish  spot  above  the  uyc,  bounded  anteriorly  by  ii  short  blaek  line  from  the  eye  to 
the  black  of  the  li)relu;ad.  Thi.s  yellow  spot,  however,  rediieed  to  n  lew  leathers  in 
spring  dres.s.  Inter.seapular  rej^'ion,  with  the  feathers,  streaked  with  dark  brown,  suffused 
with  dark  rufous  e.xternally.  Two  narrow  white  bands  on  the  wings.  Bill  dusky  above, 
paler  beneath ;  legs  tlesh-color. 

Autunmul  specimens  have  more  or  less  of  the  wliole  top  of  head  greenish-yellow  ;  the 
feathers  somewhat  spotted  with  dusky  ;  the  black  stripe  of  the  hood  reduced  to  a  narrow 
superciliary  line,  or  else  to  a  spot  anterior  to  the  eye.  Length  about  7  inches ;  wing, 
3.30. 

Had.  Pacific  coast  from  Ru.ssian  America  to  Southern  California;  West  Humboldt 
Mountains,  Nev.    Black  Hills  of  Rocky  Mountains  ? 

Habits.  This  species,  describctl  and  floured  by  Mr.  Audubon  as  the  Frin- 
gilla  atricapilla,  is  i'ouiid  in  western  North  America,  from  Alaska  to  South- 
ern California  and  Cape  St.  Lucas,  and  is  almost  entirely  confined  to  the 
Pacific  Province,  being  known  east  ol"  the  Cascade  Alountitins  and  Sierra 
Nevada  only  as  stragglers.  In  its  general  habits  it  is  said  to  greatly  rescnil)le 
the  Z.  (jumbdi.  In  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Dalles,  and  also  in  the  neighboriiood 
of  Fort  Steilacoom,  Dr.  Suckley  found  it  quite  abundant  in  the  summer. 

Dr.  Coojier  says  that  it  is  only  a  straggler  in  the  forest  regions  west  of  the 
Cascade  Mountains,  but  that  it  probably  migrates  more  abundantly  to  the 
open  plains  eastward  of  them.  He  met  with  thorn  but  once  near  Puget 
Sound,  May  10,  when  they  were  apparently  migrating.  1  )r.  Cooper  found  a 
few  of  this  species  wintering  as  far  south  as  San  Diego,  associating  with  Z. 
gamhelL  They  were  much  less  familiar,  did  not  come  about  the  houses,  but 
kept  among  the  dense  thickets.  They  were  then  silent,  nor  has  he  ever 
heard  them  utter  any  song.  He  met  with  none  near  the  summit  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada. 

Dr.  Newberry  found  these  birds  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  San  Francisco 
in  winter. 

Mr.  NuttaU  met  with  the  young  birds  of  this  species  on  the  central  table- 


^>j^  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

lauds  of  tlie  Rocky  Mountains,  in  tlie  prairies.  They  were  running  on  the 
oround.  He  lieard  no  note  Ironi  them.  He  alterwurds  saw  a  few  stragfijlers, 
in  tlie  early  part  of  winter,  in  the  thickets  of  the?  forests  of  the  ( •olumbia 
River,  near  Fort  Vancouver.  He  also  met  witli  them,  in  the  winter  and 
until  late  in  the  sprinj,',  in  the  woods  and  thickets  of  California. 

Dr.  Heennann  found  this  species  very  abumUiut  in  the  fall  season,  gener- 
ally associated  witli  tlie  California  Song  Sjjarrow  and  the  Z.  gamhcU.  It 
resorts  to  the  deep  shady  thickets  and  woods,  where  it  ])asses  the  greater  part 
of  its  time.  In  the  moimtainous  districts  it  prefers  the  hillsides,  covered 
with  dense  undergrowtli.  It  occasionally  breeds  in  California,  as  Dr.  Heer- 
mann  I'ound  its  nest  in  a  l)ush  near  Sacram(>nto  City.  It  was  composed  of 
coarse  stalks  of  weeds,  and  lined  internally  with  fine  roots.  The  eggs  were 
four  in  nundjer,  and  are  described  as  Iiaving  been  of  an  ashy-white  ground, 
with  markings  of  brown  uud)er,  at  times  appearing  almost  black  from  the 
dei)th  of  their  shade.     Tiiey  were  marked  also  with  a  few  spots  of  a  neutral 

Lint. 

Many  of  these  biids  were  obtained  in  Sitka  and  in  Kodiak,  by  Rischoff, 
and  also  in  British  C)oUunbia  l)y  Elliot. 

Only  one  specimen  of  this  species  was  met  with  by  Mr.  Ridgway  in  his 
explorations  with  ^Ir.  Clarence  King's  survey.  This  was  taken  October  7, 
1807,  in  the  West  Humboldt  Mountains,  in  company  with  a  Hock  of  Z. 
yamhcli. 

Zonotrichia  albicollis,  Konap. 

WHXTE-THBOATED   SFASBOW. 

Friii'jilla  albicollis,  G.mki,in,  .Syst.  X.il.  I,  1788.  92ti.  —  WiLoON,  .Vin.  Orn.  HI,  1811,  51, 

1)1.   x.;ii,   !'.  2. Licili'.    Vciz.    Doubl.    Xo.    247  (1823).      Zuiwtrichin  ulhicoUis,    Br. 

Coiis|).  1850,  478. —  ('ATI.  Mils,  llciii.  1851,  i;!2.  -  li.\iiti>,  ninls  N.  Am.  1858,  4«3. 
—  Sa.muels,  311.  I'lissi-r  pniiittiihmiticus,  IJitissoN,  17<)0,  Appendix,  77.  Friiujilla 
pennHjilmiiicit,  Lath.  Iiidi-x,  1.  1790,  445.  —  Aui).  Orn.  Biog.  I,  1831,  42;  V,  497, 
pi.  viii.  —  111.  Syn.  1839,  121.  —  In.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  153,  pi.  cxci.  —Max.  Uak 
Jour.  VI,  1858,  27ti.  Frinijilla  (ZomlriMii)  peumyhnuiai,  Sw.  F.  B.  Am.  II,  1831, 
250.     Zoiwtrivhia  peaiisylvaniLii,  BoN.  List,  1838.  . 

Sr.  CiiAii.  Two  black  strijies  on  the  crown,  .separated  l)y  a  median  one  of  white,  A 
broad  superciliary  stripe  from  the  Ijase  of  the  mandible  to  the  occinut,  yellow  as  far  as  the 
middle  of  the  eye  and  white  behind  this.  A  broad  black  .streak  on  the  side  of  the  head 
from  behind  the  eye.  Chin  white,  abrnptly  dcjfmcd  anfainst  the  dark  ash  of  the  sides  of 
the  head  and  upper  part  of  the  breast,  fading  into  white  on  the  belly,  and  margined  by  a 
narrow  black  maxillary  line.  Edge  of  wing  and  axillaries  yellow.  Back  and  edges  of 
secondaries  rafon.s-browii,  the  former  streaked  with  dark  In-own.  Two  narrow  white 
bands  across  the  wing-coverUs.  Length,  7  inches;  \v'ing,  3.10;  tail,  3.20.  Young  of  the 
year  not  in  the  collection. 

IIaii.  Eastern  Province  of  North  America  to  th<;  Missouri.  Breeding  in  most  ol'  the 
northern  United  States  and  British  Provinces,  and  wintering  in  tiie  I'liited  States  almost  to 
their  .-southern  limit  Aberdineshirc,  England,  August  17,  18(!7  (Zoologist,  Feb.,  1809, 
1547 ;  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  52).    Scotland  (Xkwton,  Pr.  Zo61.  Soc.  1870,  52). 


Kin Xr.ILLID.'K  —  THE  FIN(.'II KS.  57 r, 

"Female  sinallcr,  and  the  colors  ratlier  duller.  Tiiiinature  and  winter 
specimens  have  the  white  cliin-i)atch  less  aliruptly  defined,  the  white 
niarkinjj;s  on  tlie  top  and  sides  of  tlie  head  tinj,'ed  witli  hrown.  Some 
specimens,  apjjarently  mature,  show  ijuite  distinct  streaks  on  the  breast  and 
sides  of  tliroat  and  hody. 

IIauits.  The  Wiiite-throated  S])arrow  is,  at  certain  seasons,  an  abundant 
bird  in  all  parts  of  North  America,  from  tiie  (!reat  Plains  to  the  ^Ulantic, 
and  from  Georgia  to  tiie  extreme  Arctic  regions.  A  few  breed  in  favorable 
situations  in  ^fassachusetts,  esj>ecially  in  the  extreme  northwestern  part  of 
the  State.  It  breeds  abundantly  in  Vermont,  New  ]Iami)shire,  and  Maine, 
and  in  all  the  r>riti.sli  Provinces. 

Sir  John  liichardson  states  that  they  reach  the  Saskatchewan  in  the  mid- 
dle of  j\Iay,  and  spread  throu.uhout  tlie  fur  countries,  as  far,  at  least,  as  the 
Odtli  parallel,  to  l)reed.  He  states  that  he  .saw  a  female  sittiu},'  on  seven 
eggs  near  the  Cumberland  House,  as  early  as  June  4.  Tlie  nest  was  placed 
under  a  fallen  tree,  was  made  of  grass,  lined  with  deer's  hair  and  a  few 
feathers.  Anothei,  found  at  CJreat  JJear's  Lake,  was  lined  with  the  si'tw  of 
the  Bn/itin  nfitjiuosuiii.  He  describes  tlie  eggs  as  of  a  pale  mountain-green, 
thickly  marbled  with  reddish-brown.  When  the  I'emale  was  disturbed,  she 
ran  silently  off  in  a  crouching  manner,  like  a  Lark.  He  descril)es  the  note 
of  tiiis  bird  as  a  clear  song  of  two  or  three  notes,  uttered  very  distinctly,  but 
without  variety,  —  a  very  incomplete  description. 

Mr.  Kennicott  states  that  this  species  does  not  extend  its  migrations  as 
far  to  the  north  as  Z.  (jdmbfli,  and  is  even  much  less  numerous  on  the  south 
shores  of  the  Slave  Lake,  wliere  he  did  not  observe  half  so  many  of  this  as 
of  the  other.  It  also  nests  later,  as  he  found  the  first  nest  1  bserved  on  the 
22d  of  June,  with  the  eggs  (juite  fresh,  incubation  not  having  commenced, 
and  found  others  after  that  ilate.  On  English  Ifiver  he  found  two  nests  with 
eggs  on  the  Dtli  and  17th  of  July,  and  one  near  tlie  Cumbeilaiul  House  011 
the  30th  of  June.  Two  of  these  were  in  low  swamjiy  ground  among  huge 
trees,  the  other  on  high  ground  among  small  bushes.  They  were  constructed 
on  large  bases  of  moss,  and  lined  with  soft  grasses.  When  startled  i'rom 
her  nest,  the  female  always  cnipt  silently  away  through  the  grass. 

He  met  with  this  species  in  considerable  flocks,  accomiianiud  by  small 
numbers  of  Z.  leiicophrjjH,  on  the  north  shore  of  Ijike  Superior, on  the  11th  of 
May.  He  .saw  individuals  on  the  I'Uth  of  May,  near  the  Lake  of  the  Woods, 
and  it  doulitless  breeds  as  far  south  as  that  region.  In  the  fall  it  was  not 
seen  at  Fort  Simpson  later  than  the  last  of  September.  As  it  is  a  much 
more  eastern  bird  than  ^.  r/timhcli,  it  is  probably  in  greater  abundance  on  the 
eastern  end  of  Slave  Lake.  Its  song  he  regards  as  by  no  means  so  attractive 
as  that  of  Z.  ijtnnlwli  or  of  Z.  /rucojiliri/n.  Its  geneial  habits  are  very  much 
like  those  of  the  former,  and  though  by  no  means  a  strictly  terrestrial  bird, 
it  rarely  perches  high  on  trees,  and  generally  Hies  near  the  ground,  except 
in  its  long  migratory  flights. 


576  NORTH  A  lERTCAN  BIRDS. 

Xotwithstandinp;  the  slighting  manner  in  which  the  song  of  tliis  bird  is 
spoken  of  by  some  writers,  in  certain  parts  of  the  country  its  clear,  pro- 
longed, and  peculiar  wliistle  has  given  to  it  quite  a  local  fame  and  popular- 
ity. Among  tlie  White  Mountains,  where  it  breeds  abundantly,  it  is  known 
as  the  Peabody  Bird,  and  its  remarkably  clear  whistle  resounds  in  all  their 
glens  and  secluded  recesses.  Its  song  consists  of  twelve  distinct  notes,  which 
are  not  unfre(|uently  interpreted  into  various  ludicrous  tmvesties.  As  this 
song  is  repeated  with  no  \  ariations,  and  quite  frequently  from  early  morning 
until  late  in  the  evening,  it  soon  becomes  quite  monotonous. 

Among  the  White  Mountains  I  have  repeatedly  found  its  nests.  They 
were  always  on  the  ground,  usually  sheltered  by  surrounding  grass,  and  at 
the  foot  of  bushes  or  a  tree,  or  in  the  woods  under  a  fallen  log.  In  that 
region  it  retained  all  its  wild,  shy  habits,  rarely  being  found  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  dwellings  or  in  cultivated  grounds.  Hut  at  Halifax  this  was 
not  so.  There  1  found  them  breeding  in  gardens,  on  the  edge  of  the  city, 
and  in  close  proximity  to  houses,  apparently  not  more  shy  than  the  common 
Song  Sparrow. 

Wilson  stiites  that  these  birds  winter  in  most  of  the  States  south  of  New 
England,  and  he  Ibund  them  particulai'ly  numerous  near  the  Koanoke  River, 
collecting  in  flocks  on  the  borders  of  swampy  thickets,  among  long  rank 
weeds,  the  seeds  of  which  formed  their  principal  food.  He  gives  the  20th 
of  April  as  the  date  of  their  disappearance,  but  I  have  observed  them  lin- 
gering in  the  Capitol  grounds  in  Washington  several  weeks  after  that  date. 
They  pass  through  Eastern  Massachusetts  from  the  1  Uth  to  the  20th  of  May, 
and  repass  early  in  October.  A  few  stragglers  sometimes  appear  at  earlier 
dates,  but  irregularly.  In  Western  Maine,  where  it  is  quite  common,  Pro- 
fessor A'errill  states  that  it  sometimes  arrives  by  the  middle  of  April.  Near 
Springfield,  ]Mass.,  Mr.  Allen  noted  their  ajjpearance  between  the  last  of  April 
and  the  20th  of  May ;  in  fall,  from  the  last  of  September  through  October. 
Their  favorite  haunts  are  moist  thickets.  The  young  males  do  not  acquire 
their  full  plumage  until  the  second  spring,  but  sing  and  breed  in  the  plu- 
mage of  the  females,  as  Mr.  Allen  ascertained  by  dissection.  Mr.  Fildreth 
observed  a  pair  near  Springfield  during  three  successive  summers,  and  al- 
though he  could  not  find  the  nest,  he  saw  them  feeding  their  scarcely  fledged 
young  birds. 

At  Columbia,  S.  C,  Dr.  Coues  found  these  Spairov,-;,  very  abundant,  from 
October  through  April.  They  sing,  more  or  less,  all  winter,  and  during  the 
last  few  weeks  of  their  stay  are  quite  nuisical.  Many  hundreds  pass  the 
months  of  March  and  April  in  the  gardens  of  that  city,  though  during  the 
winter  they  were  mostly  to  be  found  in  thickets  and  fields,  in  company  with 
many  other  species. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  bird  was  killed  in  Aberdeenshire,  August  17, 
1867,  and  a  second  was  lately  captured  alive  neai-  Brighton  (P.  Z.  S.,  June 
4,  1872). 


FRINOlLLIDyE-TlIE  I'INCHES.  51717 

Arr.  Audubon  says  tliat  this  l.ird  visits  Louisiana  and  all  the  Southern 
districts  m  M-.nter,  remaining  li-oni  November  to  March,  in  great  numbers 
iJiey  lorm  gr...,.s  of  from  tliirty  to  fifty,  and  ^ive  together  in  great  harmony 
feeding  upon  small  seeds.  At  this  time  they  are  plump  to  exce«s,  and  are 
regarded  as  a  gi-eat  delicacy. 

When  kept  in  confinement  these  binls  become  quite  tame,  and  in  the 
spring  will  sing  at  all  hours  of  the  day  or  niglit. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  usually,  if  not  always,  on  the  ground,  but  in 
various  situations,  as  I  have  found  them  on  a*hillside,  in  the  mi.lst  of  low 
underbrush,  in  a  swampy  thicket,  at  the  foot  of  some  large  tree  in  a  garden 
as  at  Halifax,  by  the  edge  of  a  small  pond,  or  in  a  hollow  and  decayin.^ 
stump,  llieir  nest  is  large,  deep,  and  capacious,  with  a  base  of  moss  or 
coarse  glasses,  woven  with  finer  stems  above  and  lined  with  hair,  a  few 
feathers,  hne  rootlets  of  plants  or  soft  grasses.  The  eggs  varv  from  four 
to  seven  111  number.  Thoir  ground-color  is  of  a  pale  green  or"  a  greenish- 
white  marked  over  tl,e  entire  egg  with  a  fox-colored  or  rusty  brown  Ooca- 
siona  ly  these  markings  are  sparsely  scattered,  permitting  the  ground  to  be 
plainly  visible,  but  generally  they  are  so  very  abundant  as  to  cover  the  entire 
egg  so  closely  as  to  conceal  all  other  shade,  aqd  give  to  the  whole  a  deep 
uniform  rufous-brown  hue,  through  which  the  under  color  of  light  green  is 
hardly  distinguishable.     They  measure  .90  by  .08  of  an  inch. 

Zonotrichia  querula,  Oambel. 

HARBIS'S  8PAEHOW ;  BLACK-HOODED  8PAKR0W. 

Prinjillu  quernla,   NvrrA..,,,   Man.    I.   (..1  o,l.,)  1840,   .-i.'",.';  (Westport,   Mo.).      Zo„oMchia 
guemlu    GA^inKL,  J.  A.  N.  So.   2.1  So,-.   1,   1847,  51.  -  Honap.  Consp.  1850.  478.- 
Ba.ud,  Hn■,ls^.  Am.  1858,  462.-Am.kn,  An,.,-.  .Naturalist,  May,  1872.     FnnffiHa 
han-,v   Avi,.  n„,Ls  An,.  VII,  1843,  331,  pi.  ..o,-..|.xxxiv.     Fn;u,itl<'  amata,  P,t.  Max 
lie.se  II,  1841.  -  I„.  Cab.  ,lo>..-.  VI,  1858,  279.     ZonoMchia  corn,,/,,,  B,..  Consp.  1850 

Sp.  Char.  Hood  and  iiapc,  .si.Ie.s  of  head  ant.^rio,-  to  and  inolmlin-  the  eye.  chin 
throat,  and  a  few  spots  in  the  n.i.Idle  ,.r  the  npper  ,.a,-t  of  the  l.r  ,st'  and  on  its  side.,' 
black.  Snles  of  head  and  neck  ash-gray,  with  the  face  of  a  na.Tow  orescent  l.ack  of  the 
ear-eovert,s.  Interscapular  region  of  back  with  the  feathers  reddish-brown  streaked  with 
dark  brown.  Breast  and  belly  clear  white.  Sides  of  body  light  brownish  streaked 
Two  narrow  white  bands  aero.ss  the  g,-eater  and  .ni-ldle  coverts.  Lengt::  about  7  inches  • 
wnif,  3.40 ;  tail,  3.05.  ' ' 

Ha...     Mi,ssou.-i  Rive.-,  above  Fort  Leavenwo.-th.     ChilliTothe,  Mo.  (Hoy).     Very  coni- 
mou  in  Eastern  Kansas  (Allkn).    San  Anto..io  Texas,  spring  (Dhesskk,  Ibis,  1865,  488). 

The  bill  of  this  species  appears  to  be  yellowish-red.  More  immature 
specimens  vary  in  having  the  black  of  the  head  abox-e  more  restricted,  the 
nape  and  sides  of  the  head  to  the  bill  pale  reddish-brown,  lighter  on  the  latter 
region.  Others  have  the  feathers  of  the  anterior  iwrtion  of  the  hood  edged 
with  whitish.  In  all  there  is  generally  a  trace  of  black  anterior  to  the  eve 
73 


578 


NOimi  AMWIiKJAN  lUKDA 


This  species  has  a  considerably  larger  bill  tliaii  Z.  lenvophrjis,  the  mandible 
csiiccially. 

Hahits.  This  species  was  first  described  in  1840,  by  Mr.  Nuttall,  from 
specimens  obtained  liy  him  near  Independence,  Mo.,  near  tlie  close  of  the 
month  of  April.  He  again  mot  with  them  on  tlie  following  oth  of  May, 
wlien  not  far  from  the  banks  of  the  Little  Vermilion  Kiver,  a  brancli  of  the 
Kansas.  He  found  them  frequenting  tiiickets,  and  uttering,  cliieHy  in  tlie 
early  morning,  but  also  occasionally  at  other  parts  of  the  day,  a  long,  drawling, 
faint,  solemn,  and  monotonous  succession  of  notes,  re.semliling  te-de-de-de. 

Since  tlien  but  little  additional  information  lias  been  obtained  in  regard  to 
their  general  habits,  their  geographical  distriljution,  or  their  mode  of  breeding, 
single  specimens  only  having  been  taken  at  considerable  intervals  in  tlie 
valley  of  the  Missouri  and  elsewhere  until  1872.  Two  specimens  were  se- 
cured by  Mr.  Dresser,  near  San  Antonio,  in  Western  Texas,  occurring  on  the 
Medina  River  during  their  spring  migrations.  More  lecently  this  bird  was 
taken  twice  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Parker,  in  Jasper  County,  Iowa.  The  latest  of 
these  was  secured  jNIay  19. 

Professor  F.  H.  Snow,  in  his  List  of  Kansas  Birds,  published  April,  1872, 
enumerates  this  s])ecies  as  a  bird  frequently  taken  in  Kansas  in  the  winter, 
and  probably  resident ;  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  (American  Naturalist,  May, 
1872)  states  that  Harris's  Finch  was,  next  to  the  Cardinal,  the  most  abundant 
species  of  the  family  of  Sparrows  and  Finches  in  the  vicinity  of  Leaven- 
worth, as  it  was  also  one  of  the  largest  and  handsomest.  He  found  it  almost 
exclusively  frequenting  the  damper  parts  of  the  woods,  associating  with  the 
White-throated  Sjtarrow,  much  resembling  it  both  in  habits  and  in  song. 
Nothing  has  so  far  been  published  respecting  the  nest  and  egg.s. 


Genus   JTJNCO,    Wag  leu. 

Junto,  Waolkh,  Isis,  1831.     (Type,  Frimjilla  cincmi,  Sw.) 
NiphoM,  ArouDUN,  Syii.  1839.     (Type,  Emberiza  hycmnlin,  0.\i.) 

(!i;n.  Char.     Bill  .small,  oonical ;  culiiieu  curvud  at  tlie  tip  ;  th<'  lower  jaw  (piite  as  high 

lis  till'  iipiHT.  Tarsus  longer  than  the 
middle  tue ;  outer  toe  longer  than  the 
inner,  l>arely  rcaehing  to  the  hase  of  the 
middle  claw  ;  hind  toe  reaching  as  Tar  as 
the  middle  of  the  latter;  extended  toes 
reaching  al)ont  to  the  micldlo  of  the  tail. 
Wings  rather  .short;  reaching  over  the 
basal  fourth  of  the  exposed  surfiiec  of 
the  tail;  primaries,  however,  considera- 
bly longer  than  the  secondaries  and  ter- 
tial.s,  which  are  nearly  equal.  The  second 
<iuill  longest,  the  third  to  fifth  succes,sive- 
ly  but  little  shorter  ;   first  longer  than 


32.111  3 


Jimco  ongimus 

.sixth,  much  exceeding  secondaries.     Tail  moderate,  a  little  .shorter  than  the  wings ;  slightly 


FRINGILLID.E-TirK  FINCHES.  g.-,j 

cinarginate  and  rounded.  Foathers  ratlicr  nunow ;  „\al  al  tl..;  end.  xVo  streaks  on  the- 
head  or  body;  color  above  unilbrm  on  the  head,  baek,  or  r.nnp,  separately  or  on  all  to- 
gether.    Belly  white ;  outer  tail-feathers  white.     Youn-  birds  streaked  above  and  below. 

The  essential  clmracters  of  this  jrenus  are  tiio  middhi  toe  rather  shorter 
than  the  sliort  tarsus  ;  tlie  lateral  toes  slijvlitly  unequal,  tlie  outer  reacliinu 
the  base  of  the  middle  claw  ;  the  tail  a  little  shorter  than  tlie  wings,  slinjitly 
eniarginate.  In  Junco  cincrcus  the  claws  are  longer;  the  lower  inandiWe  a 
little  lower  than  the  upper. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

CoMMOM  CiiAUACTKRs.     Prevailing  eolor  iilnnibeoMs ;   aluiomen.  crissnni,  and 
lateral  tail-feathers  white. 

A.  Bill  entirely  light  flesli-colored,  dusky  only  at  extienie  point.  Color  of 
jugulum  (deep  ash  or  plumbeous-blaek)  al)ruptly  defined  against  the  pure 
white  of  the  abdomen. 

a.  Posterior  outline  of  the  dark  color  of  the  jiigidurn  convex  ;  sides 
pinkish. 

1.  J.  oregonus.  Back  and  wings  more  or  less  ting.-d  with  dark 
rusty,  in  sliari)  contra.'^t  with  the  black  ( ^)  or  iisii  (9)  of  the  head 
and  neck.  Hab.  Pacific  Province  of  Nortii  Anieiica,  from  Sitka 
southward ;  east  across  the  Middle  Province  of  United  States,  to 
the  Rocky  ^[ountains  (where  mixed  with  J.  canicrp.s^)  occa^ioiuilly 
to  the  Plains  (where  mixed  with  J.  hi/einalin'). 

b.  Posterior  outline  of  the  dark  (-olor  of  the  juguliiiii  concave ;  sides  ashy. 

2.  J.  byemalis.     Back  and  wings  without  rusty  tinge. 

Wing  without  any  white;  three  outer  tail-leathers  only, 
marked  with  white.  Bill,  .Ji I  and  .2");  wing,  3.10  ;  tail, '2.80; 
tarsu.s,  .80.  ^«6.  Eastern  Province  North  America.  Straggling 
west  to  Arizona  (Coincs)  ;  in  tlie  northern  Rocky  Mountains" 
miKQA  w\ih  J.  Oregon HS vnr.  h  i/'em  a  lis  . 

Wing  with  two  white  bands  (on  tips  of  middle  and  greater 
coverts);  four  outer  tail-leathers  marked  with  white.  Bill,  .50 
and  ..'iO;  wing,  ;!.40;  tail,  3.20.  Hab.  High  moimtains  of 
Colorado  (El  Paso  Co.,   AiKKJj)         ....         \iii:  a  i  hen  i . 

3.  J.  caniceps.  Back  (interscapulars)  rufous:  seapidars  and  wings 
uniform  ashy.  Ilab.  Central  Rocky  Mountains  of  United  States. 
(Along  southern  botnidary  mixed  with  J.  cinei-eun.') 

1  Hybrid  between  oreffonus  and  ainicqw,  =  " anncclcns,"  liAiitn,  Geol.  Surv  Cid  f)rii  I 
p.  564.  ■         '     ' 

Cll.vii.  Pinkish  sides  and  convex  outline  to  ash  of  l)rpast,  as  in  nrc/jmiiis;  with  the  liriglit 
rufous  baek  and  lushy  head,  with  black  lor.'s  of  ctmieeps ;  a  tendency  in  the  rufous  of  ba(!k"to 
tinge  the  wings,  as  in  oregonus.  Ilnh.  Southern  Hoeky  Alouutuins.  (Fort  Whippl.',  Arizona, 
Coi'KS  ;  Fort  Bridger,  Wyoming,  Duexi,i:r  ;  Fort  Murgwyn,  Jlountains  of  Colorado,  Aikex.) 

"  Hybrid  between  h;/em(ilis  and  oregonus, 

CiiAn.  Plumbeous  baek  of  hi/emnli.s,  witli  pinkish  sides  of  orcgnnus ;  or  else  reddish  hack  of 
oregonus  and  plumbeous  sides  of  hgeimilis,  or  colors  mixed  both  above  and  bolow.  Huh.  Snn 
River,  Dakota  ;  MeKenzie  Hiver  District  ?  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona  ;  and  Fort  Ihidger,  Wyoming. 

'  Hybrid  between  caniceps  and  eincreiLi,  =  "  dorsulis,"  Hr.Niiv,  Pr.  Phil.  Ac.  18.58,  117; 
Hauii),  Hirds  N.  Am.  1858,  4()7. 

C!hak.  Rufous  restricted  to  interscapular  region,  as  in  the  former,  with  black  upper  mandible, 
and  palo  ash  throat  of  the  latter.     Hab.   Fort  Thoni,  New  Mexico. 


580  NORTH  AMElllCAN  BIRDS, 

B.  Bill  with  the  upper  mandible  black,  the  lower  yollnw.    Ash  of  the 
juguluin  fading  gradually  into  tiie  grayish-wliite  of  the  abdomen. 

4.  J.  oinereuB.     Whole  back,  w'apnlars,  wing-coverts,  and  tortiala 
rufous. 

Tlu'oat  and  juguluin  pale  ash  ;  back  bright  rufous.  Wing, 
3.10;  tail,  3.00;  bill,  .3-1  and  .25;  tarsus,  .80.  Hah.  Table- 
lands an<l  mountains  ol' Mexico.        .        .         .  var.  c  t  H  erews.' 

Throat  and  jugulum  deep  ash ;  back  dull,  or  olivaceous- 
rufous.  Wing,  3.15;  tail,  3.10;  bill,  .44  and  .34;  tarsus,  .90. 
Hub,   High  mountains  of  (ruateniala.        .        .        .     var.  alticola.* 


Junco  hyemalis,  Si;later, 

SNOWBntO. 

Fringilla  hyemalis,  Linn.  .Syst.  Nat.  I,  (lOtli  uil.,)  1758,  183  (not  of  Omelin  or  Latham). 

—  AuD.  Orn.  Biog.  I,  1831,  72  ;  V,  .'505,  iil.  xiii.  —  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  VI,  1858,  277. 
Fringilla  (ispiza)  hyfmulis,  lioN.  Syn.  1828,  lOi).  Emberiza  hyemalis,  LiNN.  Syst. 
Nat.  I,  176t),  308.  Strulhus  hiicmalis,  Bon.  List,  1838.  —  In.  Consp.  1850,  475. 
Nipheea  hyemalis,  AuD.  Syiioi>.si.s,  1839,  106.  —  1b.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  88,  pi.  clxvii. 
Juneo  hyemulin,  Sclateu,  Pr.  Zoiil.  Soc.  1857,  7.  —  Baird,   Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  468. 

—  COUE.S,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1861,  224.  —  DALL&  Bannlstek,  Tr.  Ch.  Ac.  I,  1869,  284.— 
SAMtiEi..s,  314.  Fringilla  hiidsonia,  FoitsTEU,  Philos.  Trans.  LXII,  1772,  428.  — 
Gmei.in,  1,  1788,  926. —Wilson's  Index,  VI,  1812,  p.  xiii.  Fringilla  nivalis, 
Wii.suN,   II,  1810,   129,  pi.  xvi,  f.  6. 

Sp.  CiiAU.  Everywlieic  of  a  grayish  or  dark  ashy-blaok,  deepest  anteriorly ;  the  mid- 
dle of  the  breast  behind  and  of  tiie  belly,  the  under  tail-coverts,  and  first  and  second 
external  tail-feathers,  white ;  the  third  tail-feather  white,  margined  with  black.  Length, 
G.25 ;  wing,  about  3.  Female  paler.  In  winter  washed  with  brownish.  Young  streaked 
above  and  below. 

Had.  Eastern  L^nited  States  to  the  Missoui'i,  and  as  far  west  as  Black  Hills.  Stragglers 
at  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona,  and  mountains  of  Colorado. 

The  wing  is  rounded ;  the  .second  quill  longest ;  the  third,  fourth,  and 
(ifth,  successively,  a  little  shorter;  the  first  longer  than  the  sixth.  Tail 
slightly  rounded,  and  a  little  emargiuate.     Tn  the  full  spring  dress  there  is 

'  Junco  cinereiis,  Cauanis,  Mexican  Snowbird.  Fringilla  cincrea,  Svv.  Syn.  Birds  Mex.  in 
Phil.  Mag.  I,  1827,  435.  Junco  cinereits,  CAnANis,  Mus.  Hoin.  1850,  134.  —  Bahid,  Birds 
N.  Am.  1858,  465.  "Fringilla  rufidorais,  Licnr.,"  Bonai'autr  ;  probably  a  catalogue  name. 
Junco  phoMmlus,  Waglek,  Isis,  1831,  526.--- Bonap.  Coniptes  Rendus,  XXXVII,  518. 

Sr.  CliAli.  Ash-color  above  ;  with  a  broad  ipuidrate  interscapular  patch  of  rufous-chestnut, 
this  extending  over  the  wing-coverts  and  inner  secondaries.  Beneath  paler  ash,  lighter  in 
middle  region  below,  but  without  distinct  lino  of  demarcation.  Lores  and  anterior  region  of  eye 
dusky  ;  in  decided  contrast.  Outer  three  tail-feathers  white,  but  dusky  at  base  and  on  outer  web 
at  end  ;  the  amount  increasing  internally.  Upper  bill  entirely  black  ;  lower  yellow.  Length, 
3.40;  height  of  bill,  .25;  culmen,  .46.     Hah.    Table-lands  of  Mexico. 

^  Junco  allicola,  Salvin,  Guatemalan  Snowbird.  Junco  alticola,  Sai.vin,  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  189 
(Higldands,  Guatemala).  —  In.  Ibis,  1866,  193. 

Sp.  (.'har.  Similar  to./,  cincreu.%  but  darker  than  Mexican  species,  with  less  contrast  between 
tile  rufous  of  l)aek  and  the  ash  of  head.  Tail  with  less  white.  Bill  much  larger  :  height,  .34  ; 
culmen,  .56.     /f<i.h.    Highlands  of  (tualeniala.  . 


PRINGILLID.B  — THE  FINCHES.  581 

no  trace  of  any  sect)nd  color  on  the  back,  except  an  exceedingly  faint  and 
scivrcely  api)ieciable  wash  of  dnll  brownish  over  the  whole  upper  parts. 
Tlie  markings  of  the  third  tail-feather  vary 

somewhat  in  specimens.      Sometimes  the  ,^  JJ^- 

whole  tip  is  margined  with  brown;  some-  -^:.  J^^^^^-' 

times  the  white  extends  to  tlie  end  ;  some-  ^-  Jjd^^^^^^' 

times  both  webs  are  margined  with  brown  ;        >.,^-  -        .^^^^^I^V    " 
sometimes  the    outer  is   white   entirely ;       ^'NiS^I^^^^^^^/ 
sometimes  the  brownisli  wash  on  the  back  ii^B^^HP^^ 

is  more  distinct.  ^R^B^^I^m 

Some  specimens  (No.  i>2,7(>2  and  52,701,     -^^m^-^^^^^^^ms^ 
males)  from  Sun  River,  Dakota,  appear  to   'Mj^  ~   r^-^-'^'-r^^'BtT- 
be  hybrids  with  ortY/owMs.     They  have  the  '"-z=  Jt/ 

general  appearance  of  hyemalis,  the  back  P  ' 

being  nearly  uniform  with  the  head  (with  •^"""'  <"•'«<""" 

a  wasli  of  sepia-brown,  however),  and  tlie  head  and  neck  of  the  same  dark 
plumbeous  ;  the  sides,  however,  are  pinkish,  and  the  plumbeous  on  the 
jugulum  has  its  posterior  outline  "convex,  as  in  orcffomis.  If,  as  there  is 
every  rea.son  to  believe,  these  specimens  are  really  liybrids,  then  we  have  tlie 
two  extreme  forms  of  the  genus  connected  by  specimens  of  sudi  a  condi- 
tion ;  thus,  hyemalis  with  orcgonua,  onyonns  with  caniceps  (=(tHncdc)is, 
Baird),  and  caniceps  with  cinereus  (=  dorsalis,  Henry).  It  may  perhaps  be 
considered  a  serious  question  whether  all  (including  alticola)  are  not,  in 
reality,  geographical  races  of  one  species.  lIowe\er,  as  there  is  no  possi- 
bility of  ever  proving  this,  it  may  be  best  to  consider  them  as  representative 
species,  and  tli  se  specimens  of  intermediate  charactei-s  as  hybrids. 

Habits.  The  common  familiar  Snowbird  of  tiie  Eastern  States  is  found 
throughout  all  North  America,  east  of  the  P»lack  Hills,  from  Texas  to  the 
Arctic  regions.  Wherever  found,  it  is  at  certain  seasons  a  very  abundant 
and  an  equally  familiar  bird. 

It  nests  as  far  south,  in  mountainous  regions,  as  Virginia,  and  thence  to 
New  York  and  the  northern  parts  of  the  New  England  States,  breeding  only 
in  the  highlands,  but  descending  more  and  more  into  tlie  plains  as  we  pro- 
ceed north.  As  it  is  a  very  hardy  bird,  its  migmtions  are  irregular  and 
uncertain.  In  some  seasons  I  have  observed  but  few  at  irregular  intervals ; 
and  in  others,  in  which  the  spring  was  cold  and  backward,  I  have  met  with 
them  in  every  month  except  July  and  August. 

Mr.  Kennicott  found  but  few  birds  of  this  species  breeding  as  far  south  as 
Fort  Kesolution  or  Slave  Lake,  and  was  unable  to  find  any  of  their  nests, 
though  he  met  with  a  few  birds  that  were  evidently  breeding  there.  He 
found  it  afterwards  nesting  in  the  greatest  abundance  aliout  latitude  05°. 
They  were  very  numerous  on  the  Yukon,  and  Mr.  MacFarlane  found  them 
breeding  plentifully  on  the  Anderson  TJivcr,  at  the  edge  of  the  barren-ground 
reiiion. 


582  NORTH  AMERICAN  RIRI)8. 

Tlie  nests  found  \>y  Air.  Kcnnicott  were  all  on  the  ground,  more  or  loss 
concealed  in  tufts  of  grass,  dry  leaves,  or  jn-ojecting  roots.  Some  were  in 
tliick  woods,  others  in  more  oi)en  regions,  and  were  lined  with  moose-hair. 

Mr.  lioss  states  that  this  species  fretiiunts  all  the  Mackenzie  Iviver  region 
in  summer,  arriving  alwut  the  20th  of  April,  and  leaving  ahout  the  10th  of 
Octol)er.     Besides  its  call-note,  or  chirp,  it  has  a  very  i)retty  song. 

Mr.  Dall  also  nemarks  that  tliey  were  (juite  connnon  at  Nulato  in  the 
spring,  not  arriving  there,  however,  until  ahout  the  first  of  .hine. 

According  to  Mr.  Dresser,  it  is  found  occasionally  abinit  San  Antonio 
in  winter,  and  Dr.  Woodhouse  says  tliat  it  is  also  common  in  the  Indian 
Territory  in  fall  and  winter.  According  to  Mr.  Audubon,  it  makes  its 
appearance  in  Louisiana  in  November,  and  remains  there  until  early  spring. 
It  is  also  abundant  in  South  Carolina,  arriving  there  in  October  and  leaving 
in  April. 

Tliis  species  was  observed  by  Mr.  Aiken  in  Colorado  Territory  for  about 
three  weeks  following  March  20,  after  which  they  were  seen  no  more. 

It  breeds  more  or  less  abundantly  in  the  northern  and  eastern  portions  of 
Maine.  About  Calais  and  in  all  the  islands  of  the  15ay  of  Fundy,  and 
throughout  New  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia,  I  found  this  by  i'ar  the  most 
connnon  and  familiar  species,  especially  at  Pictou,  where  it  abounded  in 
the  gardens,  in  repeated  instances  coming  within  the  outbuildings  to  build 
its  nests.  In  a  woodslied  connected  with  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Dawson,  my 
attention  was  called  to  the  nests  of  several  of  these  birds,  built  within  reach 
of  tlie  hand,  and  in  places  where  tiie  family  were  passing  and  repassing 
throughout  the  day.  In  I'ictou  they  were  generally  called  tlie  Bluebird  l)y 
the  connnon  people.  On  my  ride  from  Ilalii'ax  to  Pictou,  I  also  found  these 
birds  breeding  by  the  roadside,  often  under  the  shelter  of  a  projecting  bank, 
in  the  manner  of  the  Passaxulus  savanna.  I  afterward  found  them  nesting 
in  similar  situations  among  the  White  Mountains,  tlie  roadsides  seeming  to 
be  a  favorite  situation.  In  habits  and  notes,  at  Pictou,  they  reminded  me 
of  the  connnon  SinzcUa  socialis,  but  were,  if  anything,  more  fearless  and 
confiding,  coming  into  the  room  where  the  family  were  at  their  meals,  and 
only  flyiiig  away  when  they  had  seciu-ed  a  crumb  of  sutHcient  size. 

In  Western  Massachusetts  they  breed  in  all  parts  of  the  mnge  of  Oreen 
Mountains,  from  Blandford  to  North  Adams.  They  appear  about  Spring- 
field in  October  and  November,  and  are  for  a  while  abundant,  and  are  then 
gone  until  March,  when  they  return  in  full  song,  and  remain  numerous  into 
April,  and  less  common  until  into  May.  In  tlie  eastern  part  of  the  State 
they  are  found  from  October  to  late  in  May,  with  some  irregularity  and  in 
varying  numbers.  Mr.  Audubon  did  not  meet  with  any  on  the  coast  of 
Labrador,  and  Dr.  Coues  did  not  find  them  so  abundant  as  he  expected,  and 
did  not  observe  any  until  the  latter  part  of  July,  at  which  time  the  young 
were  already  hatched,  and  they  were  associated  in  small  companies.  They 
kept  entirely  in  the  thick  woods,  and  seemed  rather  timid. 


FRINGILLID/K  — TIIK  FINCHES.  583 

Tlieir  food  is  small  borrioa,  seeds  of  fjmsses  and  small  plants,  insects, 
and  larviu.  Tlioy  seek  tlio  latter  on  tlic  gronnd,  and  in  tlie  winter  are  said 
to  frecinent  tlui  i)onltry-yards,  and  avail  themselves  of  the  services  of  the 
fowls  in  turninjf  n])  the  earth.  On  tiie  ground  they  liop  al)nut  in  a  peeuliai 
manner,  a])i)arently  without  movinj,'  tlieir  feet.  At  nigiit  and  during  storms 
they  shelter  tliemselves  in  tiie  thielv  branches  of  evergreens,  and  also  in 
stacks  of  hay  and  piles  of  brushwood. 

During  the  winter  the  Snowliird  appears  to  hi)  rather  more  numerous  in 
the  Middle  and  Soutliern  States  than  in  New  England.  In  the  former  tlicy 
ai)pear  late  in  October,  at  first  on  the  borders  of  woods,  searching  for  food 
among  tiie  fallen  atul  decaying  leaves.  Later  in  the  season,  as  the  weather 
becomes  colder,  and  tlie  snow  deprives  them  of  this  means  of  i'eeding, 
they  resort  to  the  roadsides  and  feed  on  the  seeds  of  the  taller  weeds, 
and  to  tlie  farm-houses  and  farm-yards,  and  even  enter  within  the  limits  of 
large  cities,  where  they  liecome  very  tame  and  familiar.  They  are  much 
exposed  to  attacks  from  several  kinds  of  Hawks,  and  the  ai)parent  timidity 
they  evince  at  certain  times  and  places  is  due  to  their  ai)prehensions  of 
this  danger.  The  sudden  rustle  of  the  wings  of  a  harmless  fowl  will  cause 
the  whole  Hock  to  take  at  once  to  flight,  returning  as  soon  as  their  aliirm  is 
found  to  be  needless,  but  repeated  again  and  again  when  the  same  dreaded 
sounds  are  heard. 

Neither  Wilson,  Nuttall,  nor  Audulion  appear  to  have  ever  met  with  the 
nests  or  eggs  of  Am  bird,  though  the  flrst  met  with  tliem  breeding  both 
among  the  Alleghanies,  in  Virginia,  and  the  highlands  of  rennsylvania  and 
New  York.  In  Otsego  County,  in  the  latter  State,  Mr.  Edward  Ajipleton 
was  the  first  to  discover  and  identify  their  nest  and  eggs,  as  cited  by  Mr. 
Ainlubon  in  the  third  volume  of  his  Birds  of  America.  Tliey  were  found 
in  considerable  numbers  in  the  town  of  Otsego.  Their  nests  were  on 
the  ground  in  sheltered  positions,  some  of  them  with  covered  entrances. 
Their  complement  of  eggs  was  four.  One  of  their  nests  was  sent  me,  and 
was  characteristic  of  all  I  have  since  seen,  having  an  external  diameter  of 
four  and  a  half  inches  and  a  depth  of  two.  The  cavity  was  dec])  and  capa- 
cious for  the  bird.  The  base  and  periphery  of  the  nest  were  made  of  slender 
strips  of  bark,  coarse  straws,  fine  roots,  and  horsehair,  lined  with  fine  mosses 
and  the  fur  of  smaller  animals.  The  eggs  were  of  a  rounded-oval  shape ; 
their  ground-color  is  a  creamy  yellowish-white,  marked  with  spots  and 
blotches  of  a  reddish-brown  confluent  around  the  larger  portion  of  the  egg, 
but  rarely  covering  either  end.  They  measure  .75  by  .GO  of  an  inch,  not 
varying  in  size  from  those  of  J.  oregoiius. 


584  NOR'I'Jl  AMKIUCAN   IJIRDH. 

Junco  hyemalis,  vur.  aikeni,  ItiDowAV. 

WHITE-WINOED  SNOWBIRD. 

Sp.  Char.  Gonorally  siniilnr  to  J.  hijemuUs,  Init  ooiisiderably  Inrjjor,  with  moro  robust 
bill;  two  wliito  bunds  on  tlu,'  winfj,  iinil  liirco,  instt'iul  of  two,  outiT  tiiil-fuiitlicis  iintin^ly 
white.  No.  (il,;U12  (J,  El  Pnso  Co.,  Coloiwlo,  Dwumber  11,  1871,  C.  E.  Aikon  :  lloiul, 
neck,  jiifjiihnii,  and  entire  upper  parts  elear  ash  ;  the  back  with  a  bluish  tin<,'e;  the  lores, 
quills,  and  tail-feathers  darker;  middle  and  secondary  wiuf^-coverts  rallier  broadly  tipped 
with  white,  fonninf?  two  conspicuous  bands.  Lower  part  of  the  breast,  abdomen,  and 
crissmn  pure  white,  the  anterior  outline  af,'ainst  the  ash  of  the  juguhnn  convex ;  sides 
tinged  with  ash.  Three  lateral  tail-feathers  entirely  white,  the  third,  however,  with  a 
narrow  streak  of  dusky  on  the  terminal  third  of  the  outer  web;  the  next  feather  mostly 
plumbeous,  with  the  l)ivsal  fourth  of  the  outer  web,  and  the;  terminal  half  of  the  inner,  along 
the  shaft,  white.     Wing,  3.40  ;  tail,  3.20  ;  cuhnen,  .50 ;  depth  of  bill  at  base,  .30  ;  tarsus,  .80. 

Hab.     El  Paso  County,  Colorado. 

At  first  si<,flit,  this  l)ir(l  appeare  to  be  a  very  (li.stinct  species,  being  larger 
tliaii  any  otlier  Nortli  American  form,  and  possessing  in  the  wliite  bands  on 
tlie  wing  cliaracters  entirely  peculiar.  Its  large  .size,  however,  we  can  at- 
tribute to  its  alpine  habitat,  agreeing  in  this  respect,  as  compared  with  J. 
hi/cmnlis.  with  the  J.  nltimla  of  Guatemala,  which  we  can  only  consider  an 
alpine  or  somewliat  local  form  of ./.  viiicraiH.  That  tiie  wliite  bands  on  the 
wing  <lo  not  constitute  a  ciiaracter  siitticiently  imjiortant  to  be  considered  of 
specific  value  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  in  many  specimens  of  /.  oregonus, 
and  occasionally  in  J.  hi/cmalin,  there  is  sometimes  quite  a  distinct  tendency 
to  these  baiuls  in  the  form  of  obscure  white  tips  to  the  coverts. 

Habit.s.  l>ut  little  is  known  as  to  tlie  habits  of  this  variety ;  probably 
tliey  do  not  differ  from  tliose  of  its  congeners.  It  was  met  with  by  Mr. 
C.  K.  Aiken,  near  Fountain,  El  Paso  County,  in  Colorado  Territory,  in  the 
winter  of  1871  -  72.  Tiiey  were  rare  in  tlie  early  winter,  became  rather 
common  during  tlie  latter  part  of  February  and  the  first  of  March,  and  had 
all  disappeared  by  the  first  of  April.  During  winter  only  males  were  seen, 
but,  in  the  spring,  the  females  were  the  most  numerous.  They  were  usually 
seen  singly,  or  in  companies  of  two  or  three,  and  not,  like  the  others,  in 
laryer  flocks. 


■D- 


Junco  oregonus,  Sclater. 

OBEGON  SNOWBIBD. 

FringUla  oregona,  Townseni),  .1.  A.  N.  Sc.  VII,  1837,  188.  —1b.  Narrative,  1839,  345.— 
AuD.  Orn.  Biog.  V,  1839,  68,  pi.  cccxcviii.  Strutlms  oregonus,  Bon.  List,  1838.  —  In. 
Consp.  1850,  475.  —  Newbeury,  Zobl.  Cal.  &  Or.  Route  ;  Rep.  P.  R.  R.  VI,  IV,  1857, 
88.     Niplum  oregoiin,  Arn.  Syn.  1839,  107.  —  Ib.  Birds  Am.  Ill,  1841,  91,  pi.  clxviii. 

—  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  1851,  134.     Junco  nregnnm,  Sci.atkk,  Pr.  Zool.  Soo.   1857,  7. — 
Baiui),  Birils  N.  Atu.  1858,  466.  —  Loud,  Pr.  R.  A.  Inst.  IV,  120  (British  Columbia). 

—  CoorKi!  k  SiicKLEY,  202.  —  CoirK,s,   Pr.  Phil.  Ac.  1866,  85  (Arizona). —Dali,  d, 


I  FRrN'UTLLID.K  — TIIK  I'INCIIKS.  5}^5 

BaknisTI-.U,  Tf.  eh,  A.'.  I,  ismi,  28».  Cimut.ii,  Om.  ('ill.  1,  li)!l.  Friiiijilla  liiiihniiii, 
LloilT.  IWit.  Kami.  Ciil.  in  AMi.  Akml.  Wiss.  Ut'iliii,  for  1838,  1831),  424  (not  /'. 
hiulioniit,  FoilsiT.u).  "Friiiijil/ii  ulnita,  IIkandt,  Icon.  Hosso-As.  tiOi.  ii,  f.  8" 
(Cau.). 

Si".  CiiAit.  Ik'iid  mill  iit'ck  all  loiiml  sooly-liliirk ;  tlii.s  oolor  cxti'iMliu^'  to  tlii'  upiicr 
part  of  till!  Ill-cast,  but  not  aloiij,'  tlii;  .sides  uiiik'i-  the  wiuf;s^  anil  with  convex  outliiu' 
iH'hind.  Intci'scHiinlar  rcfjion  of  the  back  and  exposed  siirtiice  of  the  winp-eoveits  and 
.seeiiiidaries  dark  nil'ons-brown,  I'orniiiig  a  square  paleh.  A  lifihler,  iiioie  pinkish  tint  of 
the  same  on  the  sides  ol'  breast  and  belly.  Uesl  cif  iindei-  parts  dear  white.  Kiiiiip 
brownish-n.sh.  Upper  tail-eoverls  ihisky.  Outer  twd  tail-li'athers  white ;  the  third  with 
only  an  obscure  streak  of  white.  Bill  llesh-color,  dusky  at  tip.  Legs  (lesh-eolor.  Length 
ftboiit  0..')0  inches  ;  wing,  3.00. 

Hah.  I'aeilic  emist  of  the  United  Slates  to  thi;  eastern  side  nf  the  Kiii'ky  Mountains, 
and  north  to  Alaska.  Stragglers  as  tiir  east  as  Fort  Leaveiiwurth  in  winter  ami  (!ieat 
JJend  of  Mis.souri. 

Sitka  aiifl  Orcffoii  specimens  have  the  hack  of  a  darker  rtitbtis  Mian  th().se 
from  (.'alifornia  and  the  jMiddk'.  Pntvinee,  in  wiiicli  thi.s  portion  <»f  the  lioiy, 
as  well  a.s  tiie  sides,  is  jtaler,  and  in  more  tdiriipt  contrast  with  the  la^ad. 

Immature  and  the  mtijority  of  winter  s])ecimens  do  not  liave  the  Miick 
of  tile  heail  and  neck  so  well  detined,  hut  eil^'ed  above  more  or  less  witli  the 
color  of  the  liack,  Itclow  witli  li<,dit  asliy. 

The  Oregon  Snowbird  in  full  jduniage  is  readily  distinguisliablu  from  the 
eastern  sjiecies  liy  the  purer  white  of  the  belly  ;  tiie  more  sharply  defined 
outline  of  the  black  of  the  head  passes  directly  across  the  upper  jtart  of  tlie 
breast,  and  is  even  convex  in  its  posterifir  outline,  without  extending  down 
the  side  of  the  breast,  with  its  posterior  outline  strongly  concave,  as  in  In/r- 
malis.  The  absence  of  black  or  ashy-brown  under  the  wings,  with  the  rufous 
tinge,  are  highly  characteristic  of  onyomis.  Tiie  head  and  neck  are  consid- 
erably blacker;  the  I'ufous  of  tlie  back  and  wings  does  not  exist  in  tiie  other. 
Tiie  wings  and  <juills  are  more  ])ointed ;  the  second  quill  usually  longest,  in- 
stead of  the  third,  etc.  Tiie  dusky  of  the  throat  reaches  in  J.  orvgunus  only 
to  the  tipper  part  of  tiie  breast;  to  its  middle  region  in  hi/otui/is. 

Sometimes,  in  adult  males,  the  middle  and  greater  wing-coverts  are  faintly 
tipped  witli  white,  indicating  two  inconspicuous  bands. 

In  a  large  series  of  Jniicos  collected  at  Fort  Whipple,  Arizona,  by  Dr. 
f'oues,  are  several  specimens  so  decidedly  intermediate  Ijetween  J.  om/onus 
and  /.  canieeps  as  to  suggest  the  probability  of  tlieir  being  hybrids  ;  others, 
from  Fort  Bui-gwyn  and  Fort  Hridger,  are  exactly  lil:e  them.  With  the  ashy 
head  and  juguluni,  and  black  lores,  as  well  as  bright  rufous  back,  of  the  latter, 
the  sides  are  pinkish  as  in  the  former  ;  while,  as  in  this  too,  the  posterior  out- 
line of  the  ash  on  juguluni  is  convex,  not  concave,  and  the  rufous  of  the  back 
has  a  tendency  to  tinge  the  wings,  instead  of  being  confined  to  the  interscap- 
ulars.    (iSee  foot-note  to  synoptictil  table,  p.  579.) 

Haiuts.  Dr.  Suckley  found  this  bird  extremely  abundant  in  Oregon  and 
Washington  Territory,  where  it  holds  about  the  .same  position  that  tlie  hije- 
74 


r,8G  NORTH  AMEhlCAN  UIRDS. 

iniiH.'i  (lues  ill  tlio  KiiHterii  Stiitcs.  Dr.  ('(lopcr  stiites  it  to  bo  a  very  common 
bird  ill  »\'a8liiiiti;toii  Territorv,  I'speciivlly  in  tliu  wintor,  when  it  cnim's  almiit 
Ilia  lioiisos  iiutl  t'aniis  witli  iiruciscly  the  suiao  liiihits  hh  tiui  (jomnion  Atliuitii! 
s](('('iiis.  In  the  NUinnun'  it  is  seen  iihoiit  l'ii<,'t!t  Soiiiiii,  in  wliich  iiei;,'lihorii(io(l 
it  hrei'ds.  He  met  with  younj,'  Hetl<,'ling.s  us  early  as  May  24.  At  timt  season 
llicy  were  not  j,'regari()us,  and  were  f'miiul  prineipally  ahout  tlie  edges  of  wood.s, 

Air.  iiiilgway  also  regards  the  western  Snowbird  as,  in  all  appreciable 
respects,  an  exact  counterpart  of  the  eastern  lit/I'm  a/ in.  In  siinniKn'  he  found 
it  inhabiting  the  jiiiie  woods  of  the  mountains,  but  in  winter  descending  to 
the  lowlands,  and  entering  the  towns  ami  gardens  in  the  same  manner  with 
the  enstern  sjiecies. 

Dr.  Coojier  states  this  species  to  be  numerous  in  winter  in  nearly  every 
part  of  ("alifornia.  In  tlie  summer  it  resides  among  the  mountains  down  to 
the  .'52(1  parallel.  On  the  coast  he  has  not  determined  its  residence  farther 
south  than  Monterey.  The  coolness  of  that  locality,  and  its  extensive  for- 
ests of  pines  extending  to  the  coast,  favor  thr  residence  of  such  birds  during 
the  summer.  At  San  Diego  he  observed  t'.em  until  the  first  of  April,  when 
they  retired  to  the  neighboring  mountains.  A  few  also  were  found  in  the 
Colorado  Valley  in  the  winter.  On  the  Coast  Mountains  south  of  Santa 
Clara  he  found  them  breeding  in  large  numbers  in  May,  1864.  One  nest 
contained  young,  just  ready  to  fly,  as  early  as  May  18.  This  was  built  in  a 
cavity  among  the  roots  of  a  large  tre«!  on  a  steep  liaiik.  It  was  made  of 
leaves,  grasses,  and  fine  root-fibres.  On  the  outside  it  was  covered  with  an 
abundant  coating  of  green  moss,  raised  above  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The 
old  birds  lietrayed  tiie  presence  <.,.'  the  nest  by  their  extreme  anxiety.  On 
the  20th  he  found  another  nest  on  the  very  summit  of  the  mountains,  sup- 
posed to  be  a  second  laying,  as  it  contained  iiut  three  eggs.  It  was  slightly 
sunk  in  the  ground  under  a  fern,  and  formed  like  the  other,  but  with  less 
moss  around  its  edge.  It  was  lined  with  cows'  and  horses'  hair.  The  eggs 
were  bluish-white,  with  blackish-brown  spots  of  various  sizes  thickly  sprin- 
kled around  the  larger  end,  and  measuring  .74  by  .60  of  an  inch. 

The  only  song  Dr.  Cooper  noticed,  of  this  species,  was  a  faint  trill  much 
like  that  of  the  Spizclla  socialis,  delivered  I'rom  the  top  of  some  low  tree  in 
March  and  April.  At  other  times  they  have  only  a  sharp  call-note,  by  which 
they  are  distinguishable  I'rom  other  Sparrows.  While  some  migrate  far  to 
the  soutii  in  winter,  others  remain  as  far  north  as  the  Columbia  Uiver,  fre- 
([uentiug,  in  large  numbers,  the  vicinity  of  barns  and  houses,  especially  when 
tlie  snow  is  on  the  ground.     They  raise  two  broods  in  a  season. 

Dr.  Coues  found  this  species  a  very  common  winter  resident  in  Arizona, 
arriving  at  Fort  Whipple  about  October  10,  soon  becoming  very  abundant, 
and  continuing  so  until  the  second  week  in  April.  Stragglers  were  seen  until 
May  10. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  also  observed  numbers  of  the  western  Snowbird  on  the 
San  Francisco  Mountains,  in  the  month  of  October,  where  they  were  very 


FRIXGILLID.!';  — TIIK  FIXCFrEa.  687 

abmulaiit,  Many  apcciiufjia  wero  iilituiiH'd  in  Sitkii  l»y  Mr.  nischoll'.  Nono 
Imvi)  HO  t'lir  bwn  luctntUMl  t'nmi  tlio  Aluiitiun  Isliind.s. 

Dr.  Ki'unorly  f'i'0([uently  siiw  tliosu  birds  ntiiir  tim  I'imiIjIo  oI'  /iini  in  New 
Mexico;  in  tlio  niontlis  of  October  and  Novend)er  they  \,ere  very  aliundniit 
unioiij,'  tlie  cedars  to  the  westward  of  that  settlement  us  far  as  the  Mtlhi 
Colorado.  Dr.  Ilettrniann  also  met  with  them  near  Fort  Yuma  in  l)ecend)er, 
havinj,'  previously  noticed  thorn  during  the  fall,  nugratinjj;  in  lar<,'o  flocks. 

Mr.  Aiken  frecjuently  found  this  species  throuj^hout  the  winter  in  Colo- 
mdo.  It  was  very  common  (hiring;  March  and  tlu;  first  of  Ajiril.  Hy  Abiy 
only  a  few  stragj^ling  females  weie  seen,  and  then  they  all  disapix-ared. 

The  nests  of  this  species  have  a  general  resemblance  in  structure  to  those 
of  the  common  hjiemaiiH.  They  are  well  constructed  and  remarkably  .sym- 
metrical, made  externally  of  mosses  and  other  coarse  materials,  within  which 
is  very  nicely  woven  an  inner  nest  of  fine,  l)ent  stems  of  grasses,  lined 
with  hair.  The  eggs,  four  or  five  in  immber,  re.semldo  those  of  the  lii/cinaliH, 
but  are  lighter.  They  have  a  ground-color  of  greenish-white,  marked  about 
the  larger  end  with  fine  tlots  of  reddish-brown.  Their  measurement  is  .75 
by  .60  of  an  inch. 

Junco  caniceps,  T^.mtid. 

BED-BACKED  8V0WBIBD. 

Struthus  eaniccpa,  WoomiOFsi:,  Pr.  A.  N.  So.  I'liilu.  VI,  Dec.  18,''>2,  202  (Now  Mexico  mid 
Tt'-Vtts).  —  lu.  Sitgrcavcs's  l{fj)ort  Zuhi  &  Coloinilo,  18,'):!,  83,  \i\.  iii.  Juncu  ainiceps, 
BAHti),  Birds  N.  Am.  IS-IS,  408,  jd.  l.\.\ii,  f.  1.  —  ('(mi|.|;k,  Orii.  f'lil.  I,  201. 

Sp.  Char.  Bill  yollowish;  hlnck  at  tlic  tip.  Above  wliy  (of  tin-  <aiiH'  slindu  before 
and  Ijehiiid)  ;  the  liead  and  iieoic  all  roiiiul  of  tliis  (-(dor,  which  extends  (paliiii,'  a  little) 
nlonj;  the  sides,  leaving  the  initldle  of  the  belly  and  cri.'isnin  qnite  abruptly  white.  Lores 
conspicuously  but  not  very  abruptly  darker.  Interscapular  rej^ion  abruptly  reddish  ehcst- 
nut-browii,  which  does  not  extend  on  the  wings,  and  makes  a  triangular  patch.  Two 
outer  tail-feathei-s  entirely  white ;  third  with  a  long  white  terminal  stripe  on  the  inner 
web.  Young  .streaked  with  Idaeki.sli  above;  and  lielow,  except  along  "niddle  of  belly  and 
behind.     Length,  G.OO;  wing,  3.23;  tail,  3.04. 

Haii.  Rocky  Mountains;  from  Black  Hills  to  San  Francisco  S'.ountains,  Arizona. 
Wahsatch  and  Uintah  Mountains  (Ridgwav). 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  common  J.  Jn/fmnlin  in  color,  though  jialer  ; 
the  tint  of  the  under  parts  and  sides  is  not  quite  so  dtirk,  and  is  less  iibriij)tly 
defined  against  the  white.  The  conspicuous  chestnut  patch  on  the  back  and 
the  dusky  lores  will  distinguish  them.  The  edge  of  the  outer  web  of  the 
third  tail-feather  is  brown,  not  white.  It  dift'ei's  from  oregoiius  and  cinenus  in 
having  no  chestnut  on  the  wings,  especially  the  tertials,  and  from  the  former 
in  the  extension  of  the  tish  of  the  neck  along  the  sides  and  nmch  lighter  head. 

Young  birds  are  streaked  above  and  below  a°  in  other  specie.'^ ;  they  may 
be  distinguished  from  those  of  ciiiereus  by  the  rufous  being  confined  to  the 
interscapular  region,  the  same  as  in  the  adult. 


588  NOin'II  AMKIUCAN  BIUDS. 

Tliu  type  skin  of  Jmiw  (larmlui  of  Dr.  Henry  (see  foot-note  to  synoptical 
till  lie,  p.  580)  (litters  mainly  in  having  tlie  wliole  upper  mandible  entirely 
black,  as  in  ./.  cineimx ;  and,  as  in  tiiu  latter,  the  jugulum  is  j)ale  ash,  fading 
gradually  into  the  white  of  the  abdomen,  instead  of  deep  ash  abruptly  ile- 
fined.  It  is  \ery  probalily,  as  suggested  by  Mr.  Ridgway,  a  liybrid  witii 
J.  cinercKs. 

Hauits.  This  species  was  first  discovered  and  described  by  Dr.  Wood- 
house  from  .specuniens  obtained  by  him  among  the  San  Francis(M)  Mountains 
in  Arizona.  When  procured,  it  was  I'eeding  in  conijiany  with  the  Junco  ore- 
ijonu^  and  various  species  of  Farm.  Its  hal)its  appeared  to  be  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  western  Snowbird,  as  well  as  to  those  of  the  common  ./. 
hycmalis. 

Dr.  Coues  states  tliat  he  found  tliis  bird  a  not  very  common  winter  resi- 
dent at  Fort  Whipple,  wliere  its  times  of  arrival  and  departure,  as  well  as  its 
general  liabits,  were  identical  witli  tiiose  of  J.  oreiiuiim,  with  wiiich  it  very 
freely  associated.  From  tliis  we  may  naturally  infer  that  in  New  Mexico 
and  Arizona  it  appears  only  as  a  winter  visitant,  and  that  in  sunnner  it  goes 
elsewliere  to  breed.  Its  summer  resorts,  as  well  as  our  knowledge  of  its 
breeding-liabits,  nest,  and  eggs,  remain  to  be  determined,  or  are  only  imper- 
fectly known.  It  evidently  retires  to  the  highlands  and  to  mountain  regions 
to  breed,  and  probably  has  a  nmch  more  e.xtended  iiabitat  tlian  tluit  of 
wliicli  we  now  have  any  knowledge.  Ui)on  this  problem  Mr.  Kidgway's 
observations  have  already  slied  some  valualile  and  suggestive  light.  He 
met  with  this  bird  only  an)ong  tlie  pine  woods  of  the  Wahsatch  Mountains, 
wliere,  however,  it  was  a  very  common  bird,  and  where  it  was  also  breeding. 
Its  manners  and  notes  wore  scarcely  ditt'erent  from  those  of  J.  oregoiivs.  It 
is,  however,  a  shyer  bird  than  the  latter,  and  its  song,  which  is  only  a  simple 
trill,  is  rather  louder  than  that  of  either  the  hijemalvi  or  the  orecionm. 

Dr.  (,'oues  writes  me  that  both  "the  (Jray-head  and  the  Oregon  Snowbirds 
are  conunon  sjiecies  about  Fort  Whijiple  in  winter,  arriving  about  the  middle 
of  October,  and  remaining  in  numbers  until  early  in  April,  when  tiiey  thin 
oif,  although  some  may  usually  be  observed  during  the  month,  and  even  a 
part  of  the  ne.xt.  Orci/Diiiia  far  outnumbers  catiireps.  So  far  as  I  couM 
see,  their  lial)its  are  precisely  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern  Snowbinl. 
During  snow-storms  they  used  to  come  i'amiliarly  about  oiir  quarters,  and  I 
once  captured  several  of  both  species,  enticing  them  into  a  tent  in  which 
some  barley  had  been  strewn,  and  having  the  llap  fixed  so  that  it  could  be 
pulled  down  with  a  string  in  a  moment.  They  always  associated  together, 
and  once,  on  tiring  into  a  Hock,  I  pickc^d  up  a  number  of  each  kind,  and  one 
Junco  hyemalvi.  The  latter  can  only  be  considered  a  straggler  in  this  region, 
although  I  secureil  three  sjiecimens  one  winter." 

This  species  was  v  j  rare  in  Colorado,  according  to  Mr.  Aiken,  in  the 
winter  ot  l(S71-72,  but  became  common  in  March,  and  a  few  remained  up 
to  the  .Sd  of  May.     Xo  females  of  this  species  were  observed  by  him. 


l-'UINrrlLLID.K  — TlIU  FINCIIKS. 


589 


Mr.  .T.  A.  Allen  mentions  tirat  mcetinj,'  with  this  species  at  iui  elevation 
of  seven  tiiousand  i'eet,  unci  from  that  heij^lit  it  was  ennnnon,  on  the  slopes 
of  Mount  Lincoln,  to  the  extreme  liiuit  of  the  timber  line. 


Gem's  FOOSPIZA,   Cahanis. 

Puospiza,  Cahanis,  Wic},'iiiiuiii's  Aicliiv,  1S47,  l,  349.     (Tjpi!,  Kmbcrizu  ni(jm-riij'a,  D'Olin., 
or  Pipilo  ji')Kiinalti,  Sw.) 


■d.     Il'iulcr  Jaw  willi   tlic 


Poonpizn  hiliiienta. 


Gkn.  Ciiak.  Bill  .fk'iiilcr,  I'miiciil,  liolli  outlines  goutlv  ciiivfil 
edges  coii.>ii<leriil)ly  iulh^'liMl ;  not  .«>  high  a.s  the  up- 
per. Tarsi  elongated,  slender ;  eonsidei'al)ly  longer 
thiin  the  middle  toe.  Toes  short,  weak  ;  the  outer 
deeid(!diy  longer  liian  the  inner,  Iml  not  reaching 
to  the  base  of  the  middle  elaw.  Hind  toe  about 
equal  to  the  middle  wiliiout  its  elaw.  All  the 
elaws  eompressi'il  and  moderately  (Mnvod.  Wings 
rather  long,  rcai  '  uig  about  over  the  l)asal  Iburth 
of  the  e.xposed  portion  ol'  the  rather  long  tail. 
Tertiaries  and  secondaries  about  equal,,  and  I'ot 
much  shorter  than  the  lengthened  primaries;  the 
seeond  tt)  lil'th  about  eqiud  and  longest;  tlu;  first 
considerably  shorter,  and  longer  than  the  sev<'nth. 
Tail  long,  slightly  emarginate,  graduated;  the  outer 
feather  abruptly  shorter  than  the  others.  Feathers 
broad,  linear,  and  rather  obliquely  truncate  at  the  ends,  with  the  corners  rounded. 

Color.  Uniform  above,  without  streaks.  l{eiieafli  white,  witli  or  without  a  lilack 
throat.     Black  and  white  stripes  on  the  head. 

We  are  by  no  means  sure  tiiat  the  two  Xorth  Auieriean  specimens  here 
indicated  really  belong  to  tiie  genus  PoiMpiza,  but  we  know  no  better  ])osition 
for  them.     They  may  be  distinguished  as  follows :  — 

Common  Ciiaractkrs.  Lores  and  Ix'ucatli  the  eye  lilack,  a  white  orbital  ring, 
white  spot  above  the  lore  (in  hilinedta  conlimied  back  in  a  superciliary  stripej; 
awhile  maxillary  .'^'ripe.  Lateral  tail-feathers,  with  outer  web.  and  Iciniinal 
border  of  iimcr,  hoary  or  pure  white. 

A>    Throat  black  in  adult:  sid(>s  not  streaked. 

.1  riiiilliiiions  ir/iile  xuiiorcilinri/  :ilrijtc. 

1.  P.  bilineata.  Black  patch  of  throat  covering  juguluni,  with  a 
convex  outline  behind.  Crown  and  back  without  streaks,  concolored. 
Wing-coverts  without  white  bands;  lesser  coverts  ash.  Wing,  2.75; 
tail,  2.8o;  liill,  lioni  no,.ti-il,  .:>";  tarsus,  .tio. 

.\'((  (/'//iVc  siiperrilitiri/  xlripe. 

2.  P.  mystacaliB.  Black  patch  of  throat  notcxtcnding  on  juguhnu; 
it«  posterior  outlitie  truncated.  Crown  an<l  back  with  distinct  black 
streak.*!.  Back  scapulars  and  rump  ruibus  in  contrast  with  the  ash  ol' 
head  and  neck.  Wing-covcrls  with  two  nariow,  sharply  dclincd  white 
bands;  le.s.ser  coverts  black.  Wing,  2.811;  tail.  :i..')tl:  bill,  .40;  tarsus, 
.80.     flab.  Mexico. 


590 


NORTH  AMilUICAN  BIRDS. 


B«   Tliniiii  wliite;  sides  streiikcd. 

;!.  P.  belli.  Xo  white  siiperi'iliarv  stripe.  A  dusky  spot  in  middle  of 
till'  Ill-cast.  Upper  parts  asliy,  comtoloivd,  witli  indistinet  streaks  on  tlio 
liai'k.  Wings  somewiiat  more  brownisli,  tlie  coverts  witii  two  indistinet 
li^'iit  (not  wliilt?)  bands. 

a.  Wing,  2.r)0;  tail,  '2M;  bill,  .31 ;  tarsns,  .74.     Dorsal  streaks 

obsolete.     Hah.    Calilbrnia. var.  helli. 

/3.  Wing,  :!.20;  tail,  :!.20;    bill,  .;jo ;  tarsus,  .70.     Dorsal  streaks 
distinct.     Hah.   Middle  Province  of  United  States.        vox,  n  e  vndensis. 


Foonpiza  bilineata,  Sclateu. 

BLACK-THROATED  8PABB0W. 

Emhcrizu  bilineata,  Cassin,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  Ph.  V,  Ort.  1850,  104,  pi.  iii,  Texas.  —  In. 
Illust.  I,  V,  18.54,  150,  pi.  .x.viii.  Paospiai  bilinatla,  ScLATUU,  I'r.  Zoiil.  Soc.  1857,  7. 
—  Haiki),  IHrils  N.  Am.  1858,  470.  -  Id.  Me.\.  Bound.  II,  Birds,  15.  —  Hhku.m.  X, 
c.  14.  —  Cooi'Eit,  Orn.  C'al.  I,  1870,  203. 

Sp.  CuAii.  Above  uniform  unspotted  a-sliy-gray,  tinged  with  light  brown ;  purer  and 
more  plumbeous  anteriorly,  and  on  sides  of  head  and  neck.     Under  parts  white,  tinged 

with  plnnilieous  on  the  sides,  and  with 
yellowish-brown  about  the  thighs.  A  sharply 
defined  superciliary  and  maxillary  stripe  of 
pure  white,  as  also  the  lower  eyelid,  the 
former  margined  internally  with  )>lack.  Loral 
region  black,  passing  insensibly  into  dark 
slate  on  the  ears.  Chin  and  throat  between 
the  white  ma.xillary  stripes  black,  ending  on 
the  upper  part  of  the  breast  in  a  rounded 
outline.  Tail  blac^k,  the  lateral  feathers  edged 
externally  and  tipped  on  inner  web  with 
white.  Bill  blue.  Length,  5.40  ;  wing,  '2.7") ; 
tail,  2.90.     Sexes  alike. 

ITah.  Middle  Province  of  United  States 
noith  to  40°,  lietween  Rocky  Mountains  and  Sierra  Nevada.  (As  far  west  as  Janos  and 
the  Mohave  villages.)     Matamoras  (rare  at  San  Antonio:  Drksskr,  Ibi.s,  18(!5,  488). 

This  species  in  external  form  is  very  similar  to  7'.  hclli,  and  will  probably 
fall  in  the  same  ^'cnus.  The  cutting  edges  of  tiie  Vtill  are  much  intlexed. 
Tlie  first  (juill  is  shorter  than  the  sixth.  The  tail  is  a  good  deal  rounded  ; 
the  feathers  bi'oad. 

The  white  maxillary  stripe  does  not  come  (|uite  to  the  Ijase  of  the  under 
jaw,  which  tliere  is  black.  There  is  a  hoary  tinge  on  tlie  forehead.  The 
white  superciliary  .stripes  almost  meet  on  the  forehead. 

In  the  iminivture  bird  the  tln-oat  is  white  with  a  dusky  clouding  along 
each  side ;  the  upper  part  of  the  breast  strciiked  with  brcwn. 

Habits.  The  Hlack-tiiroat"d  Sparrow,  generically  associated  with  Bell's 
Finch,  has  several  well -marked  distinctive  peculiarities  in  habits.  Their 
eggs  are  also  totally  unlike  those  of  the  present  species,  being  much  more 


Pons/iiza  bilineata. 


,  FRINOILLinyE  — TIIK  FINCHES.  591 

like  those  of  the  Pencart  and  of  LeitroHtv-fi:  griseimiclm,  and,  like  them,  white 
and  un.si»otted. 

This  species  was  fii-st  doscM'ihed  by  ]\Ii'.  Cassin'froni  spcciniens  obtiiined  in 
Wester"  Texas  by  .lohn  W.  An(hil)on,  and  its  habitat  was  at  first  supjiosed  to 
be  restricted  to  the  valleys  of  tlie  l!io  (irande  and  the  (iila,  but  more  recent 
explorations  sliow  it  to  have  a  mudi  wider  distribution.  It  is  found  from 
Western  Texas  througli  part  of  Mexico,  \ew  Mexico,  tlie  Indian  Territory, 
and  Arizona,  to  Southern  California,  and  towards  the  north  throuj^hout  the 
regi(m  of  tlie  Clreat  Basin  to  an  extent  not  yet  full}  determined.  In  portions 
at  least  of  this  territory  it  is  migratory,  and  only  resident  in  the  summer 
montlis. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  Sparrow  very  abundant  during  July  and  August  in 
the  me.s(juito  thickets  in  the  town  of  Matamoras.  In  l)ecenil)er  it  was 
equally  common  at  Eagle  Pass,  but  at  San  Antonio  it  was  (juite  a  rare  bird. 
He  only  observed  it  on  two  or  three  occasions  at  a  rancho  on  tlie  Medina 
liiver,  and  late  in  June  a  nest  and  four  eggs  were  obtained.  IJetween  Laredo 
and  Matamoras,  after  crossing  the  Nueces,  he  found  these  birds  very  numer- 
ous, and  near  Laredo  met  with  several  nests,  some  containing  young  and  some 
eggs  nearly  hatched.  One  taken  on  the  2(*th  of  July  contained  tliree  fresh 
eggs,  probably  indicating  a  second  laying.  This  nest  was  in  a  low  bush, 
carefully  concealed.  It  was  composed  of  straws  and  lined  witli  fine  roots. 
The  eggs,  when  fresh,  were  nearly  wliite,  with  a  delicate  bliiisli  tinge.  On 
his  journey  down  the  rivcir  lie  found  many  nests,  all  euipty  or  containing 
young.  Some  of  these  were  jiartially  lined  with  cotton.  Tiiougli  not  wild, 
the  birds  were  so  restless  that  he  found  it  diihcult  to  shoot  them.  Dr. 
Woodhouse  obtained  one  specimen  on  tlie  Kio  Pedro,  in  Texas. 

In  Mexico  this  Sparrow  was  found  by  Lieutenant  t'oucli  to  be  numer- 
ous in  parts  of  Tamaulipas,  Nueva  Leon,  Coahuila,  and  otiier  States  on  tlie 
Rio  Grande,  immediately  south  and  west  of  the  limits  of  the  territory  of  the 
United  States.  It  was  first  seen  at  Santa  I'o.salio,  and  specinauis  obtained, 
though  none  were  noticed  at  Brownsville,  only  twenty  miles  east,  during  a 
month's  residence.  At  Charco  Kscondido,  forty  miles  farther  in  the  interior, 
it  was  very  plentiful,  and  although  it  was  early  in  lUarcli,  liad  already  ri-areil 
a  brood  of  young,  one  specimen  ai)pearing  to  be  a  young  liird  only  a  few 
weeks  old.  Its  favorite  home  ai)peared  to  be  the  scattered  niest|uite,  on 
the  plains  east  of  the  Sierra  Madre.  During  ti.e  warm  hours  of  tlie  day  it 
does  not  seek  the  siiade,  but  may  always  be  foiini"  jliirpiiigand  liopjiiug  from 
one  bush  to  another.  South  of  Cadoreita  tlie  birds  disajijieared,  but  after  a 
month's  lo.ss  of  their  company  he  ag  lin  met  with  them  among  some  flowering 
Lefjiiminosa,  between  Pescjuieria  and  Uiiiconada.  He  thu.s  found  it  several 
times  entirely  absent  from  districts  of  considerable  extent,  but  alv  ays  reap- 
pearing again  tliroughout  his  journey.  Tlie  usual  note  of  this  bird,  at  the  sea- 
son in  which  he  met  witii  it,  was  a  simple  cliirp  ;  but  on  one  occasion,  having 
halted  during  a  norther  in  Tamaulipiis,  he  heard  a  "  gay  little  black-throated 


592  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

fellow,"  regardless  Of  the  l)itter  wind,  from  the  top  of  a  yellow  mimosa  then 
in  bloom,  give  utterance  to  a  strain  of  sprightly  and  sweet  notes,  that  would 
comi)are  faxoraldy  witli  those  of  many  more  famed  songsters. 

Dr.  Coues  found  this  Sparrow  very  abundant  in  the  southern  and  western 
portions  of  Arizona,  though  rare  at  Fort  Whipple,  where  the  locality  was 
unsuited  to  it,  as  it  seemed  to  prefer  open  plains,  grassy  or  covered  witii  sage- 
brush. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Clarke,  wlio  met  with  these  birds  in  Tamaulipas,  Texas,  and 
New  Mexico,  speaks  of  them  as  abundant  and  widely  distributed.  He 
foimd  them  on  the  lower  IJio  (.Trande,  but  more  abundantly  in  the  interior, 
seeming  to  prefer  the  stunted  and  .sparse  vegetation  of  the  sand-hills  and 
dry  plains  to  the  cottonwood  groves  and  willow  thickets  of  the  river  val- 
leys, where  they  were  never  seen.  They  would  be  very  inconspicuous  did 
not  the  male  occasionally  percli  himself  on  some  topmost  branch  and  pour 
fortli  a  continuous  strain  of  music.  In  the  more  barren  regions  they  were 
the  almost  exclusive  representatives  of  the  feathered  tribes. 

Dr.  Heermann  first  remarked  this  Finch  near  Tucson,  in  Arizona,  where  he 
found  it  associated  witli  other  Sparrows  in  large  flocks.  They  were  flying 
from  l)ush  to  bush,  alighting  on  tlie  ground  to  pick  up  grass-seeds  and  in- 
sects. They  were  cpiite  numerous,  an«l  he  traced  them  as  far  into  Texas  as 
the  Dead  Man's  Hole,  between  El  Paso  and  San  Antonio. 

Dr.  Cooper  found  a  few  of  these  birds  on  the  treeless  and  waterless  moun- 
tains that  border  the  Colorado  Valley,  in  pairs  or  in  small  companies,  hopping 
along  the  ground,  under  the  scanty  shrubbery.  In  crossing  the  Providence 
Range,  in  May,  Dr.  Cooper  found  their  nest,  containing  white  eggs. 

Both  species  of  Poospiza,  the  helli  and  the  hilineata,  according  to  Mr. 
Kidgway,  are  entirely  peculiar  in  their  manners,  habits,  and  notes.  Both,  he 
states,  are  birds  characteristic  of  the  arid  artemisia  plains  of  tlie  Great  Basin, 
and,  with  the  Ercmophila  cornuta,  are  often  the  only  birds  met  witli  on  those 
de.sert  wastes.  The  two  species,  he  adds,  are  (juite  uiilike  in  their  habits  and 
manners.  Tliey  each  have  about  the  same  extent  of  habitat,  and  even  often 
frequent  the  same  locality.  While  the  P.  hilineata  is  partial  to  dry  sandy 
situations,  inhabiting  generally  the  arid  mesa  extending  from  the  river  val- 
leys back  to  the  mountains,  the  P.  helli  is  almost  (;onfined  to  the  more 
thrifty  growth  of  the  artemisia,  as  found  in  the  damper  valley  portions. 
Tlie  P.  helli  is  a  resident  species,  and  even  through  the  severest  winters  is 
found  in  abundance.  The  P.  hilineata  is  exclusively  a  summer  bird,  one  of 
the  latest  to  come  from  the  South,  and  nnich  the  more  shy  of  the  two ; 
its  manners  also  are  cjuite  different. 

Both  birds  have  one  common  characteristic,  which  renders  them  worthy 
of  especial  remark.  This  is  the  petniliar  delivery  and  accent,  and  the  strange 
sad  t(me  of  their  spring  song,  wliicli,  though  unassuming  and  simple,  is  in- 
dued strange  in  the  effect  it  produces.  This  song,  so  plaintive  and  mournful, 
harmonizes  with  the  dull  monotony  of  tlie  desert  landscape. 


,  FRINGrLLID.K- THE  FINCHES.  593 

^Ir.  liiclgway  states  that  the  P.  hilincata  is  not  so  abundant  as  the  other 
species,  and  is  more  retiring  in  its  liahits.  It  principally  tVeiiuents  the  desert 
tracts  and  sandy  wastes,  on  wiiich  are  i'ound  only  the  most  stunted  forms  of 
sage-brusli.  Its  song,  though  (jnite  simple,  is  exceedingly  tine,  its  modula- 
tion being  somewhat  lii<e  a-Ht'-irut'-zc-c-c-r-c-r,  the  first  two  syllables  being 
uttered  in  a  rich  metallic  tone,  while  the  final  trill  is  in  a  lower  key,  .u. ,  of 
the  most  liquid  and  tremulous  character  imaginable.  This  simple  chant  is 
repeated  every  few  seconds,  the  singer  being  perched  upon  a  busli.  He  adds 
that  this  bird  arrives  on  the  Truckee  Iteservation  about  the  Kith  of  May. 
The  nest  is  built  in  sage-bushes,  and  the  eggs  are  found  from  the  7th  to 
the  21st  of  June.  The  nests  are  usually  about  one  foot  from  the  ground,  or 
thereabouts. 

The  eggs  vary  in  size  from  .70  by  .oo  of  an  inch  to  .75  by  .60.  They  are 
of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  and  of  a  pme  white  with  a  slight  tinge  of  blue, 
somewhat  resembling  the  eggs  of  the  Bachraan  Finch. 

Poospiza  belli,  Sclater. 

BELL'S  SPARROW. 

Emberim  belli,  Cas.sis,  Pr.  A.  N.  Sc.  riiila.  V,  Oct.  IbSO,  104,  pi.  iv  (San  Diego,  Cal.). 
Poospiza  belli,  Sn.ATKlt,  Pr.  Zoijl.  Soc.  LSi'iT,  7.  —  Haikd,  Biiils  N.  Am.  IS-iS,  470.— 
Heerm.  X,  .s.  J).  46.  Zonotrichia  belli,  Ei.l.ior,  lUu.st.  Birds  N.  Am.  I,  pi.  xiv.  — 
CoiU'Eii,  Orii.  Cal.  I,  204. 

Sp.  CnAH.  Tapper  parts  generally,  with  sides  of  heail  and  neck,  nnilorin  bluish-ash, 
tinfred  with  yellowish-gray  on  the  erown  ami  back,  and  with  a  Ccw  very  obsolete  dusky 
streaks  on  the  inter.scapular  region.  T?eneath  pure  white,  tinged  with  yellowi.sli-brown  on 
the  sides  and  under  the  tail.  Eyelids,  short  streak  from  the  bill  to  above  the  eye,  and  small 
median  .spot  at  the  ba.se  of  eulmen,  white.  A  stripe  on  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  spot 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  breast,  with  a  few  streaks  on  the  sides,  wi-th  the  loral  space  and 
region  round  the  eyes,  plumbe«us-black.  Tail-featiiers  black ;  the  outer  edged  with  white. 
Wing-teathors  all  broadly  edged  with  l)rownish-yellow ;  the  elbow-joint  tingcil  with 
yellowish-green.  Bill  and  feet  blue.  Length,  5.70;  wing,  2.80;  tail,  2.00.  (Largest 
.specimen,  0,338  ^,  Cosumncs  River). 

Had.     Southern  California. 

The  colors  are  softer  and  more  blended  in  the  autumn;  the  young  are 
obsoletely  streaked  on  the  l)reast. 

Habits.  Bell's  Finch  has  apparently  a  more  restricted  distril)ution  tlian 
tiio  Black-throated  species,  and  is  resident  wherever  found.  It  has  been  met 
with  at  Posa  Creek,  Cal.,  by  Dr.  Heermann,  at  Fort  Thorn  by  Dr.  T.  C. 
Henry,  and  along  the  Colorado  Kiver  l)y  Drs.  Kennerly  and  IMitllhausen. 
It  has  likewise  been  i'ound  in  Southern  California,  as  far  north  as  Sacramento 
Valley,  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Gila. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  all  the  extensive  thickets  throughout  the  south- 
ern half  of  California  are  the  favorite  resorts  of  tiiis  bird.  There  th(!y 
apparently  live  upon  small  seeds  and  insects,  indifferent  as  to  water,  or 
73 


594  NORTH  A.\rEHrCAN  BIRDS. 

dcpendiii",'  upon  what  thuy  obtain  from  dews  or  fogs.  They  reside  all  the 
year  in  the  same  localities,  and  were  al.so  numerous  on  the  island  of  San 
Nicolas,  eighty  miles  from  the  mainland.  In  spring  the  mtvles  utter,  as  Dr. 
Cooper  says,  a  low  monotonous  ditty,  tiijin  the  top  of  some  favorite  shrub, 
answering  each  other  from  long  distances.  Their  nest  he  found  about  tinee 
feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  grasses  and  slender  weeds,  lined  with 
hair  and  other  substances.  Tlie  eggs,  four  in  nund)er,  he  describes  as  j>ale 
greenish,  thickly  sprinkled  over  with  reddish-brown  dots.  At  San  Diego  he 
found  the  young  hatclied  out  by  Mfiy  18,  but  thinks  tliey  are  sometimes 
earlier.  It  is  also  a  common  bird  in  the  chaparral  of  Santa  Clara  Valley, 
and  also,  according  to  Dr.  Heermann,  along  the  Cosumnes  Eiver. 

In  Arizona,  according  to  Dr.  Coues,  it  is  rather  uncommon  about  Fort 
Whipple,  owing  to  the  unsuitable  nature  of  the  locality,  but  is  abundant 
among  tlie  sage-brush  of  the  Gila  Valley,  where  it  keeps  much  on  the 
ground,  and  where  its  movements  are  very  much  like  those  of  a  Fipilo. 

Drs.  Kennerly  and  jMoUhausen  met  with  these  Sparrows  on  the  Little 
Colorado  liiver,  in  California,  December  15.  They  were  found  during  that 
month  along  the  banks  of  the  river  wherever  the  weeds  and  bushes  were 
tliick.  It  was  never  observed  very  far  from  the  water,  and  its  food,  at  that 
season,  seemed  to  consist  of  the  seeds  of  various  kinds  of  weeds.  Its 
motions  were  quick,  and,  when  started  up,  its  flight  was  short,  rapid,  and 
near  the  earth. 

Dr.  Heermann  states  that  in  the  fall  of  1851  he  found  this  species  in  the 
mountains  bordering  the  Cosumnes  lliver,  and  afterwards  on  the  broad  tract 
of  arid  land  between  Kerr  Kiver  and  the  Tejon  Pass,  and  again  on  tlie  desert 
between  that  and  the  Mohave  Eiver.  He  often  found  them  wandering  to  a 
great  distance  from  water.  With  only  a  few  exceptions,  these  were  the  only 
bir/-,s  inhabiting  the  desp^ale  plains,  vliere  the  arteir^'sia  is  the  almost  exclu- 
sive vegetation.  When  undisturbed,  it  chants  merrily  from  some  bush-top, 
but,  at  the  approach  of  danger,  drops  at  once  to  the  ground  and  disappears 
in  the  shrubbery  or  weeds.  Its  nest  he  found  built  in  a  bush,  composed  of 
twigs  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  hair.  The  eggs,  four  in  number,  he 
describes  as  of  a  light  greenish-blue,  marked  with  reddish-purple  spots,  dif- 
fering in  intensity  of  shade. 


Foospiza  belli,  var.  navadensis,  Ridgway. 

ABTEKISIA  SPABBOW. 

Poospiza  belli,  var.  ncviidensis,  Ridgway,  Rciwrt  on  Birds  of  40th  Parallel. 

Sp.  Char.  Resenihliiig  P.  belli,  but  purer  ii.sliy  above,  with  the  rlonsal  streaks  very 
distinct,  instead  of  ahnost  ol)solet('.  Wing,  3.20  (instead  of  2..')0) ;  tail,  ."5.20  (instead  of 
2.50);  bill  (from  forehead),  .35;  tarsus,  .7(5.  (Type,  No.  53,510  g,  Western  Humboldt 
Mountains,  Nev.,  United  States  Geol.  Expl.  40th  Par.) 


FRINGILLID.E  —  THE  FINCHES. 


595 


YoHiifi.  Streaked  above,  the  nrown  obsoletely,  the  baek  distinctly.  Whole  Ipi-ciist  and 
sides  witli  niunerons  short  (hisky  streaks  upon  a  white  frround.  Markings  about  the  head 
indistinct,  wing-bands  more  distinct  tliaii  in  tlie  a(hdt. 

Hab.     Middle   Province  of  United  

States,   north    to  beyond    4(t°    (resi- 
dent). 

The  difl'ereiice  in  size  between 
the  race  of  the  Great  IJasin  and 
that  of  the  southern  Pacilic  Prov- 
ince, of  this  species,  is  quite  re- 
markable, being  much  greater 
than  in  any  other  instance  with- 
in our  knowledge.  This  may, 
perhaps,  be  explained  by  the  fact 
that  the  former  is  not  migratoiy,  ''"""''''" '""''  "•"■  '"^'"• 

but.  resident  even  in  the  most  northern  part  of  its  range  ;  while  the  Califor- 
nia one  is  also  resident,  and  an  inhabitant  of  oidy  tlie  southern  portion  of  the 
coast  region,  not  reaching  nearly  so  .far  north  as  the  race  of  the  interior. 

The  coloration  of  tlie  two  races  is  quite  identical,  though  in  all  specimens 
of  var.  belli  the  dorsal  streaks  are  obsolete,  sometimes  even  apparently 
wanting,  while  in  the  var.  nevadeiisis  they  are  always  conspicuous.  The 
former  ai>pears  to  be  more  brownish  above  than  the  latter. 

Habits.  These  birds,  Mr.  liidgway  states,  have  a  very  general  distribution, 
extending  as  iar  west  as  the  eastern  base  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  At  Carson 
City,  February  27,  he  heard  for  the  first  time  their  sweet  sad  chant.  A  week 
later  he  found  the  sage-brush  full  of  tliese  birds,  the  males  being  in  full  song 
and  answering  one  another  from  .ill  directions.  Iu»walking  throvigli  the  sage- 
brush these  Sjiarrows  wA-e  seen  on'every  side,  some  running  upon  the  ground 
with  their  tails  elevated,  uttering  a  chipping  twitter,  as  they  sought  to  conceal 
themselves  behind  the  shrubs.  Some  were  seen  to  alight  upon  the  tops  of 
dead  stalks,  where  they  sit  with  their  tails  expanded  almost  precisely  after 
the  manner  of  the  Kingbird.  The  song  of  this  bird  is  feeble,  but  is  unsur- 
passed for  sweetness  and  sadness  of  tone.  While  its  effect  is  very  like  the 
song  of  a  Meadow  Lark  singing  afar  off,  there  is,  besides  its  peculiar  sad- 
ness, something  quite  unique  in  its  modulation  and  delivery.  It  is  a  chant, 
in  style  somewhat  like  the  spring  warbling  of  the  Shore  Lark. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  at  Carson  City,  he  found  these  Sparrows  very 
abundant  and  everywhere  the  predominating  species,  as  it  was  also  the  most 
inisuspicious  and  familiar.  It  was  even  difficult  to  keep  them  from  under 
the  feet.  A  pair  would  often  run  before  him  for  a  distance  of  several  rods 
with  their  unexpandeil  tails  elevated,  and  when  too  nearly  approached  would 
only  dodge  in  among  the  bushes  instead  of  flying  off. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  walking  among  the  sage-brush  near  Carson  City,  j\Ir. 
Kidgway  found  several  nests  of  this  Span'ow,  the  female  parent  in  each 


gc,6  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

instance  betrayin-  tlie  position  of  her  nest  by  ninning  out,  as  he  ap- 
proached, from  the  bush  beneath  whicli  it  was  concealed.  With  elevated 
tail  running  rapidly  and  silently  away,  they  disappeared  among  the  shrub- 
liery  In  such  cases  a  cai-eful  examination  of  the  spot  was  sure  to  result 
in  findiuu  an  artfully  concealed  nest,  either  embedded  in  the  ground  or  a 
few  inches  above  it  in  the  lower  branches  of  the  bush.  He  did  not  find  this 
species  cast  of  the  northern  end  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  nor  was  it  seen  in  the 
nei.diborhoo<l  of  Salt  Lake  City,  where  the  other  species  was  so  abundant. 

The  e^-s  of  this  species  differ  very  essentially  from  those  of  the  P.  hlme- 
ata  The"y  are  oblong  in  shape,  have  a  light  greenish  ground,  marked  all 
over  the  e-  with  very  fine  dots  of  a  reddish-brown,  and  around  the  larger 
end  with  a'riiur  of  conHnent  blotches  of  dark  purple  and  lines  of  a  darker 
brown,  almost  black.  They  measure  .80  by  .60  of  an  inch.  They  resemble 
very  closely  a  not  uncommon  variety  of  the  eggs  of  the  Spizclla  jnisiUa. 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


iSgiothus  brewstcri,  I, 

exilipi's,  (f  " 

fusci'sociis,  (J   " 

<<  11 

Agolniua  gubcrnator  (shouhk 


guljcmator, 
pliceiiiceHs, 

"      (shoulder)^ 
tricolor  (shoulder), 


5  " 
<f  " 
9  " 
<f  " 
<f  " 
d  " 

"  9  " 

Alaiula  nrvcnsis,  " 

AininodrnmuM  caudacutus,    I. 

iiiaritiiDUH,  " 

Ampi'lis  ceilroruin,  cf  " 

gaiTiilua,  cf   " 

AntKiior  unit'iiictus,  III. 

Antluis  liulovioiaiius,  I. 

pratt'iisis,  " 

Antrustonms  caroliiiensis. 

<f  II. 
nuttalli,  cf  " 

voi;ileni.s,  J  " 

Aquila  canadensis,  III. 

Ai'cliibiit(!o  fcrmgiiicus,      " 
sancti-jobannis,  " 

Astiii'  atricapilhis,  " 

Asturina  plagiatu,  " 

Atthis  licloisa,  cf  II. 

Auriparus  llavicejis,  I . 


fiOl,  pi.  22, 
408,      " 
4U3,      " 

(I  (( 


lig.  6 
"  2 
"  3 
"     5 


Calaiiiosi)iza  bicolor, 
CalliiK'iila  .s(iuaniata. 


pi.  33, 


163, 
15it, 


105, 


130,  pi.  32, 

557,  1.1.  25, 

500,  " 

4(11,  j.l.  18, 

3it0,  " 
250. 

171,  pi.  10, 

173,  " 

410,  pi.  46, 
417,      " 
413,      " 
314. 
300. 
304. 
237. 
246. 

465,  pi.  47,  ' 
1)1.    7,  ■ 


Bouasa  .sabinci, 
umbclloides, 
umbcUus, 

n 

Bubo  arcticus, 

paciticHs, 

virgiiiianus, 
Budytcs  llava, 
Buteo  boreali.s, 

calurus, 

cooperi, 

plegans, 

harlani, 

kriiluri, 

lineatus, 

lucasanus, 

oxyptcrus, 

pennsylvanicus, 

swainsoni, 

zonocercus, 


III.  4.54. 
"    453,  pi.  61, 
"    448,      " 

"  64. 

"  65. 

"  62. 

I.  167,  pi.  10, 

III.  281. 

"  286. 

"  295. 

"  277. 

"  292. 

"  284. 

"  275. 

"  285. 

"  206. 

"  2.59. 

"  263. 

"  272. 


9  II. 

c^lll. 

CalyptcMinua,  cf  II. 

(!OstlB,  (f  " 

C'amiK'pliiliis  principalis, 

<f  " 

tt         9  *' 

Canipylorhyiicbus  alfinis, 
lin 


runncicapillui 
Cunacc  (canadensis. 


fraiiklini, 

I'uliginosus, 

olisciuus, 
(( 

riilmrdsoni, 

Cardinalis  coccincu.s, 

ignciis, 

lilid'iiiccus, 

virginianus, 
(( 

Carpodacus  calil'orniciis 


"  10 
"  3 
"    9 


Calamospiza  bicolor,        <f  II.    61,  pi.  29,  "    2 


cassiui, 
It 

frontalis, 
i< 

Incinorrlious, 
rliodocolpus, 
purpniciis. 


9 

(f 
S 

S 

9 

cf 

i 
9 

e 

o 

i 

9 
i 
9 
J 
<f 
d 
9 


III. 


61,  pi.  29, 

'!?• 

3 

487,  pi.  63, 

0 

454,  pi  47, 

7 

457,        ' 

8 

496,  pi.  49, 

1 

>i         11 

2 

133,  pi.    8, 

6 

132,       " 

5 

410,  pi.  01, 

5 

"     pL.W, 

6 

419, 
495. 
422, 

427, 

103, 

100, 


pi.  30, 


,  465,  pi.  21, 
460,      " 

t(  It 

465,      " 


Catbari.sta  at  rata.  III. 

Cathcrpcs  nic.xicunus,  I. 

Ccntroccrcus  iiropliasianiis, 
(fill, 

"      cf    " 


408, 
402, 

351. 
139,  pi 


Centronyx  bairdi, 

Ceuturus  aurifrons, 
i( 

carolinus, 
tt 

uropygialis, 

Certhia  amcricana, 

incxicana, 
Certhiola  balmmensis, 
Ceryle  alcyon, 

cabanisi, 
Choetura  pelagica, 

vauxi, 
Chania!a  fasciata, 
C'hanirepelia  jjasscrina, 
Chondestes  graniniaca. 


I. 


II. 


pi.  60, 

429,  pi.  61, 
531,  pi.  25, 
557,  pi.  52, 


cflll. 
(f    II. 


554,      " 

558,      " 

125,  pi.    8, 
128 

428,'  pi.  19, 
392,  pi.  45, 
390,  " 
432,  pi.  45, 
435,  " 
84,  pi.  6, 
389,  pi.  58, 
562,  pi.  31, 


"  1 

"  2 

•'  4 

"  8 

"  0 

"  9 

"  0 

"  7 

"  10 

"  11 

"  4 

"  5 

"  3 

"  0 

"  12 

•'  9 

•'  7 

"  8 


11 

5 
6 
9 
7 


11 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  LAND  BIKDS. 


C'horclcilcs  lieiirvi,  <t  II.  4(i4,  i>l.  40, 

liiilictllc,  "     1(17. 

tixc'iisis,  d  "   am,     " 

t'lnysoiiiitri.s  lawrcnci,  <f  I.  47t<,  \'\.  22, 

iiiizciiiii",  cf  "    47ii,      " 
incxiiauii, 


])iniiH, 

n 

tri.stis  (mimmrr), 
"       (iriiilrr), 
Cini'liKs  im'xiiiiiiii.s, 
Ciicus  liiulsuiiiiis, 
CistdthuniH  piilusti'is, 

stullai'is, 
Coccygus  aiucricniiiis, 

(•rytliio])litlmlimi; 

iniiior, 
C'olai)t('.s  auratus, 

clirysoidt'8, 
(f 

Iiyliridus, 
iiiuxicaiius, 


9  " 

<f  " 

rf  " 

9  " 

<f  " 

cf  " 

Hi 
1 

n 
cf    II 


Collmio  borealis, 

{Jav.)  " 

oxcubitoioulc'S,  cf  " 

ludovioiaiius,  <f  " 

robust  u.s,  " 

Coliiniba  i'a.sciata,  cT  II 

llavirostiis,  cf  " 

liuicoct'pliala,  cf  " 

Coiitopu.s  borealis,  cf  " 

j)L'rtiiiax,  cf  " 

richardsoni;,  <f  " 

vireiis,  tf  " 

Ooimniscaroliiioiisis,  (.Id.)" 
(Jttr.)'' 

Corviis  ainericaiius,  cf  " 

oarnivorus,  9  " 

caiirimis,  cf    " 

cryptolcucus,  " 

llorulanus,  " 

iiR'xicanus,  cf  " 

o.ssii'nigiis,  " 

Cotuniiculu.s  heiislowi,  9  1 

Iccouti,  9  " 

ocIiroe('i)Iialiis,  1 1 

liasserimis,  I 

porpallidus,  " 

Cotylu  riiiariu,  cf  " 

Crotopbaga  ani,  9  1 1 

Cupiduiiia  cu))ido.  III 


pallidic'ineta, 

C'yaiiocatta  arizoiui', 

oalil'orniia, 

couolii, 

floridaim, 

sordida, 

suniicbrasti, 

woodhou.sei, 

Cyanospiza  apicnim, 
It 

ciris. 


cyanca, 


cf 
cf 
:f 

9 
<f 
9 


4S(),       " 
474,       " 

471,       " 

no,  pi.  5, 

.  -214. 

.  Kil,  pi.    9, 

.  477,  pi.  4S, 

4«4,      " 

48'J,       " 

S75,  pi.  55, 
It         <i 

083,  pi.  54, 

((  tt 

582,      " 
578,  pi.  55, 

H  It 

.  415,  pi.  1», 

421,  " 

418,  " 
420. 
.  300,  pi.  57, 

3(i(>,  " 

303,  " 

353,  pi.  44, 

356,  " 
300,  " 

357,  " 

587,  pi.  50, 
tt         ti 

243,  pi.  37, 
234,  " 
248,  " 
242,  " 
247,  " 
233,  " 
251,       " 

.  553,  pi.  25, 
5.'')2,      " 
pi.  46, 

.  553,  pi.  25, 
556. 
353,  pi.  16, 

.  488,  pi.  48, 

.  440,  pi.  61, 

H  tt 

440. 
.  292,  pi.  41, 
288,  pi.  40, 
293. 

285,      " 
292,  pi.  41, 
pi.  40, 
291        " 
84!  pi.  29, 

tt  (t 

87,      " 

tt  It 

82,       " 


fig.  4 


ryaiios]iiza  cyanca, 

piu'clliim, 

versicolor, 
tt 

t'yanuru  coroiuita, 

crislatu, 

frontalis, 

niacroloplm, 

stcUcri, 
I'yrtonyx  iimsaena. 


Ucndroiia  icstivu, 

alliilora, 

aiidilboiii, 

blackburiiia', 
11 

ciernlea. 
It 

eairidcscens. 
It 

castanea. 
It 

cliiysopareia, 

eoroiiata, 
tt 

discolor, 

domiiiica, 

gracia', 

kirtlaiidi, 

niaculusa, 

UKiiitana, 

nigrescens, 

occidentali.s, 

olivacea, 

paluiarmii, 

l)einisylvanica, 

(J  in:, 

pinus, 

striata, 
11 

townsendi, 

virens, 
Dolicbonyx  orizy  vonis, 


9  II. 

cf  " 

J   " 

9  " 

cf  " 

cf 
cf 
cf 
cf 


82,  pi.  29,  fig.  14 
"   "  6 

80,   " 


III 


cf 

9 


cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 
cf 
9 
cf 
cf 

(f 

cf 

(f 

cf 
cf 

<f 

cf 
cf 
cf 
cf 
cf 
V 

cf 

cf 

,  cf 

9 


pi.  39, 
273,  1)1.  42, 
279,  pi.  39. 
281,  " 
277,  " 
492,  pi.  61, 
"  pi.  64, 


II 


Ectopistc:3  migratoria,  cf  " 

Klaniis  Icucurus,  III 

Einbernagm  nifivirgata,  II. 

Enipidoiiax  acadicus,  cf  " 
difiicilis, 

flavivcntris,  cf  " 

haniiiiondii,  if  " 

niiiiiiuus,  cf  " 

obscurus,  cf  " 

pusillus,  cf  " 

traillii,  cf  " 

Erpmoj)liila  cornutn,  cf  " 

"        iJtn:)" 

Euspiza  amcricaua,  cf  " 

It  9  *' 

townsendi,  9  " 


Falco  nnatuni, 
candicans, 
coluiiibarius, 
femoral  is, 
isabellinus, 


in. 


.222,  pi.  14, 
240,       " 
229,  pi.  13, 
237,       " 

((  tt 

235,      " 

tt  It 

254,  pi.  12, 

((  tt 

251,  pi.  13, 

It  it 

260,  pi.  12, 
227,      " 

if  tt 

276,  pi.  14, 
240,      " 
243,      " 

272,  " 
232,      " 
271,      " 
258,  pi.  12, 
266,      " 

1.1.  14, 

273,  " 
245,  pi.  13, 

it  tt 

268,  " 
248,      " 

((  tt 

265,  pi.  12, 
201,      " 
.  149,  pi.  32, 

(I  tt 

368,  pi.  57, 
198. 

47,  pi.  28, 
374,  pi.  44, 
380. 

378,  " 
383,  " 
372,  " 
381,  " 
360,      " 

369,  " 
141,  pi.  32, 

«l  (4 

65,  pi.  28, 

((  tt 

68,      " 

132. 
111. 
144. 
155. 
171. 


"  9 
"  10 
"  4 
"  3 
"  2 
"  3 
"  1 
"  2 
"  3 
"     « 

"  1 
"  7 
"  I 
"  2 
"  3 
"  10 
"  11 
"  10 
"  11 
"  4 
"     5 

"   a 

"  9 
"  12 
"  9 
"  6 
"  10 
"  5 
"  2 
"  3 
"  8 
"  6 
"  4 
"  8 
"  7 
"  8 
"  6 
"  9 
"  12 
"  7 
"  4 
"  4 
"    5 


3 
11 

12 
7 

10 

6 

9 

8 

1 

2 

11 

12 

13 


IXDKX   TO    PLATES   OF   LAND   lURD.S. 


Ill 


Falen  i8liiii(Ucu8,  "    1U(. 

liilinidoia,  "    117. 

iwiilci,  "    137. 

pi)lyaj,'riis,  "    \2\i. 

I'icjiaidsoiii,  "    Its. 

KHCC'l-,  "     115. 

siuu'vcrius,  "    109. 

Hucklcyi,  "    147. 

Oalc().sco])tc.i»  cnroliiifiisU,  I.    .1:!,  iil.    3, 

Oeococoyx  ciilitoiniiiims, 

<f  11.  4i)2,  1)1.  48, 

Ocotlilypi.s  iiiaccillivnivi, 

c?  I.  :!0:t,  1.1.  15, 

9  "     '• 

philadelpliiii,           cf  "    Mill,       " 

,,  '                5  <<      .1        •> 

tiichas,                   rf  "    -'it?,      " 

,,                       ^  >>     >>        i> 

Glauciilium  ealilbniiniin.  III.    81. 

I'eiTugiiiiiuni,  "      8,'). 

Guiraca  ("iuniliMi,           cf  II.    77,1)1.29, 

Gyinnokitta  cyanoi'i'pliala, 

cf  "    200,  pi.  38, 


ilnliaiitu.s  nlbicilla, 

leiicoi'i'jilialuH, 
1  FarporhyiK'lius  oiiicreus, 

oiissalis, 

curvirostiis, 

U'tontci, 

loiigirostris, 

paliiii'i'i, 

rcdivivus, 

riifus, 
Hedymclcs  ludovicinmis. 

<f    11. 

melanocephalns,     <f    " 
n  ?    " 

HidiopiEdicii  xaiitu.si,     cf    " 
Hclimiithoplmga  bacliinaiii, 
cf      I . 
oulata  (vai:  Cape  Luca.s), 


ti«- 


111. 

(4 

324. 
328. 

I. 

10,  pi. 

4, 

47,      ' 

( 

41,  pi. 

3, 

44,  1.1. 

4, 

39,  pi. 

3, 

43. 

1.-.,  pi. 

4. 

37,  pi. 

3, 

{vnr.  Florida),   " 
{var.  Rocky  Jits.) 


70,  pi.  ;!0, 

it  (( 

73,      " 
4C.7,  pi.  47, 
194,  pi.  11, 
204,      " 


202,      " 
cluysoptpra,  cf    "    192,      " 

luci.-c,  "    2011,       " 

ppregriim  {m  n/iriii;!),  "    205,      " 

"       (innKtiimti),' 

piiiu-s,  cf    "    195,      " 

lulienpilla,  "    190,      " 

(wr.  Calif.)," 
Virginia!,  "199,      " 

Helinitlu'ius  swainsoiii,      "    190,  pi.  10, 
vormivorii.s,  "    187,      " 

Hespcriplioiia  montana,       "    449,  pi.  22, 
vcspertina,  cf    "      "         " 

Hinindo  lionoorum,      cf    "    339,  pi.  10, 

HylotoinH.s  pilratus,      9    II.  550,  pi.  50, 

"  cf      "  "  " 


Icteria  longicauda, 

vircns. 
Icterus  aiuiuboni, 

haltimovc, 

buUocki, 


I.  309. 

cf    "    307,  pi.  15, 
cf    11.  ISO,  pi.  35, 
cf    "    195,       " 
cf    "    199,  pi.  34, 


4 
1 

I 

1 
o 

3 
;i 

4 

0 

5 
2 
9 

10 

11 
1 

7 
8 

12 
9 

10 
4 
1 
9 
4 
5 


12 
1 


Icterus  liullc.iki, 
('Ui.'ullaliis, 
piiiisi.ruiu, 
spiiriiis, 

(Jiir.) 
It 

waftlcri, 


II.  199,  pi.  34,  li-. 

"  I!):!,  pl.:i5, 

"  l.SS, 

•'  19(1,  pi.  34, 


Ictii.'ia  iiiis.sis.sippiciisis.     111.  2(i3. 


pi.  3,-., 


.Tuiico  aiki'iii, 

caiiii'c'i.s, 
hycmalis, 
(in'''oniis. 


cf  1.  5SI,  pl.  20, 

cf  "    5S7.       ■' 

cf  "    5,8(1,       •' 

cf  "    5s4,       " 


liiigopus  allius.  111 

"   {nitiiniiir).  -f  " 

"  (ii-inlvr),      t  " 

"  {SKIIIIIIl'f),  V  ■' 

U'Urunls  {:illiiiniri'),(f  " 

rupcstris  (iriiticr),  cf  " 

"      (^'unnmei'),  9  '' 

Lauivirro  russini,          cf  1. 

Iliiviriiiiis,                cf  ■' 

pliinil.ca,                  cf  ■■ 

solitaria,                   cf  " 

Lpucostiiti'  aretons,  " 

aii4ralis,  " 

(;anip('stris,  " 

gri-iiiinK^lia,             cf  " 

liltoralis,  " 

tppluwDtis,  " 

l,(.plioi)liano.s  atricristatus, " 

l.icolor,  " 

iiioniatiLs,  " 

wnllwcl.cri,  " 

Lopliortvx  I'alironiiciis,     III. 

cf  " 

"         'l  •' 

gamheli,                      '  ' ' 

I.iixia  aiuorieaiia,            '  I. 


li'ucoptora, 
mcxicana, 


l.'.7,  pl.  01, 
•■     pl.  02, 

tl  ti 

l(  it 

■KM,       ** 

It       i* 

370,  pl.  17, 
379,      " 
377,      " 
373,      " 
pl.  23, 

507,       " 
5U3,       " 
507,      " 
504,       " 
90,  pl.    0, 
87,      " 
01,       " 
93,       •' 
479,  pl.  01, 
"     j.l.Ol, 

((  it 

482,      " 

(<  (t 

484,  pl.  23, 

488,       •• 


Mi'lanerpea  angu.stifrons, 

cf 


II. 


crytlivoccplmlus,  '    " 

fbriiiicivoius,  f    " 

9    " 

torquatus,  cf    " 

Mclra^'ris  gallopavo.  III 

iiu'xii'aiia,  " 

Mi'lopi'li'ia  Icucoptcra, 

Mclospiza  fallax, 

guttata, 

lu'crniaiiiii,  cf    " 

insignis,  " 

linoc.lni,  " 

inclodia,  " 

palustris,  cf    " 

II  §    II 

nifiiia,  " 

sannu'lis,  " 

Mioratliciic  wliitiipyi.  111 

Milvulu.s  I'l.rlicatu.s  cf    11, 

tyiaiiiiHs,  " 

Miiiius  polyglottu.s,  I. 


11.573,  pl.  53, 

i<      II         it 

"    5<i4,  1.1.  54, 
"    500,  pl.  53, 


501,  pl.  54, 

404. 

410. 

370,  pl.  58, 
22,  pl.  27, 
27,  " 
24,  " 
.30,  " 
31,  " 
19  " 
34,'  pl.  28, 

29,  pl.  27, 

20,      " 

87. 
311,  pl.  43, 
309. 

49,  pl.    3, 


Id 
8 

111 
9 


4 

10 

12 

9 

8 

13 

0 

1 

2 

11 

7 

1 

4 


iv 


INDEX  TO   I'LATKS  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


MitiT|)lionispallpm;on.s,  i 

Miiidtiltii  viii'iii,  A- 

Moliitliliis  ih'l'oHh,  V 

9 

olisciirus,  tf 

Motiicillii  nihil, 

.MviiulcHtcs  tuu'iiNfiiili,  <f 

"      (Jin. 

MyiarcliiiH  cincrnsfi'iis,  cf 

iTinitus,  cf 

liiwrciicii,  cf 

Myiiulioi^tt's  caiiniloliaiH,  i 

iniimtiis, 

mitriitius,  cf 

9 

pilciilatus, 

imsilluH,  cf 

9 


II.  a8«,  I.I.  4»,  (Ik. 

••■l.  INii,  i-l.  10,  " 

II.  \:A,  1.1.32,  " 

t«        11           «<  •• 

I.  Ki:.,  |.l.  in,  " 

"  \m,  111.  IS,  " 

\    it            4i                  4«  tt 

11.337,  1.1.43,  " 

(I                     n  .. 

t4                           ti  .1 

I.  320,  pi.  18,  " 
"    31(i,       " 

"    314,  l-l.  1.1,  " 

"    319. 

"    317,  pi.  Iti,  " 


Nnuc'lcriiH  forlicatus, 
Nt'ocoivH  spnigiU'i, 
N('|ili(i'C('ti's  iiigi'i", 
Nisiis  cuoiiuri, 

I'llSPllS, 

nirxicamis, 
Nyctalc!  liclmiilsoni, 

ncailica, 
Nyctea  .scaiulinca, 

Oiiychotos  gruberi, 
Opororiiis  agilis, 

foininsa, 

Oicopi'Icia  luartiiiicft, 

Oivoity.x  jiiiitus, 

Orcoscoptcs  nioiitanu.s, 

Ortaliila  niaoiilli, 

Ortyx  ti'xumis, 
i( 

vii'giniamis, 

Otus  l.rachyotus, 
wil.sMiiiaiiu.s, 


III. 
9  I. 
9    II. 

III. 


a  I, 
9   " 

cf  " 
cf  III, 
cf     " 

I 

11 

9  111. 

cf  " 
cf     " 

9    " 


Paiiilion  cavolincii.si.s,  " 

I'anyptila  inclaiioleuea.cf    II. 

Pariila  aiiit'iicana,  <S     I. 

I'nvus  atricapillus,  " 

caiolim'iisi.s,  " 

hml.soiiicus,  " 

liiontaiuis,  " 

occiilentalis,  " 

rufi'.sci'iis,  " 

scptpiitrionnlis,  " 

Pa.ss('reuhi.s  nlauiUnus,  " 

anthinus,  " 

caboti,  11' 

guttatus,  I. 

princeps,  " 

rostr.'itiis,      _  " 

saiidwichensis,  " 

.savanna,  " 

Pa.ssei<.'lla  iliaen,  II. 

megarrhyiicha,  " 

schlstacca,  " 

town-sendi,  9    " 

Pcdia'cctcs  cciluinbianus,  III, 

pha.siaiuilhis,  " 

Perisoieus  canadensis,  <f    II 
"     (Juv.)  " 


]i)2. 

l?.".,  pi.  10, 

42i»,  pi.  45, 

230. 

224. 

231. 

40. 

43. 

70. 

254. 

290,  pi.  15, 

(1  t( 

293,  " 
393,  pi.  58, 
475,  pi.  C3, 
32,  pi.  3, 
398,  pi.  57, 
474,  pi.  <i3. 


468, 

22. 
18. 

184. 
424,  pi. 
208,  pi. 

90,  pi. 
102, 
10!), 

95, 
101, 
104, 

99, 
537,  pi. 
539, 

pi. 
544,  pi. 
540, 
542,  pi. 
638, 
534, 

50,  pi. 

57. 

56. 

53, 
434,  pi. 
430, 
299,  yil. 
pi. 


45, 
10, 

7, 


13 

(I 
6 

7 

8 
1 
5 
6 
8 
7 
9 
U 
2 
10 
11 

3 
4 


Peiisnrons  capitalis,       cf  II.  302,  pi.  41,  fig.  4 

ol)Ni'iiru.s,  "      " 

Pi'l'i,s,s(igl(i.s»a  failioimta,        I.  214,  pi.  12,  "  3 

tigiina,                    cf  "    21-',       "  "  1 

,,                          9  II      11         11  II  12 

IVtiwlicliilonlnnifronH,cf  "    334,  pi.  1(1,  "13 

IVucii'a  lustivalis,  II.    39,  j.l.  2S,  "  4 

aiizoniu,  "     41. 

caiiialis,  "            jil.  4(1,  "  8 

pa,s.sini,  "     42,  pi.  28.  "  ' 

nilic('p,s,  "      4.'>,      " 
Phirnopcpla  nilcnB,       cf     1.405,1.1.18, 


Phonipara  zona. 


cf 
cf 
cf 

9 

Pliyllcipiicn.stc  boicalis. 
Pica  luulsonicn,  cf 

inittalli,  cf 

PicicorvnH  colnmbinnus, 
Pici.idi's  iiniPiicHnus,      cf 

arc'tii'iis,  cf 

Picns  nlbolarvatUH,         cf 


1 1.    03,  pi.  29, 


24, 

46, 
25, 

24, 

.( 
,( 

28, 

( 

K 

60, 

\i 

41, 
42, 


5 
7 
1 
4 
7 
5 
3 
(> 
2 
11 
10 
9 
1 
2 

12 
9 
8 
7 

10 

8 
1 
3 
3 
4 


Ixircalis, 

gnirdiici'i, 

liarrisi, 

liu'a.saiins, 

nuttalli, 
II 

pubcsccns, 
II 

scalaris, 


"         (Juv.) 

Pinicola  cnudcator, 
II 

Pipilo  abcrti, 
albigula, 
iillcni, 
arcticus, 


cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 
cf 

9 

cf 
cf 


cf 

9 

cf 
cf 


dilonira, 
(M'issalis, 
erytliroi)lit!ialmn,s,  cf 
cf 
niegalonyx,  9 

nicsolciicu.s,  cf 

oivgonus,  9 

Plcctroplmnes  lupponicus, 

niaccowni, 

ni('laiioniu,s, 

nivali.s, 

ornatus, 

pictus. 


pi.    .5, 
266,  pi.  38, 
270,       " 
255,       " 
532,  111.  50, 
530,       " 
52(1,       " 

II  4* 

524,  pi.  49, 

512. 

507. 

519. 

521,  pi.  50, 

It  l( 

509,  1)1.  4i), 

K  It 

515,  pi.  50, 

It 

503,  pi.  49, 

It  It 

il  II 

.  453,  pi.  21, 

II  II 

,  128,  pi.  31, 
127,       " 
112. 
119,       " 

t(  II 

131,  " 

122,  " 

109,  " 

It  II 

113,  " 
12.-I,  " 
116,       " 


cf 

I. 

SI."), 

pl.24. 

cf 

523, 

cf 

521, 

cf 

512, 

cf 

520, 

cf 

518, 

9 

l« 

Polioptila  o.Triilea, 

niclannrn, 

plumbca, 
Polybonis  iiudnboni, 
Pooca'tcs  gramincus, 
Poos)iiza  belli, 

bilineata, 

nnvadensis, 

Progiie  ciyptolcnca, 

subis, 
II 

Protonotaria  citrea, 


111, 
II. 


9 

cf 


78,  pi.    6, 
81,      " 
80,      " 

178. 

545,  pi.  29, 

593,  pi.  20, 

590,       " 

594. 

332. 

329,  pi.  16, 

II  II 

184,  pi.  10, 


(1 
3 
4 
16 
16 
6 
1 
3 
4 
2 

1 

7 
8 

8 


3 
(i 
6 
7 
4 
5 
3 
4 
5 
1 
2 

7 
\\ 


6 
4 
8 
2 
3 
9 
10 
12 

7 
1 
6 
2 
3 
4 
5 
5 
7 
6 

1 
9 

8 


7 

10 
8 


L\ 

ro] 

3X   TO   PLATES  OF  LAND  UIIU 

).S. 

V 

Psaltripiiriis  molanotis 

t 

I. 

ins,  pi.   7.  fi 

«■  s 

Spi-otytn  livpugita. 

III. 

00. 

iiiiiiiiiiiis, 

tt 

Km,     ■' 

'     '.I 

S|H'rni(iplilla  niorclctl, 

cf 

11. 

in. 

!>' 

20,  fif 

-.17 

|lllllIllll'II.S, 

41 

no,     •• 

'   10 

Spliyrupliii.'i  udilialis. 

cf 

" 

542, 

I'l 

51,    • 

'     3 

IViiilof;iy(iliU8  iialilorniiiniis, 

" 

9 

" 

'• 

it               1 

'     4 

III 

:i;t8. 

riilu'r. 

cf 

'* 

541, 

tt               t 

'     0 

I'siloiliimis  iiinrio, 

9 

11. 

aoi,  pi.  42, 

•     0 

lliyroidcus, 

cf 

tt 

517, 

pl 

:»<[.  ' 

'     0 

I'yiaiif^n  ii'sliva, 

cf 

I. 

441,  pi.  2(1. 

'    r, 

variu.s. 

cf 

'* 

53!., 

I'l 

.'U    ' 

'   1 

it 

9 

" 

ti       .. 

'   (1 

" 

9 

" 

it 

tt     i 

t      t) 

coopi'vi, 

9 

it 
(1 

444,       •• 

tt                  11 

'    1 
2 

williiiMisnui, 
•Spi/i'lhi  ari/oniv. 

9 

.. 

54,5, 
11. 

ti     ( 

'     5 

lu-paticn, 

<f 

" 

410,      •• 

•    n 

aU'iguliu'is, 

cf 

I. 

15, 

I'l 

'2(i,    ' 

'  11 

It 

9 

tt 

tt         .. 

•  10 

" 

cf 

** 

•* 

ti        i 

'  12 

ludovii'ianii, 

<f 

" 

4:17,      " 

'    3 

liri'wcri, 

II. 

13, 

1-1 

27,    ' 

'     4 

t* 

'i 

" 

t(                  ti 

'    4 

in(inli<'cila, 

" 

3, 

If              i 

'         i'l 

niliia, 

<f 

ft 

435,      " 

■    7 

pallida. 

'* 

11, 

It              i 

'     3 

9 

" 

tt                  tt 

'     8 

IKisilla, 

9 

it 

5, 

1 1              t 

'     2 

Pyrgita  dotiii'stica, 

(1 

.')25,  pi.  23, 

'  12 

socialls. 

it 

7, 

if              t 

'     1 

Pviofi'iilialus  iiicxicamis, 

Starudiias  cyanoccpliala, 

' 

rf 

II. 

3S7,  pi.  44, 

'     .'. 

cT 

III. 

3!»5, 

1-1 

58,    ■ 

'     5 

Pynliiila  lassini, 

cf 

I. 

4,'i7,  pl.  23, 

'   11 

tSti'lgidoptcryx  .serripeniiif 

, 

Pynhiiliixia  sinuatn, 

rf 

11. 

!»,'>,  pl.  30, 

'     3 

cf 

I. 

;!50, 

I'l 

10,     ' 

'  12 

SlcUiila  callinpi'. 

cf 

II. 

445, 

I'l 

47,    • 

'     0 

QiliscahiH  reiimis, 

(t 

21 H. 

Strtx  pralini'iila, 

Ill 

13. 

a;;la'iis, 

cf 

(i 

221,  111.  37, 

•     *> 

.Stunulla  Miagua, 

cf 

11. 

174, 

I'l 

31,    ' 

t     ,) 

liiarroiinia, 

cf 

t( 

22.'),  pl.  30, 

•     1 

ni'glc'i'lii, 

cf 

tt 

17(1, 

t.        I 

'     \ 

(( 

9 

(( 

tt 

'    2 

Sturuiis  viil,i,'aris. 

cf 

ft 

22!t, 

I'l 

35,    ' 

'     8 

major, 

cf 
9 

(1 
t  1 

222,      " 
tt         ft 

'     3 
'.    4 

•Siirnia  iiliila, 
.Syriiiinn  linircuni, 

III 

tt 

7.5. 
30. 

purpureus, 

cf 

*' 

214,  pl.37, 

'     1 

ncbiildsinii, 
occidcutale, 

tt 

34. 

38. 

Rt'guluR  imlendula, 

I. 

75,  pl.    5. 

'    n 

euvicri, 

** 

ti        ,1 

'    7 

Tai'liycincta  liieolor. 

cf 

1. 

344, 

I'l 

10,    ' 

'     8 

satrapa, 

(( 

73,      •• 

•     8 

ilialas.siiiii, 

</ 

" 

317, 

" 

'  11 

l!liiiini,'iy|ilius  aura, 

III 

344. 

Tliaunialias  liiina'i, 

II 

4(i8. 

liostrlianius  Mxiabilis, 

(  ( 

2oy. 

Thryiiiliiinis  licrlaiidieri. 

1 

144, 

I'l 

'•',    ' 

'     2 

licwiiki, 

cf 

" 

1 45, 

tt        t 

'     3 

Salpincti'S  ol)S(ilt'tu.s 

I. 

13.-;,  pl.  8, 

'    3 

It 

tt 

ft        t 

'     4 

Naxii'ola  (inaiitlic, 

(( 

tiO,  pl.    5, 

•     (! 

liiu.'ogastcr. 

** 

147. 

Sayornis  I'usi'us, 

cf 

11. 

343,  pl.  45, 

•     2 

luildvicianus. 

" 

112, 

ft        t 

'     1 

nigricans. 

cf 

t( 

340,       " 

•     1 

s])iliiiiis. 

it 

147. 

sayus, 

cf 

it 

347,       " 

'     3 

Troclilliis  alcxaiidri, 

cf 

II. 

450, 

I'l 

47,    ' 

'     1 

Soardaiilla  iuoa. 

(fill. 

387,  pl.  58, 

■    7 

nilulnis, 

cf 

1 1 

448, 

ti              i 

f     *} 

Scok'ci-pliulus  cyaiioci' 

)lia 

US, 

Troglodylis  ludou, 

1. 

110, 

I'l 

0,    ' 

'     5 

9 

II. 

206,  pl.  35, 

'    3 

alasccMsi.s, 

" 

1.-.7, 

(t               f 

'     8 

ferruginous. 

cf 

tt 

203,       " 

'     4 

liycnialis. 

" 

155, 

11                f 

'     9 

Scojis  asio, 

III 

4ii. 

liaiilious. 

** 

tt               1 

'  10 

llanmifdla, 

n 

.M. 

parknianui. 

tt 

153. 

lloridiiiia, 

It 

57. 

Turd  IIS  aliria-. 

tt 

11. 

I'l 

1,    ' 

'     3 

krniiicoiti, 

(i 

53. 

au<liil»ini. 

It 

21, 

tt               f 

'     8 

UKU'calli, 

tt 

52. 

conlinis, 

ft 

'i7, 

pl 

2,    ' 

'     1 

Seiurus  aurocapillus. 

1. 

280,  pl.  14, 

'  11 

rusccsccns. 

tt 

!), 

pl 

1,    ' 

'     5 

hulovicinnus, 

cf 

ti 

2S7,      " 

'  13 

iliai'us. 

*' 

23, 

pl 

'     4 

iiovfboraccnsis, 

cf 

k  t 

283,      " 

'  12 

uiigralorius. 

tt 

25, 

t  f               t 

'     3 

Selnspliorus  pliitycercus. 

mustolinus. 

** 

7, 

''! 

1,    ' 

'     1 

cf 

II 

4G2,  pl.  47, 

'     5 

na;vius. 

*' 

2i>, 

I'l 

2,    ' 

t     *} 

rul'us, 

<f 

tt 

450,      " 

'     4 

nanus. 

*' 

20, 

pl 

1.    ' 

'    7 

SL'tophaga  picta. 

<f 

tt 

pl.  40, 

'     7 

liallasi, 

** 

18, 

11               f 

'    0 

li 

cf 

•  t 

pl.  5(1, 

'     3 

swainsoni, 

'* 

14, 

1 1               t 

'     4 

rutieilla, 

cf 

1 

322,  pl.KI, 

'     1 

ustulatus. 

ft 

"                ' 

'     2 

It 

9 

t  < 

tt                  if 

'         i» 

Tyrannus  caroliuonsis 

cf 

11. 

31(!, 

pl 

43,    ' 

I     2 

Sialia  arctica, 

tt 

«7,  pl.    5, 

'     4 

couidii. 

cf 

'* 

320, 

tt               f 

'     (1 

mcxioauiv, 

tt 

(}■<,      " 

t     0 

dominii'cnsis. 

cf 

ft 

310. 

(t               t 

'     3 

siali.s. 

t( 

(12,      " 

'     .3 

vcrtioalis, 

cf 

ft 

321, 

f  i               t 

'     4 

Sitta  aculcutn. 

tt 

117. 

vooileraus, 

cf 

<f 

327, 

tt               f 

'     5 

canadensis, 

cf 

ft 

118,  pl.    8, 

'    7 

<t 

9 

tt 

tt                  tt 

'     8 

Viri'o  atricapillus, 

cf 

1. 

383, 

pl 

1",    ' 

'     G 

carolincn  is, 

(f 

(f 

114,      " 

'     1 

liclli, 

cf 

ft 

3^0, 

tt               f 

'  13 

(t 

9 

t( 

(i              t( 

t     2 

liuttDui, 

cf 

ft 

3S7, 

(t               f 

'  12 

pusilla, 
pygmsca, 

ti 

122,      " 

'     9 

nov(')iorai't'n.sis. 

cf 

" 

385, 

(f               f 

'  11 

<i 

120,      " 

'  10 

pusillus. 

a- 

it 

391, 

ft 

'  14 

VI 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


I.    393,  pi.  17,  fig.  7 


Vireo  vicinior,  J 

Vireosylvin  ItiirbatuUi,   cf 

Hi'ivoriridis, 

gilva, 

olivneea, 

philiiiU'lphica, 

swuiiisoui. 


Xanthoceiilialut  icterocci>lmhi.s, 

rf    II.  167,  pi.  32,  "  9 

"  9    "      "    pi.  33,  "  9 

Xanthoura  luxuosa,            "    29.5,  pi.  42,  "  1 


<f 

360,       ' 

t       t  ( 

366. 

cf 

368,       ' 

4                (( 

d 

363,       ' 
367,       ' 

(                i4 

;«7l 

Zcnaida  a-nabilis,  <f  HI.  379,  pi.  58,  fig.  3 

/uimidura  caroUnciisis,  <f  "    383,      "  2 

Zonotrichia  albicoUis,    d"  I.  574,  pi.  26, 

coronata,  <f  "    573, 

carabeli,  rf  "    569,  pi.  25, 

*'    <•         (Juv.) 

Icucoyhrys,  {Jw.)  <f  "    666,      " 

jf  "      "         " 

querula,  {Ad.)      <f  "    577,  pi.  26, 

"       {aiUumn)  "     "        " 


10 

1 

11 

12 
9 

10 
4 
7 


PLATE  I. 


1.  Ttirdiis  niitstcllnii<;,  Om.    IVnii.,  1570. 

2.  "        ustiiliitiis,  A'/f//.     (trtxnn,  :a>4t. 

3.  "       alici.Y,  /tint,/.    Itllhiiis,  100S4. 

4.  "       swain<;inii,  Cii^    Penn-.p"'- 


5.  Timlus  Atscesccns,  ^^t-ZA.    D  C,  aSaji. 

6.  "       pjillitsii,  Cttf>.     IVnn.,  2146. 

7.  "        nanus,  .luif.     C;ila.,  ij'Yiy. 

&        •'        auduboni.  A'.iMf.     Kocky  Mts.,  I0886. 


PLATE  11. 


ii 


PLATE  III. 


H 


3  'S 


X  7. 


1  S 

II 


PLATE  IV. 


.  'fi'-'P'^.^,. 


\i 


rt  * 


■8 


U 
1^' 


■c  -S 


X 


PLATE  V. 


1.  Cinclus  mexicanus,  S7i'.     S.  M.,  8496. 

2.  Sialia  nicxicnna,  Stv.    Cnl.,  10623. 

3.  "      sialis,  Baird.    D.  C,  2^245. 

4.  '*      nrctica,  Sw.     Rocky  Mts.,  18319. 


5.  Phyllopneiiste  hnrcalis.     Alaska,  45909. 

6.  Saxicola  icnantho,  Brchst.     I*"r.ince,  18059. 

7.  Rfffulus  ciivii.*ri.  .///.Y.    (From  Aud.'s  plate.) 

8.  '*        sntrapa.  Litht.    I).  C  ,  ii6i. 

9.  "        calendula,  Licht.    I'cnn.,  736. 


PLATE  VI. 


I.  Lopliophancs  bicolor,  Bm.    ill..  ^,^ 

'■  _■'  "tricrislalus.  C«TT.     Tex..  .3,07 

*  ,  '""'"■itiis,  C,w.     Cal.,  „„si 

*  wollwcberl,  fl„,.     Arii,  4074, 


S    ''olinptiU  cx-tulCT,  ,9i7.     Ill,  loa,^ 

6-  "         I'll""!'™,  «„nC  'Ari/..  1,34,. 

7-  ••         mclnnura,  /..m,-.    Cal.,  71,,. 
8.  Clianijca  fasciata,  <.„,«*.    Cnl,  59=4. 


PLATE  VII. 


Pnrus  »tr{cn|>nius,  l.tnu.    cf  N-  York,  1^351 
"      -ttr.  septcntrionalis.  ftitrri\\.     Mission  \*.ilL'y 
■■      T.ir.  I  LtiiKiit.ilis.  li.itni.     W ;\s\i\\\)^o\\  Ttrrilory, 
"      tari>lim.-tisis,  .■tu<t.     cf  '*■  ^  >  7  >'»■ 
•'      inoiiiiiiius,  (iittnf-i-/.    Ncv.i;i.i,  sus^- 
•'     nifesci'ns.  Towns.    I'mifit  i-".isi,  45946. 


7.  P.irus  hu(lM)nit:iis,  /-'.'rsf.     S.  Snni.i. 

H.  l*sattri|)Arus  iial.motis,  /•'<''/.     Mi.'xko. 

().  "  niiiiiimis,  T,m-ns.     California,  i''.'4i; 

10.  "  t-fin  plumhciis,  Ktit'r.f.    Arizona. 

11.  Aviriparus  flnvictps  Sumt    42210. 


PLATE  Vin. 


I-  Silt.i  c,ir„li,n-nsis,  r.,,,.     cf  I'a    „„, 
3.     "  •■  ..       6       '  ■*     * 

3.  -''■ilpinclra  nl„„K„„5,  .5-,y,,    inl.,  y,,; 

4.  Cltlurpes  l.K-xic,i,uis,  i,,..,  ,,„..'  M,..,.  5,^.,. 

5.  <-i'"l'yl'-'yi.cl,uslmnnRi,:.ipni„.. /.„/),     cf'  <  ,,1    .,^^ 

affii.is.  .r„„/,„.     d'  (■,,;,,,  ;;,.',.',',,/„^. 


7.  Sitia  canadensis,  /.,„„.     d"  p„    5,. 

a      "  "  ..  O   „    " 

♦    1.1  ,  2U73. 

»  pusill.i,  /.,.-//,.    Ga.,  19,3. 

'"■      "     Pt\'m.iM,  ;vir     Cal.,  3,42. 
II.  Ccrtliia,    .cricana.  Aw,     (f  Pa.,  f,^. 


PLATE  IX. 


>•  Thry„,|,o„„  lu.lovicianus,  Lall,     V:x..  ,78+ 
'■  "  Ijcrlamlieri,  Cmuh.     Texas 

3-  _'_•  bc«-ickii.  Au.i.     <f  r,,.,  ^^^ 

5.  Troglodyta  .Tclon,  r/W//.    I),  r/^' 


■  1454- 


6.  Cisl.ilhorus  palusiris,  ir,;,,     j.,^ 

'■  "  s'cllnris, /.,,-/,/.     (-.^    ^„. 

_»  ^^  Vcmalls,  ,-,w//.     c^Va.,,,"^' 

'"'■  I'aciriais,  j;,urj.     W.  T  ,  ,J^,^^ 


PLATE  X. 


>^'  ^' 


■•  Motacilli  .-.ll,,,.  /.,„„.     J, 

3.  A„,l,„,,,„|„,i,i,„„^  <;„,.     ,.„,,„,,„^;  _^_ 
+  prateiisls,  /.i„„,    Eur. 


5-  ^<.■ocorys  spraguci,  .4i„f.     J   Uj^, 


"■"P"--.  18590. 


cC   P.I.,  5.)iSs. 


Ota,  1884. 


".  .MniMtiha  v.iria.  /.,„„.     ^   ma;. 

7  I'.iriila  .iiii.rk.ni.i.  /.;«„. 

8.  I'rcil.mi.l.iri.i  tilrt.i, /,',,,«.     ||l.,  i„ii 

9-  Hflinilhcriis^wair,,,,,,!.  ../,„/.     s.  C 


■"54. 
148. 


PLATE  xr. 


PLATE  Xir. 


5"°  3 


PLATK   XIII. 


d    M    ri 


Ly 


\>\, - 


■  "o 


"CO.  S. 


'  ■  -I 

I    !     ■ 


i^ 


H 


11 


PLATE  XIV. 


PLATE  XV. 


PLATK  XVI. 


PLATE  XVII. 


i> 


!  /'■  ./.^ 


^ 


I 


•3  >j  y.  -• 

i  i^  i 
I  -2  ^  i 

o  2  V  i 
e  .^  ^  5. 


.:/;C.i 


a  .''  'J 

.a  I:  3" 


5"" 


8S  „ 


.s    c 


y 


^;£  • 

•  "^  ;S  ^ 


PLATE  XVIII. 


■    '  1.','  ?  ' 


^i:<.'^ 


i. 

0    ' 

I 

r*    4 


PLATE  XIX. 


-.-.-^ 


'■;''V  ,f  AM 


15 

•o 


3     C 

r 

u 


PLATE  XX. 


I. 

8. 

•yr.inn 

1  cnnpcri,  Ki/trri:     '^  N.  Mcx..  34^44. 

luilmlclana,  HiZr.     cf  Ncl).,  1818a 

» 

" 

xbtivn,  (;wf.     cf  Ca.,  13190, 

6.  I'yr.in^ia  ci'stiva,  (7»i.     9. 

7-         "        rubra,  /./mh.     <f  lown,  34177. 

8.        9. 

9.  "       huitatica,  S'ffaiMj.     if  Mci.,  aaiii. 
la         9. 


PLATE  XXI. 


8  i\> 
"DO*  I 


tl 


it 


"cc* 


S  .5- 


"DO 


•*  <^<ts 


i    4 
"    1 


3 

I 

3. 


PLATE  XXII. 


^•uc-l 


-  d  -■;  § 


c    . 


*0  a"  <?  — 


E  '"D  a 

f-  .:    .  5 
>  K.  S  3 

S  2  S  g 

.1 2  •^  i 

Is"  2  I 


t|     t 

Q-  .S  :    5. 


PLATE  XXIII. 


i  ^  3 


^  tj  ^ 


•2    i    ^ 

i;  i  s 


i:   3 

»  IS, 


It: 
11 

"d  'in 


•♦  lA  J 


nil 


PLATE  XXIV. 


3-3 

III 


a      S 

i   i 


3=1 

i.  =    r 

2  =  is 
sua 

II 


t^   CO      A 


pa       3 

■f     i 
•do  i 


<  i 

rt   3   a 


a  s  s 


PLATE  XXV, 


Z   H  ■ 


2  •! 
Ill 

S  i  3 

3  J 

I      - 

E        1 


a   :  9 
!l=  S, 


i., 


II 
1^ 


a 
u 


S  I-  H 


m 

tfl  ,y    o 
V  ''a    a 


^c  a  J 


PLATE  XXVL 


